If learning is a lifelong process, then the senior citizens who regularly audit classes at Harvey Mudd College are right on course.

For the past several years, HMC and the other undergraduate Claremont colleges have opened their doors to senior citizens through a free program called Claremont Avenues for Lifelong Learning, or CALL. The effort is designed to facilitate a transfer of knowledge between community members 60 and older and enrolled students, creating an environment that commingles youth, the young at heart and the ideas and experiences they each bring.

CALL was initiated at Pomona College in 2002, and two years later HMC joined the program, which now includes all five undergraduate colleges. Since the program’s inception, professors have been eager to bring dedicated older individuals with real-life experiences to share into their classrooms.

Kerry K. Karukstis, professor of chemistry, is a member of the Joslyn Successful Aging Committee and acts as a liaison between the Joslyn Center and HMC.

“Senior auditors play several roles,” Karukstis said. “They enrich the discussion and contribute vital real-life experiences to illustrate course material in an exceedingly tangible way. They also model the lifelong objective that we envision for our students. Offering courses for senior auditors is one more way that the institution provides enriching intellectual resources for our community.”

Over the past several years, seniors have audited between 15 and 20 courses at HMC, with five to 10 auditors participating each semester; priority is given to Claremont residents. While classes are offered in nearly every discipline, those attending have gravitated toward the humanities, music and literature over courses in physics, chemistry and quantum mechanics. During the fall semester, 109 seniors audited 60 classes across the five colleges—an increase of 47 percent over last year.

“Students have included several retired physicians, lawyers and a retired physicist,” said Richard G. Olson, professor of history at HMC. “I believe they successfully add the insights of another generation to the classroom.”

Classes are free for those affiliated with the Joslyn Center. Registration is completed through the center, which provides anyone interested with a list of classes offered, a brief course description, and information about any skills or background knowledge that may be required. Once enrolled, seniors are encouraged to participate fully in class sessions, complete the required assignments, and participate in class discussions.

“I most enjoy when the auditors are able to bring some element of their experience into the discussion that the students otherwise would not have heard,” said William Alves, associate professor of music. Alves has opened his Music of the Peoples of the World course to senior citizens, reporting up to four students participating during any given semester.

Hal S. Barron, professor of humanities and history, also has hosted seniors. Several have participated in various classes, including 20th Century United States History; Immigration, Ethnicity, and Race; The Jewish Experience in America; and The California Experience. Barron said seniors have been a positive addition to each classroom.

“I enjoy their contributions to class discussions and the different perspectives they bring,” he said.

Enjoyment has been mutual. Seniors involved in CALL appreciate the chance to return to a college environment, embracing the opportunity to sit alongside traditional students. Gary Feller, 64, a retired attorney from Claremont (shown in blue, below), has audited seven courses through the CALL program.

“The benefit to me is that I can explore an area that I have some interest in but never had the discipline to sit down and read six books about,” he said, adding that his own background has proven beneficial to other students as well. “When people in class learn of my legal background, they sometimes turn to me with questions.”

Feller’s experience has shown through in other ways. In Barron’s immigration class, students were assigned to visit an ethnic enclave. Feller took them to an Indian restaurant in Paramount where he had eaten several times. Additionally, one of his parents was an immigrant, and “I had some experience in that area,” he said.

Jim Hillman, 73, a certified public accountant, and his wife, Judy, 70, a retired human resources employee (shown above), audited Science and Technology in the Ancient and Medieval Worlds, taught by Olson. At least one aspect of the class surprised the Claremont couple.

“We expected all of the kids to come in with laptops and diligently begin to take notes, and that we’d be the only ones with paper and pencil,” Judy said. “It’s been just the opposite—only one student brings a laptop in.

“The kids are all very, very nice—very intelligent.”

The students, the instructor and the course content all combine to excite the Hillmans, who hope to continue on with their education through CALL.

“We love it,” Jim said. “We can hardly wait to get to class.”