Starting this fall, Chestnut Hill College is once again opening many of its classes to all alumni and anyone over the age of 55.

The program, dubbed Lifelong Learning on the Hill, offers undergraduate courses to non-degree seeking students for a price of $250 per course. 

The program revitalizes an informal practice that was in place about 15 years ago where members  of the community took courses at the College at discounted rates. 

“This program is designed to strengthen CHC’s ties to the community and connect our traditional-age students with role models in the classroom,” said English professor and Chair of the Center for Integrated Humanities Suzanne del Gizzo, who is instrumental in bringing the program back. 

Del Gizzo and Keely McCarthy, another CHC English professor, say they were approached by several people in the community who asked about whether it would be possible to join in on coursework. 

They thought it was a great idea. The college is already offering the courses, and their students could benefit from the life experience that older learners bring to the classroom. 

“Lifelong Learning on the Hill’ affirms our belief in the power of continuous learning across a lifetime and the value of having diverse voices in every classroom,” said Del Gizzo. “It just makes good sense.”

“My literature classes were enriched in innumerable ways by the contributions of returning students,” said McCarthy, who taught similar cross-generational courses at Temple University and is helping to bring the program back. 

Whereas many other lifelong learning opportunities are concerned with certifications or acquiring credentials, Lifelong Learning on the Hill does not offer credit for the coursework. Rather, it is designed for the perpetual student whose curiosity leads them to want to deepen their knowledge or learn new skills for the joy of it. 

According to the program’s webpage, anyone interested is invited  to “go back to college – to read Moby Dick, study history, practice your French conversation skills, or write that novel.”

 Lifelong Learners can take any course offered through the School of Undergraduate Studies as  long as there are seats available, and they meet any skill prerequisites for the course.  

Interested individuals can learn more and register to become a CHC Lifelong Learner at  https://www.chc.edu/lifelong-learning-hill. Questions should be directed to lifelonglearning@chc.edu.