One member had worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. Others had been prisoners of war during World War II. Still others shared reflections on having been housewives or teachers or doctors.
Inside the Renaissance Academy at Saint Xavier University
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, senior citizens gather to learn, grow and stay connected.All members have three things in common: they are retired or semi-retired, they understand the importance of fellowship and they have a desire to keep on learning, said Grace Ann Kartheiser, the nonprofit’s current president.
Hundreds of people have led or taken classes through the academy since it began in 1991, she said.
And, as is customary each August, an invitation is being extended to newcomers in the community, even though space can be limited, she said.
With about 300 current members, the academy offers peer-led classes on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at the Mount Greenwood campus over three terms: fall, winter and spring.
The topics represent the wide range of interests people right here in the community can share, said Kartheiser, who lives in Beverly.
Upcoming classes include “Poetry Blast,” “The Other Side of History” and a riff on WTTW-Channel 11’s “Check, Please!” called, “Take My Check Please!”
Yearly membership is $175. It allows access to up to three classes as well as experts forums, luncheons and the SXU library.
Participants must be age 55 or older, retired or semi-retired; have an appreciation for working with peers; and have a desire to learn, Kartheiser said.
Those who have an understanding, expertise or passion in a specific area are encouraged to facilitate a class in that topic, Kartheiser said.
Oak Lawn resident Donatta Yates helped found the Renaissance Academy.
Though the idea originated with others who have since passed or moved on, Yates said when the university requested that the academy craft a mission statement, she and then-president Tom McDonald met and discussed how “we wanted this to be something where people came together to learn in a group. Learning was the lifelong proposition.”
And that mission continues today, Yates said.
At 92. the retired Eisenhower High School principal said there’s a lot to be learned during one’s golden years, when education is a pleasurable pursuit that does not culminate in tests.
“Some of the classes are very good. People pick what they’re interested in. It’s amazing. Some offer incredible insight,” she said.
Memberships have swelled to 350 and at times, the group has had to limit the number of newcomers because of limited space.
All of the classes are led by members, Yates said.
“It’s cooperative learning.You’re a leader of the class but you don’t have to know everything. You can be learning right along with everyone else,” she said.
“Fellowship is very important as you age,” Yates said. “It makes your life fulfilled in the sense that you’re working with other people. It’s not just going there to learn, although that is the primary reason. But along the way you’re learning about other people and their lives.”
Kartheiser agreed.
“I took a class last spring and learned that the three things people need for staying active and alert is exercise, eating right and fellowship,” Kartheiser said. “Not having someone to talk to can have devastating effects.”
Membership begins by contacting the academy at [email protected] or 773-298-3149. Registration will be conducted from Aug. 15 to Sept. 5 and an open house is planned for September.
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