[051] “ADVENTURES IN LEARNING” LED BY SEVERAL MTSU SCHOLARS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2009
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

“ADVENTURES IN LEARNING” LED BY SEVERAL MTSU SCHOLARS
Nineteenth Annual Event Promotes Lifelong Learning and Enrichment for 50+ Adults

(MURFREESBORO) – MTSU professors, past and present, will serve as some of the tour guides for the 19th annual “Adventures in Learning,” an interesting educational experience for persons age 50 and older, on four successive Mondays, Sept. 14, 21, and 28, and Oct. 5, at First United Methodist Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro.
Topics to be explored include recreation, literature, country music, genealogy, technology, ethnicity and history. Classes will last from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 10:45-11:45 a.m. Lunch will be catered by Carolyn’s Creations, followed by forums on various items of civic interest.
A unique feature of this year’s “Adventures in Learning” is a series on World War II instructed by four current members of the MTSU history faculty. On Sept. 14, Dr. Nancy Rupprecht will address “The World through Hitler’s Eyes: Hitler’s World View.” Dr. Amy Sayward, department chair, will deliver “America Enters the War” on Sept. 21. Dr. Jan Leone will present “World War II: The Home Front in America” on Sept. 28. Dr. Sean Foley will explain “The War and the Middle East” on Oct. 5.
Former faculty members lending their expertise to this year’s event include Dr. Ralph Fullerton, professor emeritus of geography, on “The Political and Cultural Geography of the U.S./Mexico Border;” Dr. Larry Mapp, retired professor of English,” on “Children Lost and Children Found in the Fiction of Lewis Nordan and Tim Gautreaux;” Lynette Ingram, retired instructor of English and book reviewer, on the novel Olive Ketteridge by Elizabeth Strout; Dr. Alice Nunnery, former MTSU English professor, on the novel Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiris; Dr. William Windham, professor emeritus of history, on “The American West Revisited;” and Margaret Ordoubadian, professor emerita of English, in a demonstration of Kindle Reader.
Mary Belle Ginanni, former MTSU professor of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Safety, is the overall program coordinator. Other former faculty and staffers serving as coordinators include Dr. Emily Messier, Dr. Martin McCullough, Margaret Scott, and Bertha Chrietzberg.
“Adventures in Learning” is made possible by a local interfaith coalition. The cost for all four weeks is $8 in advance or $10 after Sept. 2. Lunch reservations and payments must be made in advance of the classes. Participants may pick up lunch tickets and name badges upon arrival.
Checks may be mailed to AIL Treasurer, 1267 N. Rutherford Rd., Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37130. Please indicate the dates you intend to attend and which days you plan to eat lunch.
Brochures about “Adventures in Learning” are available at First United Methodist Church, Linebaugh Public Library, Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Center for the Arts and the St. Clair Street Senior Center. For more information, call 615-895-6072.