LIFE proves there’s no learning age limit

UCF's main campus is not just for young people.

The university has its very own Learning Institute for Elders, which is a program open to all senior citizens that provides educational seminars and lectures on a variety of subjects.
The LIFE group meets every Tuesday on campus.

There is a waiting list of more than 475 members to join the group.

"After retiring, I had a change of lifestyle," said Jack Gresham, who joined LIFE three years ago after a friend recommended it.

Ross Williams, a LIFE member for more than a year, said he's attended the class almost every Tuesday with his wife since he joined.

"We had a friend tell us about it," said Williams' wife, Mary Lynn. "The club teaches you new things. It's a social activity where we met a lot of nice people and learned a lot of things."

The program costs $100 per individual for the year and includes a student parking pass. LIFE President Chuck Fritz said all of the funds the program receives are awarded back to UCF organizations. Last semester, LIFE donated $28,224 to UCF organizations.

"The music department needs money for CDs, the theater department needs money for lighting," Fritz said.

Over the years, Fritz  said the organization has awarded more than $251,600 to UCF organizations. 

The lectures are given by UCF professors and other volunteers.

Members of the LIFE program also regularly participate in volunteer psychology surveys conducted by UCF staff and students.

Bettie Sommers, a retired UCF faculty member, recently taught a class on Bicycle Transportation Systems at a LIFE meeting.

"They are just a large group of interested people who can make a difference and have more time to volunteer," Sommers said.

The classes are every Tuesday in the Student Union from 9:30 a.m. to noon, with two different lectures and a break in between. For more information, visit www.life.ucf.edu.