Adult ed options in Florida
Print this pagePosted on 02 March 2008 by Mark
Permanent URL of this article: http://retirementrevised.com/life/adult-ed-options-in-florida
Q: I retired to Lakeland, Florida seven years ago, and I am so surprised
that even though we have many colleges in this area, none of them
offer adult ed classes like I used to take in Fairfax, Virginia. I realize
that there are probably limited resources for the colleges, but I
think it could be a very good financial investment for them to offer
classes in a variety of subjects such as history, literature, and
recreational pursuits. So many retirees in this area might wish to
participate. I seem to find only life/work skill classes available
when I contact schools in the area. –EB, Lakeland, FL
A: Don’t know if St. Petersburg is too far for you to travel (looks like about 90 minutes on Google maps) but Eckerd College has a very robust continuing education program. You can check them out online here.
RetirementRevised.com is the companion website of Retire Smart, a 
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I enjoy your column, Mark, and wanted to add a few thoughts for EB. I’m the author of a book, The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide to the Rest of Your Life (Rodale, 2007).
From the University of South Florida in Lakeland:
Senior Scholars
The Senior Scholars Program provides adults ages 50 and over with the opportunity to continue the lifelong learning process, while being surrounded by their peers in a friendly classroom environment. The program offers a variety of classes in subjects such as Computers, Health, History, and Foreign Languages as well as a Free Lunch and Learn Series. The cost for each course is $50.00 and those interested in participating should contact the Senior Scholars Coordinator Holly Sigsbee at (863) 533-5925 or by e-mail at hsigsbee@lakeland.usf.edu.
Also, Florida Southern College (in Lakeland) offers these classes for enrichment:
Crs. # Course Title Starting Date Location
#0801 Frank Lloyd Wright, The Man, the Myth, the Legacy Jan 15 Hollis Room, Thad Buckner Building,
Building BB
#0802 Frank Lloyd Wright, The Man, the Myth, the Legacy Jan 16 Hollis Room, Thad Buckner Building,
Building BB
#0803 Financial Strategies for Successful Retirement Jan 17 Ordway 12,
Building O
#0804 Financial Strategies for Successful Retirement Apr 3 Ordway 119,
Building O
#0810 Financial Strategies for Successful Retirement Apr 8 Ordway 104
Building O
#0805 Tax Strategies Mar 4 Ordway 119,
Building O
#0806 Personal Financial Management Feb 21 Ordway 140,
Building O
#0807 Personal Financial Management Feb 21 Ordway 119,
Building O
#0808 Beginning Conversational Chinese Jan 17 Ordway 119,
Building O
#0809 Digital Photography: Technology and Art
10AM-12PM Jan 19 Chatlos Journalism Building, Room 101,
Building CC
#0811 Digital Photography: Technology and Art
2PM-4PM Jan 19 Chatlos Journalism Building, Room 101,
Building CC
If you need additional information or assistance, please call 680-4205 or email us.
And, Florida offers residents over 60 great deals (often free tuition) at state colleges on a space available basis. Contact your local state college for details.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Hi Mark–
Lakeland isn’t all that far from Tampa. Indeed, we often travel there to dine at your magnificent hotel.
Contact University of South Florida Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (www.usfseniors.org). Review their extensive catalogue. The variety of courses is remarkable, and they are not life work/skill classes.
I will be teaching a course in writing in retirement this coming winter season. (As a snobird, I can only teach during the winter semester.)
So come join us at USF. It’s a super opportunity to learn, and meet some great seniors.