Lifelong learning: Education has no age limit

By Jay Nachman

In 2013, after her husband became ill, Maxine West, 67, began painting as a hobby. She discovered she had talent. She is now studying art and design at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP). 

West grew up on a farm in Virginia. She moved to Northeast Philadelphia after graduating high school for work opportunities. West has had various jobs over the years. She worked for a children’s clothing factory, a mail house and insurance companies.

Due to graduate from the college in 2026, West said, “I’m hoping to use whatever talent I have in painting and drawing to find a job in graphics. Even if it’s parttime, I can incorporate my talent of painting into it. I know graphic design has a lot to do with drawing.”

West enjoys the enthusiasm of her college professors. “The art classes are set up where you get to do the project,” she said. “You also can enjoy looking at other people’s projects and how they turn out.” 

Accessible education

In the 2024-25 school year, more than 300 students between the ages of 50 and 64 enrolled at CCP. More than 50 students older than 65 were enrolled. 

“Community College of Philadelphia enrolls senior adults from every corner of Philadelphia,” said Dr. Darren Lipscomb, associate vice president of enrollment management at the school. “Some are returning to finish a program they may have started years ago. Others are embarking on their college journey for the first time having believed higher education wasn’t for them. When they arrive, however, they discover an array of personalized supports from one-on-one tutoring to success coaches to faculty unmatched in their passion for teaching. We also see many lifelong learners. These students are interested in a subject and take a course or two just to satisfy their curiosity and learn something new. Community College of Philadelphia and community colleges in general provide a great education for senior students that is easily accessible and highly rewarding.”

The college offers a discounted rate per semester to older adults in Philadelphia on a limited, space-available basis. Eligible students are required to pay a $159 course registration fee.

First generation graduate

Lorraine Haw, known as “Miss Dee Dee,” had a winding path to higher education. She didn’t graduate from high school.

“We were poor, and school was just not in me, which I regret everyday now,” said Haw, one of 13 children. 

She had a son at 18 and later went to jail for dealing drugs to make money. While incarcerated, she earned her GED. She was later pardoned by former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf. 

“There is no shame in my game,” said Haw, who turns 68 this month. “All of that is over and forgotten.” 
Haw told her mother that she was going to be the first of her children to graduate from college. She fulfilled that pledge. In the spring, Haw received an associate degree in criminal justice. 

“I kept my promise to her,” Haw said. But it was a bittersweet triumph. Haw’s mother died in October of 2024. 

She plans to take a year off to enjoy her family, which now includes one son, two granddaughters and eight great-grandchildren. Then she might run for office.

“I want to help people,” Haw said. “Especially those that have (criminal) records. To let them know that just because we have records doesn’t mean that we can’t do good and become somebody. I’m a prime example of that.”

Haw called her teachers “the greatest professors I’ve ever had in my life.” Her fellow, much younger classmates were also a big help to her. “Me and technology come from two different planets,” she said. “They explained to me what I needed to do and how I needed to do it.” 

To fund her education, Haw received scholarships from CCP’s I Am More re-entry initiative, CCP’s Gender & Sexuality Resource Center, and Securus Technologies.

“I’m very appreciative to CCP,” she said. “I owe them for what I was able to accomplish.”

For information about Community College of Philadelphia, call 215-751-8000 or visit https://www.ccp.edu.

Jay Nachman is a freelance writer in Philadelphia who tells stories for a variety of clients.

Continuing education without commitment

Temple University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers accessible, high-quality, noncredit education. Now in its 50th year, OLLI targets education to adults, aged 50 and older.

OLLI offers 70-80 courses each fall and spring. An additional 30 courses are offered in the summer. Subjects cover literature, history, science, the arts and more. A 2007 grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation brought Temple into a national network of 125 Osher institutes. This solidified its role as a leader in lifelong learning. 

“OLLI gives people the chance to return to passions and interests they may have set aside while building careers or raising families,” said Adam Brunner, OLLI director. “It’s a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with who they are at their core.”

The courses offer an array of educational and experiential opportunities to a diverse group of older people. Students learn, teach and discover together.

Membership and course registration for the fall semester is open from August 13-29. For information, call 215-204-1505 or visit https://noncredit.temple. edu/olli.