On Fridays during the fall and spring semesters, members of Tiffin University’s LIFE@TU program gather on campus to learn something new, but the experience has grown much more than just a weekly educational session.
Designed primarily for adults age 50 and older, LIFE@TU offers 20 engaging lectures and expert panels throughout the academic year covering history, science and technology, the arts, current events, health, finance, criminal justice and more. These sessions are led by university faculty, historians and experts from a wide range of fields. Each week opens the door to fresh ideas, lively conversation and the joy of learning in community.
For many members, the connections they make through the program are just as meaningful as the topics they explore. Members often arrive early, greet familiar faces and catch up before the program begins. Conversations continue long after presentations end, and many participants make their way to Cole Dining Hall on TU’s campus afterward to share lunch.
“LIFE@TU began in 2023 to give older adults a place to engage their minds and build a supportive, welcoming community after a time when many felt isolated and unconnected,” said Mimi Johnston, Coordinator of LIFE@TU at Tiffin University.
“Friendships have been made and deepened here; conversations over lunch in the dining hall following Friday sessions often last as long as the sessions themselves. There’s a real sense of adventure in learning together at TU, and we see it in action every week. Curiosity never retires!”
A discussion about the morning’s topic can easily turn into an afternoon spent talking, laughing and getting to know one another better. For some, LIFE@TU provides an opportunity to reconnect with longtime friends. For others, it has introduced them to people they may never have met otherwise. The shared experience of returning to campus each week has created friendships, routines and a sense of belonging that extends well beyond the lectures.
Jim and Shay Reese experienced that welcoming atmosphere firsthand after moving to Tiffin. “We moved to Tiffin three years ago and were excited to discover LIFE@TU. From the first sessions we were warmly welcomed and impressed with the programs and the friendliness of the program’s directors and fellow students,” they shared. “We look forward to Fridays as well as the Tech for Seniors classes that are a spin-off of LIFE@TU!”
Tech for Seniors is one of the additional learning opportunities available to LIFE@TU members. Classes focus on practical technology topics, including smartphone basics, photography, data backup methods, online security and the use of artificial intelligence tools.
As LIFE@TU continues to grow, the program is also finding new ways to reach older adults beyond Tiffin University’s campus. This year, the program launched a senior living partnership pilot with Good Shepherd Home in Fostoria, allowing residents to participate in programming both in person and through livestreaming. The partnership expands access to lifelong learning while creating another way for participants to engage with the LIFE@TU community.
Tiffin University hopes to build on the pilot by developing additional satellite locations and making LIFE@TU accessible to even more people throughout the region. What began as a place to explore new topics has become something more: a community where curiosity, conversation and connection continue to bring people together.
To learn more about LIFE@TU, view the full session schedule or become a member, visit tiffin.edu/life@tu.