Academy of Lifelong Learning
Register for Upcoming Programs
- Learn@Lunch with Sonia Huntzinger (4/16)
- Spring Bird Walks with Dan Small (4/25, 5/23)
- Annual Meeting (5/28)
For over 30 years, the Washington College Academy of Lifelong Learning (WC-ALL) has offered engaging courses and educational programs for learners of all ages. Join our vibrant community and expand your academic horizons!
Our Impact
As a non-profit, WC-ALL has established a tradition of end-of-year donations to support the WC-ALL Scholarship Fund. This scholarship helps Washington College undergraduates each year.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to WC-ALL. Your support funds scholarships and helps grow our programs, enriching the lives of our community.
WC-ALL offers opportunities to enhance your life through classroom learning, public lectures, organized trips, and social interactions with like-minded adults. Participate in any or all activities in various ways.
Membership Benefits
Members: Register for unlimited classes and enjoy discounted rates for luncheons and special
events with a semester or annual membership.
Instructors: Enjoy Member benefits, recognition at the Annual Meeting, and free course registration during your teaching semester.
Volunteers: Contribute to WC-ALL by helping design the curriculum, plan events, support membership, and assist with publicity, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.
Join WC-ALL
Become a part of our community of lifelong learners! Membership provides access to stimulating courses and events in the liberal arts tradition, supporting undergraduate scholarships at Washington College. Membership is available annually or by semester, starting in the fall, with reduced rates for luncheons and special events.
| Individual / Semester | $85.00 |
| Individual / Annual | $115.00 |
| Students, Staff, Faculty of Washington College | No fee |
Propose and Teach Courses
For more information, contact Shane Brill.
WC-ALL is governed by a Council of directors elected by the membership, with directors serving for a three-year term, for a maximum of two consecutive terms. An appointed staff member in the College administration is also a member of the Council. The election of Council members occurs at the Annual Meeting in summer.
Jeff Coomer
Wendy Cronin
Wendy Cronin, PhD, is a retired infectious disease epidemiologist. She was Maryland Department of Health principal investigator for the Maryland collaborative site (MDH with Johns Hopkins University TB Research Center) of a national TB research consortium... Read more...
Ronnie Edelman
Ronnie Edelman originally hailed from New York State, where she attended college and law school. After working for NYC’s Health Services Administration as a health educator and as a trouble shooter for the Education Task Force in the Mayor’s Office during the Lindsay Administration... Read more...
Jeff Ferguson
Jeff Ferguson is a retired business executive whose career spanned work in health care services, manufacturing and higher education. Included in his positions were those of CEO of Marriott Senior Living Services, President of Management and Operations... Read more...
Rich Gillin
Richard Gillin retired from the Washington College faculty in 2019 after a 47-year tenure that included 12 years as Chairman of the English Department and 21 years as Chairman of the Humanities Program. Read more...
Sue Groff
Susan (Sue) Groff, Ed.D. is currently a staff member in the finance department at Washington College (WC). She came to WC with over 30 years of diverse experiences, in higher education, after completing a long career at the University of Delaware (UD). Sue obtained her... Read more...
Charles Lerner
Charles Lerner has been a full time resident of Chestertown since 2011 although he has been connected with and had a house in Chestertown from the time his son and daughter attended Washington College in the mid 2000s. Read more...
Stephanie Pessin
Stephanie Pessin, BA, BS, MPT has recently retired from practicing licensed physical therapy for 25 years, during which she treated patients and taught individuals in group classes in rehab facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics and studios in Baltimore and around the bay area in California. Read more...
Liz Peterson
Elizabeth (Liz) Peterson received a BA in Zoology from Drew University in Madison, NJ. She worked as Zoology Lab Operations Manager for two years at Drew University. She moved to Washington, DC and worked in various and increasingly responsible positions... Read more...
Pat Poole
Pat grew up in a small East Texas town in the ’60s and ’70s. She went to college at Lamar University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. After graduation she went to work for Mobil Oil, which later became ExxonMobil. Read more...
Linda Robbins
Anna Wolgast
Anna Wolgast is an environmental lawyer who served in the U.S. Department of Justice as a Senior Counsel and litigator in the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Environment Division and then as a Deputy Chief in the Environmental Defense Section. Read more...
Raymond Vergne
Meet Our Instructors
Our courses are taught by community volunteers and members of the Washington College faculty with expertise in a variety of areas. We're in the process of adding instructor profiles — check back soon for more!
Spring Course Locations
If you have questions please contact Shane Brill '03 M'11.
Save the Dates
Q: When is Showcase?
A: Showcase is held twice a year, in summer and winter, to introduce instructors and
highlight the upcoming courses.
Q: When do classes begin?
A: Classes typically start in early September and late January, with two 6-week sessions
each semester.
Q: What does membership include?
