University of Winnipeg 55 plus program

Article from Volume 11, Issue Number 2, 2024

University of Winnipeg 55 plus program

By Duane Rohne | Other articles by Duane Rohne | Feature

An opportunit to learn and egage within our community

A significant number of people living in condominiums are retired or working part time as they approach retirement. Once achieved, retirement doesn't need to be the end of exciting challenges or learning. You could spend your time re-engaging earlier interests or finding new ones. The University of Winnipeg's 55 Plus Program is a perfect way to engage your mind and network with a community of lifelong learners.

As the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions eased, then ended, I looked forward to connecting with new learning experiences and found the University of Winnipeg’s 55 Plus Program. Sandy HayGlass, the 55 Plus Program chair, provided me with additional information about the program.

The unique program offered by the University of Winnipeg has been in operation for more than 30 years. The 55 Plus Program folds nicely into the university's goals of inclusivity and connection to the community. There are no assignments, no tests and no prerequisites. Many of the students are alumni of the University of Winnipeg or graduates of other post-secondary institutions. But many students have no post-secondary education. Regardless of your education background, you’ll enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and opportunity to learn and network within a diverse university community. Each course offers six once-a-week, two-hour lectures during the fall, winter or spring semester.

Your level of immersion into the courses is your choice. If something mentioned in the lecture tweaks your interest, lecturers are always willing to suggest additional resources to explore the topic on your own time. In the lectures I attended, reading lists were often provided. Each of the lecturers also offered informative, often humorous, background stories drawn from their personal and professional experiences.

The classes are primarily held in the Thomas Sill Multi-Purpose Room, which is located at the sound end of the second floor in the Axworthy Health and RecPlex. The courses are offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with start times of 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. If you need to drive to the campus, there is ample nearby parking. Each six-week course costs $99, no tax.

These are the 2023-24 courses:

Short and Tall Tales, with Dr. James Taylor Christie
Surrealism as a Way of Life: Eastern Europe during the Cold War, 1945-1989, with Olexandr Shevchenko
Dramatic Moments in American History, by Dr. Bruce Daniels
Making Sense of Climate Change: Reasons, Ramifications, and Responses, with Dr. Danny Blair
The Icelandic Sagas: Legend, Romance and Family, with Andrew McGillivray
Nabateans and Romans in Pre-Islamic Arabia, with Dr. Conor Whatley
World History of the South Asian Diaspora Since 1800, with Dr. Emma Alexander
From Stage to Screen and Back Again, with Randall King
Creating Manitoba: The Emergence of a Provincial Community, with Dr. Gerald Friesen
Poverty in Winnipeg: Causes, Costs, Solutions, with Dr. Jim Silver

Sandy HayGlass said the course offerings are constantly reviewed by a program committee. The review includes input from the community, available lecturers and student reviews of past courses. The lecturers provided insights directly from their decades of research and personal experiences. I could write endlessly about the lecturers but that wouldn't adequately inform you of their expertise. If you read the course descriptions and lecturer's biographies, you will see the depth of experience the program has to offer.

I was fortunate to attend classes offered by Dr. Christie, Olexandr Shevchenko, Dr. Daniels and Dr. Blair. Each of the presenters' courses were well designed, easily understood and with interesting personal anecdotes from the presenter’s career. I want to give a personal shout out to Dr. Blair, whose course on climate change is especially informative, timely and superbly presented. If Dr. Blair’s schedule permits a repeat for next year’s schedule, I’d rush to register for his course. I guarantee that your thinking about climate change will be shaped, perhaps disrupted, by some of the most recent and thoughtful research available.

After six classes with Dr. Blair, I am more informed about climate change than ever. If climate change interests you, but you're confused by the science and misinformation, consider reading Gwynne Dyer’s article Seven Hard Truths about the Climate Crisis published by The Walrus.

We often don’t appreciate the world-class talent and expertise within our own communities. Consider exploring the 55 Plus Program and meet the experts who live and work within our community.

Duane Rohne is a director of CCI Manitoba and is the chair of the Communication Committee.