Sister Candace Introcaso Center For Lifelong Learning
Ask any group of Founding Members of the Rachel Carson EcoVillage at Providence Heights (RCE) why they want to move to the EcoVillage, and the responses likely will include one or more of the following:
- To live in community with a diverse group of interesting people;
- To help ensure that the earth will support human life for a long time to come; and/or
- To participate in courses and other activities that will enrich our lives.
Non-credit continuing education courses have been an essential part of my life ever since my formal schooling days ended. As a long-time resident of the North Side and North Hills of Pittsburgh, I’ve had the good fortune to pursue continuing education at various institutions and organizations in the area. Throughout my home and yard, one can see the results of some of those continuing ed courses. Collectively, all of the continuing ed courses have yielded hours of relaxation, knowledge, practical skills, friendships, and a deeper understanding of the world. I’ve had the good fortune to attend continuing education programs at La Roche University (LRU) in the past and also to be currently enrolled; and I look forward to participating in additional programs in the future.
LRU started the Sister Candace Introcaso Center for Lifelong Learning in 2022. The Center was named in honor of LRU’s seventh president. The Center had been Sister Candace Introcaso’s vision, and she had worked tirelessly to bring it to reality. Sister Candace Introcaso died on May 22, 2023. LRU partners with the Sisters of Divine Providence to offer the programs of the Center. The Center offers three programs for persons of various ages and interests (https://laroche.edu/CLL/):
- Adventures in Lifelong Learning (ALL) – Membership-based programs for “adults aged 50 and better”, who “learn for the fun of learning, in a relaxed environment without assignments, exams, or grades”. For (currently) $200, members can take ALL courses for up to one year. Each year is divided into 3 terms, and each term consists of 10 weeks, or two 5-class sessions. During each session, approximately 30 courses are taught by adjunct faculty and community instructors. The $200 fee allows members to take an unlimited number of academic/enrichment activities and some fitness classes. An additional $100 makes a member a “PLUS member” and entitles that member to take additional swimming and exercise classes. Follow this link to see the courses that are offered this spring and summer: https://www.laroche.edu/ALLCourses/
- NextStep@LRU – Professionals at various career stages earn non-credit credentials, certificates, classes, micro-credentials, and badges. This is earlier in its development than ALL.
- LRU4U – LRU and the CDP offer to local residents and youth various programs, resources, and assets such as swim classes, academic camps, and community lectures.
The staff of the Introcaso Center for Lifelong Learning are enthusiastic and approachable; and the programs and the staff reflect LRUs commitment to offer courses, programs, and events that meet the needs of—and appeal to—the local residents. The staff continually works to develop offerings to add to the scope of the Center. Recent additions include:
- Overseas travel opportunities, including a 12-day trip to Italy during the fall of 2023. A 12-day trip to Greece is planned for the fall of 2024. The trips are unique because there are educational and social components as part of the program before, during, and after the trip. In addition, because the trip is just for those affiliated with ALL, it caters and adapts to the ALL participants’ specific needs and wants.
- Day trips to various local points of interest. In the last year, they have gone to Clayton at the Frick, the Flight 93 Memorial, Heinz Chapel, Pitt’s Nationality Rooms, Carnegie Museum of Art, and more. Upcoming trips include the Johnstown Flood Museum and Heritage Discovery Center, a Tour of PNC Park, and others.
- A standing invitation to members to join Center leaders for lunch in the LRU cafeteria once a week.
The Adventures in Lifelong Learning program is a gem and an asset to the Congregation of Divine Providence, to LRU, and to the community at large. All Members of RCE are encouraged to learn more about the ALL program and other programs that will enhance our lives at RCE.
– Jill Brethauer, Founding member & future resident of RCE, April 28, 2024