By Henry Eason

When you retire or get older and have time on your hands, one of the most dramatic things you discover is how much you miss the mental challenges and your work-life social connections.

For me and many others in the San Francisco Bay Area, one solution is going back to school. Specifically, the Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco (USF), which offers dozens of fascinating courses you can take in person and online. You don’t get graded … and you’re usually not even given homework!

Haven’t you always imagined how nice it would be to get together with dozens of people who are interested in exactly the same subjects that fascinate you – from astronomy to literature to music to films to history? At Fromm, seniors can meet like-minded people and take courses on numerous subjects three semesters of the year, courses taught by experts in their fields. At its westside facility near the Panhandle, you can enjoy a network of dozens of social contacts and even have lunch with some of them between classes at an award-winning college cafeteria serving a variety of international cuisines.

Classes cost only $150 per course, because they are subsidized by generous donors who have created first-class facilities and pay top-notch professors. Anyone 50 or older can attend, so even if you haven’t retired but have control over your Monday through Thursday schedule, you can take off a few hours and enjoy a class.

Free from assigning grades and reading papers, Fromm professors find great satisfaction in teaching people interested in learning just for learning’s sake. Furthermore, because the professors develop new courses that are of personal interest to them, classes are stimulating for both the instructors and their students.

For almost 50 years, Fromm has been a delightful educational experience for many thousands of people in the Bay Area and now, with its robust online communications platform, people can take courses from anywhere in the world!

A Half Century of Lifelong Learning

The Fromm Institute, a pioneer in adult education, was the brainstorm of Alfred and Hanna Fromm in 1976 who after success in business decided to create an educational center on USF’s campus so they could have lifelong learning experiences with other seniors. Over the years the institute has attracted numerous professors who have distinguished themselves both in higher education and in professions, science and business. The classes range widely from healthcare to politics to art, science, the humanities and history.

Typically, the courses occur over eight weeks in the fall, winter and spring sessions.

Classes last about one hour and forty minutes each week. An active student association also promotes fellowship, and the institute even sponsors Bay Area hiking and campus exercise sessions to help seniors stay fit, in addition to their academic programs.

Fromm courses come in various formats, usually in-person, sometimes in-person and via ZOOM, quite often recorded but occasionally only online. In most cases, students are encouraged to participate with their questions and comments, in-person and online, and many say students’ involvement is one of the most appealing aspects about these formats.

After retiring, Dr. James Mullane, who heads the student association, said, “Fromm Institute opened a new chapter in my life. I was a teacher and professor for 45 years and joined in 2019. I knew I still needed to be on one side of the desk or the other; at Fromm, I’m on both.  Being there every day has given me a purpose and made me feel even younger than when I was working.  Taking classes, as well as teaching them, has enabled me to meet new people, make new friends, and enjoy every day. I never expectd retirement to be filled with such joy and excitement.” 

Fromm Executive Director Derek Leighnor said, “Our work at the Fromm Institute is unique and extremely rewarding. The Fromm Institute and our students prove that lifelong learning extends longevity and healthy aging by keeping curious minds active, strengthening social ties and giving purpose to every stage of life.” 

Jordan Sachs, a Fromm student and board member, sums it up for most: “Come to the Fromm Institute and expand your mind and expand your life.”

Fromm is seen by many as a healthy antidote to the harmful inactivity many people older than 50 can experience when they are less involved physically and mentally. Many also gather, bring lunches and socialize between classes at the institute. They participate in book clubs and watch free movies in state-of-the-art auditoriums.

Fromm students are given ID cards like those issued to USF students. These cards admit them to facilities throughout the USF campus, including the extensive library where they can check out books and enjoy the state-of-the-art facilities.

For more information about how you can join Fromm, visit fromminstitute.org or call 415-422-6805.