October 05, 2006

'Aging is an Asset' roundtable set for Oct. 11

by Tom Woolf

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A roundtable discussion set for Wednesday, Oct. 11, in Normal will bring legislators, educators and members of the general public together to explore ways retirees can contribute to the education system in Illinois.

"Aging is an Asset" will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Heartland Community College, 1500 W. Raab Road. The Center for Intergenerational Leadership, part of the associate chancellor for diversity's office at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is among the sponsors of the brainstorming session.

Participants will include Sen. Edward D. Maloney, chair of the Illinois Senate's Higher Education Committee; Marilyn Hennessy, president of the Retirement Research Foundation; and Charles Johnson, director of the Illinois Department on Aging.

The discussion will cover a variety of topics, including: What is the future of retirement? How can the educational system tap the wisdom and experience of retirees of all ages? What should education offer to the older population? How can older and younger generations set an example for understanding and leadership? What is the economic impact of aging in Illinois?

Co-sponsors include the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Council of Public University Presidents, Illinois Council of Community College Presidents, State Universities Annuitants Association, Illinois Community College Board, Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department on Aging.

For more information, contact the Center for Intergenerational Leadership at SIUC, 618/453-1186.

Shaping cooperative ventures is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint the University is following as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2019.