Center for Lifelong Learning

The Center for Lifelong Learning is designed for individuals over 50 looking for intellectual stimulation, an opportunity to expand their horizons, and want to be part of a lifelong learning community.

 

Fall 2023 Program Schedule

Come to campus to practice your computer skills in the college’s Open Lab staffed with tech savvy student assistants. The lab is available September 11, 2023 through December 19, 2023, but is closed on October 9th for Indigenous Peoples Day and November 22-26 for Thanksgiving. While this is a practice lab, and not an instructional class, lab assistants may be able to assist with your questions.   

Date: Mondays through Thursdays  

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Location: Library Building Room L-121 

Cost: Free! 

Parking: It is recommended that attendees park in the College’s Upper Parking Lot behind L Building and walk across the pedestrian bridge that connects the Library Building 

Join Professor Michael Hughes for a lecture celebrating artists who are driven by a need to create, yet work outside the parameters of Fine Art. This “outside the box” discussion will highlight primitive artists such as Henri Rousseau & Grandma Moses and the Folk-Art movement.

Professor Michael Hughes is a practicing artist and member of the Fine Arts Faculty at SCCC.

Date: Friday, September 22

Time: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  

Location: Atrium

Cost: Free! Light refreshments served during the intermission.   

Registration:  Call 579-0555 ext. 1277 for information and to register.   

Parking: Attendees should park in the lower main parking lot directly outside the Performing Arts Center. There is an elevator in the lobby of the building.  The Atrium is directly at the top of the stairs or make a right out of the elevator and a left to proceed to the atrium.

A five-part Introduction to Drawing class will be held emphasizing the development of observational drawing skills and hand-eye coordination.  Basic drawing elements such as line, proportion, perspective, composition, texture, and the study of light and shade are investigated through various perceptual and conceptual approaches.  Open to beginning students as well as those who want to refresh their skills before moving on to more advanced studio courses.  Professor Michael Hughes is a practicing artist and member of the Fine Arts Faculty at SCCC.  

Students are required to bring their own drawing supplies.  Basic tools should include a large newsprint pad and a very basic drawing kit containing charcoal pencils, graphite drawing pencils, charcoal sticks and an eraser.   Pre-registration is required and space is limited. 

Date: Saturday, September 23, September 30, October 7, October 14, October 21

Time: 10 a.m.  

Location: Art Gallery, Room C106 (located by the entrance to the “B” building)

Cost: $30

Registration:  Call 579-0555 ext. 1277 for information and to register.   

Parking: Students should park in the lower main parking lot, walk to “B” building (the building with the flagpole located directly in front of it) and go through the front glass doors then walk to the elevator and take it to 2C.  

The music continues! During Prof. Fullem’s lecture, which is the second of a two-part series, we will briefly re-review the history of rock and roll as it unfolded in the United States from the days before rock (pre-1955) and then jump forward to the 1970s (where we left off) through the early 1980s. We will enjoy the exploration of the music and artists, as well as discuss the cultural context, music business developments, and new technologies that give us the history of rock and roll.

Wendy Fullem is a lifelong musician. During her 50+ years of performing, she has shared the rock and roll stage with members of KISS, the Ramones, Black Sabbath, ZZ Top, and with music legends such as Junior Wells and Marvin Hamlisch. She is a working musician and plays in multiple rock, blues, swing, and punk bands. Professor Fullem holds a Master of Arts in Music Business from Berklee College of Music, and teaches our History of Rock and Roll course. 

Date: Friday, October 13

Time: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  

Location: Student Center Theater

Cost: Free! Light refreshments served during the intermission.   

Registration:  Call 579-0555 ext. 1277 for information and to register.   

Parking: Attendees should park in the lower main parking lot, walk to “D” building (the brick building next to the building with the flagpole) and walk through the hallway to the theater.   

She Kills Monsters is a drama-comedy play by Qui Nguyen that debuted in 2011. It tells the story of Agnes Evans, an average woman who loses her parents and little sister Tilly in a car accident. Having been very distant from her sister while she was alive, Agnes  embarks on an adventure to get to know her sister better by playing a Dungeons & Dragons module that Tilly had written and discovers things she'd never imagined. The plot takes place in reality and in the imaginary game world; in the game world Agnes learns about Tilly's exploration of her sexuality and how she struggled with her sexuality in reality.

