This new series builds on the strength of the program and kicks off on February 14. The main difference is this session will run for four weeks instead of the usual eight and only cost $50.

Norma Drosdowech is 81. She graduated with an education degree from the University of Manitoba in 1957. She’s a huge fan of the program and has signed up for nearly every session.

“I think it’s excellent. I enjoyed it. First of all, there are excellent speakers and it’s wonderful to keep ahead of what research is being done at the university,” says Drosdowech. “But the other part of it is it’s very well organized. The room itself is accessible. It has good audio and visual connections and that helps. Plus, we’re treated so well. Coffee and cookies are provided before and after each session.”

The winter session will kick off with professor Leigh Bridges discussing Atmospheric Resonance – Luminosity and DIY Sustainable Technology in Contemporary Painting. Other sessions include lectures on combatting viruses, the conservation of wild bees and ancient Norse observations of mermaids.

Nancy Sulkers graduated from the Faculty of Arts in 1976. She’s also attended a number of seasons of the Seniors’ Alumni Learning for Life Program.

“I haven’t found one that wasn’t interesting or that I had a lot of questions about,” says Sulkers who adds, “What really stands out overall is the quality of the professors that speak and their passion for their topics. I’ve actually told lots of friends about this program. It’s very fascinating, well done, with interesting topics.”

Even though there are only four sessions in this brand-new winter series, the program doesn’t lose what has made it so popular–exclusive opportunities for alumni 60-plus years of age to explore new ideas, and hear from professors, researchers and fellow alumni who are innovators in their field. Alumni will engage in lively discussions with others who share their love of learning.

“A lot of small things make it very interesting but I think for me, there’s no attempt to water this down,” says Drosdowech. “There is a realization that just because you’re older and grey-haired, doesn’t mean you’re not thinking and that you’re not interested in learning.”
Registration for the Winter 2018 Seniors’ Alumni Learning for Life Program is now open. This exciting program starts on Wednesday, February 14. Each session runs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. every Wednesday for four weeks at the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, 196 Innovation Drive in Smartpark, on the west side of the Fort Garry campus.

For more information contact Tracy Bowman, or visit umanitoba.ca/seniorsalumni.

Delving into a wide range of ideas and topics continues to be a key piece in the programming of the Seniors’ Alumni Program, which just wrapped up its fifth season. The fall 2017 season featured sessions on the history of the University of Manitoba, why people cry at movies, flood protection, conservation of grassland birds, architecture, LBGTTQ healthcare and resistance training for older adults.

Margaret and Alan Amyot

This was the first season Margaret [BA/74] and Alan Amyot [BSc(Hons)/74] attended.

“I was very surprised and quite impressed. The diversity was really interesting and how very arcane and specialized topics were made interesting by the presenters,” Alan said.

Alan pointed to the session on flood mitigation [Engineering aspects of temporary and permanent flood protection works in Manitoba by Dr. James Blatz] as an example. Every spring the topic draws attention across the province but he was unsure how a lecture would provide relevance and context. However, with the use of videos and an overall engaging presentation, the lecture did just that.

His wife Margaret agrees, adding, “I liked that each session that we came to were on a totally different topic and some were surprisingly really good, even if I didn’t think they were going to be. The speakers all have been very good. That’s been part of the appeal of it.”

William and Naomi Stoez

Naomi and William Stoesz are another couple who took part in this season—their fourth—and are looking forward to more ahead. They found lectures, such as the one on architecture [Architects and the Paradox of Acting (a history) by Dr. Lisa Landrum] to expand their world-view and way of thinking.

“I didn’t go to university so these sessions are a little bit like my university experience now,” Naomi said. “I can keep on learning about things that are important in life. I think the speakers are excellent and it’s such a wide range of topics. Some of them I wouldn’t have come to but they’ve been so interesting that I wouldn’t miss them now.”

Naomi’s husband William graduated with a bachelor of science in agriculture in 1971.

“I like that this is continued learning,” William said. “It’s the idea of exploring areas that I haven’t studied myself or only know small amounts of and to get these experts who go deep into these topics it’s mind-broadening.”

William says he thinks it’s refreshing to learn and discover new things and appreciates the new perspectives that are presented, from experts who are deeply knowledgeable and passionate about the subjects they study.

“Some of the topics come up and you ask yourself why I would be interested in that and suddenly you realize it is meaningful. It’s part of life,” William said. “The architecture session is a perfect example of this. I’ve never been particularly involved or thought about architecture that much and suddenly you realize, yes, it does influence how you live and interact. It’s more than just a physical activity. It’s a social activity too, relating with people in society. Designing for people, including how people live in their creations. I found that very fascinating.”

