A good student is one who never stops learning for their entire life—at Winona State University, this principle is reinforced by the Retiree Center and the many learning opportunities they offer for retired staff from Winona State and the greater Winona community. This winter, the Retiree Center is offering a class taught by Emeritus Professor of Philosophy Dr. Don Scheid on War, Peace, and Terrorism that meets every other week and is discussion-based.
According to the Winona State Retiree Center newsletter, “this group is open to all adult learners, both within and beyond the university community, who are interested in thoughtful, respectful dialogue about some of the pressing issues of our time.” The group meets biweekly on Thursdays from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in Somsen Hall Room 113. Undergraduate students are also welcome to join.
Jess Kauphusman, director of the Retiree Center, says that “the mission of the Retiree Center is to keep the people who’ve worked here, the faculty, staff and the administrators connected to Winona State after they retire.” They do this with classes like this one, but also through travel opportunities, brunches and the encouragement to attend on-campus events. Kauphusman notes that retirees give back to Winona State and Winona State is able to give back to the community.
“It’s just great for one of our pillars that President Janz talks about all the time, which is community engagement… we’re living that community engagement piece at the Retiree Center, because we have community members taking our classes, going on our travel opportunities, and taking our day trips,” Kauphusman says. When the community is involved, the university is so much stronger. “As people from the community learn more about Winona State, they may have more of an impetus to send their kids or to talk to their grandkids about Winona State…It’s really a win-win— it’s getting the word out that this is a really cool place, and I don’t think necessarily a lot of people know how much fun and interesting stuff goes on here.”
Kauphusman also notes that classes taught for retirees and community members are a very unique environment to learn in. She notes that many professors enjoy teaching these classes because the people who are there are engaged in the material— “These students are not stressed out about having to learn the material for a test or stressed out about having to do homework. They’re just here to learn, and they’re here to have really deep conversations about these topics, and professors really appreciate that.”
Retirees play a vital role in the Winona State community; they volunteer, create scholarships, and share their wisdom. Kauphusman notes that hopefully the Retiree Center will continue to grow. “Because retirees are just so generous of their time, and their treasure and their talent, that it is too much of a benefit to the university to ever give this up…retirees really bring a lot to campus.”
For anyone interested in joining the War, Peace, and Terrorism class, whether a retiree, community member or undergraduate student, contact [email protected].
