CSUS hosts a Renaissance of sorts

Chances are that 900 of the students at Sacramento State this fall won't be wearing saggy blue jeans or bare midriffs.

But they'll be learning just the same.

Today's university campuses are making room for older people -- retirees who have the time, enthusiasm and intellectual stamina for the growing movement of lifelong learning.

Members of the Renaissance Society of Sacramento don't look to professors for the answers because they learn from each other.

On Fridays, they participate in peer-led seminars on a variety of topics. The retirees share what they already know about, or study a new topic to share with others.

Bruce Joplin, who founded his own software firm in Sacramento, discovered when he retired in 2001 that his volunteer work wasn't enough. He was thinking about starting another company when he joined Renaissance.

"I floundered around like many people do," said Joplin, who will be leading a seminar in October on "The Saudis and the U.S. at a Crossroad."

"I wanted intellectual stimulation, not just going to meetings, but something meaty."

He's become an expert on Saudi Arabia and he wants other members to learn how the Saudi leaders are working hard to counter their country's conservative Muslims.

"The money keeps flowing into terrorism," explained Joplin. "I've spent months studying this."

While there are presentations on watercolors and movie comedies, many of the upcoming seminars are similar challenging topics such as emerging infectious diseases, Fidel Castro, the Manhattan Project, early American origins of the separation of church and state, and architecture.

In the United States, there are more than 4,000 learning in retirement programs that come in many different forms -- from book clubs to nonprofit organizations with classes taught by retired professors, said Mary Bitterman, president of the Bernard Osher Foundation in San Francisco.

Osher contributes funds to 32 learning institutes across California including nearly all University of California campuses, including Davis, and many of California State University campuses, including Sacramento. Nationwide, it helps support 93 institutes. Most are for retirees or people age 50 and older.

Bitterman said anecdotal evidence and science-based studies show that "keeping one's mind very active is a great way to keep from entering dementia."

The stalwart Renaissance Society started 21 years ago as a "Center for Learning in Retirement" just shortly before the Osher foundation was started.

Renaissance member Elinor Hickey, who also is a member of the Sacramento County Board of Education, said CSUS has provided an office and classroom space. The members help out on campus as docents and ushers at events. All they need is a bit more room because events often fill up, she said.

Anyone, with or without a college degree, can join for the fall and spring semesters, said Hickey. For an annual fee of $60, members can attend any seminars, use the campus library and park free on Fridays.

Retired defense attorney Michael Sands has led discussions on famous trials and the Supreme Court. In October, he will teach a seminar on American railroads in song and story.

Doug Fulton, who retired from the Air Force in 1978 and has led the foreign policy seminar for years, said participation is key to the program's success.

"There's a real tie-in to using your head and having to research ideas and keep thinking," he said. "It's not an ache and pain society. I never hear that."

While one 99-year-old member rides his scooter every Friday from his nearby assisted-living apartment, Fulton said, he's starting to see more new members in their 50s and 60s.

"The next generation is well ensconced in Renaissance. People like myself are fading into the background," said Fulton. "It has a life of its own."

An introduction will be 10 a.m. today in the Hinde Auditorium at California State University, Sacramento. Sign-up for seminars will be from 1-3 p.m. in Ballroom I in the University Union.

The seminars begin Sept. 8. For more information, call (916) 278-7834.

About the writer:

• The Bee's Nancy Weaver Teichert can be reached at (916) 321-1058 or nteichert@sacbee.com.