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Supporting Students

How MSU Denver helps retirees stay young at heart

Through the Meritus Scholars Program, community members over the age of 60 can audit college classes for free.

Richard Strouse

Richard Strouse is part of the Meritus Scholars program that brings community members ages 60 and older to campus to audit classes for free. Photo by Alyson McClaran

Richard Strouse read an article years ago that suggested learning music or a foreign language could help older people keep their brains active and ward off dementia.

So when he retired from his career as a Certified Financial Planner in 2020, he decided to start auditing French courses at Metropolitan State University of Denver through its Meritus Scholars program. He had already tried his hand at learning the guitar.

“If you heard me play, you’d know why I’m taking French,” Strouse said.

He’s among many community members ages 60 and older who audit classes for free on a noncredit basis at MSU Denver. And it turns out that lifelong learning has many health advantages. In addition to preventing the onset of dementia, as Strouse read years ago, taking classes can sharpen focus, spark new neural connections, encourage socialization and improve memory function, according to the Institute on Aging.

“The Meritus Scholars program is part of Pillar III in the University’s 2030 Strategic Plan,” said Sara L. Jackson Shumate, director of the University’s Center for Individualized Learning. “It promotes diversity on campus and provides new opportunities for community engagement.”