Dates & Times: Thursday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 4 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Location: Theater – SCCC Performing Arts Center

Cost: $15 general admission

 $10 seniors, faculty, students and US military

 $5 for SCCC students with ID 

The College Novel for the 2023-2024 academic year is Gail Honeyman's novel Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. Members of the community are invited to read the novel and join us on campus for a lecture and discussion focusing on the novel’s themes. The goal of the college novel is to create a lifelong learning and reading community and encourage reading for pleasure, critical thinking, global awareness, and multicultural understanding. Read on your own or gather a group of readers to discuss on your own and then come to campus for a fascinating look at the novel led by Dr. Mary Thompson, English professor at SCCC.

Date: Wednesday, November 8

Time: 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Location: Student Center Theater

Cost: Free!   

Registration:  Open to all

Parking: Attendees should park in the lower main parking lot, walk to “D” building (the brick building next to the building with the flagpole) and walk through the hallway to the theater.   

Presented by Raymond Frey, Ph.D., Professor of History, University Historian, Centenary University

With the weight of the world on his shoulders after the death of FDR and the looming Cold War, President Harry S. Truman needed a place to relax and unwind from the immense pressures of his job. His aides suggested the Commandant’s Quarters at the Key West Naval Base in Key West, Florida. 

Like so many of us who have been there, he quickly fell in love with the island and its casual lifestyle. But his trips were more than vacations—he and his staff used the time to both to work and relax.

So take a trip to Key West and the Little White House with Dr. Frey. Professor Frey was a guest speaker there three times, as well as a distinguished speaker at the Truman Presidential Library in Missouri. He is considered to be one of the foremost experts on the Truman presidency. Be prepared for some great inside stories about Truman and the men and women who worked closely with him.  

Date: Friday, November 10

Time: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  

Location: Atrium

Cost: Free! Light refreshments served during the intermission.   

Registration:  Call 579-0555 ext. 1277 for information and to register.   

Parking: Attendees should park in the lower main parking lot directly outside the Performing Arts Center. There is an elevator in the lobby of the building.  The Atrium is directly at the top of the stairs or make a right out of the elevator and a left to proceed to the atrium.

We’re celebrating the wonderful work done by the County’s Senior Services Division Plus the 8th Anniversary of the active partnership between the College and the Division. Please join us for a buffet lunch in the beautiful Performing Arts Atrium.  You will have an opportunity to meet Senior Services Division and Center for Lifelong Learning staff and learn about the programs and services that are available to Sussex County seniors through the Division of Senior Services, the College and the Center.

Date: Friday, December 8

Time: Noon to 1:45 p.m.

Location: Atrium

Cost: Free!  

Registration:  Call 579-0555 ext. 1277 for information and to register.   

Parking: Attendees should park in the lower main parking lot directly outside the Performing Arts Center. There is an elevator in the lobby of the building.  The Atrium is directly at the top of the stairs or make a right out of the elevator and a left to proceed to the atrium.

Spring 2023 Program Schedule

Come to SCCC’s campus and unravel the mysteries of 21st Century technology.  Tablet troubles? Smart phone acting funny? Problems using your PC?  If you have questions on how you can better navigate the use of your smart phone, tablets or personal computer these hands-on in person 90-minute workshops may be the answer! Your workshop will be conducted by a tech-savvy SCCC student who has volunteered to teach as a community service.   

 

Dates: Fridays, March 24, March 31, April 14, April 21, April 28 and May 5, 2023.  

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.  

Location: Library Building Room L-121 

What to bring: Your own hand-held device (s), charging cords, notebook.   

Registration:  Call 973-579-0555 ext. 1277 for information and to register.  When registering it would be very helpful if you provide the topics and device for which you need assistance.  

Cost: Free! 

Parking: It is recommended that attendees park in the College’s Upper Parking Lot behind L Building and walk across the pedestrian bridge that connects the Library Building  

 

Come to campus to practice your computer skills in the college’s Open Lab staffed with tech savvy student assistants. The lab is available January 30, 2023 through May 4, 2023, but is closed during Spring Break scheduled March 13 through March 17, 2023.  

 

Date: Mondays through Thursdays  

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Location: Library Building Room L-121 

Cost: Free! 

Parking: It is recommended that attendees park in the College’s Upper Parking Lot behind L Building and walk across the pedestrian bridge that connects the Library Building  

Van Gogh was both brilliant and mentally anguished to the point of madness. Join Melissa DeJoseph in a discussion about Vincent Van Gogh, the qualities of his artwork, and the complexities of his life and mind. 

Melissa grew up in NYC with access to a vast variety of museums inside the walls of which she spent her childhood, sparking a sincere and deep appreciation of both art and artists.  She spent several years teaching children art as a 4h Club Leader, introducing students to art therapy and artists like Picasso and Joan Miró. Melissa currently studies Art History at Mansfield University.  

 

Date: Friday, March 24, 2023  

Time: 2 p.m.  

