Turner Center offers diverse education

UNIVERSITY CENTER OFFERS EVERYTHING FROM SEWING TO DANCE LESSONS

BY KATIE HOLLAND

Chris Henson, a Columbus mother of triplets, said the Ready, Set, Sew class
is the first continuing education class she's taken in 18 years.

"If you didn't learn from your mother, they don't teach you this in school," Henson said. Although she already knows how
to sew and also takes private quilting lessons, she's taking this class "for fun." The modern-day concept of continuing education programs dates back to 1904
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where the first program in the U.S. was established to focus on adult learners. Seventy years later the continuing education program at Columbus State University began when D. Abbot Turner financed the construction of the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center as a memorial
for his late wife.

Serves community

His goal was to construct a building that serves the community, meeting the diverse cultural and educational needs. Continuing education courses, like the ones offered locally at CSU, are based
on the premise that people enjoy taking classes and learning, but aren't always able to commit to a degree program.

CSU offers a wide variety of classes from sewing to fitness to photography to medical coding certification programs. While trying to maintain a balance between leisure and business courses, most of the continuing education program's agenda reflects the opinions of former students.

"We try to get feedback from our customers," said Kristen Barker, the continuing education marketing manager.

Feedback important

The marketing department sends out surveys and e-mails, and balances them out with classes that have historically done well. Programmers also do research to find out what the latest trends are, resulting in courses such as the upcoming (Geo)Caching In! and Do It eBay!

The sewing classes have become increasingly popular among the young and old alike -- so much so that CSU now offers a sewing certificate to coincide with the completion of 107 hours of classes. Henson, along with Ready, Set, Sew classmate Jennifer Lane of Phenix City agree that the certificate is a great part of the program for people who want to do more than personal projects.

Fitness programs are also popular because "everyone wants to look and feel 20 years younger," said Barker. Yoga, self-defense and even a personal trainer pre-certification course are available in the fall.

Dancing classes vary in style and experience level, and are offered in 3- to 4-week increments. Barker said the dance classes often have repeat students, especially ballroom dancing. For those who are artistically inclined, but were born with two left feet, there are a variety of photography, painting and drawing classes for all experience levels.

A draw for the continuing education program is its flexibility. Official enrollment at CSU is not required, which eliminates lengthy applications and paying standard tuition and fees. There is also minimal commitment to a program: most classes last anywhere from 3-4 weeks to a couple of months.