Older students integral to campus

Although the typical college-goer is described as a twenty something, a different kind of student demographic also exists on campus. "UTC has a mission to deliver life-long learning to our students," Chancellor Roger Brown said, "and we welcome our audit students who are aged 60 and over."

According to the UTC undergraduate catalog, if a person is 60 or older and a Tennessee resident, then they may take classes as an auditor for free, paying only the admission fee.

Chuck Cantrell, assistant vice chancellor for university relations, said. "I think it is important for students to participate in discussions with individuals who are at different stages in their lives and careers."

Susan Mansfield, an 88-year-old audit student, said. "There just came a time in my life when I was free to use that information, so I signed up."

"By being able to go to school and study," Mansfield said, "I can still achieve my thoughts and desires."

Margaret Daniel, director of adult services, said audit students are a positive impact on the campus.

"The audit students bring a tremendous amount of life experience to enrich a class," Daniel said.

"I have a number of professors who come in and say that they would like to have some of the older students in their class," she said.

Craig Laing, associate professor of geography, said he has had several older audit students in his class.

"In geography classes, older audit students are a real benefit," Laing said.

"They have traveled more and can relate to many of the places that I talk about compared to a young student who has not traveled nearly as much."

Lester Lynn Ourth, professor of psychology, said he also has had experience with dozens of audit students.

"They have good attendance and are usually better than the typical student," he said. "We say that a college education is for all people."

"The audit program brings a unique perspective to our campus," Cantrell said. "They have a lot of life experience to bring to conversations and I think our students can learn a lot from their insights."

Ourth said he believes audit students are a model for current students. "A number of students approach [the senior students]," Ourth said. "The students learn a lot about work and decision making from the senior audit students."

"I admire students so much and appreciate what they are striving to do," Mansfield said. "I enjoy conversing with them and I enjoy comparing myself to them when I was at their ages."

"Miss Susan is a long-time friend of this campus and she is a great example of what older students can bring to class discussions," Cantrell said. "When she discusses American life during World War II or during the Civil Rights era, she is not talking from what she learned in a book," he said. "She's telling her life story and that can be a powerful learning experience for everyone."

Mansfield said the audit program is wonderful and she is grateful for the opportunity. "I have thoroughly enjoyed going to class and learning," she said. "I feel I have learned very much, which only makes me want to learn more.