GCU's McAuley Institute Invites Members to Join Mah Jongg Craze

Lakewood, N.J. May 16, 2014 – Mad for Mah Jonng? You're not alone—millions of players around the world are and the numbers are growing rapidly, especially in the U.S. where Mah Jongg cruises, conventions, competitions and internet play are increasingly popular.

Get in on the fun with Georgian Court University's McAuley Institute for Lifelong Learning, which is hosting courses for who those who want to learn more about Mah Jonng. Registered participants can do so at four, 90-minute classes taught by Beverly Conti, who has been actively involved in playing the game for more than 15 years and teaching it for 5 years. Conti will share her skills on Wednesdays May 28, June 4, 11 and 18 from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. on GCU's Lakewood campus.

Space is limited for the program which is open to MILL members only. The cost is $58 per MILL member and includes the cost of the 2014 Official Standard Hands & Rules National Mah Jonng league card. Conti said in an e-mail interview that the rummy-like game played with 144 tiles with Chinese characters and symbols can be learned relatively quickly unlike games like bridge.

“The game stays fresh as there is a new card every year," she said, "so when you think you know all the hands, everything changes!” Ms. Conti has taught the game to members of the community where she lives and it received such a good reception that it was added to the recreation schedule there. “It seems natural to want to share a game that has brought so much pleasure over the years."

Mah Jonng is one of more than 50 courses and programs—designed especially for adults ages 50 and above—now offered by GCU's MILL program. Combining social interaction and learning without the hassle of tests or homework, MILL offers social events for members and courses ranging from genealogy, T'ai Chi Chih, golf, spiritual pathways, creative writing, women in film and war history. 

Pre-registration is required for all courses and may be done online at alumni.georgian.edu/mill. Registration forms for mailing and a complete schedule of all courses can be found at www.georgian.edu/edu/mcauley. Room information for all MILL courses will be provided upon registration. For more information, please contact Alice Velez, development officer and director of the MILL program, at 732-987-2201.