Roanoke College Elderscholar program celebrates 30 years
May 21, 2014
Salem - This year marks the 30th anniversary of Roanoke College's Elderscholar program, an on-campus educational series of events aimed at adults older than 55 years old.
For three decades, Elderscholar has been among the most visible and popular examples of Roanoke College's commitment to providing educational opportunities to Roanoke area retirees. Each fall and spring, Elderscholar participants come to campus to hear weekly lectures given by members of Roanoke's faculty and enjoy food and fellowship in the College's Sutton Commons.
Elderscholar began in 1984 as a spin-off of Elderhostel, a worldwide study and travel program for seniors. Since then, participation has increased from an inaugural class of 17 people to two semester-long programs per year, each with about 170 participants.
In addition to its signature lecture series program, Elderscholar has organized book discussions and travel programs. An adventure component is its newest addition, with outdoor trips for the young at heart.
In honor of Elderscholar's anniversary, Roanoke's Office of Community Programs hosted a celebration on May 21 in the College's Olin Hall. Featured performers were The Kandinsky Trio. The celebration also included remarks by Roanoke President Michael Maxey, a history slideshow presentation and entertainment by The Cyrus Pace Duo.
For more information, contact the Office of Community Programs and Special Events at 540-375-2323 or elderscholar@roanoke.edu.
Roanoke College, a classic liberal arts college in Salem, Virginia, combines firsthand learning with valuable personal connections in a beautiful, undergraduate setting. Roanoke is one of just seven percent of colleges nationwide with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most prestigious honor society. The Princeton Review lists Roanoke as the 18th most beautiful campus in its "Best 376 Colleges" 2012 guidebook.
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-Published May 21, 2014