Local seniors bring real life experience to classroom

With centuries of combined living experience between them, a group of seniors from Covenant Village of Cromwell provided a glimpse of life and society in days past to a group of students taking the Sociology of the Family class at Middlesex Community College. In return, this younger generation shared glimpses of their own, offering those born before World War II a fresh perspective on this group of millennials.

Students, their ages typically ranging from 18-40, were tasked with envisioning themselves in their late-70s, and then writing an imagined memoir chapter that reflected their family life experience using course concepts they’ve learned throughout the semester. As part of the project, they heard from six panelists who had already lived through the stages of life they were being asked to envision.

“Talking with older generations provides a first-hand perspective of life, society and culture from our past,” said Dr. Rebecca Loew, Associate Professor, Behavioral Sciences. She began inviting Covenant Village of Cromwell residents to participate in the Family Memoir project four years ago. So far, 19 residents have participated.

Covenant Village of Cromwell residents shared stories about juggling family and finances, working through marriages, and living through the Great Depression and World War II. Each story reflected struggle, failure, joy, and accomplishment, and students learned about resiliency, life strategies and changing gender roles. Panelists also modeled for students how historical events impacted ideas of what people expected from family life and marriage.

Covenant Village resident and panelist Marilyn Bell divorced and raised three children as a single mother during a time when divorce was uncommon and frowned upon by society, while working full-time and earning her nursing degree.

“Divorce is so much a part of our culture now that students were surprised to learn how differently it had been viewed by past generations,” explained Loew.

Panelist Covenant Village resident Dick Anderson shared his circuitous academic path that started at 17, when he did “really well” his first year in college, but then “screwed up” his second year. He explained how he left college, joined the military, got married, and then at 26 returned to college. A year later he received his bachelor’s degree cum laude. “My point for the students is to have a goal and never to give up on that goal, no matter what,” he explained.

From panelists like Bell and Anderson, Loew said, students have “living verification that life dishes out some challenging moments, but they can make it through and still have a satisfying life.”

Panelists’ backgrounds varied. Some were clergy, missionaries, teachers, business owners, and stay-at-home moms. Some had lived all over the world; others had been involved in social change movements and civil rights.

The exchange gave students and panelists a different perspective on each other. “When students hear our stories, we become more real; we’re not just an older person,” said Bell.

As for the students, panelists were impressed with their grit. “The students had drive, despite their tough circumstances,” said Anderson. “Many of them were taking care of parents, taking care of kids, working, and going to school. They each had goals and they were determined.”

This isn’t the first time Covenant Village of Cromwell has partnered with Middlesex Community College through its Community Partnerships Committee. Residents participated in a LifeStories project, for which students filmed residents sharing their life stories. Students in the therapeutic recreation program have also completed internships at the senior living community. And, Covenant Village residents regularly visit the college to view student artwork and attend special events.

Resident Eunice Wiseman and her husband, Dick, helped forge the learning partnership with Middlesex Community College. “Our motto for the Community Partnerships Committee is ‘Come learn with us,’” and this is exactly what is happening,” she said. “They hear about our lives and we hear about their lives.”

To learn more about the Middlesex Community College partnership with Covenant Village of Cromwell, listen to Eunice Wiseman’s and Dr. Loew’s interview with Anna Wasecha, the college president, on her radio show Middlesex Moments.

About Covenant Village of Cromwell

Covenant Village of Cromwell, a faith-based, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community, is located at 52 Missionary Rd., Cromwell, Conn. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit senior services providers. Covenant Retirement Communities serves 5,000 residents at 15 retirement communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on Covenant Village of Cromwell, please visit www.covenantvillageofcromwell.org or call 860-754-3039.