Overview
The Washington College Academy of Lifelong Learning (WC-ALL) is designed to reach out to area residents through non-credit courses as varied and diverse as possible. It has become a major link between the College and local community.
WC-ALL members benefit from its broad program of non-credit courses which include history, music, literature, philosophy, the sciences, drama and the visual arts, and a series of monthly luncheons and field trips. The monthly Learn at Lunch events center around stimulating speakers drawn from all walks of life and are open to all members of the community.
WC-ALL conducts a Mentor Program which places the experience and expertise of individual members at the service of Washington College students, in close collaboration with other College academic resources.
WC-ALL funds a College scholarship, and adds a significant amount annually to its scholarship fund.
WC-ALL members pay a membership fee either by the semester or by the academic year. A member is entitled to:
- attend any WC-ALL course offered each fall and spring
- the use of the resources of the Miller Library
- WC-ALL lunches and dinners at the member rates
- a monthly calendar of college-wide events including lectures, concerts, plays, films, sports activities, and special events
- attend regular college courses (space-available) at a reduced fee
Washington College provides office and classroom space and many College amenities to WC-ALL and recognizes it as an educational program providing non-credit courses. WC-ALL is however an autonomous organization administered by a Council and supported by academic fees and contributions.
Further information is available from the Executive Secretary, Anne Singer, at the WC-ALL Office. Phone 410-778-7221, e-mail: wc_all@washcoll.edu, or write WC-ALL, 300 Washington Ave., Chestertown, MD 21620.
Courses
Registration for courses takes place when one takes out membership for the semester or the year, and membership fees are due at registration. You may register for as many courses as you like.
If you are interested in auditing regular courses at the College consult the online catalogue or call the Registrar's office (410-778-7299) for a list of courses. You can then contact the instructor to see if that course may be audited. The cost is $300 a person.
Visitors and prospective members who wish to become familiar with the Academy's programs are welcome to attend one WC-ALL Class by arrangement with the WC-ALL office (410-778-7221).
College undergraduates, faculty, and staff are welcome to sit in on all WC-ALL classes if there is room remaining in the classroom.
In some courses, handouts will be provided as a reference and/or books may be suggested which are available at the College's Miller Library. Books can also be purchased at the College Bookstore in Casey Academic Center.
All registrants will be notified before classes begin of room assignments. WC-ALL classes will not be scheduled on College holidays; if the Campus is closed because of inclement weather or other emergency, our classes will be canceled as well, and rescheduled for another time if that is possible.
For more information on any of the classes listed or to register please contact the WC-ALL office at ext. 7221 or by e-mail at wc_all@washcoll.edu.
Learn at Lunch
Writers, historians, educators, environmentalists, artists; if someone is doing something of interest around the Chesapeake Bay, the chances are that he or she will give a Learn at Lunch lecture.
These informative lectures combine three ingredients. First, a serious and often provocative lecture by someone who knows the subject. Second, an excellent lunch currently provided by Heron Point in the pleasant atmosphere of the Chester Dining Room. And finally, a varied and attentive audience from the surrounding Community, where one meets many people one knows, and new people one would like to know better.
The eight luncheons during the academic year begin at 12:00 noon. They are well-publicized and well attended. The cost is $15.00 for WC-ALL members, $20.00 for non-members. We accept paid reservations only; no telephone reservations accepted. Heron Point is handicapped accessible.
Contact
- Anne Singer at 410-778-7221, wc_all@washcoll.edu
About Our Faculty
The Washington College Academy of Lifelong Learning (WC-ALL) is indeed fortunate to have a faculty rich in teaching experience who have a sincere desire to share their experience and expertise with others. A brief resumé for each of the current semester's instructors may be found in the WC-ALL Course Catalog or at this website by clicking on Classes and On-line Course Registration, then scrolling down and clicking on a course title. Our instructors design, prepare and present courses primarily for the sheer joy and fulfillment of teaching, and because there are no tests, no homework assignments to grade, nor final grades to record, the emphasis is truly on presenting one's ideas to eager students! Geoffrey Chaucer summed it up in his Canterbury Tales' description of the Clerk, a.k.a., the Oxford Cleric: "And gladly would he learn and gladly teach."
There are several advantages in being a WC-ALL instructor. In addition to receiving an honorarium for teaching a course, each instructor receives a free WC-ALL membership for the school year in which he or she teaches, allowing attendance in other courses and special member prices for Learn at Lunch and other WC-ALL events. Instructors also enjoy access to the Washington College Fitness Center, Pool, and Library. All of this, combined with the flexibility in creating one's own course, choosing the teaching day, class length and even course length, as well as having the availability of resources such as scheduling AV equipment and office copying of handouts, makes teaching for WC-ALL a truly enjoyable experience.