AGING INSIGHTS

Newsletter of the Center for Gerontology at Concordia University Chicago

From the Director:

In our Fall 2025 issue of Aging Insights we feature our upcoming events and initiatives, partner opportunities, student highlights and academic programs.

Through this newsletter, the Center for Gerontology shares insights into how the growing number of older adults can bring new energy to our communities as we promote age-friendly and age-inclusive programs, concepts and approaches. We align our insights in this issue to our four strategic areas:

1) Academic and experiential education

2) Service-based practice and policy shaping

3) Community engagement and intergenerational connection

4) Applied Gerontology and evaluation

We welcome your partnership in advancing our strategic priories!

-Lisa Peters-Beumer

Register Today to Unmask Ageism with Author Dr. Tracey Gendron!

The Center for Gerontology will celebrate Ageism Awareness Day on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from Noon-1 pm CST with an eye-opening online presentation by Dr. Tracey Gendron. Author of the acclaimed book, Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End it, Tracey will distill decades of research about aging and age discrimination into a thought-provoking and sometimes humorous conversation.

Tracey will reveal commonly accepted myths and misconceptions people of all ages face and offer practical steps to help us challenge ageism in ourselves, our communities, policies, and our cultures. She will draw parallels between ageism and ableism and describe how ageism negatively impacts health, longevity, and happiness.

Dr. Gendron serves as chair of the Commonwealth University Department of Gerontology and the Virginia Center on Aging. She is an internationally recognized gerontologist with over 30 years of experience. She has a master's degree in gerontology and psychology, and a Ph.D. in developmental psychology.

Academic and Experiential Education

Gerontology: A Growing Field Across Disciplines

Physical Therapy: A Career Pathway to Gerontology

Anthony Thomas is a Physical Therapist and PhD Student in CUC’s Gerontology Program. As a Physical Therapist, Anthony began working with increasing numbers of older clients. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 4.16 million adults will turn 65 years of age in 2025.

Anthony, experiencing firsthand a clientele who was growing older, sought to better understand physical changes that occur as people age. He wanted to know how he could contribute to improved longevity and a better quality of life among older adults. Anthony also admits that his interest may be a little selfish as he grows older.

Anthony was first introduced to the term Gerontology by a British Olympic Team physiotherapist, with whom he worked after completing his master’s degree in Exercise Physiology. Prior to this, he had never heard the term Gerontology. As he explored doctoral programs, he looked into CUC’s Gerontology Program and discovered its impressive reputation and flexibility.

"The world's population is aging, and the demand for skilled professionals in aging-related fields is growing!"

-Gerontological Society of America

Does Your Career Need a Boost?

Did you know that 74% of Concordia’s 5,000+ students are grad students seeking to enhance their careers? The broad range of courses available – many of them asynchronous online classes – offer flexibility whether you’re employed, raising a family or caregiving for another person.

The classes meet in 8-week units, offering further opportunity to customize your graduate education. Courses in Gerontology will be offered during the Fall II term, which begins on October 20 and ends on December 11, 2025. Learn More about applying to Concordia and registering for classes. The application deadline for Fall II is October 15, 2025.

Apply Here!

CUC FALL II Graduate Class Offerings

Course Number	Course Title	Start & End Dates
GERO 7000	Gerontological Theory	10/20-12/11
GERO 7800	Demographics & Epidemiology of Aging	10/20-12/11
GERO 7900	Diversity in Aging Societies	10/20-12/11

Service-Based Practices and Policy Shaping

EDUCATORS' CORNER

Preparing Learners & Leaders

to Engage with Older Adults

We are excited to create a new space in this edition of Aging Insights, where we will share teaching resources that educators PK-12 classrooms can use to introduce learners to aging and raise awareness about ageism. We'd love to hear from you about how you are incorporating aging-related content and activities into your schools!

Scan the QR code on the left to access the 2025 Growing Up and Growing Older: Books for Young Readers, prepared by Dr. Sandra L. McGuire, Professor Emeritus, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Community Engagement & Intergenerational Connection

CUC Brings Robotics to the Oak Park Senior Center

Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Computer Science Professor, Victor Govindaswamy, PhD, sponsored a Summer Robotics Bootcamp for learners in grades 3-12. CUC students serve as mentors to support students in building robotics of all kinds such as musical instruments and remote control vehicles.

This year, Professor Govindaswamy, shared the students' robotic creations with participants and staff at the Oak Park Senior Center. Through robotics, Professor Govindaswany strives to to improve communication among students and build bridges across generations.

CUC offers Community Technology Mentoring

On Fridays from 4:30–6:00 PM (CT) starting September 26, Concordia 's Computer Science department will offer a Community Technology Mentoring Clinic. Older community members are warmly invited for help with devices, apps, accounts, and general tech questions!

The Mentoring Clinic generally takes place on CUC's campus in Addison Hall room 150,however throughout the year it will be hosted at the Oak Park Senior Center.
Bring your device (phone/tablet/laptop) and any questions—drop-in help and hands-on learning.
Mentors are CUC Computer Science Undergraduate and Graduate students. High school students and some middle school students also participate.

To stay informed, email Professor Victor Govindaswamy, who will add you to the email list for location updates and reminders.

