For decades, Cornells Adult University (CAU) has hosted Cornell alumni, their families and friends on the Ithaca campus for faculty-led programs for adults and youth during the summer months. COVID-19 made these weeklong education vacations impossible this year.

But CAU is still carrying out its mission of lifelong learning by presenting free online courses, lectures and seminars for adults and youth July 631.

Public interest in CAUs virtual summer offerings has exceeded our expectations, said Lora Gruber-Hine, director of CAU, which is part of Cornells School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions.

The response from alumni has been overwhelmingly positive; returning students are signing up in droves, anxious to learn from their favorite faculty member and reunite with acquaintances from years past, Gruber-Hine said. Parents and first-timers are excited to engage with our instructors and find out firsthand what CAU is all about.

The online offerings were made possible by an outpouring of support from Cornell faculty and students who dedicated time, energy and expertise to make the virtual program a reality, Gruber-Hine said.

The high demand for CAUs ambitious, first-ever Virtual Summer Program has resulted in full enrollment for weeklong, faculty-led courses for adults. Topics include Getting Back to Ithaca: Homers Odyssey, taught by Michael Fontaine, professor of classics; Handling the Coronavirus, at Home and Abroad, taught by David Silbey, director of Cornell in Washington; and Medical Ethnobotany, taught by plant biologist Guilia Friso, senior research associate in the School of Integrative Plant Science.

But daily live webinars are open for registration. Topics include:

For youth and teens ages 9 to 15, CAUs free virtual activities include daily online classes on topics such as veterinary science, bioengineering, Supreme Court decisions and creative writing. Webinars and social media meetups will feature virtual campus tours, Q&A sessions with Cornell students, contests, trivia and more.

See the full schedule of offerings here. All online courses and webinars are free; registration is required.

Shelley Preston is the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions communications and marketing specialist.

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Adult University goes virtual with free 'education vacations' | Cornell Chronicle - Cornell Chronicle