The Shepherd's Center of Richmond puts a new spin on retirement

*Originally written on October 13 

Photography courtesy of The Shepherd's Center of Richmond

RICHMOND—In a world where average college student is a 20-something faced with mid-term exams and student loan repayments, the Shepherd’s Center of Richmond’s Open University, in various locations throughout the Richmond metropolitan area, provides for a new kind of student: one that is 50 years of age “or better.” Carol Harris, the University’s coordinator, recently talked about its benefits.

            “Open University in Richmond was established about 25 years ago to continue the work of the Shepherd’s Center, which is an organization for and by seniors," says Harris at the program’s Covenant Woods location in Mechanicsville. Program participants aren’t your run-of-the mill retirees. Harris said that they have a genuine desire to become intellectually stimulated by using the facilities offered at a variety of locations throughout the Richmond metropolitan area.

            Most students are between ages 60 and 90, and eagerly take part in relatively small classes whose topics include “Tudor Personalities: Politics and Religion in 16^th Century England,” and “World War I: Politics and Diplomacy” on Tuesdays at the Covenant Woods location in Mechanicsville. There is also “French Conversation” and “Islam: Origin and Belief” on Thursdays at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond’s West End. The program also produces a seasonal newsletter, “Gray Matters,” which details daily activities and lists courses and trips offered at each location over the course of each term.

            Students at Open University are eager to discuss the changes that the program has made in their lives.

“I’ve enjoyed [the classes offered by Open University]. It’s been very educational, brought me up to date, and its approach is different from any I’ve had in the past, so I’ve found it very welcome,” says Malcolm Perkins upon leaving a history class. Perkins noted that his past educational experiences weren’t in-depth and easy to follow, and appreciates the detailed instruction that the courses that Open University give. He particularly enjoys the interaction between students and teachers—who are also elderly and are usually retired professors from traditional universities.

            John Rilling, a retired history professor for the University of Richmond, offers his take on the joys of instructing older students as well. “It’s the interest that they bring and the knowledge that they bring, and a different perspective than, let’s say, a 20-year-old student would bring.” Rilling notes that elderly students typically digress from a lot of the topics discussed in his courses, but generally finds that the self-motivation among the elderly is most compelling.

The general consensus is that older students have a different desire to pursue an education than a traditionally younger student would. They’ve lived a lifetime’s worth of experience, and simply want to learn and remain current in an advancing society.

For more information about enrollment and volunteer opportunites at the The Shepherd's Center of Richmond, please visit http://tscor.wordpress.com/.