Kristin Coomber ‘06, Tara Meister ‘07 and Meg Thomas ‘06 spent the spring semester of 2006 researching the structure of Lifelong Learning Institutes across the country in order to assemble a proposal for a Lifelong Learning Program at Colgate. Lifelong Learning Institutes provide an educational and motivational environment, both in and out of a classroom setting, to people of various backgrounds who share a common interest in learning and intellectual stimulation.  These programs provide a local, year-round resource that allows members to achieve mid- or post-career educational goals without participating in a formal educational program. Most of the programs that the students researched had three things in common: they were sponsored by a host college or university; they encouraged their members to take ownership of their institute by participating as learners and educators, and they encouraged volunteer participation to develop a sense of community among older learners. Many of the programs were affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network, a voluntary association of Lifelong Learning Institutes funded by Elderhostel Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities for older adults.

The students set out to create a proposal that would bring the benefits of continuing education demonstrated in other communities to the Hamilton area. They identified the aspects of other institutes that contributed to their success and considered how those components could be included in a Colgate Lifelong Learning Program. They identified both short and long term goals that would allow the university to create such a program. They also identified existing resources that the university may be able to share with the members of such a group, such as open spots in existing Colgate courses or empty bus seats on Beyond Colgate trips.

The students also spent some time looking at existing organizations in the Hamilton area and considering ways in which a Lifelong Learning Program could complement those organizations. They interviewed several key members of the community that participate in various organizations, and they hosted several presentations about their research, both for the community at large and for some of these existing organizations, in order to solicit input about their proposal.

Through their research, the students realized that the existence of a Lifelong Learning Program at Colgate would be beneficial both for the community and for Colgate. The community would gain an additional opportunity for furthering their education and enriching their social lives, while the university would be able to use the program to attract alumni to the area, increase attendance at various functions such as lecture series, and continue the tradition of giving back to the community.

Joaimee Nagtalon, '07, continued work on this project in the fall of 2007.