| November 20, 2019 | Gunner Young | campus editor |
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South Campus celebrated its Continuing Education and Engagement program with trivia, dinner and prizes during Senior Bash Nov. 15.
South President Peter Jordan opened the event by thanking everyone who came and explaining why the program is so special to him.
“I have the best job in the world,” Jordan said, “because I get to work with educators who educate students from cradle to cane.”
He also encouraged CEE students to stay motivated and re-enroll in classes next semester.
“Taking classes doesn’t only benefit you. It benefits this institution, the community and the younger students,” Jordan said. “Because it shows them that there is so much to accomplish.”
Jordan wanted everyone in attendance to know this event was about togetherness and giving thanks in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
“I ask that you start here, this evening, by giving thanks and celebrating camaraderie that we have here,” he said.
While a line formed at the food table, various members of the CEE staff went up on stage to thank the organizers of the event and the seniors who make the department successful.
South executive director of continuing education and engagement Terry Aaron said the senior education program is becoming her favorite group of students.
“I’m serious,” Aaron said. “At first, I thought it was College for Kids, but now I think it’s the senior ed program.”
After introductions, everyone sat down with their food and participated in a trivia game with questions regarding the various courses offered by the CEE program.
The classes include photography, water aerobics, painting, French and piano. The winners of the game received prizes and bragging rights.
After the formal event proceedings were done, guests were invited to dance to songs from their youth and get to know each other.
One CEE student, Johnny Lewis, found himself in a photo from 1970 in the TCC South Campus Historic Exhibit, a display of photos and memorabilia from the campus’ past.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw it,” Lewis said. “I was the president of the Black Student Union at that time.”
Lewis, who said he has been involved with South Campus for 49 years, also takes various photography classes with the CEE program and hopes to take a creative writing class soon.
“I learned a long time ago that learning is a continuous process,” he said. “I think once you get an appreciation for it, it never goes away, even if you’ve been through two or three careers.”
Lewis recently achieved his master’s degree at the age of 65 and says his love for learning and teaching keeps him coming back for more classes.
“I’m still learning,” he said. “What I learn here, I’m also teaching it back into the community.”
