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Retired seniors expand their minds in SAGE

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Contributed by: caroline miranda on 11/5/2007

They study history, classical music and current events in self-organized groups. They make lively presentations and question speakers at forums. They are from a variety of career and education backgrounds.

They are members of the SAGE Society, a learning-in-retirement group affiliated with California State University, Northridge's Tseng College of Extended Learning.

On Nov. 3, more than 150 SAGE members celebrated the 20th anniversary of SAGE at a luncheon event held at CSUN, which drew members from from throughout the Valley and from as far as San Diego.

For some, retiring from jobs and careers means facing an inactive life. That is not the goal for SAGE members, who thrive on research and sharing information about subjects that vastly differ from what they may have studied in school to prepare them for jobs and careers.

SAGE member decide on an ever-changing number of topics for study groups that last several weeks or longer. Members research online and in the university's Oviatt Library and then present information about an aspect of the chosen topic.

Lest this sound dry and stuffy, SAGE aims at the exact opposite: spirited involvement, challenging the speakers and adding their own perspectives.

Topics include an array of subjects: politics, history, architecture, theater, sports, dynasties, movies, religions and much more. Members need not have any background in study group topics, so long as they have a passion for learning and interacting with others who also want to learn and share their views.

In some cases, study groups have led to individuals turning into political advocates after in-depth involvement in a group. For others, the friendship and support of fellow members drive them to their involvement. SAGE also sponsors periodic lunch forums with speakers, contributes scholarships to CSUN and coordinates computer classes for senior citizens.

CSUN President Jolene Koester praised the organization's hunger for learning. "Our association with SAGE is one of great pride and great accomplishment," she said in a presentation at the event.

Florence Paul worked for years in computer departments of corporate laboratories, but since she joined SAGE 10 years ago, she does not stick around computers and instead has developed a love of history.

As part of a group that studies noted philosophers and historians Will and Ariel Durant, she and her close-knit study group delve into the Durants' famous 11 volumes about history to learn more about the past and its effect on the present.

"It is such a stimulating environment," said Paul, a Northridge resident who retired in 1994. "You absorb the material and discuss all aspects of it and how it relates to life."

Members want to keep their minds active. "It stimulates my body and brain," said Ellie Seidman, who joined 17 years ago and belongs to the Durant history study group. "There are 18 of us. We became like a family."

When a recent quiz show had a question worth a half million dollars, asking who fought the 100 Years War that started in 1337, she immediately knew the answer and shouted it to her television -England and France.

Before retiring, Wayne White supervised a city department, and his wife, Susi, worked as a computer consultant. The North Hills residents moved from office environments to a SAGE environment, where the group discussion was not about administrative bureaucracy but rather about weather and climate dynamics, World War II and opera.

Ron Green oversaw noted legal cases as a California administrative judge, but in retirement he joined SAGE and studies the social safety net and Chinese culture.

"There is a diversity of minds and personalities, and a wealth of knowledge," he said. "It is a wonderful experience. You have to be on your toes. I have learned a lot." Nor does age hold them back. "There are members in their 70s and 80s," said Green, who retired in 1992. "They are wonderfully alert. Their minds are clear and sharp."

And while many people tend to look back on their lives instead of to the future as they age, SAGE members eagerly embrace new vistas. "I look forward to being around to celebrate the 40th anniversary," said member Reuben Allen, a Granada Hills resident who retired as a librarian 17 years ago.

Morris Cutler, a Northridge resident who helped found SAGE in 1987 and has seen it grow from 14 to nearly 200 members, said member involvement keeps it going.

"It is an active learning organization," said Cutler, a retired educator. "We do not just sit and listen to lectures."

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Submitted By: Marilyn Dalrymple

posted on 11/7/2007 @ 7:42:52 AM

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Thank you for this most interesting article, Caroline. Is there any material that you can pass along to me as to how to start a program such as SAGE in my area (the Antelope Valley/College). Thank You, Marilyn Dalrymple

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caroline miranda

north hollywood , CA

caroline miranda has posted 7 stories and 0 comments since joining on 8/30/2006. caroline miranda 's average story rating is 5.

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