Herman Glotzer discovered a passion for 20th-Century literature. Doris Braunstein learned to speak a foreign language. Eleanor Wilderman conquered the computer. Ellie and David Munson found ways to share their love of music and also found love in later life.

Forget the tired clichés about golf and bingo. The University of Delaware’s Academy of Lifelong Learning represents what many active retirees are looking for—intellectual, cultural and social enrichment in an environment that’s both challenging and supportive. For academy members, what comes after the handshake and gold watch is a chance to explore interests in such diverse areas as art appreciation, history, philosophy, writing, information technology, the performing arts, foreign languages, health and economics.

The academy was the brainstorm of University President Emeritus E.A. Trabant, who, in 1976, saw a need to develop “something different, something unique and creative” to serve the growing population of adults in the Wilmington area who were nearing retirement age.

A team from the Division of Continuing Education, including Jack Murray, Rich Fischer and Nancy Aldrich, began to explore the possibilities, assisted by a steering committee of interested community members. At the time, there were only a few university-affiliated programs for seniors nationwide from which to draw inspiration. Most of these relied on university faculty and funding, in whole or part.

But, the UD team wanted its program to be self-sufficient. It was decided that the Academy of Lifelong Learning would be an academic cooperative, in which members teach other members. No formal teaching credentials would be necessary, but interested instructors would have to submit a prospectus and syllabus of their proposed course to a curriculum committee. Each course would have to fit into one of the academy’s disciplines. The organizers didn’t want the academy to be elitist, but they also knew it wasn’t the place for courses in macramé, cake decorating or scrapbooking. The academy also was designed to be independent financially. It would be allowed the use of University facilities, but in most respects would be supported by member dues.

On Feb. 6, 1980, the academy opened its doors, with 22 classes and approximately 200 members. It was housed in modest, shared quarters in the former Wilcastle Center, on the University’s Wilmington campus.

As the academy celebrates its 25th anniversary, its 2,100 members can choose from more than 230 courses during the fall and spring semesters. The academic schedule is rounded out by special lectures, concerts and plays; regular social hours; and bus trips to area museums, historical sites and botanical gardens. In summer, the academy offers a residential program, a weeklong lecture series and, new in 2005, a roster of short courses during the month of July.

Classes are now held in Arsht Hall, an inviting, spacious building on the Wilmington campus that was constructed in 1991 at a cost of $6 million. The late Samuel and Roxana Arsht, both active academy members in their retirement, contributed $2 million for the facility, which is named in their honor.

A prominent Wilmington attorney, Samuel Arsht was an enthusiastic member of the academy from its earliest years until his death in 1999. Roxana Arsht, a Delaware Family Court judge who died in 2003, also took full advantage of academy offerings, in areas ranging from computing to Shakespeare.

On a sunny, weekday morning, Herman Glotzer, chair of the academy’s Council, a member-run governing board, settled in by the brick fireplace in the two-story lobby of Arsht Hall and talked about the role the academy plays in his life and the lives of countless area seniors.

“When I took early retirement from DuPont in 1985, I had a lot of outside interests, and I was very excited that I would now have the time to develop these interests further,” Glotzer says.

Although he held a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, Glotzer set his sights on the humanities. He received a master’s in literature and soon began teaching an academy course in literary theory and criticism.

“I prepared all summer long for that course, which seven people signed up for,” Glotzer recalls. The Wilmington resident continues to teach one course each semester (his courses now attract close to 200 people, divided into two sessions) and also is a member of the academy band and recorder ensemble. He says he spends at least two to three hours at Arsht Hall each weekday, and, as chair of the Council, devotes many additional hours to academy business from home.

“The Academy of Lifelong Learning has defined my retirement years; it’s a central factor in my life,” Glotzer says.

Although Glotzer always had a postretirement plan, he knows plenty of retirees who didn’t. “Their life is their work and, when they retire, they have absolutely no idea what to do,” Glotzer says. “A relative or friend pushes them into joining the academy and, all of a sudden, they discover a whole new world has been opened up to them.”

Ruth Flexman is the “principal” of the academy, at least that was her job title on the day when a 5-year-old visitor to “Grandma’s school” wanted to know who ran the place. More formally known as University coordinator of the academy, Flexman heads a staff of six and sees to it that the academy and its 230 courses run smoothly each day. In her 10th year in the position, she has encountered a number of reluctant new members over the years. “They’ll tell me that their wife or kids pushed them into joining; they’ll tell me that they ‘don’t want to be around old people,’” Flexman says.

“But then, they start doing things they’ve never done before and their whole attitude changes,” Flexman says. “They see how mental exercise, just like physical exercise, is essential to well-being in later life.” 

She says one of her most rewarding moments as coordinator was when a gentleman pulled her aside after his first semester and told her, “This place saved my life.”

Eleanor Wilderman didn’t have to be pushed into joining the academy after she retired. In fact, she joined while still employed. Eager to take on new challenges, her first course was a six-week basic computing course. The North Wilmington resident says she “knew absolutely nothing about computers.” Gigabytes, Google, firewalls and favorites were all part of an alien language.

Today, five years later, Wilderman teaches an intermediate Windows practice course. And, she stays a step ahead of her students by taking an advanced computing course each semester.

She says one of the best things about teaching is working with the other computer instructors; “intellectual marvels,” she raves, “who willingly accept me as one of them.” 

Of Italian ancestry, Wilderman also takes an Italian class every semester. Her intent was to brush up on the language to make travel to Italy more enjoyable. The classes have accomplished that, but an additional dividend has been gaining a travel partner and “wonderful friend” in fellow classmate Doris Braunstein. 

Braunstein says her prior exposure to Italian consisted of “two semesters, 30 years ago,” but she didn’t think twice about tackling the language as a senior citizen. She and Wilderman became fast friends in Italian class and now travel to Italy together each year.

An amateur violin player, Braunstein also plays in the academy’s string ensemble and takes a yoga class each semester. The North Wilmington resident says that the mental stimulation of the academy gives her “a reason to get up in the morning.”

Music brought both Ellie and David Munson to the academy. David Munson joined the academy in 1992 after retiring from a career in financial accounting; Ellie Munson, a retired nurse, signed up for her first course in 1998. David Munson was divorced and Ellie Munson a widow when they met each other at the academy. A mutual love of Mozart soon led to love for one another.

The couple married in March 2000, and today they participate in the Academy Chorus and teach the Circle Singers, a folk music group that performs at community centers, nursing homes and public events throughout the year.

The Munsons also are co-chairs of the 25th Anniversary Committee that is organizing events to mark the academy anniversary. The major event, a “Hi Ho Silver Jubilee,” was held May 13 and featured music, food, garden tours and dancing.

“We are happy to help organize the anniversary celebration because we are so appreciative of what the University has given us,” Ellie Munson says. “The most vibrant part of our week are the hours we spend here at the academy. It’s a marvelous outlet for our energies—a chance to stretch and challenge ourselves.”

As visitors to Arsht Hall approach the front door, they’re reminded of the opportunities that await inside. Inscribed in a side wall is this quote from Samuel Arsht:

“When I stopped going to the office, I thought I knew all I needed to know for my well-being. I was wrong. I now know it’s what you learn after you know it all that really counts.”

—Margo McDonough, AS ’86, ’95M