A: Membership offers unlimited course enrollment for a flat fee (either annual or
by semester). Annual membership runs from fall to May and includes discounts on Learn@Lunches
and day trips.
-
Individual: $85/semester, $115/annual
Q: How many classes can I sign up for?
A: You may take as many classes as you like per semester or session. Please only register
for classes you can fully attend.
Q: Where can I find class locations?
A: The class location schedule is posted on the main webpage. Classes are typically
held in Smith, Goldstein, and Daly Halls, as well as some off-campus locations.
Q: How can I teach a course for WC-ALL?
A: We welcome course proposals from anyone in the community. Proposals are accepted twice a year.
Founded in 1992 by a group of Kent County residents, WC-ALL was inspired by the Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) created by Elderhostel (now Road Scholar). Governed by its members and taught by peers, WC-ALL operates under the academic guidelines of Washington College.
The original format has remained largely unchanged: a governing council, biannual catalogs, a semester-launch Showcase, academically-focused classes, and a Learn-at-Lunch series featuring special events.
Since 2009, the WC-ALL Council has presented the George Award for teaching excellence to one of our instructors.
Award History
2024 - George Hermann
2023 - Bob Miller
2022 - Beverly Hall Smith
2021 - Lucia Rather
2020 - John Christie
2019 - John Ames
2018 - Charlotte Dennett Hawees
2017 - Judie Oberholtzer
2016 - Dick Hawkins
2015 - Bayly Janson-LaPalme
2014 - Jane Hukill
2013 - Daniel Oberholtzer
2012 - Ralph Thornton
2011 - Charles Holstead
2010 - Patricia Molloy
2009 - Richard Lance
Joan Ellenhorn - 1992-1996
Jane Hukill - 1997/98 and 1998/99
Ben Ribaudo - 1999/2000
Ted Chase - 2000/01
Dick Hawkins - 2001/02 and 2002/03
Dick Lance - 2003/04 and 2004/05
Juli Dulmage - 2005/06
Jim Sood - 2006/07 and 2007/08
Ginny Barker - 2008/09 and 2009/10
John Christie - 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13
Bill Low - 2013/14 and 2014/15
Betty Spence - 2015/16 and 2016/17
David White - 2017/18
Jeff Coomer - 2023/24
Sue Urda - 1995-1998
Anne Singer - 1998 - 2011
Susan McRae - 2011 - 2012
Meghan Siudzinski - 2012- 2013
Sue Calloway - 2013 - 2022
Sandy Brown - 2022-2023
Shane Brill - 2023-
Mrs. Lillian Baltzersen
Rev. & Mrs. Henry Breul
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bryan
Ms. Judith Cameron
Mr. & Mrs. William Catherwood
Ms. Ermine Christian
Miss Margaretta Cowenhoven
Mrs. Sybil Curtin
Mrs. Mary Booth Davis
Mr. Richard Davis
Mrs. Jo Doherty
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Draper
Dr. Joan Ellenhorn
Mr. & Mrs. Etore Grassi
Mr. & Mrs. William Gullett
Mrs. Frances Hilleary
Ms. Mariana Hitchner
Rev. & Mrs. Robert Hollett
Ms. Ann W. Hoon
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hukill
Mrs. Clare Ingersoll
Mrs. Maureen Jacoby
Mrs. Frederick Keer
Ms. Harriette Kratzner
Mr. & Mrs. Karl Lemp
Ms. Anne Logan
Ms. Ann H. McLain
Dr. & Mrs. Ralph Meng
Mrs. Patricia Mercer
Mrs. Irma Miller
Mrs. Tibor Nagey
Mrs. Eleanor Peterson
Mrs. Dorothy Plummer
Mr. & Mrs. Ray Reidinger
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Riddle
Mr. Lyell Ritchie
Dr. & Mrs. Peter Rodman
Mrs. Anita Rudnick
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Rush
Ms. Hazel Saunders
Mr. & Mrs. Warren Schlenker
Mr. Thomas Scuderi
Mr. James A. Simpson
Ms. Carolyn Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Don Smith
Mrs. Jean M. Smith
Mr. Joseph Stevens Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Chandler Swallow
Mr. & Mrs. Yasuo Takahashi
Mr. & Mrs. Tony Toriello
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Urda
Mr. Joseph Vaughan
Mrs. Nelson Vaughan
Ms. Martha Werle
Ms. Betty Whiteley
Mr. & Mrs. George Winner
Mr. & Mrs. Gibson Winter
Mrs. Joan Wise
- Katharine Esposito
- Zeynap Okyay
- Andrew Fellows
- Leann Standridge
2019-20
- Mark Stewart
2018-19
- Lori Wysong
- Molly Gorney
- Aubrey Robinson
Election 2024
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A Pollster Examines the State of Democracy in the U.S. with Mark Schulman
Sustainable Landscapes with Mikaela Boley