The Dean's Corner

It is current theory among biochemists that within thirty years, people will live to be 120-130 years old. And, because of medical advances, most of that extended lifetime will be in good health. Chances are very good, in fact, that teeth and knees will survive that lifespan.

Among today's baby-boomers we can see evidence that healthy lifetimes of 120 years are not an impossibility. For example, as they age into retirement, most baby-boomers still have most of their teeth (as opposed to the dentures their parents wore by age 45) and most lead active lifestyles undreamt of by their parents. In fact, baby-boomers are now tending not to retire when they reach retirement age. Instead, many elect to begin new careers, often turning hobbies into financially rewarding occupations that provide supplemental income as well as the opportunity to stay physically active and mentally acute.

Imagine the fun of living 120 years: knowing that once you reach retirement at 55 or 60, you could go back to college to become just about anything you wanted to be in your second 40 years of employment. It is going to be an interesting couple of decades, watching education and government change to meet the needs of its new breed of Americans: those who don't reach middle-age until they turn 60! Social security will have to be redefined (We see that happening now as eligibility ages slowly creep up!), and the voting population will be heavily skewed toward the older citizens. Even popular culture will be redefined, as the purchasing power of the older population - the group with the real money - becomes the new driving force for advertising and entertainment.

As the population shifts toward those who live longer, continuing educators will change the types of programming offered by the college because our courses will be resplendent with retirees who will be taking courses just to learn something that has always fascinated them. Some will be retooling to re-enter the workforce a second time. Others will be learning new past-times and leisure activities. Some will learn new languages. Some will practice new skills necessary to do something they've always wanted to do, such as rebuilding an old car, renovating an older home, tap dancing, or debugging the family computer.

Some of us - especially this dean - will not be here until age 120. However, if the biochemists are correct, you can bet that in 30 years the Continuing Education Division will be here, continuing to be a vital and thriving portion of the College's educational community, and serving the professional and personal development needs of our citizens whose children will reach 120.

Enjoy this issue of Stone Soup. And as you read each new issue, look for subtle changes in the programs we offer to our community. We are evolving. We are serving the future.

Regards,

Dean Baker