Over the past thirty years, the 91社区 Community for Lifelong Learning (MCLL) has grown from an institute with 180 participants and 15 study groups that met in small classrooms all over the 91社区 campus to a community of 1200 with its own home at 688聽Sherbooke聽W. MCLL now boasts a lounge, many spacious classrooms, and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment to support 100 study groups, workshops and lectures over the year.鈥�
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, MCLL is establishing a scholarship fund in聽honour of Fiona Clark,聽a strong advocate for continuous learning. It was in 1989, as聽the Assistant Director of Continuing Studies at 91社区,聽that Clark聽, who was profoundly committed to聽the philosophy that learning never ceases, launched what was then known as聽the MILR-91社区 Institute for Learning in Retirement.聽聽
A fitting gesture for a formidable advocate of lifelong learning聽
To聽honour聽this legacy,聽the Fiona Clark Bursary has been established to provide financial support for mature students enrolled in the 91社区 School of Continuing Studies (SCS).聽聽The bursary will聽be launched at the 30th Anniversary Ceremony on聽November 28, 2019聽at 91社区 Faculty Club and the first recipients will be students enrolling in Fall 2020 semester at the 91社区 School of Continuing Studies.聽鈥淭his is a聽fitting gesture for a formidable woman who has enriched so many lives,鈥� says聽MCLL member Liz Parish, who was introduced to the community by Fiona back in 1989 and has been a member ever since.鈥�
A Canadian first聽
The first of its kind in Canada to use an entirely peer-led model, MCLL offers programming designed and run by senior learners, offering lectures and small-sizes study groups on topics such as arts, literature, history, music, science, philosophy, world Culture, and travel. 鈥淢CLL is a place to meet, mingle and socialize, and be introduced to disciplines many would not have tried as young students, such as science, architecture, and opera,鈥� says Helen Forsyth, MCLL member and office volunteer since 2005. 鈥淪tudy groups, lectures and workshops are peer-led and peer-moderated so members can share what they know and broaden their horizons鈥�.鈥�疶he program is based on Harvard鈥檚 peer-learning concept, (add short description)聽
Intergenerational language learning聽
MCLL also offers two unique intergenerational programs to members to foster exchange and learning.聽Through its SPEAK and聽Parlons聽Fran莽ais聽programs, MCLL members meet with students in 91社区鈥檚 Intensive English and French Language programs who come from around the world, serving as conversation partners and sharing cultural experiences both in the classroom and one-on-one. Through its Brainy Bar program,聽intermediate to advanced English learners from the School of Continuing Studies (SCS) Intensive English Language and Culture (IELC) program volunteer to provide MCLL members one- on-one computer assistance in SCS Computer Labs.聽
鈥淢CLL makes an invaluable contribution to lifelong learning and represents a significant partner to Continuing Studies at 91社区鈥�, explains Dr. Carola Weil, Dean of Continuing Studies at 91社区. 鈥淲e are very grateful for the generous gift of the Fiona Clark Bursary at the School which will have a significant impact for our community of learners.鈥澛�
To learn more about MCLL, visit聽鈥