Blog Archives

Bard LLI’s Curriculum and How It Grew

by Felice Gelman and Josette Lee
Up and Running in No Time

There is only one subject matter for education, and that is Life in all its manifestations.

— Alfred North Whitehead

When we look at the rich offerings in the Bard LLI catalog,

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Thank You, Joan Tower!

by Susan Phillips
Introduction

This year Bard LLI celebrates its 25th anniversary offering courses to seniors with a desire to keep learning. Courses are taught by instructors from a wide variety of backgrounds. This includes many Bard professors who work with students all day and then show up to share their knowledge with older learners—for FREE!!

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Anticipating WinterFest ’25

by Deborah Lanser
Introduction

Mark your calendar for December 20, the day when the WinterFest catalog will arrive so you can start planning your January schedule. As usual, there will be two talks given on four consecutive Wednesdays—January 8, 15, 22, and 29—at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

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Immigration Plays Out Inside and Outside LLI

by Peter Scheckner and Martha Honey
Introduction

In fall 2024, we organized two thematically linked courses: We Were All Foreigners: Global Immigration through Cinema and Poetry, an in-person course that examined through art the global migration crisis, and Immigration Policy: Too Hot to Handle?

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LLI’s Origin Story

by Sara Hardman with Felice Gelman

Sara Hardman was LLI’s first president.
Introduction

Planning for the creation of LLI began in the winter of 2000. The idea had developed in a book group at the Red Hook Library when Sara Hardman and several other women expressed their frustration at the long waiting list at Marist’s Center for Lifetime Study.

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Studio Art Tour Class Shines

by Mary McClellan

Introduction

Billed in the LLI catalog as studio discussions with six working artists who live in our hyperlocal area, “Deep Dive into Abstract Art“ emerged as a bright star in our fall semester galaxy that contained several stars. Produced by L. Walker and curated by abstract artist Jean Feinberg,

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Fall Semester Reviews

by Deborah Lanser
Introduction

The fall courses were generally a hit. There were 253 responses to the evaluation form, which confirms a high rate of involvement. The course content was widely praised; 89% of respondents rated it 4 or 5. Presenters were likewise appreciated, with 94% being rated 4 or 5.

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The Right Man: Dean Stuart Stritzler-Levine

by Margaret Shuhala
In the Beginning …

Twenty-five years ago, Dean Stuart Stritzler-Levine, sitting in his office in Ludlow, was having the usual busy day, with a steady stream of visitors lined up outside his office door. As he glanced at his appointments for that afternoon, he noticed a notation next to one set of names that indicated the visitors wanted to speak with him about “bringing to our campus an educational venture for senior citizens residing in our surrounding area.”

He was the right man for our Bard LLI founders to meet.

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North Campus Walk

by Gretchen Lytle
Introduction

During the beautiful fall season, as leaf hues vary and colors shift tones almost day by day, the Bard campus becomes a pictorial landscape. The northern part of campus is especially compelling. Across from the main entrance to the Fisher Center, you will find a contemplative locale for an art installation,

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Lesser-Known Perks of Bard LLI Membership

by Felice Gelman
Introduction

You probably joined Bard LLI for the wide variety of courses and the unique opportunity to meet accomplished and interesting people in your age group. Because Bard LLI is part of the Bard College community, there’s a lot more on offer. Did you know…?

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