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Eau Claire people find going backto school a 'new phase of life/By Lynn MeyerGoing back to school. That’s what 1.600 students at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire are doing. For some it ’s been as long as 25 years since they’ve been in school.Some are men who have been in the service and are now going to college. Many are women who have raised families and are now returning Others are retired people, both men andwomen.And they don’t have to do it by themselves; the University is doing all it can to help them. This summer the Office of AcademicCareer Advising was established to help coordinate and facilitate advising.“The responsibility of this office is to advise the undecided student, the special student and the continuing education student,’’ explained Sarah Harder, appointed in August as advisor to older students.“The connotation of my title may be unfortunate,she said, “but the creation of my position shows university awareness that students outside the typical 18 to 22 - year - old profile may have special problems.”There seems to be a growing trend for people of all ages to go back to school.One example is Bernhardt I Benny) Burdt who at BO is taking advantage ofthe University's free auditing program for persons over 62Another is Mi t. Clifford(Marie) Ell iot, 2912 LandonSt., who at 57 has returned to school and is taking credits toward a degree in En-glish.As a girl, Mrs. Elliot hadteacln-rs ;uid other lt;tudents.“It s a little bit scary at first, but it’s interesting You can either be in a rut orde something about il I'm not doing it for a new career but for my own satisfaction.’’ Before she beg inMrs. Elliot was wondering if she could learn at the level of a college Ireshman, but she’s found that “allalways wanted a degree. those brain cells aren’tShe took a one - year teaching training course butlater went to work in an office. She then raised herfamily. “I encouragedthree children through fourcollege degrees, not single-handedly of course, my husband was very willing to earn the money,” she said. “When my children were leaving home one byone and the house becameominously quiet, I went back to work.”Although Mrs. Elliot said she liked her job, she became tired of working with figures and .. in my 57th year, my dream came true.” She started back to school.“I was afraid,” Mrs. Elliot admitted. “1 thought I was going to feel silly, but it doesn't take long to feel at home in the college atmosphere and no one made me feel silly — the younger students or the teachers.”She enjoys talking with thedead.”“If something happenedtomorrow that I couldn’t goto school another day, I would still be glad for theA DAY OF LOVEBy Lois WyscSEWING LESSONI wish that I could Weave a part of me Into the fabric of yourEvery day. And so make it easier To look at every problemIn a rare New way.opportunity I've had so far. It’s ;t laseinating experience.”Sarah Harder, advisor to older students, reports that many times people are apprehensive about returning to school. “Deciding to do it and actually striding up to the doors are two different things,” she said. “But we want to make it as easy aspossible for these people.”According to Mrs. Harder, the university is planning to have at least one social a semester for olderstudents to become acquainted, and the school is also thinking about separate dorm wings for older men and women.“Continuing one’s education can be the beginning of a whole new phase of life,” Mrs. Harder commented. Persons interested in attending classes at the university should contact Sarah Harder at 836-3487.As one newspaper editorial put it, the university is not just for full - time students. It is a resource supported by all taxpayers.The University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire has a program enabling people to take advantage of what they’re paying for.C«(Plf»t«K» \f74 by l**» Wy* DutribvtW by K— Tlm««
Newspaper Details
Eau Claire Leader Telegram
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, US
Tue, Nov 19, 1974
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 21 Oct 2019
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