Fair 52° F

Home > Archive > Oct 11, 2007

Seniors Keeping Minds and Bodies Active Through ICL
By Cortney Mathews
Sports Writer
Among the many on-campus organizations associated with Dixie State College, there is one a bit different from the rest – The Institute for Continued Learning (ICL).
With the help of its members and volunteer instructors, the ICL presents active seniors in the area with a chance to keep their minds sharp and their bodies moving. More than 500 members participate in classes, field trips and social events sponsored by the organization each year.
“For most of us that participate with the ICL, it gives us a good opportunity to be active outside of our homes,” ICL Marketing Chair and Historian Ron Swenson said. “This is a great way for us to be continually active in the community. It’s one way we are able to associate with people who share interests similar to ours.”
The ICL is now in its 29th year of operation. It was originally founded by St. George resident Ed Groves. Groves, who had formerly belonged to such an organization in San Diego, brought the same model to Dixie College in 1979.
The original instructors for ICL were all volunteers, as they are today, offering their talents and areas of expertise for the benefit of others. Courses are held on campus as space is available. People of all ages are welcome, but ICL membership is primarily made up of retired and semi-retired individuals.
“We have a wealth of information that we are eager to share with one another,” Swenson said. “Many of our members have the desire to teach, while others are looking for an opportunity to learn and associate with each other. Those participating with the ICL will not only learn, but they will receive social stimulation and physical stimulation as well.”
While education is the main focus of the ICL, participating members are able to grow in more ways than one. The ICL opens up many avenues of advanced learning to active seniors in the area as well as a chance to make new friends. Members explore new talents and interests they had not previously been able to pursue.
Members and instructors are not compensated for their efforts in the ICL; therefore, it takes dedication and a desire to participate in order for the ICL to be a success. All those who teach come with areas of expertise they want to share with others. ICL officers believe that all members have something to share. Members’ willingness to share and participate is strongly encouraged.
“You know there must be something special about a program when you have such wonderful support by so many individuals,” ICL President Christine Hilton said. “We have so many volunteers that are willing to donate their time and their talents to a good cause.”
ICL volunteers come from various backgrounds and lifestyles: engineers, teachers, scientists, farmers, public employees, housewives and CEOs to name a few. 29 volunteer presidents have led the organization, all serving one-year terms, after a preliminary year as vice-presidents.
The ICL was originally founded at Dixie College when it was then a two-year college. At that point, Dixie was already attracting students to further their education under the warm Southern Utah sun. As school officials now talk of teaming up with the University of Utah, ICL members wait to see what effect the partnership will have on their organization. Swenson, Hilton and other ICL officers, aware of existing programs situated on the U of U campus, hope it will have a positive effect, if any, on the ICL at Dixie College.
The ICL academic year runs from September through April; however, ICL President Christine Hilton invites all those interested in the organization to come and join even though registrations have passed.
For prospective members in the community wishing to test the ICL out before becoming full members, the last two months of the semester will be offered at no cost to newcomers, Hilton said.
For additional information regarding the ICL, visit the ICL office at 658 E. 200 South in St. George. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ICL can also be contacted at 652-7670, or visit the ICL website at www.dixie.edu/com/icl.

---