A gift that keeps learning alive for thousands of older adults

For generations of older adults across Metro Vancouver, the joy of learning has continued well past retirement thanks to one man’s lifelong belief that education should never end.

When SFU professor Alan David Aberbach left a visionary bequest gift in his will to support the university’s Seniors Program—now the Liberal Arts and 55+ Program—he ensured that thousands of people would have the chance to keep their minds active, their curiosity alive, and their community growing through shared learning.

As many universities across Canada are scaling back or shuttering lifelong learning programs, SFU’s Liberal Arts and 55+ Program is able to continue providing invaluable learning opportunities for mature students because of Alan’s extraordinary investment.

“We’re now almost the last program of this kind standing. A lot of institutions moved away from offerings that aren’t high revenue or strictly career-focused,” says program director Susan Rhodes. “Yet one of the biggest reasons for maintaining this programming is that people want to be here learning together.”

A charter faculty member in SFU’s Department of History, Alan was among the university’s first professors when it opened in 1965. Dedicating himself wholeheartedly to this burgeoning institution, he won an Excellence in Teaching Award, and later founded both the SFU Opera Studies Program and the Vancouver Opera Club.

When he was required to retire at 65 under the rules of the day, he embarked on a second act that turned out to be every bit as influential as director of what’s now known as the Liberal Arts and 55+ Program. Housed within SFU Continuing Studies, the program has offered learning opportunities for older adults for more than 50 years; under Alan’s vision and advocacy, the program greatly expanded its academic-oriented, non-credit courses, including a certificate option.

“The programming is intellectually stimulating,” says Susan. “The purpose is to present something different from the kind of programming you might get at a community centre.”

Alan was inspired in his work with the Seniors Program by the example of his mother, who earned her bachelor’s degree late in life at New York University, and he often reminisced about the joy she derived from her education.

“It was incredibly important to him to build the program out, because he watched his mother, who didn't have the advantage of going to university, work her way through an undergraduate degree as an older person, and eventually get that degree. He saw how much of an impact that made on her, and carried that forward when he got involved with this program,” Susan says.

Leaving an extraordinary legacy of generosity

When Alan passed away in 2010, the generous gift he left in his will went toward funding the program’s operations, and helped establish the Seniors Program Directors Endowment Fund.

“Alan’s estate gift is why we can keep offering and expanding courses when other programs are closing,” Susan adds.

She also points out that as non-credit students don’t have the same access to government student aid as credit students, Alan’s legacy is ensuring low-income seniors can access lifelong learning.

“Thanks to this gift, the program is very fortunate to be able to offer those additional opportunities for tuition assistance,” Susan says.

Meeting the next generation

As generations have evolved, so have the course offerings, expanding into topics such as artificial intelligence—classes that, as Susan notes, “sell out every time.”

“Our students today are largely Boomers and the generations just behind them,” she adds. “They’re comfortable with technology and curious about how it’s changing the world.”

Susan says that one of the most unique aspects of the Liberal Arts and 55+ Program is that students come with an extraordinarily wide range of experiences and backgrounds. And while discounted tuition is offered for those over the age of 55, classes are open to everyone, as Susan recalls enrolling students from ages 19 to 96.

For many, it’s a chance to rediscover the joy of learning—to challenge themselves, connect with others, and keep their minds alive and curious.

In addition to providing learning opportunities not otherwise readily available for older adults, Susan says one of the best parts of her job is seeing the enduring community surrounding the program, made possible through Alan’s generosity and foresight.

“I really have great students who are incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to continue learning. It’s always a pleasure to see how excited they are to be here—how much pleasure they get out of taking the program,” she says.

• Learn more about taking courses within SFU’s Liberal Arts and 55+ Program

Anyone can consider a legacy gift

Alan’s legacy reminds us that one person’s generosity can keep a love of learning alive for generations to come. To talk confidentially about creating or updating a will to support Continuing Studies or any other program at SFU, or just to learn how an endowment works, please contact:

Rory Green Senior Director, Principal and Planned Gifts
rory_green@sfu.ca  
778-782-6799