The spring 2018 session kicks off on Wednesday, April 4^th, 2018 from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.

You can register for the Spring series here.

The educator of some 55 years, and former dean of the Faculty of Education shared his secrets of life mastery during the keynote speech at Homecoming 2017 on Tuesday.

“The question I ask is: If you’re aging as I am, can you still learn? And more to the point, how competent can you become at some things?” Stapleton said in an interview before the event.  “You’re going to age, and aging gracefully is bound up with the notion of how well you continue to learn.”

Focusing on the work of Anders Ericsson who proposed that anyone can master almost anything after 10,000 hours of practice (popularized by Malcolm Gladwell), Stapleton explained how he has applied these ideas—sometimes successfully, sometimes not so much—in the pursuits of learning French, practicing tennis and playing the odds in low-stakes bets at Assiniboia Downs.

Dean David Mandzuk applauded Stapleton’s passion and drive in pursuing his interests.

“He’s clearly an exemplar of what life can be like after you retire. And has set the bar really high for the rest of us.”

Stapleton’s message for teachers is a reminder that mastering the field of education takes years of practice, Mandzuk said.

“Perhaps the message is to take the pressure off themselves to be that perfect teacher, to realize there are ups and downs, that mastery in any area takes time, and not to be so hard on themselves at a time when there are huge expectations for teachers,” Mandzuk said.

Following the keynote, Stapleton said he didn’t want his speech to be limited as applying only to professional development and adapting to changes in the marketplace.

“I’m at a stage of life where I am not learning for employment purposes, I am learning how to live. My view of lifelong learning is education for life, not simply education for employment.”

Now 75, Stapleton led an accomplished career in education.

Starting his teaching career in St. John’s, Nfld., in 1962, Stapleton taught in grade schools and universities for 15 years in four provinces before his appointment as dean of the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University, a role he held for a five-year term from 1979-1983.

It was after his time at Lakehead that he applied to the University of Manitoba, and was appointed as dean and professor of education in 1983. Stapleton served two terms from 1983-1993.

Stapleton went on to serve two terms as rector of St. Paul’s College, 1995-2006, and principal-pro-tem at St. Mark’s College and president of Corpus Christi College in Vancouver from 2009-2011 when he returned home to the U of M to cap off his long and successful career.

Stapleton was recognized as dean emeritus in 2002, he became a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, a title conferred by Pope Benedict XVI. In 2006, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from CASEA and presented an honourary degree by Regis College, School of Theology, University of Toronto in 2010.

President Barnard praised Stapleton’s storied career.

“All of us are aware of his decades of service toward our shared goal of creating better futures by educating people who will shape the world, Barnard said. “Honestly, I consider it a personal privilege to be associated with the university where you have made so many major contributions for all of us.  You’ve enriched many lives. You’ve enriched this university.”

Once again, the series presented opportunities for senior alumni to explore new ideas and share their love of learning. Topics include geneology, DNA and privacy; mobile technology; ticks, gender and politics; President Trump’s effect on Manitoba; eating well for seniors; and the benefits of canola oil.

“I was interested in the program to come and learn new things,” says David Waldie, who graduated with an MBA from the U of M in 1983. “They have a wide variety of topics. Some of them, I wonder if that’s what I would be interested in, but I get here and they’re really interesting. I learn a lot from it.”

Waldie retired less than two years ago and has attended every season of the Seniors’ Alumni Program, except one, since it started. “I missed one because I didn’t get registered in time. It’s quite popular,” he says.

The final session of the season finished on May 18 with a talk from Carla Taylor titled, Oil Wars: Winners and Losers for Health.

“I think it’s great,” says Nancy Sulkers. “When people are passionate about a subject, which all of these professors are, everything is interesting. I think it’s a fabulous series. I haven’t found one that wasn’t interesting or that I had a lot of questions about.”

Sulkers graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976. This is the second season the former English major has been to. She says she’s really impressed by how well the events are organized and how welcome the U of M’s alumni relations team makes them feel.

“What really stands out overall is the quality of the professors that speak, their passion for their topics,” says Sulkers. “We had a great session two weeks ago on ticks. We know where to go and where not to go. Some sessions are more general knowledge, like the one from the professor of the Faculty of Music who talked about lyrical diction.”

Pat Love is a two-time alumna from the U of M, having graduated with a science degree in 1965 and an education degree in 1972. This was her first season participating in the Seniors’ Alumni Program. The retired teacher loved being back in a classroom setting.

