In 1997, Joanne Cunningham was fast approaching retirement.
At the time, the 76-year-old was a faculty member at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
She couldn't imagine being away from such a stimulating environment.
When she heard that organizations across North America were providing education for seniors, Cunningham was intrigued.
"I asked my dean for a six-month leave so I could research the feasibility of Kwantlen setting up a model of learning that would work here," said Cunningham over the phone. "I went to Alberta to the Minerva Institute and attended two Institute for Learning in Retirement conferences in the United States, and I came back excited about the idea."
Armed with her findings, Cunningham made a proposal to Kwantlen about setting up a similar program here.
The idea was enthusiastically accepted and soon the ball was rolling.
Dubbed "Third Age Learning at Kwantlen" (TALK), Cunningham expected maybe 10 people to show up for the inaugural meeting to set up a committee. One hundred showed up.
From the beginning, TALK attracted faculty members more than happy to volunteer their time to teach seniors on a variety of topics.
"In the first year, 1998, so many professors came on board, and they told me they really enjoyed lecturing to a knowledgeable, intelligent audience," added Cunningham.
Today, more than 50 faculty from Kwantlen as well as many business professionals across the Lower Mainland offer their time for TALK. Topics range from world customs and cultures to the importance of bees, to current events, retirement options to music appreciation and everything in between.
More than 600 paid TALK members, who are 50 and over, attend lectures at one of four Kwantlen campuses, as well as other venues across the province.
"The talks are full of lively discussions and sometimes a little controversial but never boring, always stimulating," quipped Cunningham. "You meet so many new friends, I love it because I love learning - it keeps me sharp."
Besides taking part in provocative and mind-expanding topics, participants can become a course facilitator, plan curriculum, identify speakers, prepare newsletters, recruit new members, help organize special events or promote TALK.
Richmond's Marg Edmonds, a retired instructor from Mount Royal University in Calgary, got involved four years ago shortly after moving to Steveston.
She found the program so interesting that she came on board to help organize events.
Edmonds, 84, and a group of 11 other seniors, work hard each year to choose topics for each semester.
"We really try to find out what our members are interested in," said Edmonds.
"This fall season, there are courses on the brain, a talk about Tanzania and even one on hypnosis (Langley campus)."
Courses costs between $10 and $30 on average and participants can choose to attend as many as they want.
TALK also offers a four-part series on music appreciation, one that Edmonds is particularly interested in.
"When you go to a course, you meet likeminded people who share your love of learning," added Edmonds.
"I love working with the other volunteers and meeting the other seniors - I attend as many as I can each semester."
TALK is open to anyone over the age of 50. Membership is $10 per year.
The fall program, Take Off on a New Adventure, begins at Kwantlen's Richmond campus Wednesday, Sept. 26 with an introduction to Dim Sum. The course runs from 10 to 11: 50 a.m. in Room 2725. Register by Sept. 19.
For more information or to join, call Brian Bjarnason at 604-531-5069 or visit www.kwantlen.ca/TALK.
