Welcome to the Institute for Learning in Retirement
Our goal is simple: create opportunities for retired professionals to share their knowledge and skills. Learning is lifelong, and we offer active learning and connections with like-minded peers.
- An opportunity to enjoy active learning while meeting wonderful new people of similar
age and with varied interests. - No long-term commitments; study groups meet once a week during the
day from one to three months. - Lectures 鈥� presented by experts with various backgrounds.
Additional benefits: attendance at college events, lectures and workshops.
Annual Yearly Membership
Registration Procedure: Registration for Study Groups and Lectures is on a first-come, first-served basis. All ILR activities are open to members only unless otherwise noted and are subjected to availability and change.
- Fascinating Study Groups led by knowledgeable facilitators where you can explore various subjects and delve into meaningful discussions with fellow members.
- Inspiring Guest Lectures by esteemed experts from diverse fields, providing insights and perspectives on a wide range of topics.
Workshops
Watercolor
Watercolor Painting workshop designed for artists of all levels. This is an open space for artists to paint freely without the structure of a guided class. This session encourages artistic freedom, allowing you to explore your own unique style and ideas at your own pace. Connect with fellow members, share techniques, and collaborate in a relaxed environment. Participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies for this session. Each week as a group you will decide on a topic are create your own watercolor art!
Watercolor Painting workshop designed for artists of all levels. This is an open space for artists to paint freely without the structure of a guided class. This session encourages artistic freedom, allowing you to explore your own unique style and ideas at your own pace. Connect with fellow members, share techniques, and collaborate in a relaxed environment. Participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies for this session. Each week as a group you will decide on a topic are create your own watercolor art!
Leader: Shirley Ruby
2025 Sessions Fees: $50 per 8 sessions
Location: Campus Center Meeting Room B
Time: Wednesdays 9 AM - 12 PM
Dates for Fall: 9/10, 9/17, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29 & 11/5
Study Groups
| ON CAMPUS | MONDAY | WEDNESDAY | FRIDAY |
| Fall 2025 | History | Contemporary Literature | Current Issues Forum |
| Fall 2025 | Current Issues in Sports | Introduction to Spanish | Movie Review |
| Fall 2025 | Watercolor |
Mondays:
History
Explore the lives of influential figures in the history of the country. This course delves into their biographies, uncovering the remarkable contributions and legacies they left behind. Discover the stories of these heroes in depth and gain a richer understanding of their impact on our contry and beyond!
2025 Sessions Fees: $30 per 5 sessions
Dates for Fall 9/15, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13 & 10/20
Location: Campus Center Meeting Room B
Time: 10 AM - 12 PM
Book: Marrone, D. S. (2016). Theodore Roosevelt/Spring Rice in WWI, Joshua Barney, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Monroe, & USN 鈥淎irdales.鈥� Halo Press International. ISBN 978-1-61244-001-9
Class session dates and topics:
9/15, 9/29: Ch: 3, 4, 5: Commodore Joshua Barney; First Lady Dolley Payne Todd Madison; 鈥淔irst鈥� First Lady from New York Elizabeth Kortright Monroe.
10/6, 10/13: Ch: 8, 10, 2 (1st half): First Lady Martha Dandridge Custis Washington; U.S. Army Major General Oliver Otis Howard, 鈥淭he Christian General鈥�/Founder of Howard University; and Former President Theodore Roosevelt and Sir Arthur Spring Rice.
10/20: Ch: 2 (2nd half), 6: TR鈥檚 Exceptional Family especially TR, Jr. 鈥淭ed Roosevelt鈥� and Ethel Roosevelt; and the USN 鈥淎irdales鈥濃�斺�淲e Watch the Skyways鈥�--in the Pacific Theater of World War II.
Current Issues in Sports
This course explores important challenges and debates in the world of sports today. Through discussion, case studies, and current events, students will examine how legal, ethical, and financial issues are shaping the future of both college and professional sports.
