News

Lee University’s Encore Program, which offers people age 60 and over the opportunity to take university courses, has announced its spring 2023 offerings.

With a fee of $25, Encore students may choose up to two of the following courses: Ageless Part II: What the Research Says about Getting Older; Back to the Sixties: And the Beat Goes On; Fit4Life: Senior Strength; Fitness Class; Grief and Loss; Homer and Virgil; Introduction to American Sign Language; Joint Conditioning; Portrait Painting; Prayer as Taught by Jesus and Biblical Writers; Spanish Language and Culture; Tennessee in Tennis Shoes: A Traveling History Course; The Post-War Campion Novels of Margery Allingham: 1950-60s; and The Weeping Prophet: The Life and Message of Jeremiah – Part 2.

Ageless Part II: What the Research Says about Getting Older is a new way of understanding getting older, based on research. This course includes studies of “super-agers,” strategies for enhancing cognitive and functional abilities; the impact of social, cultural, and medical environments; decisions about work and retirement; and practical strategies to sustain and enhance well-being. The class, led by Dr. Karen Mundy-Judkins and Dr. Bennett M. Judkins, takes place on Mondays from 4-5:30 p.m. and starts Jan. 30.

Back to the Sixties: And the Beat Goes On encompasses the history and nostalgia of the decade and will feature time for personal reflection. Some of the topics covered include the sixties’ culture (including music and fashion) and social movements of the sixties. Taught by the Judkins, this five-week course meets on Mondays from 4-5:30 p.m. and begins March 20.

Fit4Life: Senior Strength is a fitness class for those looking to improve cardiovascular health, increase strength, and have more energy. Whether an avid exerciser or a beginner, Fit4Life offers an opportunity for all to have a healthier body and mind.  Kendra Gray will lead this 10-week course which takes place on Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 24, from 5-5:50 p.m.

Fitness Class will help students build muscle and strength while using weights to improve endurance and mobility while enjoying fun music that helps with coordination. Roxanne Tyson will lead this 10-week course on Wednesdays, from 1-1:50 p.m., starting Jan. 18.

Grief and Loss exposes students to knowledge and skills of counseling psychology with current research and theory in grief and bereavement. Students are taught the active steps in grieving that help people through their individual process of recovery. This six-week course, taught by Lena Barber, meets on Tuesdays from 2-4 p.m., beginning Jan. 24.

Homer and Virgil explores the ancient epics of Homer and Virgil featuring Homer’s “Odyssey” and Virgil’s “Aeneid.” Students will study the historical contexts of these books, the similarities and differences they share, and how they laid the foundation for the Western literary tradition that followed. Dr. David Schlosser teaches this 10-week course, which meets Fridays from 1-2 p.m. and starts Jan. 20.

Introduction to American Sign Language provides students with basic expressive and receptive skill development in American Sign Language (ASL) and foundational knowledge of Deaf culture. The class will be conducted with a mix of voice on/off, and students should be able to have a basic conversation with an individual who uses ASL. Kaylen Purks will lead this six-week course on Mondays from 4:15-5:30 p.m. beginning on Jan. 23.

Joint Conditioning will cover different techniques to help students strengthen and regain movement in their joints. The class will include different stretches and breathing techniques to help with relaxation, flexibility, agility, and strength. Chairs will be used in class, but some of the exercises do require standing. The 10-week course, led by Tyson, takes place on Wednesdays from 2-2:50 p.m. and starts on Jan. 18.

In Portrait Painting, students will study the human head proportions to understand how to paint realistic portraits and then work to achieve individual likeness. Gary McDonald will teach this six-week course on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. starting Jan. 24.

Prayer As Taught by Jesus and Biblical Writers will provide students with a greater understanding of prayer, its power, and its protection. Through studying examples of prayer in the Old and New Testaments, individuals will learn how to practice prayer the way Jesus instructed. This six-week course is led by Dr. Henry Smith on Mondays from 5-6:30 p.m. and begins Jan. 23.

Spanish Language and Culture is for those seeking to analyze Latin American short stories (written in English), discuss cultural issues, and deepen Spanish grammar by learning new vocabulary and structure. Conducted in both Spanish and English, the six-week course will be taught by Dr. Alexander Steffanell on Wednesdays from 1:25-2:15 p.m. starting Jan. 25.

Tennessee in Tennis Shoes: A Traveling History Course, led by Dr. David Altopp, will include visits to historical sites in Tennessee and a special trip to Pennsylvania. Class participants may choose which sites they wish to visit at the informational meeting with a minimum of 25 participants required for each trip. Dates of travel and locations will be announced at a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 4 p.m., taking place in the Science and Math Complex, Room 255.

In The Post-War Campion Novels of Margery Allingham: 1950-60s, students will read and discuss five novels written by Allingham which include a mixture of psychological suspense and traditional detective techniques. Dr. Christopher Coulter will lead this 10-week course on Wednesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. starting Jan. 25.

The Weeping Prophet: The Life and Message of Jeremiah – Part 2 unpacks the prophetic message of Jeremiah and the modern application of this major prophet’s words. The six-week course taught by Dr. Brian Peterson will be on Wednesdays from 3:45-4:45 p.m. beginning Jan. 11.

All courses are on a first-come, first-served basis, and spaces are limited. Students may choose up to two courses from the list of traditional courses and special lecture topics. All enrolled students will have free entry to campus concerts, plays, and athletic events.

In-person registration will take place on Monday, Jan. 9 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Centenary Room located in the Higginbotham Administration Building.

Additional registration times are available through Tuesday, Jan. 24, but participants must do so in Room 211 of the Higginbotham Administration Building. Office hours for Encore registration are 3-5 p.m.

Lee University’s Encore Program is a part of the institution’s commitment of service to the community.

For more information about Encore, contact Community Relations at (423) 614-8310 or [email protected] or visit leeuniversity.edu/encore.