“I saw the program online and I looked at it, read about it and I thought that would be something that keeps these old brain cells working,” she says. “It certainly has become a priority. It’s on my calendar and nothing else, other than being thousands of miles away, nothing is going to keep me from going.”

ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

We are excited to announce that the Fall 2017 series of the Seniors’ Alumni Learning for Life Program will held on Thursdays beginning on September 14, 2017 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, 196 Innovation Drive (Smartpark, near Fort Garry Campus).

The Spring 2018 series will be held on Wednesdays beginning on April 4, 2017 from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Advance registration for both Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 is now open. A full list of topics and speakers for both sessions will be available soon. For more information on the program, please email Alumni Relations.

The Seniors’ Alumni Learning for Life program wrapped-up a successful second season with applause from its attendees, like the spry 81 year old University of Manitoba two-time alumna.

She exemplifies lifelong learning. In 1957 she earned her degree in education. Nearly 30 years later Drosdowech came back to the U of M and completed her masters – also in education.

“I think everybody needs elements of lifelong learning. I really do I think that’s quite important. You’re really thinking when you’re in there [the lecture] but what I like about it is they have not watered it down,” says Drosdowech. “There is a realization that just because you’re older and grey-haired, doesn’t mean you’re not thinking and that you’re not interested in learning.”

The series of seven lectures covered topics ranging from death, to vitamin supplements, to crime, to politics, to the environment and more. Leading experts in their fields led intimate classroom-like sessions, where engaging, lively discussions percolated among those who share a love of learning.

“Where else can you go that you get coffee before you begin and coffee and cookies after?” Drosdowech chuckles. “A lot of these small things make it very worthwhile.”

Sharon Hamilton holds a bachelor and masters degrees in education from the U of M. She also has a bachelor of arts from the U of W and a PhD from London University. As it turns out, Hamilton was a student of Drosdowech’s and with four degrees hanging on her wall, she also epitomizes what it means to be a lifelong learner.

“Many of the sessions have been excellent. What I like as much as being listening and finding the latest research, is being in the company of a lot of other people who are interested in learning for the rest of their lives,” says Hamilton.

“Here, these are people who are really interested in what they’re hearing. They’re interested not only in the world they’re coming into as elderly, they’re interested in leaving a good world for the next generation. I sit there and I feel made larger, made better by listening to them, by listening to the lectures about health, the environment, climate change, and understanding the world better than I did before.”

Hamilton is one of many who attended both seasons. She says one lecture from the 2015 session even changed her behaviour. Will Flax End Up in Your Medicine Cabinet?

“We’ve been eating flax every day ever since that lecture,” says Hamilton.

One timely session in the 2016 series looked at political theory and the underlying principles for conservativism, liberalism and social democracy.

Hamilton, a self-declared Liberal up until then, began to question why.

“That’s stood out for me because it was a week before the election. I have a hard time sometimes putting myself with the Liberals or with the social democrats – with the NDP. The professor had a really good way of saying this is what divides the two, this is what they’re similar in. That was a highlight for me.”

For information on the fall 2016 session visit umanitoba.ca/seniorsalumni

Anne Baetsen is a retired nurse who received training from the U of M. She attended the Seniors’ Alumni Program in 2015 and said she enjoyed the series.

“I found it was excellent,” said Baetsen. “It was enlightening and I felt that it really opened my eyes to what’s out there.”

Graduating with a master’s degree in educational psychology, Diane Ellsworth agreed, noting the discussions during the series were a highlight for her.

“It was excellent. It was thought provoking and it made me want to look for more information about the various topics,” said Ellsworth.

This year the program continues with innovative topics including end of life challenges, exploring vitamin supplements, combatting light pollution, the impact of a ‘tough on crime’ approach, interpretations of left and right wing politics, and the death of the honey bee.

Registration for the U of M’s 2016 Seniors’ Alumni Learning for Life Program is now open. For details, visit umanitoba.ca/seniorsalumni.

“I think as seniors it’s a way to continue to be connected,” says Kim Paquette.

Paquette has a number of Continuing Education certificates, including designations for human resources and applied counselling but is now retired.

“So for me, not being in the workforce, the social aspect as well as continuing to improve your knowledge and to learn were the highlights of the sessions. I think learning is really important,” says Paquette.

At the beginning of October the University of Manitoba launched the interactive and exciting new program for seniors. Covering a spectrum of topics ranging from the hidden history of our city to the water crisis on First Nations communities, the new series got Winnipeg seniors talking, learning and engaging with some of the best researchers in their fields.