Leader: Dr. Ira Stolzenberg
2025 Sessions Fees: $30 per 5 sessions
Dates for Fall: 9/15, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13 & 10/20
Location: Campus Center Meeting Room B
Time: 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Class session dates and topics:
9/15/25: The NCAA Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) issue and amateurism
9/29/25: Salary caps and the competitive balance tax
10/6/25: Collective bargaining agreements
10/13/25: Performance enhancement drugs (PEDs)
10/20/25: Sports Hall of Fames
Wednesdays:
Contemporary Literature
Join our monthly group to dive into engaging books together. Explore diverse genres, share insights, and enjoy lively discussions in a welcoming environment. Perfect for book lovers seeking connection and thoughtful conversation.
Leader: Susan Blaeser
2025 Sessions Fees: $30 per 5 sessions
Fall: 9/17, 10/15, 11/12, 12/10 & 1/14
Location: Gleeson Hall 119
Time: Wednesdays 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Class session dates and topics:
9/17/25: The Women, by Kristen Hannah
10/15/25: American Dirt, by Jeanine Cummins
11/12/25: Tell Me Everything, by Elizabeth Strout
12/10/25: The Henna Artist, by Alka Joshi
1/14/26: The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett
Introduction to Spanish
Leader: Profesora Shari O'Flanagan
2025 Sessions Fees: $50 per session
Location: Campus Center Meeting Room A
Time: Wednesdays 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
隆Hola Estudiantes! This Spanish Culture and Conversation course is designed for beginning students who have studied Spanish and need an in depth review, and for those who want to learn Spanish before traveling to a Spanish-speaking country. Students will learn new vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, fun facts and basic verb conjugations in the present, past and future tenses. We will listen to Spanish songs, describe famous paintings, explore various places virtually and create simple, practical dialogue's all while covering a wide variety of topics and improving our communication skills in a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. 隆V谩monos!
Dates for Fall Session 1: 9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22 & 10/29
Dates for Fall Session 2: 11/5, 11/12 11/19, 11/26, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17
*No class session on 9/24/2025 - Fall Break
Session 1 -
Session 2 -
Fridays:
Current Issues Forum
Each week for the first hour the class we will set an agenda and exchange ideas concerning local, national, and global issues. During the second hour the focus is on one or more larger national issues; in an effort to identify problems, generate solutions, and hopefully, clarify your position.
Leader: Chet Gerstenbluth
2024 Sessions Fees: $50 per 13 sessions
Location: Gleeson Hall L100
Time: Fridays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Dates for Fall: 9/12, 9/19, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 12/5, 12/12 & 12/19
Discussion and participation are strictly voluntary. Members are encouraged to bring in most current news articles and current events are generally provided by Chet our Study Group Leader.
Movie Review
This spring we will be presenting 8 films and following each with a lively discussion. The movies are from a variety of genres and were released between 1949 to 2011.
Leader: Larry Blaeser
2025 Sessions Fees: $50 per 8 sessions
Fall: 9/19, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7 & 11/14
Location: Gleeson Hall 127
Time: Fridays 12:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Class session dates and topics:
September 19th: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2011 2h 4m Comedy, Drama, Romance
October 3rd: To Catch a Thief 1955 1h 46m Mystery, Drama, Romance, Thriller
October 10th: The Third Man 1949 Approved 1h 44m Film Noir, Thriller
October 17th: Touch of Evil 1958 1h 35m Film Noir, Crime
October 24th: Raising Arizona 1987 1h 34 Quirky Comedy
October 31st (Halloween): Beetlejuice 1988 1h 32m Supernatural Fantasy, Quirky Comedy
November 7th: Fargo 1996 1 h 38m Dark Comedy, Crime
November 14th: All the King鈥檚 Men 1949 Approved 1h 50m Political Drama
Please note that additional fees may be incurred for materials, auditing, books, study groups, and lectures. The membership fee covers an annual access fee, granting you entry to all offerings available through 51吃瓜 and the Institute for Learning in Retirement.
Together, we look forward to a remarkable semester of growth, knowledge-sharing, and meaningful connections!
Institute for Learning in Retirement Events
There are no upcoming Institute for Learning in Retirement events at this time. Check back soon for upcoming events.
institute for learning in retirement
Greenley Hall, RAM Office
934-420-2160
ilr@farmingdale.edu