What if going back to school weren’t about earning a degree, passing a test or advancing a career — but simply about following your curiosity?
At Presidents’ College Lifelong Learning at the University of Hartford, that’s exactly the point. Here, the classroom is a place where adults come to explore ideas, discover something new and engage in lively conversation with others who are just as curious.
There are no grades to worry about and no exams. Instead, one day’s discussion might delve into the literary classic, Jane Eyre or Booker-Prize-winning novels; the next might explore artificial intelligence, the Supreme Court, forensic science or the possibility of life beyond Earth. The subjects are varied, but the motivation is the same: a genuine desire to keep learning.
Education evolves into something driven by curiosity, connection and the simple pleasure students feel at discovering something they didn’t know before.
Founded in 1990 by then-University of Hartford President Humphrey Tonkin, the Presidents’ College was originally designed for retirees. Tonkin was ahead of his time in recognizing that people were living longer, healthier lives and saw an opportunity for the university to build stronger connections within the community. He taught the program’s first courses in Shakespeare and literature and continues teaching there today.
The program has evolved over the years with its students. While retirees remain an important part of the community, some offerings, like a recent panel on American healthcare, invite University of Hartford undergraduates to join in the discussion. Younger adults and mid-career professionals are also increasingly taking part. Today more flexible work schedules and remote work make it easier for people to find time for intellectual pursuits without committing to a traditional college course..
The result is a kind of “micro-learning” that fits comfortably into modern life: short, focused courses and lectures, generally lasting 90 minutes and running for just two or three sessions. And the topics reach for the extraordinary.
West Hartford residents John and Jeannette Rhine are longtime Presidents’ College students. “Our very first class was on English history and it was taught by Humphrey Tonkin,” said John. “Then Jeannette and I got intrigued by some of the other offerings. The next thing you know we find ourselves taking courses on Sol Lewitt, the Supreme Court, geology, the business of college sports, and the economics of trade and tariffs. The breadth of offerings is incredible. It’s truly a unique program.”
Presidents’ College offers approximately fifteen short courses and eight lectures each semester, covering everything from literature and culture to science, politics, art and music. There is no membership fee, and students pay a modest fee for individual courses. Programs are held primarily on the University of Hartford campus, with additional offerings through partnerships with cultural and educational organizations, like the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Playhouse on Park, and Theaterworks, throughout the region.
This fall and winter, music lovers can discover “J.S. Bach—Still Amazing After All These Years” with CONCORA vocal chorale director Chris Shepard, or explore the relationship between creativity and culture in Art and Music As Mirrors of Their Era.” Theater enthusiasts can pair classroom learning with a live performance through Reimagining Dracula at the Hartford Stage” with Pam Bedore and the Stage’s artistic director, Melia Bensussen. There are also programs on opera and the ground-breaking musical Hair connected with the Hartt School, UHart performing arts conservatory.
For those seeking to understand the world, the fall schedule offers plenty to ponder, from international current events to domestic elections.
Science and technology are equally engaging. Participants can dive into “Channel Your Inner CSI: Solving Cold Cases,” explore “How AI Is Changing Consumers’ Lives,” or investigate “The Search for Extraterrestrial Life.”
The learning is, in itself, reason enough to attend. Yet what makes the Presidents’ College truly special is what happens after class. “I’m a book lover and have taken lots of fantastic literature courses at the Presidents’ College,” noted West Hartford resident Bette Marafino. “The discussions are lively and often spill over to coffee or lunch. A number of us even formed a monthly book group of our own that meets in the UHart Library."
That sense of community is increasingly important in a world where opportunities for genuine, face-to-face connection can sometimes feel scarce. The Presidents’ College provides a much-needed “third space” that offers both intellectual stimulation and the chance to meet people who share a willingness to remain curious. It all helps the world feel just a little more open.
To learn more about the program or see a schedule of programs, visit Hartford.edu/pc