Adults flock to Mini University to learn

Gene McGrail and Bill Phillips met each other 20 years ago at Mini University. Since then, they’ve attended the program every year and both said they haven’t regretted one minute of it. \nMini University, which is celebrating its 36-year anniversary, began Monday, giving 490 participants ages 18 and up an opportunity to return to class for a week to take up to 15 noncredit classes. \nMcGrail said he heard about the program from the travel section in the Chicago Sunday Tribune and decided to write them a letter of inquiry. Phillips said he saw the program in IU’s Alumni magazine. \nPat McGrail, Gene’s wife, said she’s been attending Mini University for 12 years and would definitely recommend the program to others. She said her favorite parts of the program are the different types of classes, especially a class taught by history professor James Madison about World War II. \n“We were all into that subject because we all lived it,” Pat said. “And I would definitely recommend the program.” \nAmy Reynolds, associate dean for research and graduate studies at the School of Journalism, taught a lecture titled “Blogging and the Future of Journalism” on Monday afternoon. Reynolds said the lecture was mostly questions and answers from the participants about blogs, technology, and computer news. \n“The participants are very engaged,” Reynolds said. “They bring a variety of interesting perspectives, and they’re genuinely interested in learning and discussing new ideas. It’s very rewarding to teach in that environment.” \nReynolds has been teaching at Mini University for two years and said she really enjoys the general aspects of the program. She explained that teaching at Mini University differs between teaching undergraduates and graduates, and it is hard to compare. \n“All those students have been good; I have not had negative teaching experiences,” Reynolds said. “(Teaching at Mini University) brings in a lot more life experience.”\nJeanne Madison, director of Mini University, said the program receives great feedback and the directors work really hard at implementing their suggestions. On Tuesday night, participants gathered in the University Club on the first floor of the Indiana Memorial Union for an after-dinner coffee hour. Ruth Watson, an IU alumna from Ann Arbor, Mich., said she heard about the program from two old friends who had attended Mini University when it first started.\nWatson said so far this week her favorite class has been English professor Raymond Hedin’s lecture, “Why We Should See Our Lives as Stories.” She said the class taught her to look at stories as metaphors for life. She said if she would have stayed longer if she could have.\n“It has been a wonderful experience, and the week’s not half over yet,” Watson said. \nNicki Bland, co-chair of the Alumni Association, said as soon as Mini University is over, the program begins planning for the following year. Bland said she suggests everyone to register in the program as soon as they can because they sell out and can’t expand their space. Enrollment for next year’s Mini University starts in March 2008. \nRon White, director of the IU-Bloomington Continuing Studies department, has been working with Mini University for six years. White said the program shines because so many people come out to participate. White said it shows how many people want to continue learning. \n“I think it’s all about lifelong learning,” White said, “and to have the opportunity to interact with the finest faculty on campus.”