Life After 60:

Seniors Thrive on the HSU Campus

You don't have to look hard to find an over-60-age student on the Humboldt State campus these days. Often, they can be seen studying or reading intently in the campus library, or trekking across the campus landscape, backpacks in tow, heading toward their next classes right along with the rest of the students. The ranks of nontraditional-age students are expanding thanks to the Humboldt State University's Over-60 Program. This program works to recruit senior citizens from the community and helps them get involved or re-involved in higher education at HSU.

Traditional-age students around campus respond favorably to senior students in their classes. "I love having over-60 students in class. They raise the level of the discussion and they offer great first-hand insight into many historical events," said Stacia Daniel, 28, a graduate student in the teaching credential program. Many HSU students and faculty members share Daniels' attitude.

Manja Argue, a participant in the Over-60 Program, is using her time at HSU to study ethics in many disciplines. photo by Jennifer Hayes

As for the seniors themselves, the feeling is mutual. Manja Argue, 62, says she feels no generation gap between herself and the younger students. "I have had a lot of interaction with the young people. I find that they are very interested in my life's experience. I haven't really run into ageism."

Argue, whose daughter and grandson also attend HSU, is a Pacific Bell computer-analyst retiree and a grandmother. She comes from the Bay Area and is now an Arcata resident. She will graduate in May with a bachelor of science interdisciplinary degree in critical thinking, ethics and communication.

A friendly atmosphere goes a long way toward helping to increase the number of seniors attending the university. About 40 over-60 students are currently enrolled full time, and another 120 seniors are attending select courses.

Nester Domingo, 69, agrees that it's the people at HSU that make the difference. "The faculty, the staff and the students are very friendly, reachable and helpful," he said.

Nestor Domingo, assistant director of the Humboldt Legal center, will graduate with Bachelors of Arts degree in May, which he acquired as a participant in the Over-60 program. photo by Jennifer Hayes

Domingo, an outgoing retired County of Humboldt court reporter, is also a retired 33-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and a former U.S. Marine. He comes to HSU from Oakland and now lives in Eureka. Domingo will graduate in May with a bachelor of arts degree in political science. He plans to enter the teaching credential program here next year, and hopes to one day teach elementary school.

Dr. Robert Dickerson, 72, is a World War II veteran, a retired HSU professor of economics and a grandfather of eight. He also says that it was the people at Humboldt State that drew him here then and that ultimately keep him coming back here today.

Dickerson says that the best thing about coming back to school at his age is the Over-60 Program.

"I have taken some wonderful classes in this program. I only take what I like. Sometimes I think that being a student is much better than being an instructor," he said. "I delight in getting new perspectives on old ideas."

Lydia Frick, director of the Humboldt State Over-60 Program, says many of today's senior students are referred to HSU through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Eureka and from the Over-60 outreach program at KHSU-FM. Other applicants are retired HSU staff members or alumni.

The Over-60 Program is managed under the Office of Enrollment Management. Frick says that tuition for senior students plays a big role in helping many seniors to attend college after retirement. The CSU system requires only $6 per semester for over-60 students to attend as many classes as they choose, as well as to access all of the facilities on campus.

Humboldt State University continues its tradition of accepting the finest people -- both young and old -- into the university, and of providing them with the highest caliber of academic instruction. In this environment, the true spirit of Humboldt State University flourishes through the blurring of generational boundaries. By continuing the unconditional acceptance of over-60 students and their contributions to the academic environment, we continue to broaden the possibilities of our younger generations' dreams for the future.