Center For Lifelong Learning’s Academic Traveler Program

As the Center for Lifelong Learning began its third year, we responded to many of your requests to develop a travel program. The Academic Traveler was designed to offer exciting opportunities for combined history lessons with a tour of the event sight.

To introduce the program, the CLL used the 150th anniversary of the Civil War to plan tour locations. We traveled to Chickamauga, Georgia for their re-enactment of the battle for the Chattanooga area. Chickamauga was the site of one of the most significant Union defeats during the Civil War. Students who attended this program were also treated to an intriguing history lesson by Dr. Ron Fritze en route to the site. They also were able to visit memorials, museums, and watch the re-enactment of the battle attended by thousands.

Our next trip was the battle of Horseshoe Bend. This trip celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Indian Wars of 1814. In addition to re-enactments of the battles, travelers saw craftsmen, Native American skills, and learned about the life and times of the tribes involved in the wars. Before departing, the group took a bus tour around the park, stopping at interesting points along the way.

This year, we are planning our first overseas trip. In planning the event, we selected a location rich with history and culture, then arranged classes at the CLL for travelers to attend prior to the trip. The tour, titled Greece: In the Footsteps of the Paul the Apostle, has several components. Travelers will trace Paul’s journeys through ancient cities and the pastoral countryside of Greece and Turkey, then enjoy a three night cruise visiting the magical Greek Islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini, and the ancient Roman City of Ephesus. Travelers will also visit two monasteries in Meteora, and learn about the devout lifestyle of the monks. A guided tour in Corinth will feature Agora and the Bema, where Paul was brought before the tribunal. Finally, we will join local experts exploring the monuments of ancient Athens, including the Acropolis. Dr. Ron Fritze, Dean of Arts & Letters at Athens State, and Dr. Diane Sauers, Director of the Center for Lifelong Learning, will be accompanying the group from Athens, Alabama.

For those who are interested in more information about this trip, join us Monday, September 29, at 11:30am at the Center for Lifelong Learning for a very real “tasting of Greece.” Space is limited, so be sure to register early. If you are unable to come to the CLL, you may view the webinar at your personal computer desk in your office or home. More information is available by viewing the catalog on our webpage – www.athens.edu/CLL.

A second component of the trip is the lecture series. The first lecture, presented by Dr. Ron Fritze, is about the historical aspects of the area. The lecture will focus on the history of Greece and how it relates to the sites we will be seeing on our trip. This lecture is Thursday, October 2, from 12:00 to 1:00pm. Reservations are requested. You can reserve your seat by calling 256-233-8262.

Whether you travel to Greece with us or you’re just interested in learning more about the Apostle Paul, join us for our Bible Series, offered both in Athens at the CLL, and in Decatur at the Alabama Center for the Arts. This Biblical series will look at Paul’s life, as well as his letters and ministry, and will provide an overview of the historical context and Biblical message contained in the letters. The fee for the series is $25, or $10 for only one class.

The Bible Series: Footsteps of Paul consists of five lectures. Session 1: Paul and His World will be held at the CLL on Tuesday, October 7, from 6:30-8:00 pm. This class will also be held at the Alabama Center for the Arts on Thursday, October 16, from 12:00 – 1:00pm. Other sessions will continue monthly through March 12. Call the Center at 256-233-8262 for a complete brochure.

This fall we will be offering trips to Moundville Native American Festival on October 9th, a shopping excursion on November 7th, and a trip to Nashville’s Gaylord Resort on December 2nd. Our next overnight trip will be to the Savannah area.
By: Wanda Campbell