The Institute for Learning in Retirement is a community-based organization whose goal is to encourage life-long learning for persons in retirement from every walk of life. At its heart is an academic program of courses designed by its members to suit their interests and taught by knowledgeable instructors. Most classes are offered on the Marietta College campus, some are offered in the community or online via Zoom. Courses encourage study and discussion but require no assignments, tests, or writing of papers. They are simply for the enjoyment of learning.
Organized by local citizens, the Institute offered its first non-credit courses of cultural interest in the Spring of 1992 with two two-week courses. Over the years, the scope of the courses broadened to include such diverse subjects as river lore, genealogy, forestry, applied art, the world of opera, literature, science, and many more. When members expressed enough interest in a particular subject, an authority in that field, usually a college professor or other professional, was sought to teach it. Occasionally, a course was enhanced by day or overnight trips to museums or theaters in nearby cities or field trips to strip mines and river locks and dams. Since its origins, ILR has involved hundreds of individuals, many of whom return time and time again, creating friendships and enjoying the opportunity to learn new things.
Over the years, the program offered by the Institute has grown. The ILR offers three sessions of four- or eight-week classes each year: fall, winter, and spring. The courses range from such hands-on subjects as hand sewing to archeology, from birdwatching to music and art history, and from geology to Shakespeare. Click here for a list of courses offered since 1992. You may take as many courses as you wish in any session. The cost is $30 for eight-week courses and $15 for four-week courses.
Click here for the biographies of the officers of the ILR.
Click Here for the Minutes of the Annual Meeting.
For any problems with registering, contact the webmaster at: tedgoertzel@gmail.com
For more information:
M.J. Ebenhack, Director
Email: ebenhack@gmail.com
Phone: (740) 434-5638
Or
Joy Cowdery, Program Chair
Email: drjoycowdery@gmail.com
Phone: 740-706-0306