Encore praises continuing studies

Encore Louisiana nominated Tulane’s School of Continuing Studies as one of the “best places to learn.”

This initiative focuses on attracting older individuals to the state by selecting the “Top 50 for 50+” through an online voting process.

Executive Director of Encore Louisiana Heather Reggio Finke said the purpose of the project is to demonstrate what the state has to offer residents over the age of 50.

“The Top 50 for 50+ recognizes those community features that appeal to the 50-and- above demographic,” Finke said. “We want to recognize those assets and expand awareness of what Louisiana has to offer — promote those businesses and organizations.”

Terrence Fitzmorris, associate dean of the School of Continuing Studies, said that Tulane belongs because of its commitment to providing education to a diverse group of students.

“Students of all ages are attracted to us,” Fitzmorris said. “We offer a variety of courses and educational programs that cut across generations. I would contend that our curriculum and teachers are modern enough and traditional enough to attract and stimulate boomer and post-boomer generations.”

Finke said that the system for selecting nominees was a challenging process that considered an array of characteristics.

“The thorough process of selecting the 200 nominees from more than 800 nominations for the first annual Top 50 for 50+ initiative spanned a four-month period and involved over 80 individuals representing a broad range of stakeholders,” Finke said. “It was a four-step process: request and submission of nominees, research of nominees, ranking of nominees, and research and finalization of nominees.”

Fitzmorris said the mindset of the School of Continuing Studies is not to break classes into different demographic groups.

“The key is to stay open and hopeful,” Fitzmorris said. “Universities are places of hope and promise. I don’t look at students as old but hopeful — hopeful that education and wisdom will better their lives and the lives of generations of families.”

Freshman Mallory Shropshire, who took a class in the School of Continuing Studies this semester, said that she thoroughly enjoys the academic environment.

“I think it is good that they offer the classes to Tulane undergraduates as well,” Shropshire said. “I like the opportunity to take those classes.”

Finke said that educational opportunities are a crucial asset when appealing to older citizens.

“Lifelong learning is an integral component for individuals, especially the 50-and-above demographic,” Finke said. “Access to continuing educational opportunities is important to the desirability and livability of a community.”

Though the School of Continuing Studies is respected for serving this role, some undergraduates would prefer to have access to more opportunities, Shropshire said.

“I don’t think they offer that many classes at night,” Shropshire said. “Many of them are given at the same time, so it isn’t possible to experiment with some of the options.”