FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2005

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies (CES) has received its second $100,000 grant from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

With the grant renewal money, CES will continue to devote an entire room in its new Extended Studies Center building exclusively to continuing education programs for individuals 50 years of age and better.

CES utilizes its grant in specialized courses where credit is not given. No tests or papers are required in these courses.

"The award of a second year of funding from the Osher Foundation will allow us to continue to expand, both the variety of courses and number of members of our Osher Lifelong Learning Institute," said William E. Byxbee, CES dean. "We shall continue to innovate and advertise our offerings to the widest cross-section of retired adults in the San Diego community."

Summer courses and lectures include: San Diego: A Historical Survey; Terror and Terrorists: Psychopathology or Politics?; Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues for the Internet; History of Jazz; The War in Iraq - Preemption: Is the United States a Rogue Nation?; Contemporary Economic Issues; and Living Longer: A Time of Increased Opportunity.

Mary G.F. Bitterman, president of the Bernard Osher Foundation, wrote a letter commending CES for being able to attract SDSU current and emeritus faculty to the Osher Institute along with the participation of most of SDSU's academic deans, Provost Nancy Marlin and President Stephen L. Weber.

"We applaud the important partnerships you have developed with such organizations as the university's Gerontology Department, the Alumni Association, the Rancho Bernardo Continuing Education Center, and the County Office of Aging and Independent Services (AIS)," Bitterman wrote. "The fact that representatives of these groups are members of your Osher Institute Advisory Board speaks well for future cooperation.

"We are also impressed with your significant marketing efforts, many of which have benefited directly from the partnerships you have established. The fact that the Institute has been referenced in nearly 20 newsletters of retirement communities, churches and synagogues, is excellent news indeed."

The Osher Foundation began funding lifelong learning institutes several years ago to promote education for people "50 or better" who want to return to school "for the love of learning." The University of Southern Maine, located in Osher's home state, was the first Osher grantee in the late 1990s.

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers over 30 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. To register or for more information, call (619) 594-5152 or log on to www.NeverStopLearning.net.