Fifty-five percent of Americans 45 and older are actively learning new things, according to a recent study by the American Association of Retired Persons on lifelong learning. Seniors and older adults that continue to learn over the course of a lifetime often show improved cognitive health, thus keeping them active and independent—a benefit for both them and their families.

The Emeritus program at Dallas College (formerly Dallas County Community College District), with seven campuses throughout the DFW area, comprises continuing education and credit classes for seniors and older adults pursuing academic goals and personal enrichment.

Grant Sisk, Ph.D., senior manager of special academic programming, says the program began at their Richland and Brookhaven campuses in the early 1990s, coinciding with the Texas State Legislature passage of a law enabling colleges and universities to give senior citizens meeting certain criteria up to six credit hours of tuition free per semester.

“We have 11,000 classes offered at Dallas College that older adults can take. Those include both academic classes for those seeking a degree or classes for personal enrichment. The Emeritus program itself is primarily of service for people who are not degree-seeking, but want to stay active and engaged,” says Sisk.

Class topics include computer literacy courses, how to use iPhones, Photoshop and social media. Other popular Emeritus classes include physical education, stretching, yoga, dancing and weight training. Sisk notes that humanities-based special topic courses, which are short lectures on various topics such as cathedrals in Europe, also draw interest. Classes are offered in-person, online or a hybrid of both.

Jim Frame, of Dallas, had taken his first class through the Emeritus program in August 2002. His interest was piqued after a vacation to Chichén Itzá, Mexico, during which he had purchased a book about the Mayan pyramids. He enrolled in the Introduction to Archeology class to verify the book's accuracy. “I was hooked ever since,” enthuses Frame, who celebrated his 87th  birthday in July.

He has since taken 85 undergraduate hours of personal enrichment through the Emeritus program, studying American Indian culture, general anthropology, cultural anthropology, world religion, world regional geography, physical education courses, ballroom dancing, human sexuality and computer fundamentals, including internet research about genealogy.

Curious by nature, Frame says the wide range of information he learned through the Emeritus classes stimulated him to dig deeper into topics. His self-confidence grew because he sometimes outperformed his younger peers that either skipped class or spent class time using their smartphones instead of paying attention to the instructor, he recalls.

Frame has participated in brain studies through the University of Texas Center for Brain Health. By learning something new every week, he has been able to stave off dementia and Alzheimer's disease. “The value I get from attending the classes is that it exercises my brain,” Frame says. “I can apply what I've learned in class to other aspects of my life.”

Plans are underway to expand this robust programming to all seven Dallas College campuses. Sisk affirms that classes through the Emeritus program help older adults stay engaged and up-to-date on the latest technology, noting, “Programming like this does help seniors stay in their homes and stay active and independent. Beyond that, in Dallas County there is an untapped group of people that have a lot of experience to share with others.”

Dallas College is actively hiring instructors for the Emeritus program. Retirees and seniors that possess knowledge and skills to share are encouraged to contact Sisk at [email protected]. For more information, call 972-669-6400 or visit Tinyurl.com/DallasEmeritus.