The Academy for Lifelong Learning (ALLL) at Sewanee will be one of many programs offered by Sewanee Seminars, led by theatre arts professor and coordinator of the Sewanee Summer Seminar, Dan Backlund. The lunch and learn seminars will continue offering learning opportunities to all those who are interested.

The Academy for Lifelong Learning was created when Tom Watson, former interim director of St. Mary’s Sewanee, put together a committee to bring more programming to the center.

“The lights were on, and no one was home,” said Anne Davis, who has been involved with the program since its creation. “Elaine Goleski and I decided we would become the coordinators of the programming. Elaine lives in Jacksonville now. Our program has been mostly for retired people, but you don’t have to be retired to come. We typically have about 35-45 people come every month, once a month for the noon-time talk.”

University Vice Chancellor John McCardell said the partnership came about roughly three months ago.

“I was approached over the summer by the Lifelong Learning Board to see whether the University might be willing to host the Academy in the coming year. I suggested they discuss the possibility with Dan Backlund, who has so successfully directed the Sewanee Summer Seminar program for many years. The proposal was to fold the Academy into the summer program and rename the new program the Sewanee Seminar. Dan is planning to expand the offerings beyond the monthly lunches of the former Academy and the one-week summer session to include other kinds of short courses and presentations,” said McCardell.

Davis said plans for the expansion will benefit those who are looking to continue their learning.

“A lot of us are retired and have had full careers, but still just really love to learn. When you’re young, you’re not focused on your studies. You can’t possibly soak it all up. We’re all in a place now where we can just soak it up. With no papers and no tests, it’s just perfect.”

The first Sewanee Seminar session will be Thursday, Sept. 7 at noon in Lower Cravens on the University campus. Pricing will be the same $12 per year for a membership or one may pay $2 per session.

Backlund, who has spent the last 10 years running the Summer Seminar, said there is no prerequisite for attendance other than curiosity.

“These are non-credit classes, and everyone is welcome. We want to reach all interested people in the region. The seminars will range from things taught in normal college classes to perhaps how to plant a butterfly garden and refinish furniture. We rely on the skills of community and faculty. For instance, I know of a dentist who wants to teach beekeeping,” said Backlund.

Stephen Burnett is the only one of the committee members who lives on campus. He said this allows him to get to know those on campus who might have something to speak about for a program.

“I live around and rub elbows with a lot of our speakers, which seems to get them to return my calls,” joked Burnett.

Burnett said the program is shaping up to be a win-win for the entire community.

“Backlund’s summer seminars have been successful and tend to bring a lot of alumni back to campus. It’s really beginning to take shape, and it’s going to be exciting to watch the program get its wings and take off.”

As far as the future of the program goes, partnership with the alumni office at the University and longer, more in-depth learning trips are in the books.

“This new venture builds on the success of the Academy and broadens those offerings to reach— we hope—a wider swath of the local community. In the long run, there will be a great many more opportunities for learning, which will enrich the quality of life for all our friends in Sewanee and beyond,” said McCardell.

For more information about programming and the Academy for Lifelong Learning at Sewanee, email Anne Davis at <adavis951@gmail.com> or Dan Backlund at <dbacklun@sewanee.edu>.