Life Enrichment with a University Connection
A group representing Covenant Village and Belmont Abbey College traveled to Greenville, SC, to learn more about a lifelong learning program developed through Furman University. The group also had the chance to tour the Woodlands at Furman, a residential life plan community located adjacent to the university.
Nancy Kennedy, Director of Furman’s OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), provided a tour of their facility and a history of the program’s success. Founded in 1993, Furman’s OLLI was established to engage adults, 50 and older, in educational classes on a wide range of topics. Members pay a $65 annual fee to participate and $35 for 3-4 week classes that meet once per week and $50 per class for 8-9 week courses. The program currently serves more than 2,600 members from the Greenville area with more than 120 classes.
The field trip provided inspiration and education for discerning a similar program in the Gaston region.
“We were able to engage with a first-rate educational program for seniors. Covenant Village is very interested in developing next steps in this type of lifelong learning program in partnership with community partners,” Covenant Village CEO Dale Melton explained.
Phil Brach, Vice President of College Relations at Belmont Abbey College, added that “The Abbey is very interested in the possibility of launching a lifelong learning initiative through the college. We are grateful for this opportunity to explore a potential partnership and are looking forward to additional conversations. There currently isn’t a program like this available in our area.”
Representatives on the trip from Covenant Village were CEO Dale Melton, COO Matt Gibbons, Activities Director Sherry Cheney, Assistant Activities Director Amber Flowe, ARISE Director of Wellness Wanda Flowers, current resident Stephanie Parent, and future residents Mary Layton, Mary Trimmer, and Daphne Friday. Also on the trip were Phil Brach from Belmont Abbey College, Michelle Melton of WellPointe Advisors, and Debbie Windley from Windmark Consulting.