THE MISSION

All Are Welcome …But You Gotta Be at least 50 To Vote!

Not every (almost-soon-not-to-be-any-longer-middle-aged – I can’t believe it!) person is particularly interested in any sort of classes. In fact, many resist the idea of associating with people of their own age. But some are interested (the numbers around 3%, so you’re definitely unique!), and at the University of Maine Senior College, our mission is to make sure the opportunity is there for those who want it. We’re grown up and generally competent. As we say to entice prospective instructors, “We already know how to learn and have well developed, easy going, social skills. You’ll like teaching here.”

Augusta Senior College provides many activities and academic classes in language, history, current affairs, and other subjects. We also offer a variety of personal enrichment opportunities in art, crafts, music, and theater, along with concerts, forums, and book clubs. Our Winter 2020 Lecture Series registered 187 students, though one of our most popular classes, Pétanque (a French style bowling game, taught by Raymond Fecteau) is limited to 8 at a time. A typical semester has 25 or 30 classes. See what’s going on now.

What don’t we have? We don’t have classes that are primarily intended as job training or career advancement. That’s “adult education,” and for a brief explanation and history of the difference between Senior College and adult education, though the age brackets overlap, see at right, The World of Lifelong Learning.  Suffice it to note that the UMA campus that is famous for it’s productive and convenient distance learning programs which support many of those who are advancing their education while working or taking care of kids, is also the campus which sponsors one of the most successful Lifelong Learning programs in the state of Maine. So if you did stumble here looking for a degree program or classes to improve your career, goto  UMA’s website or read a great US News review. To learn more about the pleasure of learning without grades go to more news or just register for a class.

