College for Older Adults
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
The College for Older Adults (COA) is designed for learners who are at least 50 years old. Enrichment courses are offered that cover a range of topics. Registration is only $40 per term. Optional fees for Arts Array, course materials, and field trips may be charged. For more information contact Ed Morgan, emorgan@swcenter.edu, 276-619-4377.
Spring Registration
Online registration for the Spring 2025 term will open on January 29, 2025. Classes are slated to begin on February 11 and end on March 20. Special one-topic classes will meet on Mondays beginning on February 17, 2025.
CLASS INFORMATION
- Some Special Classes may require an additional fee for materials, supplies or admission. Do not include that fee in your COA registration- It is to be paid separately. To take Special Classes, you must be a COA member paying the full $40.00 fee. Please make checks out as described in the course description.
- We encourage you to pay the COA membership fee by credit card. Should you require a refund the COA can quickly refund the registration fee. If you pay by either check or cash, it may take several weeks (and an act of Congress) to obtain a refund. No refunds will be made after the second week of classes unless there are valid health or personal reasons.
- Room assignments listed in this schedule may not be the ultimate room where the class is held. Room assignments can change due to size of class enrollments, and occasional unforeseen conflicts with other events at the Higher Education Center. Please check daily the room assignment on posted notices.
- The Hen House Food Group plans to offer a grab and go lunch during the one-hour break for COA students and others in the building, (first come, first served). They will publish their menu.
- Transportation options are published here: https://district-three.org/index.php/Town-of-Abingdon NOTE: The Center has no control over the District Three bus schedule, its employees, their webpage and other publications, or anything other than providing a bus stop in the parking lot in front of the building.
- Schedule changes due to inclement weather are announced on our website (www.swcenter.edu), on WCYB-TV, and via text alert (if you sign up for it at https://goo.gl/waa48N). Please use your best judgment as to whether or not you can get here safely.
- In the event of an emergency, please evacuate the building in an orderly manner. The elevator will not be operational. If you need assistance, go to the stairwell and wait for assistance. Please do not open the door in the stairwell at the west end of the building EXCEPT in an emergency.
- COA Motto: We must be patient with one another.
- For more information, contact Ed Morgan by email at emorgan@www.swcenter.edu or (276) 619-4377.
CLASS HIGHLIGHTS
Below Whitetop
Below Whitetop, a film presented and narrated by Bill Gable. In 1934 Bill’s father, John Gable, a young Lutheran seminarian, was employed by the church to make a film illustrating daily life and the Lutheran Church’s missionary activities in Konnarock, an isolated lumber community nestled between Virginia’s two highest mountains. The Lutheran Church had undertaken important missionary work in the Konnarock community. The church brought education and health care along with religious worship and instruction to this mountain community where the “Virginia Creeper Train” was the primary means of accessing the outside world.
Martin Hayes Zoom Performance
For those who missed it, our Winter 2024 College for Older Adults class was truly special, featuring a memorable performance and talk by Martin Hayes via Zoom. His captivating artistry and insightful conversation left a lasting impression on our community. Stay tuned for future events as we continue to bring enriching experiences to our COA members.
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