سԹ

Institute for Learning in Retirement

Enriching Minds Since 1992
Fall 2026 Courses
Student walks past Andrews Hall on to the Mall

A place for curiosity: enriching education for lifelong learners 

The Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) is a program that serves people with a love of learning.  At its heart are learning enrichment classes taught by knowledgeable instructors from the College and beyond. Most classes are held on the سԹ campus and many can be taken online via Zoom. 

Classes focus on the joy of learning. There are no tests or required out-of-class assignments. Occasionally, a course is enhanced by day or overnight trips to museums or theaters in nearby cities, or field trips to places of interest.

The Institute offered its first courses in the Spring of 1992.  Over the years, the program has grown and the scope of the courses broadened to include many diverse subjects.  ILR has involved hundreds of individuals over the years, many of whom return time and time again, creating friendships and a learning community.

ILR is managed by officers elected at an Annual Meeting.  There are three terms: fall, winter, and spring. Courses range from hands-on subjects, to art, history, science, culture, religion, and social science.  There is no limit to the number of courses a student may take.  Courses usually run four to eight weeks.

 


Contact

EMAIL
 mariettacollegeilr@gmail.com

FACEBOOK
 


For more information:
M.J. Ebenhack, Director: Email: ebenhack@gmail.com  
Phone: (740) 434-5638

Or

Program Co-Chairs: 
Joy Cowdery  |  Email:  drjoycowdery@gmail.com 
Phone: 740-706-0306
 Nancy Ruth |  Email: nancyruth740@gmail.com
Phone:  740-525-2321

For any problems with registering, contact the webmaster at: tedgoertzel@gmail.com

Courses offered during the fall term:  
September through November

COURSE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

 

  • Cops, Convicts, & Coroners 
  • John and Annie Glenn: A Love Story
  • Making “HERstory”: The Women’s Movement
  • The Art of Collections
  • Wine 201
  • No More Being a Wall Flower: Line Dancing for Everyone
  • Hidden Flights and Secret Missions of the Cold War 
  • A Stitch in Time: The History of Quilting Traditions
  • Ctrl + Alt + Conquer: Taking Control of Your Digital World

 

A brief history by Jeanne Tasse
Thomas Hall at سԹ
Thomas Hall

There must be more to life than twenty years of learning, twenty years of earning and the rest just waiting.   – Anonymous

At سԹ there is more to life, the reason the Institute for Learning in Retirement was established by the Dean of Continuing Education to encourage life-long learning for persons in retirement from every walks of life. Organized by local citizens, the Institute offered its first non-credit courses of cultural interest in the Spring of 1992. Meeting daily for two weeks, "Local History and Architecture" and "Understanding Modern Art, with a Focus on Picasso" attracted the first scholars. Later, to accommodate the enrolled members, the number of weekly classes was gradually reduced to once a week and the length of the session increased to eight weeks.

The scope of the courses broadened to include diverse subjects as the appreciation of the outdoors, river lore, genealogy, forestry, applied art, the world of opera, literature, the art of writing, language, science, the history of art and music, local authors, local artisans and many more. Any interest in a particular subject recommended by a member is investigated and a professional in that field is sought to teach it. The instructors are retired college professors, professionals, or authorities in their respective fields.

From its beginning, the Institute encouraged the study and discussion of pertinent topics. The magazine, THE WORLD AND I provided multiple topics for friendly discussion. These courses were popular and very interesting.

Although the courses are now taught at the College, there was a time, in the early years, when courses were taught at Campus Martius Museum and at the Washington County Library. For many years the painting classes were held in local churches.

On occasion, a course was enhanced by visits to a museum, by attending an opera, or visiting a strip mine or river locks and dams. Day trips or overnight trips to Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh or to Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC have attracted many ILR scholars for a wonderful time. Perhaps the most unusual events to accompany a course were the Roman and Medieval Feasts where the members of the class prepared the victuals from original ancient recipes and enjoyed the meal in historic costumes.

The سԹ Institute for Learning in Retirement is managed by elected officers chosen from local citizens. Since its origin, the سԹ Institute for Learning in Retirement has provided life-long learning to hundreds of individuals many of whom return time and time again, creating friendship and engaging in activities that might never have taken place. All retired persons are welcome to join the Institute for the sheer joy and pleasure of learning something new in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

 

 

ILR ORGANIZATION INFO
ILR OFFICERS

Mary Jeanette (MJ) Ebenhack was elected to serve a second two-year term as ILR Director at the 2026 ILR Annual Meeting.  She had previously served two years as the ILR Recording Secretary.  MJ’s involvement with ILR began in 2012 when she offered a course on the United Nations Year of Sustainable Energy for All. She has since taught other courses. MJ is married to retired سԹ professor Ben Ebenhack, who also teaches ILR courses.  The couple has called Marietta home since 2010.