The series presented opportunities for senior alumni to explore new ideas and share their love of learning. The final session of the season finished on November 19 with a talk from David Barber on climate change.

Retired nurse, Anne Baetsen graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. John New Brunswick. She moved to Manitoba and worked as a nurse in northern Manitoba, receiving specialized training from the U of M in the early 1980s.

“I found it was enlightening and gave me a chance to get out of the house,” says Baetsen. “I really enjoyed the program. I felt that it really opened my eyes with what’s out there, especially today with the environment and climate change.”

The program was in such high demand it sold out and required a waiting list. Scheduled for spring of 2016, the second instalment of the series promises to be equally stimulating and engaging.

Diane Ellsworth earned her Masters of educational psychology in 1992. “It was excellent,” she says. “It was thought provoking and it made me want to look for more information about the various topics and I look forward to coming.”

Stay tuned for registration and session details. For more information visit umanitoba.ca/seniorsalumni.

The Seniors’ Alumni Learning for Life Program will provide exclusive opportunities for alumni 60-plus to explore new ideas and hear from professors, researchers and fellow alumni who are some of the University of Manitoba’s leading experts and innovators. Participants attending the seven sessions will engage in discussion with the presenters and with others who share their love of learning.

One presenter will be Karen Busby in the Faculty of Law, who will speak on the drinking water crisis in First Nations communities. Renowned for her work on human rights, Busby notes: “More than 70 per cent of water and wastewater systems on First Nations reserves have a high or medium risk of failing and some communities have been under drinking water advisories for almost two decades. What obligations does the federal government have under international or constitutional law to work on fixing this problem?”

The 2015 sessions are:

October 1
Hidden History – Do You Really Know Winnipeg?
Esyllt Jones [MA/97, PhD/03], history, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba
Jones is author of Imagining Winnipeg: History Through the Photographs of L.B. Foote, and is co-editor with Gerald Friesen of Prairie Metropolis: New Essays on Winnipeg Social History, winner of the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award.

October 15
Planting a Seed – Will Flax End Up in Your Medicine Cabinet?
Grant Pierce [PhD/83], executive director of research, St. Boniface General Hospital; physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Pierce’s research focuses on metabolism, nutrition and cardiovascular health. His most recent work has identified an exciting new dietary strategy for controlling hypertension.

October 22
Religion and Media – Can We Identify Biases and Misrepresentations?
Jade Weimer [BSc/03, BA(Hons)/06, MA/08], religion, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba
Weimer specializes in the social history of Christianity and examines the ways in which various forms of Western media portray different religious traditions.

October 29
A Community For All Ages – How Do Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods Keep Us Fit?
Elizabeth Ready, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba; Health, Leisure and Human Performance Research Institute; Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba
Ready’s research focuses on health benefits of physical activity in the elderly, the integration of physical activity into the primary health care system and “age-friendly” communities.

November 5
Aging With a Healthy Brain – How Can We Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?
Zahra Moussavi [PhD/97], director, Biomedical Engineering Program; psychiatry; Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba; Riverview Health Centre
Moussavi’s current research includes biological signal processing, diagnostic pattern recognition and medical device instrumentation with applications to sleep apnea and Alzheimer disease.

November 12
The Drinking Water Crisis in First Nations Communities – What Can We Do About It?
Karen Busby [JD/81], law; director, Centre for Human Rights Research, University of Manitoba
Busby is on an inter-disciplinary team looking at the effectiveness of various advocacy strategies to get governments and citizens to care about the disgraceful state of water and sanitation in First Nations communities.

November 19
The Truth About Climate Change – Why Should We Care About Disappearing Arctic Ice?
David Barber [MNRM/89, BPE/82], Canada Research Chair in Arctic System Science, Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment Earth and Resources, University of Manitoba
Barber has extensive experience in the examination of the Arctic marine environment as a ‘system’ and the effect of climate change. He led the largest International Polar Year (IPY) project in the world, known as the Circumpolar Flaw Lead (CFL) system study.

For more information on the sessions, visit: umanitoba.ca/seniorsalumni

Sessions start on Thursday, October 1, 2015. All sessions will be held in the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, 196 Innovation Drive in Smartpark, on the west side of the Fort Garry campus. Free, but limited, parking is available in U Lot, a convenient 5-minute walk to the centre.

Each session will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The total cost is $100, including all seven sessions.

This exciting program is open to alumni and friends of the University of Manitoba.

Registration ends September 23, 2015.

For more information email Jacqueline Onagi at jacqueline.onagi@umanitoba.ca or call 204-474-8932.