Bringing Film and Storytelling Together to Enrich Conversations about Aging

The Center for Gerontology partnered with Cross Lutheran Church in Yorkville, IL to host an interactive Film Discussion and Storytelling Workshop. Jim VandenBosch of Terra Nova Films and Annette Mileski of the Center for Life and Learning at Fourth Presbyterian Church, facilitated a lively afternoon session.

Participants from the congregation were invited to view curated film clips and discuss aging and intergenerational stories as represented in the films. This was followed with coaching on elements of story telling, as well as an opportunity to practice using prompts to develop and share their own stories. Email us to learn about this and other opportunities to build relationships and bridge generations in your congregation or community.

Engage Your Body & Mind

During 2023 and 2024, the Center for Gerontology engaged with five community organizations to explore ways to change the convdersation around growing older in partnership with the National Center to Reframe Aging (NCRA), led by the Gerontological Society of America. To further our mutual goal of ending ageism by advancing an equitable and complete story about aging in America, the Center sponsored a competitive grant project to assist organizations in influencing policies and programs that benefit all of us as we age. Check out what these grantees are doing in 2025.

Holistic Health & Wellness

Women Over 70-Aging Reimagined is hosting its 2nd symposium on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Plymouth Place, La Grange Park. Expect a day of informative sessions and meaningful connections centered on the theme Holistic Perspectives on Health and Wellbeing.

Women of all ages who care about aging with dignity and vitality should attend. The keynote speaker, Judy Collins, folk legend singer-songwriter, poet, and social activist, will be in person. Tickets available now @ WomenOver70.com.

Tech Empowerment Series

Forest Park Public Library is sponsoring a Tech Empowerment series for older adults on two upcoming Wednesdays from 1-2:30 pm. On September 17, take an Armchair Adventure: Exploring the World with Your Device. On October 8, you can explore AI and Us: Ethical Choices and Everyday Actions.

The series is held at the Forest Park Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park. The programs are free and can be experienced as a series or a single program. For more information, contact Skye Lavin, Adult Services Manager (708) 689-6120 or slavin@fppl.org.

Learning & Giving Opportunities

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association offers learning and giving opportunities for older adults from diverse cultures, faiths, and abilities. Open to the public, programs are held on Mondays at 1:15 p.m., 178 Forest Ave, Oak Park. There is no charge, but a freewill donation of $15 is appreciated.

The 2025-26 season opens Monday, October 6, with a performance of traditional Japanese dance and music by Mikoren. Tai chi classes, art and reading groups, Mahjong, and crafts are also offered to engage mind, body, and spirit. For information, call 708-386-2729 or visit www.nineteenthcentury.org.

Doing Life While Learning

The Center for Life and Learning @ the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago welcomes people 60+ who seek a place to explore new interests, pursue well-being, and continue to shape their lives and communities.

Registration is open for the Autumn 2025 Session which includes over 20 weekly classes including tap, ballet, and Nia; French, art history, current events and Supreme Court decisions. Classes are held online and at 126 East Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL. Find out more: fourthchurch.org/CLL or call Annette Mileski, 312-981-3386.

Symposium to Ignite Creative Potential

Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, workshop leader for one of the Center’s 2024 Celebrating Seniors programs and director of the Ohio-based Center for Abundant Aging invites the Center’s readers to participate in their annual (hybrid) symposium on October 31 to explore opportunities for creativity as we age.

Applied Gerontology

Learning and Sharing on the National Level

The Center for Gerontology values learning from and partnering with academic, service provider and advocacy colleagues from across the U.S. and beyond through our membership and participation in the Gerontological Society of America (Annual Scientific Meeting, Nov. 12 - 15 in Boston, MA) and the American Society on Aging (On Aging national conference, April 20-23, 2026 in Atlanta, GA). Email us to learn more!

Celebrate Ageism Awareness Day on October 9th!

Ageism Awareness Day is an opportunity raise awareness about ageism and the negative impact of ageism in our society. It creates an opportunity to come together to build age-inclusive communities. Together, on Ageism Awareness Day, we can both address ageism and develop ways to promote positive aging.

Please contact us to share your plans for celebrating Ageism Awareness Day! Ageism Awareness day tools and resources can be found on the American Society on Aging Website.

"Ageism refers to stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) toward others or ourselves based on age. It negatively impacts our health and well-being, our financial security, and the economy. It impacts us at every age. The good news is that we can do something about it together on Ageism Awareness Day. "

- American Society on Aging

Stay Tuned...

Save the date for the Center’s next Distinguished Speaker Series event on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. You’ll hear from Mary Price Dunn, founder of The Legacy Workshop. A distinguished retreat leader in the non-profit sector, she will introduce you to the practice of guided reflection to weave your spiritual legacy.

Mary began to pioneer programs to engage people in courageous and hopeful change while serving as CEO of a charitable foundation in New Mexico. Now based in Arizona, the Center is excited to announce that she will offer her first Midwest retreat June 13-14, 2026 at the Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI.

CUC Center for Gerontology Team

The Center for Gerontology is generously supported by the

Russell & Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust

To learn more about what you can do to draw attention to the existence and impact of ageism in your community and reframe the conversation to eliminate ageism, visit the American Society on Aging website.