Joy Cowdery is serving a second term as Co-Program Chair. She is a Professor Emeritus of Diversity Education and Director of TESOL at Muskingum University. Joy has taught Undergraduate and Graduate Education, Communication, and English at سԹ, WVUP, and West Liberty University. Having also taught high school at Warren Local and supervised student teachers in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Philadelphia, and local schools supporting ESL students. She is passionate about education and lifelong learning. She has taken and taught classes in ILR and is excited to be part of the program. Joy is a lifelong resident of Marietta and enjoys traveling the world with her husband, Joe Cowdery, their three sons and six grandchildren and many friends.

Ted Goertzel is the Webmaster, appointed by the ILR Executive Committee. He retired as Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University in 2012 and moved to Barlow where his wife, Linda Lawton, grew up. In addition to his webmaster chores, Ted has taught over a dozen ILR courses covering topics as varied as Latin American Culture, Social Movements, Artificial Intelligence, H.G. Wells, and Conspiracy Theories. 

Kathleen Frazier

Kathleen Frazier, the Recording Secretary, moved to Marietta with her husband and four children in 2004. She began taking classes through ILR in 2013 after their youngest child left for college.  Her education and work experience were focused in the sciences, so she has taken the opportunity that ILR offers to take classes in subjects that are out of her usual comfort zone. That has opened whole new realms of interests for her. Given the large variety of classes offered, she finds ILR is a fabulous way to explore new subjects or delve deeper into known ones in a relaxed, safe and fun environment. 

Jim Williams

Jim Williams serves as ILR’s Public Information Officer, an appointed position. Jim is a retired educator; most of his teaching career was at Warren Local High School, where he taught ELA and French. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University (BA) and Ohio University (MA). Jim has lived most of his adult life in the Marietta area, where he and his wife Lisa continue to reside. He is a relative newcomer to ILR but very much enjoys being a part of the community.

Nancy Ruth

Nancy Ruth grew up in Williamstown, WV and Marietta, OH. She graduated from Muskingum University and went on to earn her Master’s degree from Marygrove University.  Nancy taught high school science at Warren High School for 37 years where she also served as Science Department Chair, School Improvement Coordinator, and Marching Band Assistant. After retirement, she served for 14 years as an Instructional Improvement Consultant for area school districts through the State Support Team, Region 16.  Nancy is grateful for all the experiences she has had with students and especially with her “band kids”. She continually finds ways to keep life interesting, including working with ILR!

Dennis Litwinowicz

Dennis Litwinowicz is serving as the ILR Treasurer.  He is a native of Cleveland, OH, but has spent the last 50 years living and working in east-central Ohio and the Mid-Ohio Valley.  He studied geology and mineralogy at Ohio University and The Ohio State University.  He worked for 15 years as a petroleum geologist before repurposing as an environmental scientist for the next 30 years.  Dennis is a Certified Petroleum Geologist, past president of the Ohio Geological Society, a trustee for the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, and a Licensed Remediation Specialist.  He is a volunteer at Marietta’s Peoples Bank Theater, and has served as an election poll worker for 28 years. Dennis enjoys, traveling regularly to visit his children and their families in Virginia, South Carolina, Colorado, and Ohio.

BYLAWS

MARIETTA COLLEGE INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT

(Revision adopted at Annual Meeting, 5/23/2024)

 

ARTICLE I     NAME

The name of this organization shall be the سԹ Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR).
It is an outreach activity of سԹ.

ARTICLE II     PURPOSE

The purpose of ILR shall be:

  1. to foster the interests of its members in continuing education,
  2. to provide and promote quality programs for its members,
  3. to encourage member participation in study and discussion.

ARTICLE III     MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING RIGHTS

  1. Members are those who have taken or taught at least one ILR course in the last three years or have served on the ILR Board of Directors.
  2. Membership is open to those who are interested in helping to reach the purpose stated above.
  3. Members can participate in the organization by attending classes, programs, and meetings sponsored by ILR and by being part of its governance.
  4. All members are eligible to present and to vote on matters before the organization at the Annual Meeting or at any other business meeting.

