VSU Continuing Education Offers Personal Enrichment Opportunities

VALDOSTA -- An American philosopher, educator, and popular author, Mortimer J. Adler was once quoted as saying, “The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live.”

Believing this statement to be true, Valdosta State University Continuing Education will soon kick off its spring series of personal enrichment classes. South Georgians are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about art, music, and dance; gardening; cooking and cake decorating; communicating with others in French, Spanish, and Italian; getting in shape; technology; and more.

On Monday, Jan. 23, VSU Continuing Education will kick off its Waltz and West Coast Swing Class, teaching students technique, rhythm, and patterns to dance American-style Waltz and the six- and eight-count patterns of West Coast Swing. This class will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Feb. 20, and the cost is $79 per person. Couples registering and paying together will receive a $15 discount for the second person.

On Friday, Jan. 27, VSU Continuing Education will kick off Common Sense Self-Defense, a class that will help students build self-confidence, mental focus, and self-control as they practice skills to defend themselves against common grabs, kicks, punches, chokes, and more. This class will meet from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, and the cost is $79.

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, VSU Continuing Education will kick off The Joy of Singing, a class designed to help students find their most natural and powerful voice and gain confidence in singing. This class will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays through March 28, and the cost is $89. Teachers interested in earning professional learning units should add $10 for certification.

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, VSU Continuing Education will kick off Italian for Travelers. In this class, which will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Feb. 28, students will learn the Italian alphabet, pronunciation, basic vocabulary elements, courtesy items, and key phrases needed for shopping, dining, and more. The cost is $69.

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, VSU Continuing Education will offer a one-day course, Celebrating Spring with Russian Blini. Students will learn how to make these Russian pancakes, stuffed with a variety of fillings and traditionally eaten during the week of Maslenitsa to welcome spring and herald the beginning of the Russian Orthodox Lent. The cost is $29.

Additional classes will start in late February, March, and April.

All those interested in taking a personal enrichment class at VSU are encouraged to register early to avoid additional fees.

Classes will be canceled three days prior to start dates if, at that time, there is not sufficient enrollment to cover costs, noted Continuing Education staff members.

All classes will meet in the Regional Center for Continuing Education, located at 903 N. Patterson St., unless otherwise noted in the course description.

VSU Continuing Education’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the region by providing educational, artistic, cultural, technological, and economic development activities and programs. It works to develop and present programs and activities for professional and personal enrichment of community persons.

To view a complete listing of spring personal enrichment classes, as well as online and other classes offered through VSU Continuing Education, please visit www.valdosta.edu/conted/.

For more information or to register, please call (229) 245-6484.