ElderChicks

I have lived in San Diego for 22 years and am planning to move back to my home town, Philadelphia this year.  I have taught in the Religious Studies departments at San Diego State University since 1989 and the University of San Diego since 2004.  But my favorite group of students are the seniors that I teach each summer for Grand Edventures and for the Continuing Education Center in Rancho Bernardo.These seniors are really senior–men and women (mostly women) in their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.  When I first came to San Diego I was the “baby” in thesse classes.  I was only 55 years old.  Now the classes have 50- and 60-year-olds, and I am no longer the young one.

My students are bright, enthusiastic, funny and appreciative of my lectures or discussions with them.  I don’t get applause from my college-age kids, but my elder chicks and roosters always have something nice to say about the class and applaud after each 2-hour session.

Most of the folks come to San Diego from Florida or Arizona. They stay on the campus of San Diego State University for 4 weeks, 6 weeks or 8 weeks.  They all have stories and are always willing to share them with the class.   Sometimes one or two of them falls asleep in class, and as long as they don’t snore, we don’t disturb them.  I remember a few years ago when I was teaching The Tempest  and out of the blue came a voice from the back of the class:  “Doctor, why aren’t you married?”  Then before I could say anything another voice popped up with, “Such a good-looking person, and so smart, you’d think you could have anyone.”  Another voice said, “What kind of a question is that to ask the professor?”  Soon almost everyone was joining in, and I finally had to call the class to order.  I never did answer the question, maybe because I don’t have an answer!

I have a film class that meets at my house once a week.  These are former students from the CEC group in Rancho Bernardo, some of whom have taken classes with me since 1990, and with only two exceptions the students are all older than I (thank heavens!).  The variety of responses to the films that we see prior to the class are always intelligent and perceptive–sometimes provocative and argumentative (actually often so, but that adds spice to the class).

I will miss my students, especially the ones who come back from Florida and Arizona each summer.  My CEC  folks will remain my friends forever, and I hope when I return to Philly I will enjoy the company of more senior students.  Leave a comment here.

By, Pat Boni (PhD, age 77, college professor, cat lover, cut-throat Scrabble player, and at one time, the worst secretary in Philadelphia)