Higher Learning
Program numbers highest ever
Skiff Staff

Evan Chen said he is excited about beginning his English class through Extended Education.

“English is not my native language,” said Chen, a researcher in the physics department. “I need to work on it, and now I can.”

The Office of Extended Education began its fall semester Monday. The enrollment is expected to be the largest in its history, said David Grebel, director of Extended Education.

Grebel said the 2003 fall semester has 207 sections of 174 classes with a projected enrollment of more than 1,400 students.

Julie Lovett, coordinator for Community Programs and Professional Development, said interest of students, faculty and staff has contributed to increases.

Lovett said only recently was TCU a factor in Extended Education’s plans.

“About a year ago, we took a hard look at who we were targeting,” Lovett said. “While we have the adults in the community, we also have the students, faculty and staff. We should afford them the opportunity to take these classes.”

TCU students do not receive credit toward degrees for the courses, but pay 50 percent for a majority of the course fees, Lovett said.

“(Extended Education classes) allow the students the opportunity to really broaden their horizons and take some classes for fun, exploring new areas,” Lovett said.

For people like Chen, class times are a convenience.

“It’s a night class, not in my working hours,” Chen said. “That was a benefit.”
Lovett said some of the more popular classes are dance, darkroom photography and various languages.

“It’s conversational language, as opposed to academic language,” Lovett said. “You’re not going to get as in-depth as you may want, but this gives people enough background where they can travel to another country and feel somewhat confident in the language.”

Lucile Davis, who has been an Extended Education instructor for four years, said she is also teaching writing workshops on fiction and children’s literature. Davis said she took classes through the program and then decided it would be interesting for her to try teaching one of the classes.

“A lot of us do this to get the word out about what we do,” Davis said. “I’m an editor and take in private clients and help them with their books.”

Grebel said the majority of class participants are still Fort Worth community members, and not necessarily affiliated with TCU.

“Most are life-long learners and are interested in a variety of things,” Grebel said. “They create a connection with the Fort Worth community that we would not have otherwise.
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