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College of the Third Age: Augsburg's resource for older learners

By Carolyn Eklin

In 1983, Augsburg became the first college in the nation to provide educational opportunities for older learners at sites in their neighborhoods. The name of the program has a bit of a mystical sound to it: Augsburg College of the Third Age. An interview with its director, Karen A. Lindesmith, reveals a program with an intriguing history and an exciting future.

In the early 1970s, Mimi Johnson, a professor at Augsburg, traveled to France on a sabbatical leave. There she became acquainted with a sociologist involved in a study of older people. His research on adults in their "third age," that of retirement, highlighted their keen desire to learn. Johnson and her husband, Augsburg Professor Emeritus Einar Johnson, brought this finding back to the States, and, with other interested Augsburg faculty, set up a pilot program to implement the concept. Its goal was - and is - to offer lifelong learning opportunities to older adults, taking courses out into the communities where they live.

Now beginning its 16th year, Lindesmith sees the College of the Third Age as a program with great potential and impact, for "life is all about learning." Her vision for an expanded program includes inner-city sites (made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Humanities Commission) and intergenerational offerings.

Currently, the catalog lists more than 160 courses in 10 disciplines. The offerings are presented either singly or in a series, with no papers, exams or grades. The "faculty" is 66 retired professors, many from Augsburg. Through her recruiting efforts, additional teachers continue to come on board, and their varied interests spawn new and inviting courses, including Piano Styles of the Swing Era, Minnesota Politics since World War I, Vital Spirituality for Growing Older and Gardens around the World.

The over 50 sites at which these programs are offered range from churches to senior living facilities to community centers. The program is now expanding to all corners of the metropolitan, seven-county area.

The College of the Third Age, Lindesmith emphasizes, is all about serving people, offering new adventures in learning to expand their knowledge and interests, and thereby to promote their well-being.

For a catalog, information or volunteering, call Karen Lindesmith, at (612) 330-1139.

Carolyn Eklin is a freelance writer in Plymouth, Minn.

Calendar of November and December programs (please call the phone numbers listed for information about the program, instructor and location):

11/01 King's Highway Through Jordan (612) 504-6981

11/01 Angels: What on Earth are They? (612) 939-8393

11/02 American Originals (612) 781-2945

11/04 Understanding Gender Misunderstandings (612) 920-8515

11/04 George Gershwin: A Genius for the People (612) 509-5225

11/04 A New Direction in Minnesota Politics: The Election of Jesse Ventura as Governor (612) 827-5401

11/07 The Creeds of the Christian Church (612) 477-6300

11/08 Minnesota Artists at Home and Abroad (612) 362-2492

11/09 The Story of Stained Glass (612) 871-8831

11/09 Evolution and Creation (651) 439-7400

11/11 Handel's Messiah: How to Appreciate It (612) 920-8515

11/11 1939: The Gathering Storm (651) 770-4762

11/11 Sites, Sights, and Stories of Major Centers of the World (651) 458-6605

11/12 Where Have all the Heroes Gone? (651) 639-1000

11/14 The Challenge of Islam (612) 823-8281

11/14 The Language and Imagery of the Bible (612) 560-8958

11/15 Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Jew, or New Age: Does it Matter? (651) 457-3373

11/16 American Originals (612) 928-6418

11/17 A Visit with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama (612) 696-3260

11/21 The Appeal of Buddhism (612) 823-8281

12/05 It's O.K. not to be O.K. (612) 477-6300

12/06 Tony Hillerman and His Landscapes (612) 504-6981

12/07 The Joy of Aging -Part II-Reach for the Stars (651) 458-6605

12/08 On the Homefront: Christmas in the 40s (651) 770-4762

12/10 On the Homefront: Christmas in the 40s (651) 639-1000

12/12 Jubilee 2000 (651) 227-8295

12/13 On the Homefront: Christmas in the 40s (612) 362-2492

12/14 On the Homefront: Christmas in the 40s (651) 439-7400

12/21 Gardens Around the World (612) 928-6418

12/28 On the Homefront: Christmas in the 40s (612) 913-5339