Adult learners take advantage of opportunities to grow at FGCU
- Rick Weber
- Community
- Contributors: James Greco, Photos
5 – minute read
Allen and Cindy Hawthorne moved to Estero in 2021 to savor the sun in the Sunshine State after years in northwestern Pennsylvania. But their new life now includes something they never anticipated: They’ve gone back to college.
The retired couple are auditing the “Introduction to Philosophy” course taught by Minh Nguyen, a professor in the Department of Communication & Philosophy. And loving everything about the experience.
“I am enjoying being in an academic setting again and hearing young people’s thoughts on the class and life in general,” says Cindy Hawthorne, 63, who attended Barnard College, Columbia University, but left to start a family before finishing her degree. She later embarked on a career in commercial property-casualty insurance and risk management. “Being around much younger students has been eye-opening. The ones we’ve spoken to have been friendly, curious, kind and open to hearing what we more experienced humans have to say.”
Anyone who is a U.S. citizen and a Florida resident 60 or older can attend FGCU undergraduate courses tuition-free on an audit basis if space is available — degree-seeking students are prioritized — with written permission from the professor. Florida residency for tuition or waiver purposes is attained when you have lived in the state of Florida for 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes.
Over 100 seniors take advantage of the opportunity each academic year, according to Maureen Batchelder, Enrollment Services Center assistant director, who oversees registration for seniors auditing.
The program’s enrollment has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, and more individuals on the younger end of 60-plus are signing up, she says. Courses exploring world religion, philosophy, foreign languages, art and history are among the most popular.
Allen Hawthorne, 70, says he registered to audit because he wanted a deeper understanding of Western philosophy after studying various Eastern philosophies for over 50 years. When he and his wife saw that Nguyen’s afternoon course on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays fit in with their schedules, they jumped at the chance.
“Aside from the deeper understanding of Western philosophy, I come out of class with questions regarding the nature of knowledge and the desire to answer questions such as, ‘How do we know or what is the process by which we acquire knowledge and know anything?’” he says. “Deeper knowledge of the subject is gained through introspection and by seeking answers to questions that I have not asked before.”
Nguyen says the Hawthornes seem to enjoy the class, and he appreciates that they come prepared and join in class discussion. They don’t come just to listen — “audit” derives from the Latin word for hearing.
“They are eager to dive into the material,” he says. “It’s clear they’re not just auditing for the sake of it. They’re genuinely invested in the course, and I appreciate their willingness to ask questions and contribute to class discussion.”
Cindy Hawthorne says staying engaged in his class has never been an issue.
“Professor Minh is passionate about philosophy — and it’s infectious,” she says. “Also, he’s funny. His volume, tone of voice and energetic lecture delivery reflect his enthusiasm for the material.”
Though this is the first time Nguyen has ever had audit students in one of his classes, he has always had special appreciation for nontraditional college students — especially seniors — and the dedication they bring to learning. He believes philosophy is a timeless practice, and it’s never too late to learn or explore its burning questions. As Socrates put it, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
He believes that with their rich life experiences, these students offer invaluable viewpoints that make the class more interesting and enriching.
“I have seen firsthand the impact of intergenerational learning, where students of all ages share their diverse viewpoints and leave the classroom more informed, thoughtful and intellectually energized,” he says. “The auditing program has been a wonderful way to foster meaningful exchanges in the classroom. Moreover, this is an important means of engaging and serving people, specifically senior citizens, in our region.”
For more information about the program, visit the website. And for those who want to expand their intellectual curiosity, there are other ways to engage with the university: Take an FGCU Academy course, attend lectures like the Liebert World Affairs Series or invite FGCU Experts to speak to your group.
“Part of our university’s mission is to serve Southwest Florida and beyond,” Nguyen says. “Part of our vision is to be a community-focused institution. In meeting the needs of people in our region, we are being true to our mission, true to our vision and true to our founding principles.”