Location: Atrium of Performing Arts Center 

Cost: Free! 

Registration:  Call 579-0555 ext. 1277 for information and to register.   

Parking: Attendees should park in the lot next to the Performing Arts Center. There is an elevator in the lobby of the building.   

Introduction to Drawing.  A five-part Introduction to Drawing class will be held emphasizing the development of observational drawing skills and hand-eye coordination.  Basic drawing elements such as line, proportion, perspective, composition, texture, and the study of light and shade are investigated through various perceptual and conceptual approaches.  Open to beginning students as well as those who want to refresh their skills before moving on to more advanced studio courses.  Professor Michael Hughes is a practicing artist and member of the Fine Arts Faculty at SCCC.  

Students are required to bring their own drawing supplies.  Basic tools should include a large newsprint pad and a very basic drawing kit containing charcoal pencils, graphite drawing pencils, charcoal sticks and an eraser.   Pre-registration is required and space is limited. 

 

Date: Saturday, March 25, April 1, April 15, April 22 & April 29, 2023

Time: 10 a.m.  

Location: Art Gallery, Room C106 (located by the entrance to the “B” building)

Cost: $30

Registration:  Call 579-0555 ext. 1277 for information and to register.   

Parking: Students should park in the lower main parking lot, walk to “B” building (the building with the flagpole located directly in front of it) and go through the front glass doors then walk to the elevator and take it to 2C.  

 

Join Colleen Cunningham, Esq., from Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey, for a discussion of the importance of having powers of attorney, health care directives and wills in place. The discussion will also focus on what each of these documents are designed to do, as well as the protections they can provide. Ms. Cunningham will also provide attendees with the steps that must be taken to take advantage of the free legal services available to seniors residing in Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris counties through her office. Questionnaires will be provided to attendees and are the first step that needs to be completed in preparation for an intake screening.  

Colleen Cunningham, Esq., is the Autonomy Team Leader for Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey.  

 

Date: Friday, April 14, 2023 

Time: 2 p.m.  

Location: Atrium of the Performing Arts Center 

Cost: Free! 

Registration:  Call 579-0555 ext. 1277 for information and to register.   

 Parking: Attendees should park in the lot next to the Performing Arts Center. There is an elevator in the lobby of the building.   

During this event, we will take a walk through the history of rock and roll as it unfolded in the United States, from the days before rock (pre-1955) to the beginning of the 1980s. We will discuss how developments in the music business and in technology helped shape the ways in which styles developed while enjoying the exploration of the music and artists, emphasizing both the cultural context and the music itself.

A lifelong musician holding a Master of Arts in Music Business from Berklee College of Music, our speaker plays eight instruments and almost every genre of music - from Beethoven to Metallica, Scott Joplin to Aerosmith, and Bill Haley to Lady Gaga. During her 50+ years of performing, she has shared the rock and roll stage with members of KISS, the Ramones, Black Sabbath, ZZ Top, and with music legends such as Junior Wells and Marvin Hamlisch. She is a working musician and plays in multiple rock, blues, swing, and punk bands.    

 

Date: Friday, April 28, 2023  

Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

Location: Atrium of the Performing Arts Center 

Cost: Free! Light refreshments served during the intermission.   

Registration:  Call 579-0555 ext. 1277 for information and to register.   

 

Parking: Attendees should park in the lot next to the Performing Arts Center. There is an elevator in the lobby of the building.   

Fall 2022 Program Schedule

The US Civil War has long been thought to have started when Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter in April of 1861. While this moment still stands as the official start of what would become a devastating four-year-long war between the states, the events leading to Fort Sumter were precipitated by an amalgamation of various other events and misunderstandings. Join Jason Bohem as he walks us through the raid on Harpers Ferry, led by radical abolitionist John Brown and his band of compatriots, which was one of the most impactful and well-documented events leading up to the battle at Fort Sumter.

Presented By: Jason Boehm, Adjunct Faculty Member, History, SCCC

Your Instructor: Jason Boehm is a graduate of Sussex County Community College and Rutgers-Newark, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in US history before going on to the graduate program at Rutgers having earned a master's degree in US History. His studies focused mainly on hegemony, labor, and cultural development in US history. Jason is the recipient of the 2019 Sydney Zebel Award for Academic Excellence in US History, the Hazel Vera Dean Scholarship, as well as being a member of several academic honor societies, most recently Phi Alpha Theta, an honor society for undergraduates, graduates, and professors of history.

Date: September 23, 2022
Time: 3:00 pm
Fee: Free
Location: Sussex County Community College - Performing Arts Center

How to Register: Call The Senior Services Division of Sussex County at 973-579-0555, extension 1277, to register for the Program. 

