134 ADULT LEARNERS CELEBRATE THEIR NONTRADITIONALISM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 18, 2006
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

Special Week Acknowledges Hard Work of Students with Adult Responsibilities

(MURFREESBORO) – The Adult Services Center, the Older Wiser Learners (OWLs) student organization and the Pinnacle Honor Society will pay tribute to adult learners with several events during National Nontraditional Student Week Nov. 6-10.
The Association of Nontraditional Students in Higher Education joined with five other organizations serving adult learners approximately 10 years ago in creating the observance. The purpose is to “draw attention to the number of nontraditional students and to their needs to be successful in their college pursuits,” Dr. Carol Ann Baily, director of the Adult Services Center, says.
Baily quotes national statistics showing that 38 percent of all college students are individuals who have adult responsibilities in addition to their college careers.
“At MTSU, we figure approximately 10,000 of the 22,800 students are nontraditional students—married, with families, working full-time and attending classes as well,” Baily says.
Events on tap include a Night Owls Open House from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 6, 7, and 8 at the Adult Services Center in Room 320 of the Keathley University Center (KUC). All evening students are welcome to stop by for hot cider, treats and a gift.
From 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8, Nontraditional Student Day, informational tables will be set up in front of the grill in the KUC to enable students to learn more about the Adult Services Center, the OWLs, and Pinnacle Honor Society. Each student will receive a gift.
All nontraditional students are invited to attend and bring their families to the Nontraditional Student Week Potluck Holiday Dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in Room 320 of the KUC. The fall 2006 Pinnacle Award of Achievement will be awarded, and the winner of the Nontraditional Student Week Essay Contest will be announced.
Each attendee is requested to bring a dish to serve 8 to 10 people and their group’s nonalcoholic beverage of choice. OWLs will provide turkey and ham. Attendees also are asked to phone the Adult Services Center in advance at 615-898-5989 with the total number in their groups.


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