Topics: Arts and culture, religion and spirituality, wellness and rehab
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
The Mahoning Valley Lifelong Learning Institute, shaped by Park Vista of Youngstown, welcomed its first learners this month.
“The Mahoning Valley Lifelong Learning Institute extends and strengthens Park Vista of Youngstown’s whole-person wellness approach,” said Brian Kolenich, Park Vista executive director and a member of the institute’s advisory board.
“The institute is the Valley’s opportunity for intellectual wellness later in life: affordable, accessible, academic-level lectures. The institute’s rich educational opportunities will inspire and challenge people throughout the Valley age 50 and up by inviting them to explore new ideas in a fresh, imaginative way,” Kolenich said.
The institute opened its spring semester Feb. 11 with Dr. Greg Ferro, who gave participants insight into the lives of two 20th-century U.S. presidents. The Presidents Day course kicked off the institute’s Harris Lecture Series on History and Political Science.
The Institute’s four donor-funded series, supported by charitable gifts, also include the Gelhaar Lecture Series on Arts and Culture, Kyle Lecture Series on Religion and Spirituality, and a Wellness and Rehabilitation Lecture Series.
“The donor gifts are inspiring and show trust in the institute, its vision and Park Vista,” Kolenich said. “Future endowments will ensure the institute fulfills its mission of bringing new ideas, adventures and understanding to Mahoning Valley’s older adults.”
“The institute is presenting the series in partnership with the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County and Youngstown State University, organizations that share the institute’s goal and mission,” said the institute’s director, Marise Sahyoun.
“This clearly will be a game-changer for the Valley, our institutions and older Americans,” said Melvin North, YSU’s director of Learning in Retirement.
“We try to connect people to resources to inspire them to be lifelong learners and to enrich their lives,” said Heidi M. Daniel, library director.
“I think, together, we have the resources to develop a great program for older adults,” she said.
“I’m really excited about the free program, “You Conduct!,” in which participants learn about conducting and then direct a live chamber ensemble, said Sahyoun.
The institute’s first-semester courses and speaker information are online at MVLLI.org.
“The institute’s potential is incredible,” said Kolenich.
“Since it’s on our campus, it’s the opportunity to retire with culture, style, whole-person wellness. We’re creating incredible experiences and incredible lifestyles.”