 NEW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP: Do you like traveling? Visiting local attractions? Virtual tours of famous places? How about talking about travel? If so, then Senior Academy has a new special interest group to fit your passion. Plans are for the travel group to meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., initially on Zoom. Our first trips will be local, then farther-flung. Watch for news about an upcoming visit to the Eiteljorg Museum this spring! SERVE ON SENIOR ACADEMY COMMITTEES: The strength of any organization depends on the active involvement of its members. Anyone interested in serving on either the Senior Academy Board or one of its committees is encouraged to contact Mark Grove by March 15. Additional details on both the Board and the committees may be found in the Bylaws or in the Annual Reports posted on the IUPUI Senior Academy website. The contributions of many allow all to benefit. SENIOR ACADEMY ADVENTURES IN MARCH: March 12 – String Theory: Polish up your needlework skills! String Theory meets monthly at a member’s home to craft winter hats and scarves for those who need them. If you don’t know how to knit or crochet, members will teach you. Register here. March 19 – Senior Academy Travel Group: The travel group will meet March 19 at 10 a.m. on Zoom. Those who have indicated an interest in travel in the Senior Academy Member Center will be emailed details. If you don’t receive an email, contact Georgia Miller. March 20 – Senior Academy Book Club: Did you know that participating in one art event per month could extend your life by years? Join the members of the Senior Academy Book Club to learn more about how the arts impact physical and mental health. We will discuss Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen’s book Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. Join us online, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.; register for the Zoom link. March 28 – Artificial Intelligence Explained: How AI Works, What It Can Do, and Why It Matters : Kevin McCracken, former Director of Adaptive Educational Services, will present a hybrid program on AI on Thursday, March 28,12:30-1:30 p.m. You may attend in person at IU Columbus or on Zoom. If you prefer the Zoom option, register here to get the link. Dr. McCracken promises an enlightening program tailored to seniors, with time reserved for Q & A. APRIL HAPPENINGS: April 9 – String Theory : Knitters and crocheters meet the second Tuesday of every month to create hats and scarves for needy clients of local clinics and social service organizations. For more information, contact Becky Porter. April 16 – Travel Group: The travel group meets at 10 a.m. on Zoom. Watch your email for information, or contact Georgia Miller. April 17 – Senior Academy Book Club: April’s book club selection is Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies. Register to get the Zoom link. April 30 – Meet and Greet: Mark your calendar for a meet and greet event at Hoosier Village (near Zionsville) 2-4 p.m. on April 30. Details of the program will be forthcoming! WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Senior Academy members are rightfully proud of their scholarship program, awarding scholarships each spring since 2001. But do you ever wonder what happens to our scholarship winners? Tashianna Avery was a Senior Academy Scholarship winner in 2007–2008. She graduated from IUPUI in 2012, and after a stint with the National Guard, she landed an Americorps internship with Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. In her 11-year career with the regional Girl Scouts, Tashianna rose from intern through the management ranks, becoming a director. She also earned a master’s degree in Adult and Community Education from Ball State. Last December, Tashianna embarked on a new adventure–director of the Entrepreneurship Program at Girl Scouts of Northern California (San Jose). Tashianna explains: “What that means is I’m the director of the cookie program. Our team is responsible for making sure the cookie program is successful for the 15,000+ Girl Scouts selling [cookies].” Tashianna is passionate about the Girl Scout program, the skills it teaches, and the young women who learn entrepreneur skills. Congratulations, Tashianna! Senior Academy is proud of your achievements, and we thank you for your enthusiasm and engagement with young people.
Tashianna Avery, former Senior Academy scholarship winner |
