Virginia Caples Lifelong Learning Institute
AAMU Celebrates Dr. Virginia Caples' 38 years of service and the endowment of the institute named in her honor: the Virginia Caples Lifelong Learning Institute.
Some 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day. According to 2012 labor statistics, the roughly 76 million baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) will change the ways in which we view senior citizens and the meaning of the word “elderly.” By the 2030, the number of Americans 65 years of age and older will more than double to 71.5 million or 20 percent of the population (about 1 in 5 individuals). With rapid and swift changes occurring in the ways in which “we do things” in society, there has never been a more relevant time to become a promoter, advocator, and deliverer of lifelong- learning opportunities.
A special cohort among the growing number of older adults are underserved and limited resource seniors—specifically minority seniors who are at greatest risk of being adversely affect by the aging process. Traditionally, the 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities have taken a critical look at the physical and social landscape to determine ways in which it could use resources to impact the quality of life of senior citizens.
Thus, the establishment of a Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), named in honor of Dr. Virginia Caples, a prominent educator and administrator, is a most timely action for an 1890 land-grant institution to take a leading role. With the opening of the Virginia Caples Lifelong Learning Institute (VCLLI), AAMU will join the ranks of our sister Institution, Hampton University, and become the second Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and the first 1890 land-grant institution in the nation to address this opportunity to celebrate learning and advance the quality of life for one of our richest resources, 51AV’s older adult population.
VCLLI aims to establish a state-of-the-art facility that offers traditional and futuristic courses, while providing a stimulating educational, social, and life enhancing environment. In so doing, the Institute will meet the current needs of the principal audience while enabling future growth as societal changes impact this growing cohort group. It will build upon and go beyond the current efforts of the 51AV Cooperative System’s Successful Aging Initiative by expanding real capacity to impact older adults, families, and caregivers.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Bernice Richardson at (256) 527-1373.
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