October 9, 2017
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (October 9, 2017) – Approximately 40 residents of the Westminster Oaks retirement community visited Tallahassee Community College’s main campus on Friday, October 6, to learn more about TCC and how they can get connected with the College’s programs and students.
The Westminster Oaks residents toured several locations on campus, including the Lei Wang STEM Center, the TCC Fine Art Gallery, the Pankowski Honors Lounge and the Theatre TCC! costume shop. They also enjoyed a catered lunch in the art gallery.
The residents received special “all-access” badges that will allow them to check out books from the library, attend athletics and arts events at no cost, and receive a discount at the TCC Bookstore, among other perks.
John Mercer, a retired journalist and Westminster Oaks resident, was amazed by the facilities accessible to students in the STEM Center.
“It’s a wonderful place to play and learn,” Mercer said. “It’s great that students can put to practical application what they learn in the classroom.”
This is the first of four Westminster Oaks Days at TCC being offered during the 2017-18 academic year. The College and Westminster Oaks recently launched a partnership agreement to provide lifelong learning opportunities, volunteer activities and engagement with TCC students, faculty, and staff for Westminster Oaks residents.
A central part of the agreement is the new Growing Resourceful Eagles At Westminster, or G.R.E.A.T., program. The program provides a slate of short courses specifically targeted to residents and taught by TCC faculty.
Classes for 2017-18 include “Become the Master of Your Smartphone,” “Time and Money Saving Apps,” “Painting in Acrylics,” and “Discovering Digital Photography.”
The partnership also includes opportunities for Westminster Oaks residents to serve as mentors for students, as ambassadors at College events such as Freshman Convocation and as members of the TCC Foundation’s Board of Directors. Additionally, the agreement is expected to lead to student internship and career opportunities at Westminster Oaks.
Westminster Oaks also plans to offer a tuition reimbursement plan for employees of the retirement community who wish to further their skills.
For information, contact Heather Mitchell at (850) 201-6067 or mitchelh@tcc.fl.edu.