Since its start in 1988, the Union College Academy for Lifelong Learning (UCALL) has grown to a vital program that attracts more than 100 members each term.
From its beginnings, the academy has had one focus-to bring academic subjects to older learners. Today, cultural excursions, special programs (such as a cooperative venture with the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra), and seminars in such areas as literature and history are all part of UCALL.
Each UCALL term has several seminars, generally ten hours each. At some seminars, UCALL members lecture and lead the discussions; at others, members coordinate speakers, who have included lawyers, religious leaders, artists, journalists, and conservators of historic artifacts.
The strong involvement of members as leaders is a major difference between the UCALL of 1988 and the present version. Early seminars were taught by members of the UCALL advisory board and retired Union professors. The move to peer instructors began in 1990, after several UCALL representatives attended a “Learning in Retirement” conference and saw how to use the expertise available in the membership. That fall, four of the six UCALL seminars were taught or coordinated by members
Today, UCALL is affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network. Anyone wanting more information is invited to call the UCALL office at 518-388-6638.