Getting Answers to Your Cell Phone, iPad or Computer Questions

Unravel the mysteries of the 21st Century technology and get answers to your cell phone, iPad, and computer questions. The “Open Lab” provides the opportunity for you to ask questions in person to one of our Sussex County Community College’s tech-savvy Lab Assistants! The “Open Lab” does not require you to schedule an appointment! Simply walk into the lab during the times noted below under Dates, Times, and Location.

Dates: September 12, 2022, through December 15, 2022 – excluding Monday, October 10th, and Thursday, November 24th.

Times: Mondays: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fee: Free!

Location: Sussex County Community College, Library Science Building, Room L121. Park in Lot 5 to access the Library Science Building from the bridge.

No Registration or Appointment is required!

Join Art Professor and Artist Michael Hughes to hear how artists see themselves – or, more importantly – how artists wish for us to see them through their Art of the Self-Portrait.  Professor Hughes will cover the exploration of self-revelation in Art and the evolution of the “Selfie.” 

Presented By:  Michael Hughes, Associate Professor of Fine Art, Sussex County Community College.   

Your Presenter: Professor Hughes attended the County College of Morris and Kean College. In 1997, he earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Graphic Design from Sussex County Community College. In addition, he was elected to Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society of junior colleges, and won a scholarship to William Patterson University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio art. He followed this in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History. In the 2002-juried student show, he was awarded Best in Show in the category of computer art. In 2003, at the honors convocation he was cited for Scholarly Excellence in Art History. In the spring of 2002, he traveled to China to study Chinese printmaking and ink painting. In 2008, he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree also from WPU. His thesis show was an installation dealing with the notion of personal context within an enclosed space. He began teaching at SCCC in 2005 and joined the full-time faculty in 2008. He is currently an Associate Professor of Fine Art where he teaches in both the studio and the classroom.  He continues to exhibit both in-group and solo shows and in 2018, he was awarded Best in Show in Digital Art at the New Jersey Seniors Show. He is currently working on a short film dealing with the concept of Liminal Space. 

Date: Friday, October 21, 2022 
Time: 3:00 p.m. 
Fee:  Free! 
Location: Sussex County Community College – Atrium located in the Performing Arts Center.  

How to Register:  To register for the event, call The Senior Services Division of Sussex County at 973-579-0555, extension 1277.

This three-part course emphasizes the development of observational drawing skills and hand-eye coordination. Basic drawing elements such as line, proportion, perspective, composition, texture, and the study of light and shade are investigated through various perceptual and conceptual approaches. Open to beginning students as well as those who want to refresh their skills before moving on to more advanced studio courses.

Students are required to bring large newsprint pad and basic drawing kit containing charcoal pencils, graphic drawing pencils, charcoal sticks and eraser.

Your Instructor: Professor Michael Hughes is a practicing artist and member of the Fine Arts Faculty at SCCC. He holds degrees in Studio Arts, Art History and Graphic Design. He has participated in group shows and won awards for his work. Student members of the Fine Arts Club have volunteered to assist Professor Hughes.

Dates: November 18, November 25, and December 2
Time: 10:00 am - 12 noon
Location: Sussex County Community College – Building C, Room C102

Direction to the Art Studio: Students should park in the lower main parking lot walk to “B” building (the building with the flagpole located directly in front of it) and go through the front glass doors and ask for directions to the Art Studio at the Lobby Information Desk.

How to Register:  Call The Senior Services Division of Sussex County, at 973-579-0555, extension 1277, to register for the Program.

 

Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver

Sussex County residents, 65 years and older, are entitled to free tuition and fees for eligible college-level courses. 

These conditions apply:

  1. The class must be eligible for the senior citizen free tuition (some labs, trade and field experience courses will not be eligible);
  2. Paid enrollment warrants the course being conducted;
  3. There must be sufficient space available in the class; and
  4. Registration for the course must occur only during the final two business days before the start of the semester. Applicants who opt to register earlier are not eligible for free tuition.
  5. Applicants may take the course for college credit or may choose to audit the course.
  6. Applicants must register in person during the specified registration time period (the final two days before the start of the semester), and must present proof of eligibility at the time of registration. Applicants may seek advising assistance from the Advising & Counseling Center, but must register at the Office of the Registrar.

Monthly Newsletter

Sign up for the Sussex County Senior Services Division’s electronic monthly emailed newsletter, which includes The Center for Lifelong Learning’s programs, at www.sussex.nj.us/seniorservices or by calling 973-579-0555, extension 1277, to subscribe.