Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning at Tiffin University

LIFE@TU is for those who love learning and want to dig deeper into their areas of interest or discover something entirely new. LIFE@TU offers compelling, academically oriented, non-credit programming designed for adults aged 50 plus. Sessions are taught by current and retired faculty, historians and experts in their fields.  

---

Upcoming Sessions for the 2025 Spring Semester

We are excited to present the schedule of upcoming sessions for this year. This carefully selected list reflects the valuable input from our members through session surveys and the thoughtful choices of the LIFE@TU curriculum committee. Each session has been chosen to address topics relevant to our LIFE@TU community. Stay tuned for the announcement of specific class dates. Topics are subject to change based on speaker availability.

Spring classes begin on Friday, January 17, and will run each Friday until Friday, March 21. 

Date	Session Title	Speakers	Description
January 17th, 2025	The History of the Jr. Home	Mark Steinmetz Historian	The Junior Order United Mechanics’ orphanage, called the Tiffin Jr. OUME (or Jr. Home), was built on nearly 650 acres along the Sandusky River. Between 1886 and 1944 the facility was home to over 5,000 children from twenty-eight states and featured cottages, a school, dining hall, hospital, chapel, administration as well as a working farm. We will learn the history of this unique place and what it was like to be a child of the Jr. OUME
January 24th, 2025	How Global Commerce & Supply Chain Management Affect the Economy Bonus: What’s Ahead for Seneca County in 2025!	Dr. Jason Parkins TU Professor of Marketing & Supply Chain Economics  Bryce Riggs. Executive Director, Seneca County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Marisa Huss, Director of Marketing, SRCC & Destination Seneca Count	In this session, we will hear first-hand expertise in marketing and supply chain economics. Dr. Parkins, in addition to being a TU professor, owns a successful peanut factory in Findlay. He describes a period of challenge in trying to find sriracha powder for his peanuts, triggering the “bullwhip effect” and affecting market pricing and logistics. Parkins also discusses such economic issues as how Covid-19 affected the global supply chain.
January 31st, 2025	Beliefs & Superstitions from Around the World (Panel)	Joe Moore and International Pane	Tiffin native and retired educator Joe Moore moderates a panel of students and local residents from diverse areas of the world who talk about cultural beliefs and superstitions from around the globe. His international student panel discussion in Spring 2024 was a LIFE@TU member favorite, and we expect this session to be full of humor and great stories!
February 7th, 2025	Difficult Conversations: Serious Illness and End of Life Issues – What We all Need to Know (Professional Panel)	Jackie Bartlett, Palliative Care Nurse Misty Schnipke, Hospice Administrator Anne Lange DeVine, Attorney Eric Shook, Funeral Director	This week we take on a difficult but extremely important topic which too many families put off until a crisis. LIFE@TU has assembled a panel of experts to guide us through the process of planning and making difficult decisions about serious illness and end-of-life with compassion and decades of experience.
February 21st, 2025	Tecumseh and the Real History of Native Americans in Ohio + The Life and Death of Colonel William Crawford	Mike Gilbert Historian Mark Cory Historian and Historical Reenactor	Historian Mike Gilbert explores the story of Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief from Ohio who resisted U.S. expansion and worked to unite tribes into a Native American Confederacy. He shares insights into the culture and practices of Northwest Ohio’s indigenous peoples. Following that historian Mark Cory, in historical dress, portrays Colonel William Crawford, a Revolutionary War figure who worked with George Washington, and tells the fascinating story of Crawford’s capture, torture, and execution.
February 28th, 2025	Ohio Innocence Project	Dr. Steven Hurwitz Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Criminal Justice, Tiffin University	The Ohio Innocence Project (OIP) works to free innocent people wrongfully convicted in Ohio. To date, OIP has exonerated 42 individuals who served over 800 years combined. In addition to advocating for criminal justice reform, the project develops a network of student groups across the state. Dr. Hurwitz, retired and advisor to the TU chapter of OIP, shares stories of exonerees, attorneys, and judges in a session that highlights both the injustice and hope behind their work
March 7th, 2025	Healthy Aging Panel	Mercy Health Tiffin Professionals Kindra Ringle, RDN, LD Clinical Dietitian Angie Reiter, RPSGT Supervisor, Sleep Lab Shaela Calvin, PT, DPT Physical Therapist	Achieving optimal health in one’s senior years requires thoughtful attention to several areas, including physical activity, nutrition, health screenings/vaccinations, sleep and more. LIFE@TU partners with Mercy Health to bring together a panel of experts who will offer advice and answer important questions, providing the LIFE@TU community with the best possible information to help them get and stay healthy throughout their golden years. Members and guests will receive take home materials from Mercy providers
March 14th, 2025	Women’s History Month HERstory: Dr. Lillian Schumacher	Dr. Lillian Schumacher President, Tiffin University	Dr. Schumacher has lived and traveled extensively in the Middle East, Europe and Asia and rose to the role of university president. Today, in honor of Women’s History Month, LIFE@TU presents HERstory, a firsthand account of an impressive woman’s struggles and triumphs as she navigated differing cultures, languages and more on her journey to success. She hopes to include a couple of her female colleagues who have inspirational stories to tell and share
March 21st, 2025	Embracing Nature: A Senior’s Guide to Outdoor Exploration & Small Space Gardens	Sarah Betts Executive Director, Seneca County Parks Pressley Buurma OSU Extension, Seneca County Master Gardeners	Discover the joys of connecting with nature at any age! This session invites seniors to enjoy outdoor activities like nature walks and birdwatching, with options for different mobility levels. Learn practical tips for creating small-space gardens, from potted plants to mini raised beds. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced gardener, this session offers techniques and inspiration to bring the beauty of nature closer to your everyday life, promoting wellness, relaxation, and outdoor exploration.

---

Mission:  Establish a community of lifelong learners, especially those age 50 and older, by offering member driven topics of interest that promote learning and enriching experiences through unique programs and ongoing community-university engagement.  

Vision:  A lifelong learning community at Tiffin University designed especially for the intellectual enrichment and stimulation of adults 50 years and older and open to all ages.

Tiffin University’s lifelong learning program,  LIFE@TU, offers compelling, academically oriented, non-credit programming designed for adults aged 50 plus – featuring weekly presentations on engaging topics, taught by current and retired faculty and staff members from area universities, as well as historians, “notable neighbors” with fascinating stories to tell, and experts in the field like health and law. Ten classes are offered each semester (fall and spring). 

With LIFE@TU, you’ll learn about history, science and technology, arts, culture, politics and more. The program is open to residents of Seneca County and the surrounding community. 

Classes are set in a relaxed atmosphere for the pure pleasure of learning – whether through traditional lecture with Powerpoint or video, “armchair interview” format, or expert panel discussion – and meant to transform your life through education. 

There are no admissions requirements, no tests and no grades. Just dive in, learn about and discuss interesting topics – and make some new friends along the way. After the presentations, we welcome you to join us for lunch or coffee at a discounted rate in Cole Dining Hall.

---

For sponsorship opportunities please contact Vickie Wilkins, wilkinsvm@uupt.net or Mimi Johnston, johnstonml@uupt.net.