School back in session Monday for Western Nevada

There is still time to sign up for the 2007 spring semester that starts Monday and Western Nevada Community College has classes for students of any age. Students of 62 years or older even get a break when it's time to pay.

The community college has been expanding its menu and includes very young students in their College for Kids program, gives high school students a jump on college courses in Fast Track but also offers classes with seniors in mind.

"This is a wonderful benefit for active older adults," said Anne Hansen, director of information and marketing at WNCC. "Fifty is the new 30 and people want to learn."

College courses enable students a means to practical knowledge such as learning a foreign language, learning computer skills or taking a photography class to find how a digital camera works. WNCC offers two courses especially for seniors in personal computing.

Under certain conditions, Nevada residents 62 years or older have the option of attending college courses without having to pay fees. If taken as an audit, a student attends a class but doesn't have to take the tests.

"We want to encourage life-long learning but a surprising number of seniors want the challenge of taking the classes for a grade, rather than just auditing it," said Hansen.

"Many people have to work later in life and more are coming back to school to improve their computer skills. Some people just take one class to keep busy and end up graduating. They get turned on by the opportunity."

Seniors receive a 20 percent discount on classes taken through community education. At the Douglas campus, some of these classes include oil painting, soap making, photography, health, fitness and recreation classes.

"There can be all ages in the classroom," said Hansen. "People bringing real-life experiences is a positive thing on all sides."

A catalog of WNCC classes and registration is available online at www.wncc.edu.com or call Douglas admissions at 782-2413.