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, for either four or eight weeks. - Lectures – presented by experts with various backgrounds.
Additional benefits: attendance at college events, special tours and workshops.
Learn how to Register Here!
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.
- Organized Day Trips to local attractions, museums, and cultural events, giving you the chance to expand your horizons and enjoy the company of fellow learners.
- Engaging On-Campus Events that foster connections, friendships, and an environment of continuous growth and intellectual stimulation.
Click Here to Pay Annual Membership
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
2024 Sessions Fees: $50 for 8 sessions
Dates: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13 & 11/20
Location: Meeting Room A
Time: 9 AM - 11 AM
Study Groups
| ON CAMPUS | MONDAYS | WEDNESDAYS | FRIDAYS |
| FALL 2024 | History | Contemporary Literature | Current Issues Forum |
| FALL 2024 | Business of Sports | Introduction to Spanish | Movie Review |
Mondays:
History
Explore the lives of three influential figures in New York's history: Herkimer, Lincoln and La Guardia. 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 New York and beyond!
Leader: Dr. Daniel Marrone
2024 Sessions Fees: $25 for 5 weeks
Business of Sports
Explore the financial dynamics of professional sports, covering collective bargaining agreements, salary caps, WNBA salaries, sports gambling, and revenue streams. Understand how these elements shape team management and athlete compensation, and examine the industry's economic challenges and opportunities.
Leader: Dr. Ira Stolzenberg
2024 Sessions Fees: $25 for 4 weeks.
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
2024 Sessions Fees: $25 for 5 weeks.
Location: Lupton Hall T101
Time: Wednesdays 2:00 PM - 5:35 PM
Sessions/Dates:
Fall: 9/11, 10/23, 11/13, 12/11 & 1/8
September 11 The Engineer's Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood
October 23 Hang the Moon by Jeanette Walls
November 13 The Bird Hotel by Joyce Maynard
December 11 The Twenty: One Woman's Trek Across Corsica on the GR20 Trail by Maryanne C. Bohr
January 8 The Tender Bar: A Memoir by J.R. Moehringer
Introduction to Spanish
Leader: Profesora Shari O'Flanagan
2024 Sessions Fees: $55 for 10 weeks
Location: Whitman Room 108
Time: Wednesdays 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
¡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. ¡Vámonos!
Sessions/Dates:
Fall: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13 & 11/20
Winter Dates: 12/4, 12/11, 12/18, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29 & 2/5
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: $55 for 10 weeks
Location: Gleeson Hall 131
Time: Fridays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sessions/Dates:
Fall: 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22
Winter: 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 1/3, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21
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 fall 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 1944 to 2017.
Leader: Larry Blaeser
2024 Sessions Fees: $50 for 8 weeks
Location: Gleeson Hall 127* (Room Change)
Time: Fridays 12:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Sessions/Dates:
Fall: 9/20, 9/27, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/15, 11/22, 12/6
9/20/2024 Chinatown (Rating R) 1974, 2h 10m, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
A private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself
caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.
9/27/2024 American Fiction (Rating R) 2023, 1h 57m, Comedy, Drama
A novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from Black entertainment
uses a pen name to write a book that propels him into the heart of the hypocrisy and
madness he claims to disdain.
10/18/2024 12 Angry Men (Rating Approved) 1957 , 1h 36m, Crime, Drama
The jury in a New York City murder trial is frustrated by a single member whose skeptical
caution forces them to more carefully consider the evidence before jumping to a hasty
verdict.
10/25/2024 The Holdovers (Rating R) 2023, 2h 13m, Comedy, Drama
A cranky history teacher at a prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays
with a grieving cook and a troubled student who has no place to go.
11/1/2024 The Maltese Falcon (Rating Approved) 1941, 1h 40m, Crime, Film-Noir,
Mystery
San Francisco private detective Sam Spade takes on a case that involves him with three
eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar and their quest for a priceless statuette, with
the stakes rising after his partner is murdered.
11/15/2024 Brooklyn (Rating PG-13) 2015, 1h 57m, Drama, Romance
An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance
with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between
two countries and the lives that exist within.
11/22/2024 Hannah and Her Sisters (Rating PG-13) 1986, 1h 47m, Comedy, Drama
Between two Thanksgivings two years apart, Hannah's husband falls in love with her
sister Lee, while her hypochondriac ex-husband rekindles his relationship with her
sister Holly.
12/6/2024 Days of Heaven (Rating PG) 1978, 1h 34m, Drama, Romance
A hot-tempered farm laborer convinces the woman he loves to marry their rich but dying
boss so that they can have a claim to his fortune.
The Culinary Blueprint
Leaders: Jennifer D. Singh & Executive Chef Gregory J. Dalton
2024 Sessions Fees: $25 for 4 weeks
Location: Gleeson 125
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Ideal for culinary enthusiasts, the study group will offer a blend of creativity and practical knowledge. Embark on this flavorful journey with us. This series will emphasize:
- Global Fall Cuisines: Cultural Lesson & Preparations
- Comfort Food Classics: Chili and Soups Preparations & History
- Thanksgiving Preparations: Tips & Recipes
Quick Nutritious Recipes: delicious and time efficient with seasonal ingredients
Sessions/Dates:
**Canceled**
Please note that additional fees may be incurred for materials, auditing, books, study groups, organized trips and lectures. The membership fee covers an annual access fee, granting you entry to all offerings available through Farmingdale State College and the Institute for Learning in Retirement.
For more details, be sure to check out our Events and Tours for the upcoming term.
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
Thompson Hall, Room 119
934-420-2160
ilr@farmingdale.edu
Jennifer Dalton Singh
Support Specialist