Amy Diamond
A local group is organizing a Davidson-based “lifelong learning” program that would draw on the town’s status as an “academic hub” to offer classes for adults of all ages. The steering committee recently picked Davidson resident Amy Diamond as its executive director, and it has begun a survey to gauge interest.
Classes in the proposed DavidsonLearns project could included everything from history and art to philosophy and current events, and more, according to the organizers. Courses could be six to eight weeks in length and would be offered to anyone throughout the area with an interest in learning. The group hasn’t sorted out how the program would work, but is looking at per-course price or membership fees, Ms. Diamond said Monday.
“I’m excited,” she said. “I hope someday this will become part of the fabric of Davidson.”
An adult education program with regularly-scheduled multi-week courses would be something new for the area. The Pines at Davidson has a popular lecture series that brings in Davidson College professors for one-session lectures. And back in the 1990s, Davidson College offered community courses every January through a program called “Chill Chasers.” But this would be a bigger and more permanent undertaking.
At this point, the program is still an idea and the college is not formally involved, she said.
“I think this could be something that creates connections between the college and the town that don’t exist,” Ms. Diamond said.
Ms. Diamond is an educator who has lived in Davidson 22 years and been involved in a variety of educational and non-profit activities. She has a master’s degree in curriculum and design and has 15 years’ classroom experience and five years’ administrative experience in local schools.
In a June 1 announcement, Ms. Diamond she said the program seeks to take advantage of the intellectual resources in town. “Each part of our community has a vast collection of resources, but when combined, the possibilities are almost limitless. We stand at a time and a place when we can make a difference in the future of our community by creating an organization that will promote a lifelong commitment to learning and education. I am excited about being a part of these efforts,” she said.
The steering committee is conducting a web survey to gauge interest in the program. You can help by taking the survey, CLICK HERE»
You’re also invited to email: Those interested also may contact
davidsonlearns@hotmail.com
Here’s a copy of the press release that went out last week:
For Immediate Release
US Educational Boom Alive and Well: DavidsonLearns Explores Lifelong Learning Program for Lake Norman Residents
Davidson, NC — The burgeoning lifelong learning movement is once again in the nation’s spotlight, thanks to major news stories in The New York Times (citing the health and longevity benefits of continuous learning) and 60 Minutes’ recent coverage of the innovative online Khan Academy. Whether it involves recent college graduates looking to enhance or change careers, people in their middle years interested in economic or political enlightenment or senior citizens seeking intellectual challenge, towns across the country are fostering and launching lifelong learning programs in record numbers.
Davidson, NC is known as a hub of academic energy, with citizens of all ages who have a passion for learning. This spring a group of citizens, many of whom have taught or participated in such programs elsewhere, formed a steering committee to begin the process of developing a lifelong learning program in the area. Dubbed DavidsonLearns, modeled after other successful Davidson initiatives, including DavidsonReads and Davidson Walks & Rolls, this program would serve members of the North Mecklenburg, Lake Norman, and South Iredell communities and potentially offer six or eight week courses in different areas of study, spanning several semesters annually. Areas of study would be varied, including history, art, philosophy, current events and many others.
The steering committee has launched a survey to gauge the community’s interest in a lifelong learning program, through the following URL:
http://checkboxweb.davidson.edu/Survey.aspx?i=0fd4b0a5188b42e79dd3f40e88c
cd37d
Citizens are encouraged to visit this link and offer their opinions about and interest in such a program. Those interested can also contact davidsonlearns@hotmail.com.
The committee has also just named a new Executive Director to move the initiative forward, 22 year resident of Davidson, Amy Diamond. Diamond is a professional educator with a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Design. During her academic career, she has garnered 15 years of classroom experience and 5 years of administrative experience. She has also served as a community volunteer for numerous organizations, including: Council for Children’s Right, Planned Parenthood, Ada Jenkins Center, Davidson Cornelius Child Development Center, Children’s Law Center, Davidson Housing Coalition and the Davidson Lands Conservancy.
Amy notes, “I have watched a small, divided college town evolve and embrace efforts to become a healthy, rich environment for a diverse group of citizens. My dream is to be a conduit for increased liaisons between the
Town and the College and the surrounding community.”
“Each part of our community has a vast collection of resources, but when combined, the possibilities are almost limitless. We stand at a time and a place when we can make a difference in the future of our community by creating an organization that will promote a lifelong commitment to learning and education. I am excited about being a part of these efforts.”
RELATED LINKS
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/education/edlife/a-sharper-mindmiddle-
age-and-beyond.html?_r=1
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57394905/khan-academy-thefuture-
of-education/
