By Madeline Riccardi, Editor-in-Chief

Learning for fun has never been easy – until La Roche University opened its Center for Lifelong Learning.

Late last month, La Roche University announced its new Center for Lifelong Learning. The University created this program, offered to adults of all ages and backgrounds, to provide “Opportunities to expand minds and social circles,” according to a press release provided by La Roche.

“Established this year, the Center for Lifelong Learning empowers learners of all ages by offering high-quality, flexible and adaptable programs,” the press release said, “to serve and meet the needs of Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities.”

The new Center offers courses, community programs, and workshops to anyone seeking to learn. Open to both retired and current working professionals, the program will start this fall on a trial run. LRU offers these pilot courses as part of the Adventures in Lifelong Learning membership offered to those 50 and older.

The Center will expand to include courses for professionals who are seeking to continue their education and the local community through the Sisters of Divine Providence.

The professional companion offers “a range of non-credit credentials, certificates, classes, micro-credentials and badges for professionals at various points in their careers,” according to the Center’s website.

Community programs will include swim classes, learning camps, and lectures, which will be available based on demand.

Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, Ph.D., president of La Roche University, said she things the Center will be an important part of the community.

She said, “The development of a vibrant Lifelong Learning Center holds great potential for La Roche. With an ever-growing population of retirees in the North Hills who are searching for educational and social enhancements to their lives, creating an intergenerational community has the potential to reap benefits to both retirees and the University community.”

The Center for Lifelong Learning does not currently have a long-term schedule but is open for registration.

Current courses include:

Mondays: Oct. 18-Nov. 15

Folk Art – 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Instructor: Francis Halley

The Prophets: The Conscience of Israel – 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Instructor: Ed Bobinchock, Ph.D.

Tuesdays: Oct. 19-Nov. 16

Fitness Sampler – 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Instructor: Emily Shimko, Ed.D.

Wednesdays: Oct. 20-Nov. 17

Great Decisions – 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Instructor: Jennifer Engel, M.S., MPPM

Animal Rights – 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Instructor: Joshua Bellin, Ph.D.

Thursdays: Oct. 21-Nov. 18

The Gettysburg Campaign – 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Instructor: David Albert

For more information, visit https://laroche.edu/Academics/Special_Programs/Center_for_Lifelong_Learning/