“The Lifelong Learning program gives me an opportunity to study areas of interest that I would not have normally had the chance to study in the past”, said Iris Cannata a Stetson Lifelong member since 2012.

January 21 marked the sixth annual Lifelong Learning Open House event held in Celebration, with record attendance, as seen in the photo, right.

Lifelong Learning is a membership-based program that really focuses on having fun while learning in a true academic setting with a group of like-aged, like-minded individuals empowering intellectual discussion in a social environment.

Some of the courses that are being offered this term at the Stetson University Center at Celebration vary from Experiencing Watercolors; American Icons: Power, Sparkle & The Hat of the West, to Techno-Magic: Using Some of Disney’s Technology at Home.

In all, 55 courses are represented – showing the public what each class has to offer. Toni Castillo, director of the Celebration Center states, “It brings me great joy to provide such a wonderfully creative program to the community and simultaneously create a furthered alumni connection to the university.”

Former United States Representative and the first female elected to Congress in the state of Colorado, Patricia Schroeder, was in attendance at the open house. (Schroeder is pictured here, left, with Curriculum Committee member, Mary Orr). Pat Schroeder and her husband Jim have been Stetson Lifelong members since the program launched in September 2012.

The program in Celebration launches on Wednesday, Feb. 4 (2–3:15 p.m.) at the Celebration Center with a special guest lecture by Tracey Conner and MicheLee Puppets, entitled Empowering Lives Through the Art of Puppetry.

“The first course launches Tuesday, Feb. 10, with the Golden Age of Radio & Rock ‘n Roll, which is sure to be a HIT,” Castillo said. “We invite the community (both from the Celebration and DeLand areas), whether a lifelong member or not, to enjoy our event!”