PLATO Program Celebrates Decade of Enlightenment

Nearly a decade ago, a new idea for educating retired and semi-retired adults occurred to Madison resident Bob Elsas while visiting family in California.

Elsas accompanied his son-in-law’s father to two classes for adults conducted by UCLA – one on author Thorstein Veblen, the second on southern California’s water problems. Impressed by the broad range of educational opportunities, he approached UW–Madison about starting a similar program.

Ten years later, Elsas’ brainchild has evolved into one of the most popular adult-education programs on campus. Sponsored by the Division of Continuing Studies, the Participatory Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO) has provided opportunities for adults to lead and participate in discussion groups on issues ranging from jazz to world history to current events.

Summer institute tackles past and present In addition to PLATO, Continuing Studies sponsors the Summer Institute for Integrative Studies, an educational program open to members of the general public of any age. This year’s topic, “Crisis and Change: Past and Present,” will address various influences on the underlying philosophical assumptions in the ancient, medieval, renaisssance and modern worlds. The institute meets June 5-8, with an opening reception June 4. A full schedule and registration information, with fees of $300 to $415, is available from Kathy Bergian, 263-3494.

Pat Runde, associate dean for Continuing Studies, says the division is proud of what PLATO has accomplished.

“We’re not only pleased about what they’ve done,” he says. “We’re also optimistic for their future.”

PLATO’s strength, Runde says, lies in its capability to meet both a social and an educational need. “The breadth of their offerings and their growth in numbers is ample testimony to how it is meeting a need,” he says.

Groups meet for 10 weeks, with members – now numbering more than 300 from all walks of life – taking turns leading discussions. The program also offers a series of lectures by current and retired UW–Madison faculty members. Classes meet in both the fall and spring semesters; lectures and social events are offered throughout the year.

“I’m pleased that I was able to bring the idea to Madison,” Elsas says. “Without PLATO, many older adults would have a void in their lives.”

Through PLATO, participants – including many faculty and staff – continue to foster their intellectual curiosity and keep in contact with former colleagues who wish to do the same.

“It makes aging fun and exciting,” says Marian Thompson, former PLATO president and a retired UW–Madison faculty member. A PLATO member for more than five years, Thompson says the program allows her to cultivate her curiosity for learning, a valuable commodity for former faculty who are accustomed to an intellectually rigorous life. “For people who had been [educators], PLATO is a wonderful thing to have available,” she says.

Thompson’s current schedule includes discussions on Frank Lloyd Wright, contemporary issues (which she helps coordinate), and “Great Books.” Asked to name her favorite aspects of PLATO, Thompson says two come to mind: “What I learn and the people I meet.”

Membership is open to all retired and semi-retired individuals and includes discussion groups, lectures, meetings, social events and newsletters. The fee is $40 a year. For more information call 262-3309.