A recent PILLAR Institute class visited a maker space at the Pikes Peak Library District's East Library. (Courtesy of PILLAR Institute)
There's no studying, no tests and no papers to write in PILLAR Institute classes, but the learning is plentiful.
With 26 years of experience, the state's only independent lifelong learning organization south of Denver has mastered sharpening the interests of mature adults.
PILLAR Institute participants find the programs, which change every four months, to be fun as well as engaging, said Executive Director Vickie Heffner.
"It's not just learning, it's being with people your own age, having discussions and socializing," she said. "You can tell this is a need in the community."
If you've thought about playing the Chinese table game of mahjong, touring the grounds of Glen Eyrie Castle or the Myron Stratton Home, becoming more digitally literate, getting educated about elder justice, visiting the city's most well-known xeriscape garden, discussing global affairs or hearing about the British crown jewels, there are opportunities through August to do so.
The summer catalog is available at www.PILLARinstitute.org or by calling 719-633-4991. Printed copies can be mailed by request for $5.
Events are held in person at locations throughout Colorado Springs and online via Zoom, and registration is required for all classes and tours.
Other upcoming sessions include listening to a lineup of summer songs compiled by a local jazz expert, taking a monthly restaurant excursion and playing mahjong weekly on Wednesday mornings. The latter is open to anyone to attend.
An appealing aspect of PILLAR, an acronym for Peak Institute of Living, Learning and Rejuvenation, is that there's no big commitment involved, Heffner said.
"The motto of PILLAR is 'learning for the fun of it,'" she said. "It's usually a one-time, two-hour class -- it's not a whole semester, yet many of the instructors come from some of the local universities, including the Air Force Academy, so you're getting their knowledge."
It's one of the things Sally Halby, vice president of the board and an instructor, enjoys about the classes.
"I don't have to sign up for a whole term; I'm getting small bites," she said.
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A new, alternative fee introduced in January has become so popular that some classes reached capacity in the spring, which hasn't happened in years, Heffner said.
An all-inclusive membership fee of $75 per each four-month session gives unlimited access to all classes. There's also an option to pay per class, which is usually around $25. The organization's standard $175 yearly membership fee is still available.
"We lost a lot of people during the pandemic -- we were closed for a year and a half and did everything online. We are still rebuilding," Heffner said. "Changing to the new structure boosted membership and class attendance."
The organization currently has about 150 members.
PILLAR was founded in 1998 as an arm of Pikes Peak State College to provide learning in retirement. In 2001, PILLAR switched to an independent nonprofit model.
While lifelong learning programs are found in most large communities in the nation, they're most often connected to the Bernard Osher Foundation's Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes on college and university campuses. PILLAR's independent status makes it different and able to tailor programs to meet community desires, leaders say.
They attribute the program's longevity and increasing interest to a substantial flock of faithful volunteers, who teach courses, fundraise and work in the office, located at New Altitude Coworking & Office Space, 6385 Corporate Drive, Suite 200.
Since its beginnings, a spirit of discovery and connection has defined PILLAR, according to leaders.
"Whether you want to explore the history of the Patty Jewett neighborhood, walk in Nikola Tesla's footsteps or join thoughtful discussions on today's issues, there's something for every curious adult in our catalog," Heffner said.
Halby encourages people to sign up for a few classes to try it out.
"You develop friendships through PILLAR, and the education makes it so much fun," she said. "It's a great organization to be involved with, as a teacher, a student or a volunteer."