ARTICLE IV     ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS

  1. The Executive Board consists of the Director, Program Chair, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer.
  2. The members of the Executive Board shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and shall serve a two-year term, being eligible for a normal limit of two terms. After a two-year interim, they may be elected again.
  3. The Institute shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of the Executive Board plus the following persons appointed by the Executive Board: Public Information Officer, Annual Meeting Organizer and Webmaster.

ARTICLE V     DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

  1. Shall meet at least three times a year to approve the courses to be taught in each ILR session, consider courses for future sessions, and address pertinent issues raised by officers or other members.
  2. Shall nominate candidates for the offices specified in IV.1 and present this list of nominees to members at the Annual Meeting.
  3. Shall fill any vacancies by appointment.
  4. Shall approve the Treasurer's annual operating budget.
  5. Shall appoint ad hoc committees as needed.
  6. Shall name a recipient of the ILR Recognition Award when appropriate.
  7. Shall hold special meetings to address ad hoc issues.
  8. Shall appoint a Public Information Officer,  Annual Meeting Organizer and Webmaster.

ARTICLE VI    DUTIES OF THE ELECTED OFFICERS

  1. The Director:
    1. Shall call to order and preside at all meetings of the Executive Board, plus the Annual and special meetings.
    2. Shall be a liaison to سԹ.
    3. Shall appoint an alternate to preside if s/he is unable to do so.
    4. Shall prepare an annual report, including a review of the year, a preview of upcoming classes, policies adopted, and plans for the future.
    5. Shall supervise the work of the سԹ Administrative Assistant working with ILR, including reserving classrooms for all ILR classes and maintaining up-to-date records of all ILR members.
  2. The Program Chair:
    1. Shall gather a Program Advisory Group to help identify ILR classes and instructors and, in consultation with the Executive Board, create a schedule of courses for the fall, winter, and spring sessions.
    2. Shall prepare, in conjunction with instructors, a set of courses for each session.
    3. Shall communicate to the Director, Administrative Assistant, MC Publications Coordinator, Public Information Officer and Webmaster information about courses and instructors.
    4. Shall suggest to the Executive Board ideas for special programs.
    5. Shall work with the سԹ print shop and mail room to get the course brochure prepared and sent in a timely manner to all members, by mail, email and on the ILR website.
  3. The Recording Secretary:
    1. Shall keep a record of the meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Board and of the Annual and special meetings.
  4. The Treasurer:
    1. Shall work with a representative of the سԹ business office to keep a record of and administer the Institute's finances, receipts, and expenditures.
    2. Shall present a statement of accounts at every Annual Meeting and at other times when requested by the Board of Directors.
    3. Shall prepare with the aid of the Executive Board an operating budget for the fiscal year that begins on May1 and ends April 30 of the following year.

ARTICLE VII     DUTIES OF THE APPOINTED OFFICERS

  1. The Public Information Officer shall be responsible for providing publicity about ILR classes and events to area media and to the ILR Web Master.
  2. The Annual Meeting Organizer shall schedule and arrange catering for the Annual Meeting.
  3. The Web Master:
    1. Shall maintain an up-to-date ILR  page on the MC website.
    2. Manage a Facebook page that includes information about current classes and instructors, pictures and other items of interest to the membership and the public.
    3. Shall assist instructors in using classroom AV equipment and technology such as the Google Drive as needed.

ARTICLE VIII     MEETINGS

  1. The Annual Meeting of the ILR will be held in the month of May. The major purpose of this meeting is to review the past year and plan for the year ahead. Officers are elected at this meeting.
  2. Other meetings of the membership may be called by the Executive Board.
  3. The Executive Board shall meet at least three times annually.

ARTICLE IX     LIABILITIES

This organization is a non-profit organization operated solely for the purposes set forth herein. No member of this organization shall be liable for the debts, liabilities, or other financial obligations of the Institute while exercising his/her function as an officer of this organization.

ARTICLE X     AMENDMENTS

The By-laws of this organization may be altered, amended, changed, or replaced by a new set of By-laws by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the Annual or special meeting called for such a purpose. A special meeting may be called by the Executive Board, or by five members upon written notice to all members at least thirty days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE XI     DISSOLUTION

Upon the dissolution of the سԹ Institute for Learning in Retirement, after paying or making provisions for payment all liabilities of the Institute, the officers shall dispose of all assets by contributing them to the sponsoring institution.