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Debbie Adams
By Jacqueline Koch, Staff Writer
When Cheryl Walker-Ridder was in Rome, she could do as the Romans do — speak Italian.
After taking a continuing education course at Chattanooga State Technical Community College in conversational Italian, Mrs. Walker-Ridder and her husband, Richard, were able to order off menus and navigate Italy during a family trip to Rome during Christmas.
“(The class) gave us a nice foundation,” the 57-year-old Hixson nurse said. “We didn’t go in with the idea of being completely conversational.”
It was the couple’s first such class, but it won’t be the last. Mrs. Walker-Ridder plans to take a basic computer class to upgrade her technology skills.
The two are among a growing number of adults enrolling in mostly noncredit education courses, sometimes called continuing education classes, offered through local colleges and universities. Classes are designed to explore the personal interests and professional skills of adults.
A national study of adult students conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics found that 46 percent of American adults participated in some kind of educational activity each year.
Two years into retirement, Sharon McIntosh decided it was time to get her finances in order. So she signed up for an estate planning and financial information course through the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and came away with a better understanding of stocks, investments and assets.
Ms. McIntosh, 66, said she also plans to take a course on selling items through eBay.
“I wanted to find out things I didn’t know much about,” she said.
Reasons for enrolling
Some adults sign up for classes to keep their minds sharp and their bodies fit.
Linda Eddlemon, 49, of Hixson, takes as many continuing education courses as she can through Chattanooga State and said she appreciates the variety, affordability and knowledgeable instructors the courses provide.
The professional student, as her husband calls her, has enrolled in wine, language and cooking courses and plans to stop only when she can’t drive herself to class.
“I think for me personally, life is an education,” Mrs. Eddlemon said. “It just keeps life interesting.”
In Cleveland, Lee University’s Encore program allows those 60 years and older to enroll in minicourses ranging from memoir writing to computers for beginners. Participants also can register for traditional college classes at no extra charge.
“I think it really just provides an opportunity for people who want to be lifelong learners to get out and do something new and kind of stay fresh,” said Brian Conn, Lee’s director of public information.
Others take courses to dabble in personal interests.
“You’re not confined by what your specific area of study is,” said Barbara Werenko, the secretary for Cleveland State Community College’s continuing education program. “It’s anything you want to learn in life.”
Popular courses there include dance and exercise classes but also extend to real estate and residential contracting.
And Werenko adds classes throughout the semester, so she encourages students to check the school’s Web site regularly.
CREATING CLASSES
Ideas for classes at Chattanooga State come from a variety of sources, anywhere from the newest trends to what skills employers in the area ask for, said Debbie Adams, the assistant vice president for continuing education.
“We try to keep abreast of what the latest technologies are,” she said. “If someone comes to us with a good idea, we will take a look at that and see.”
Chattanooga State offers registered nurse refresher courses and a customer service certificate, as well as classes on Texas Hold ’Em and Sudoku. The classes serve two markets — personal interests and professional development.
About 21 percent of adults took a personal interest course in the 12 months before the NCES study, while 30 percent had taken one or more work-related courses in the same time period.
“People want to upgrade job skills, their careers, maybe they’re wanting to start a new job of some sort,” Ms. Adams said.
Different dynamics
Though Southern Adventist University in Collegedale doesn’t offer courses specifically for adults, nontraditional students are more than welcome to register for evening classes at the university.
The mix of traditional and older students — as well as university employees and spouses — creates a distinct classroom atmosphere.
Southern offers evening courses such as welding, ceramics and furniture construction, in addition to more traditional classes like German, Spanish and sign language.
“I’ve heard professors talk about how having nontraditional students in the classroom really adds some unique flavor to discussion,” said Ruthie Gray, Southern’s director of marketing and university relations.
E-mail Jacqueline Koch at jkoch@timesfreepress.com.
Below is a sample of local courses offered mainly to adults
Fun with food
* Cake Decorating — After taking this Cleveland State class, creating and decorating desserts for various occasions should be a piece of cake. Students will study the art of wedding cakes, as well as how to assemble, style and serve cakes.
* New World Wine — This Chattanooga State introductory course emphasizes American wines and cheeses, but also provides samples of wine from Chile, Argentina, South Africa and Australia. Participants will learn basic terms, types of glasses to use and how to open bottles, store wine and pair food and wine.
Movers and shakers
* American Tribal Style Belly Dance — This women-only Chattanooga State course helps participants develop personal creativity, empowerment and sensuality while they build strength and posture and improve circulation.
* Line Dancing — Participants in this Cleveland State course will learn basic steps while tapping, strutting and kick-ball-changing to current hits.
* Chinese Stretching — This popular Cleveland State course uses Asian stretching techniques to reduce stress, increase energy and improve memory.
* Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking with River Trip — Participants in this UTC class will learn the basics of whitewater kayaking while paddling a local river before venturing onto the Hiwassee River.
Lit and wit
* Memoir Writing — Lee University offers this five-week course to provide students with the composition and literary skills needed to translate life experiences into literature.
* C.S. Lewis — Lee University offers a six-week course on the non-fiction works of C.S. Lewis, giving students the opportunity to explore the author’s ideas about Christ and the Christian life.
* Explore Your Inner Thoughts — At UTC, students will use proprioceptive writing to guide their thought processes, allowing them to revisit memories, probe experiences for detail, explore points of view and challenge conventions.
Tools of the trade
* You’re on the Air: How to Really Make it in Voice-overs: UTC students will learn how to break into the voice-over business after discussing techniques and opportunities with professionals in the business. Students will also record themselves and listen to the results.
* Ceramics — Before firing up the kilns at Southern Adventist, students will learn how to prepare and use clay, as well as learn about chemistry, application of glazes and methods of fabrication.
* Welding — Goggles are required for this Southern Adventist course, which explores gas welding and brazing of sheet metal in preparation for typical body shop welding jobs. Students will learn about such processes as tig and cast iron, among others.
For more information, including times, dates and locations:
* UTC — Course catalogs can be found at www.utc.edu. Call (423) 425-4344 to register.
* Chattanooga State — Course catalogs and online registration can be found at www.chattanoogastate.edu. Call (423) 697-3100.
* Cleveland State — Registration must be completed at least two days before a class is scheduled to begin. Visit www.clevelandstatecc.edu or call the admissions and records office at (423) 472-7141 ext. 214.
* Lee University — Contact the Encore office at (423) 614-8598.
* Southern Adventist University — Call (800) SOUTHERN.
