Published: August 25, 2008 08:34 am      

EKU offers community education courses

Eastern Kentucky University’s Division of Continuing Education and Outreach will offer approximately 150 community education courses this fall semester, including 28 instructor-facilitated online courses through a partnership with Ed2Go.

The classes meet a wide variety of needs and interests among all ages and skill levels. Courses are scheduled in arts and crafts, computers, personal development and recreation and exercise.

Many of the classes meet only once, while others meet over a period of several weeks. Most are conducted in the Perkins Building, located on Kit Carson Drive, where public parking spaces are plentiful. Other classes are conducted elsewhere on campus or in the community.

Pre-registration is urged for all classes. To register, for more information or to obtain a brochure, call 622-1228, or, toll free, 1-877-358-6742 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays, or visit www.ceo.eku.edu/communityeducation to enroll online.

Individuals age 65 or older are entitled to enroll in any Community Education class (other than those offered through Ed2Go) for only a $5 processing fee, thanks to the O’Donnell Scholarship. The scholarship does not, however, cover class supplies, trips or tours.

Computer training courses cover many popular software programs, such as Windows Vista, all the programs contained in Microsoft Office 2007, Adobe Photoshop and Dreamweaver, Introduction to Macintosh, The Basics of Selling on eBay, and more.

Personal growth and development courses include several writing and publication classes taught by: Michael Garrett, Stephen King’s first editor and publisher; and Social Intelligence Skills taught by Dr. Steve Sampson, founder and president of SoTelligence; as well as courses in canine obedience, estate planning, investment basics, Red Cross baby-sitter training and adult CPR, digital photography, and prep courses for the ACT and GRE, among other classes.

Dozens of arts and crafts courses are scheduled. They include dozens of Basketweaving and Bake Shop options, Henna Body Art, Beginning Watercolors, Shaker Box Making, Basics of Jewelry Making, Beginning Wood Carving, Marbled Paper, Fantastic Faux Finishes, Beginning Sewing for Kids, Quilted Jacket, Weaving for Beginners, Rag Rug Weaving, Everyday Pottery, Pottery for Kids, Make Your Own Holiday Cards with Stamping, and many more. Music classes include Guitar, Mountain Dulcimer, and Piano Lessons for Busy People (beginner and intermediate).

Recreation and exercise classes run the gamut of activities, age requirements and skills. They include Exercise for Adults with Chronic Conditions, Karate for All Ages, Beginning and Intermediate Social Dance, Beginning Fencing, Golf Academy, Adult Tennis, Yoga and Body Recall, plus the usual array of children’s and adult swimming lessons.

Also, three courses are being offered for amateur naturalists in the Kentucky Native Plant Society’s certification program: Botanical Drawing, Identifying Poisonous and Edible Plants and Field Geology.

On-line courses offered through Ed2Go include numerous computer classes, Writing Effective Grant Proposals, foreign language classes, and Accounting Fundamentals. To see a complete listing, visit www.ed2go.com/eku.