Mini University ends with commencement

Friday, 415 students attended commencement ceremonies at the Indiana Memorial Union. But these people were not IU students receiving degrees. They were participants in the 31st annual Mini University, a program in which alumni and non-alumni attend classes taught by IU professors.\nMini University started as an attempt by the University to promote lifelong learning.\n"Originally, it was for people to come back to campus, have a few professors teach some courses," said Jeanne Madison, assistant director of Lifelong Learning and Mini University Bloomington Division of Continuing Studies. "It has now evolved into only 50 percent alums, 50 percent of other people committed to lifelong learning and 96 faculty participating."\nDuring the week, people could take up to 15 classes in the categories of business and technology, domestic and international issues, humanities, science, art, music and human growth and development. Madison said that this year a large number of people attended science and health classes. \nMini University students are not assigned homework during the week, but do walk away with lists of suggested readings to keep them occupied once the program has ended.\n"Many of the people tell us they spend the interval between one Mini and the next reading the books that were recommended," Madison said. \nParticipants stayed in the Indiana Memorial Union hotel and in town, a change from previous years when they could stay in the dorms. Madison attributed this change to dorms no longer having food service and busing issues.\n"I miss that, because when you stay in a dorm, you walk across campus and see a lot of the campus," said Diana Kuntz, whose mother is an alumnus. "It was a good experience staying at the IMU too, but I would have much preferred to be back at one of the dorms."\nOn Friday morning Mini University participants gathered in the Georgian Room of the IMU for coffee and snacks before attending the commencement ceremony. During the ceremony, IU history professor Irving Katz spoke to the crowd about the importance of learning, and for helping those who might not be able to afford an education. \nThe highlight of the ceremony was the awarding of the green beanie, which goes to first timers at Mini University, Madison said.\n"Participants … watch for a first timer who is particularly enjoying the week and making full attempts to get connected with ideas and people," Madison said. The winner's nametag remains permanently on the hat.\nParticipants in Mini University come not only for the courses, but also to see favorite professors.\n"Now that I'm starting to recognize the names of the professors, a lot of them are repeat professors, so I chose these classes not because of the titles that they were talking about, but because of the professors," said Kuntz. She and her mother are in their third year of Mini University.\nA wide age range of people attend Mini University, Madison said. She added that last year's participants were anywhere from 30 to 82 years of age. Wayne Mitter, 80 and a resident of Meadowwood Retirement Community, has attended for two years and feels that the course material is outstanding. \n"I think it's probably the peak week of mental stimulation that our age group gets," said Mitter, who is an alumnus of Iowa University.