'No one is ever too old to learn'.

• Author: Duckett, Richard
• Position: Local

Byline: Richard Duckett

In 1992, several friends and colleagues working in social services realized that their lives -- professionally and socially -- were about to change irrevocably.

Retirement was beckoning, which wasn't so bad, but how would they use that time wisely? The friends did not want to retire their minds. Instead, they came up with a concept of continuing education through peer learning. They didn't want to take "how to'' classes in subjects such as yoga or meditation, but learning courses in literature, history and science and other areas. At an open house at Assumption College to gauge interest, more than 300 people showed up. In spring 1993, the member-run Worcester Institute for Senior Education got underway at Assumption College, offering eight courses that drew 146 people. The acronym, WISE, was complemented by an owl logo.

Twenty-two years later, neither has been retired.

Chris T. Liazos, who owned the popular former Webster House Restaurant House in Worcester, said he offered to teach a cooking course. Instead, he's been taking classes in philosophy, religion and economics.

"One of the things I will always say: No one is ever too old to learn,'' said Karl Hakkarainen of Holden, who both teaches and takes courses. WISE calls its teachers "group leaders,'' and anyone who takes a course is a "group member.''

WISE is the winner of the Cultural Enrichment Award at this year's Visions Community Awards to be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday in Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester. Gov. Charles D. Baker Jr. will be the keynote speaker.

The Cultural Enrichment Award is given to a person or group for the year's outstanding creative contribution to the arts or cultural life. It includes a cash prize of $2,500.

Other Visions Community Awards are for public service, young leader, academic achievement and the Isaiah Thomas award for outstanding contributions to society.

WISE currently has about 300 members who can choose from 70 classes spread over four sessions during the academic year, said WISE Director Paul J. Mahon. Each course consists of five 90-minute classes. "There are no exams, but plenty of discussion. They take the writing very seriously,'' said Jane Gilligan of West Millbury, who has led literature courses.

Offerings for the spring session just getting started include "Approaching James Joyce,'' "Existentialism -- Why Get Up in the Morning?'' "Our Colonial Ancestors,'' and "The Russians Are Coming (Composers, that...