Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Lifelong Learning Institute has released its fall 2016 schedule, which includes luncheon seminars, classes, day and overnight trips, and other activities for LLI members. Geared toward individuals 50 years and older, the group has chapters on the Jackson County Campus in Gautier, Jefferson Davis Campus in Gulfport, Perkinston Campus and George County Center in Lucedale. Members can attend any function on any campus.

From left, Shirley Farmer and Bobbie Lowe, members of the Jackson County Campus LLI, enjoy the Membership Roundup party held on June 24 in the campus cafeteria.

With 350 members across the college’s four-county district, LLI members enjoy getting together for trips to the Georgia mountains and Atlanta, New Orleans, and Natchez. In fall 2016, the group will travel to the races at the New Orleans fairgrounds, visit the New Orleans School of Cooking for lessons, go holiday shopping at Mistletoe Marketplace in Jackson, see the “The Sound of Music” Broadway production in New Orleans, and visit Natchez during the Christmas season. LLI members are also invited to participate in the Travel to Learn trip to New York City in June 2017.

LLI members enjoyed the annual Membership Roundup at the George County Center on June 21. Members were encouraged to wear boots and hats and invite friends as part of the western-themed event.

Jenifer Freridge, coordinator of College Events and Special Programs at MGCCC, said that members get to choose the classes and have input on the trips they would like to take. “We get together at the end of each semester to discuss what they are interested in,” she said. “The most popular classes are fitness and exercise classes, computer classes and smartphone basics. They love to travel, so we discuss which locations they would like to visit. They all want to remain active and are interested in anything that keeps them learning, moving and involved.”

Freridge said that many LLI members participated in the recent trip to Hawaii through MGCCC’s Travel to Learn program. “They are still so excited and enjoyed the trip so much that they are ready to go back,” she said. “I’m sure we will because it was such a great experience.”

Established in 1996 by a group of retirees wanting to continue traveling and learning, LLI offers its members the opportunity to stay involved, get fit and travel. The members also get student rates at athletic and performing arts events on campus, use of the fitness centers, access to the Learning Resource Center, student parking access, and membership in the Alumni Association.

For $50 a year, members may participate in monthly luncheons, classes, eight day trips a year and four overnight trips, along with all the other benefits such as student prices for college events.

For more information or a copy of the LLI fall 2016 schedule, visit the Lifelong Learning Institute or call Jenifer Freridge at (601) 928-6288.