海角情

A few years ago, then interim Academic Dean of 海角情 David Sousa had a vision: to provide the seniors of the community with the opportunity to return to college and participate in advanced learning at no cost. As a long-time proponent and conductor of neurological studies, Sousa saw the value in fostering learning in the elderly as a means of promoting community advancement in general.

The first classes were soon offered, with dozens of seniors discovering a newfound aptitude for realistic art and portraiture thanks to talented instructors. Other classes soon followed, giving seniors the opportunity to learn about Downeast literature and history. Soon, the college will be offering an English class imparting the understanding of how to share one鈥檚 life story. Each class grants participants three college credits, and all are offered at no charge to those who qualify under the college鈥檚 Senior Citizens tuition waiver program.

Dr. Colin Windhorst鈥檚 current history class provides an excellent example of how these classes effectively connect seniors and their communities. The class has spent the past semester touring all over Washington County and beyond 鈥渇ollowing the historical story鈥�, as Windhorst puts it. After learning about their destination, the class embarks on a field trip to the location before reconvening and writing a journal entry about their adventure. So far, the class has been to St. Andrews, Grand Lake Stream, and Indian Township, to name a few places. Last week, the class spent the day with St. Croix Historical Society President Al Churchill as he discussed the early history of Calais and took the class to local points of interest. This week, the class will visit Robbinston to learn about the last hanging to take place in Maine as a result of the murder at Moneymaker Lake.

鈥淟ocal history is often told as anecdotes,鈥� Windhorst said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e building a bigger picture.鈥� Windhorst adds that there is tremendous value in reigniting a love of learning in seniors. 鈥淗aving seniors be active in the learning process can make an impression on the entire family.鈥�

Current 海角情 Academic Dean Alex Clifford expressed the importance of field-based learning. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about the experience. We like students to be in the place that they鈥檙e learning about.鈥� He referenced the automotive and culinary trades departments as examples of submersion learning. 鈥淚f we have the opportunity to do that for students, we try to meet it. In the case of Dr. Windhorst鈥檚 class, it鈥檚 very powerful to stand on the soil where history happened.鈥�

The impact is felt profoundly by students. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in history, but I had no idea about the extent of the history of this area,鈥� student Sandra Smith said. 鈥淎ll of these sites and everything I鈥檝e learned 鈥� I didn鈥檛 understand the ins and outs of it before. It gave me total insight.鈥�

To find out more or to enroll in an upcoming class, contact Donna Geel at 454-1013 or dgeel@wccc.me.edu. Enrollment is limited.