 MEMBER QUOTES

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Many thanks to you and Louis and UMaine Augusta Senior College for Rocks and Walks. It was a wonderful class, inspiring, educational, well-planned and so much fun. I really enjoyed learning about rocks and getting to know everyone.
2021 Fall Class: Rocks and Walks
I found the expertise of each presenter to be excellent. The topics were varied and I found each lecture very compelling!
2021 Fall Lecture Series
I want to personally thank you for the very informative, enthusiastic and visual presentation on the works of Dahlov Ipcar. You are a true communicator Pat. You clearly helped us understand that this woman who lived to be 98 years old kept her mind young through her art. The fact that you knew Dahlov made today's class even more interesting because of the different anecdotes that you were able to share with us. You helped us comprehend who she was as a person and why she did what she did. I am in awe. Thank you so much.
2021 Spring Class: Exploring Four Maine Artists and Their Legacies
I just wanted to take the time to thank you for offering this amazing series. I retired in 2018 as an elementary principal. I have found this experience both informative and relaxing.
2021 Spring Class: A Tour of Farnsworth Art Museum Treasures
That was excellent! Really fascinating. What talent Maya Lin has, and how skilled and creative she is!! Thank you so very much.
2021 Winter Lecture Series: Memory and the Natural Environment in the Art of Maya Lin
I wanted you to know this but didn't want to take up class time. I am taking your class because the musicians you're discussing weren't some of my favorites (tough to understand, right?) but I wanted to learn more about them. You certainly have succeeded in doing that and we're not even half-way through the series. Your presentations are thoroughly researched and it had to be somewhat of a chore to come up with the slides you show.
2020 Fall Class: Eight Giants of Jazz
My mother, Catherine, has been really enjoying the Lincoln class as well as the Tuesday and Thursday lecture series. I am trying to help her sign up for any December or winter session classes. Will there be Zoom classes offered for a winter session? I cannot tell you how much these classes are enriching her life, especially with our local community being affected by a second wave of the virus, and her very limited mobility. It has been a pleasure to see her learn to use Zoom.
2020 Fall Class: We Are Coming Father Abraham & Fall Zoom Lecture Series
I enjoyed the class. I love the way Mike makes connections between what he’s teaching and other often more recent events. And I am impressed by how Mike brings these historical figures to life; they’re very real to me now. The amount of work he’s put into this class is amazing. The number of books he’s read on the subject and the arrangements he made with Campobello and Kathryn Smith, all of that took a lot of time and effort. Thank you, Mike, both for the class and your Zoom leadership.
2020 Spring Class: The Roosevelts of Hyde Park
What a fascinating presentation!! I want to thank you so very much as it really brought back so many memories for me personally. You captured the heart of the UNESCO mission which is to preserve these world sites and how fortunate to have been able to see all of these sites. Both of you are reliving your travels with us and because of you we are able to also visit some of these places which of which we have heard about but never seen. I look forward to your next presentation. It's so much work to put all of this together. You have spent hours preparing and how successful it is. Again, thank you.
2020 Fall Class: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe
I loved both classes. I’ve taken classes from David Greenham before so I know what an excellent teacher he is. But I had never taken a class from Ann Sullivan. She is a fantastic teacher, and put together a fascinating course including an incredible number of slides and, historical French songs and other cultural accoutrements.
2020 Fall Classes: Understanding and Confronting Bias & The Story of the Acadian Expulsion
Both instructors were knowledgeable and were willing to answer questions. They also encouraged us to share our information that class members might appreciate. It was also a pleasure to see familiar faces - in light of many hours at home these days! I was especially pleased to have the courses from 5:30 to 7PM - a convenient time and not need to drive anywhere! For me, it was ideal.
2020 Fall Classes: Central Maine's Architectural History & The Story of the Acadian Expulsion
You have put together a valuable collection of primary resources, assembled through your love for your father and a commitment to history. Thank you for sharing.
2021 Winter Lecture Series: Reveille at 6:15: Pancakes for Breakfast
I really enjoyed the classes I took this fall. In classes where visuals matter, there is actually an advantage to Zoom. You're right close up to the image, and there isn't someone's head in the way! Elise does a great job making suggestions each week about a different way to use the camera to get more interesting photos. She is careful and gentle about critiquing students' photos, but each time she helps us to see how we might have improved our pictures.
2020 Fall Class: Beyond "Point and Shoot" Photography
Zoom turned out to be a fine alternative to in-person classes. The level of interaction with the instructors was good and only the real hands-on parts of the instruction was missing.
It was a great experience doing the ZOOM classes. I got to participate in more than if I had had to drive to Augusta. I would have only been able to choose one class but this way I got to do several and it really gave me something to look forward to several times a week.
The class was most enjoyable. I learned a lot and I am continuing to do research as a result of this class. Ann Sullivan did an incredible amount of work in research preparation and her style of teaching worked well with Zoom.
2020 Fall Class: The Story of the Acadian Expulsion
This is a fantastic, interesting class. Cheryl (and Louis) hit the sweet spot between informality and communicating interesting academic information.
2021 Fall Class: Rocks and Walks
I truly enjoyed your presentation today about Ashley Bryan. You captured his ability to create a world of art out of simple things which turn out to be extraordinary. Thank you for preparing such a wonderful Zoom session. Your photography is beautiful -- you have an eye for capturing the person, the art, the works of someone like Ashley Bryan.
2021 Spring Class: Exploring Four Maine Artists and Their Legacies
Hello Folks: I want to thank all of you for making these lecture series available during the January/February time period. I look forward to the different programs.
Instructors spent hours preparing for their classes resulting in very informational and interesting classes. It opened up new avenues to pursue. We received book lists which can broaden our horizons. Instructors went the extra mile to bring music, a virtual museum visit, incredible power points, and a re-creation of the Frederick/Lincoln debate - time consuming, etc. Glad to have taken the classes and connected with lots of people and thank you -- staff for all that you do to make this happen.
2020 Fall Classes
I would just like to say Mr. Fontaine, this is absolutely priceless and I congratulate you for putting this together, for keeping this family history. This will live for you forever. This is an absolutely priceless documentary and we thank you for that.
2021 Winter Lecture Series: Reveille at 6:15: Pancakes for Breakfast
What a fantastic trip I had yesterday!!! Thank you so much!!! I look forward to tomorrow's continuation. What a lot of work and preparation it must have been for you. I --we all, I'm sure --appreciate all you did. Thank you for sharing your experiences and your talents, Elizabeth. What a lovely gift to us all.
2020 Summer Class: Discover Newfoundland
I want to thank you for providing such a wonderful class today. I learned so much and am excited to share my learning with family and friends. I am new to the Senior College this year and am impressed beyond words.
2021 Spring Class: Exploring Four Maine Artists and their Legacies
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UMASC CLASSES & ACTIVITIES

SPRING SEMESTER CLASSES ARE  HERE!

The World of
Lifelong Learning

The Osher Foundation, a catalyst in the formation of the Maine Senior College Network where UMASC is one of 17 participating colleges, says about the need for Lifelong Learning:

“In the fall of 2000, the Foundation began to consider programs targeted toward more mature students not necessarily well served by standard continuing education curricula. [These] Courses often attract students of all ages eager to accumulate units to complete degrees or to acquire specific job skills. By contrast, the interest of many older adults, especially those who have retired, is in learning for the joy of learning – without examinations or grades – and keeping in touch with a larger world.”

This is not only an American phenomenon. It began in France in 1973 and spread throughout Europe where it is commonly referred to as U3A (university for the third ‘age’ of life). China began building schools in 1983 and now has more than 70,000 serving about 8 million students, about 3% of the people over 60.

If you’d like to be part of this world wide movement, sign up for a class. After a few sessions, you might be walking back to your car, notice some classmates and join them for a cup of coffee. There are studies that show we make our lifelong friends in college.

TEACHERS

UMASC is looking to expand our course offerings. We need instructors to teach classes and present lectures. Both in-person and Zoom venues are available

See course proposal

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Augusta Senior College is sponsored by the University of Maine at Augusta, and is a member of the Maine Senior College Network.