JUNE 2014 - Utah Valley University

UVU ELDER QUEST
AWARDS SEVEN
2014-15 SCHOLARSHIPS!
The Elder Quest Scholarship
Committee
interviewed
12
scholarship nominees on May 5th and
awarded six ½ tuition scholarships
and one full tuition scholarship. Each
of the six students received $2,635
for the academic year 2014-15. The
committee received an anonymous
donation to be spent this year and so
were able to award one full tuition
scholarship for a total of 7
scholarshipped students.
You all need to pat yourselves
on the back. You have helped
changed the lives of seven
people forever. Their children
and the generations that follow
will benefit from your
generosity. You are an answer
to seven students’ prayers!
Since April 11, 2014, Elder Quest has
received 89 donations to the UVU
Elder Quest Scholarship Fund. These
89 donations total $9,345.00
received! If averaged by the number
of donations made, it equals out to a
$105 gift by each person that
donated!
Many EQ members donate throughout
the year. The money received
accumulates and is used at the end of
Continued on page 2
www.uvu.edu/elderquest
JUNE 2014
Note from the President
The existing UVU Elder Quest Board and I are excited
to begin our new year and will be spending a lot of
time this Summer getting ready for some new and
exciting classes and events being planned for you.
I am so thrilled that Fran Reiser accepted the
responsibility of Vice President. We are going to have
a great year.
You can expect the 2014-15 Class Schedule in your mailbox midAugust. Please mark September 10 on your calendar for our first luncheon
with an internationally acclaimed guest speaker that you won’t want to miss
hearing from. Classes will begin on September 15 -- with many familiar
friends and a couple of new teachers and hopefully a lot of new members to
get acquainted with.
Please invite your friends and neighbors to join with us next year -- the more
the merrier. UVU Elder Quest seems to be the best kept secret in Utah
County, so please help us spread the word. If you would be willing to serve
on our new Recruiting Committee, or in any other capacity, or if you know of
a great luncheon speaker or potpourri presenter, please call me at 801-2211448.
Please join us this summer for an informal luncheon at Sizzler on State Street
in Orem the first Monday of June, July and August, at 1:00 p.m. Tell the
cashier you are with our group and she/he will direct you to the conference
room.
We’re not just getting older; we’re also getting better (e.g. smarter, happier
and having lots more fun).
Have a fun and memorable summer.
Sincerely,
Carol Hinckley
SCHOLARSHIPS
\ Continued from page 1
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the year to award the
scholarships unless the donor
requests that it help to grow
Elder Quest’s interest bearing
scholarship endowment account.
The criteria for scholarship
recipients established by Elder
Quest requires that applicants
are non-traditional, full-time
students and have at least a 3.0
cumulative GPA. Preference is
given to those with financial
need. The term “nontraditional” means not recent
high school graduates. Many
are returning parents, full-time
workers, single parents,
minority students, or displaced
workers. Applicants are asked
to include a statement
describing financial need.
This year’s Scholarship
Committee consisted of Dave
Johnson, Suzanne Hammond,
Flora Duncan, Joan Hahn, Jim
Ogren and was supervised by
Terry Ann Harward of UVU.
Don't miss the 2014 October
Luncheon, where you will
hear each student
personally tell their story.
Submitted by Joan Hahn
EQ Scholarship Committee Chair and
Terry Ann Harward
UVU Scholarships
Note from the Past President Dave
Dear Elder Quest friends,
It’s hard to put into a few words how special the past two
years have been for me. As I look back they have
definitely flown by. I suppose that’s how life really is:
when we are so actively engaged in it we don’t have time
to sit down, and be bored. That’s good. The most positive thing about Elder
Quest people is that they are incredibly engaged in living as well as learning. My
hat is off to all of you.
To quote Dickens, I might say this has been “the best of times and the
worst of times” in my life. For the best I can easily point to all the things we have
done together – classes, luncheons, spring seminars, and tours. I look too on the
miracles many of our members have had with surgeries and come back renewed
and busy as ever.
I have the warmest of feelings about the positive effect we have had on
the lives of others by our friendships and especially with our efforts in our Elder
Quest Scholarship Program. You have all been such a great force for good that it
is totally amazing. For the other side of the coin, the worst of times, I think of the
stalwart members who have passed away in the last two years and those who for
declining health reasons are not able to be with us on a regular basis. How we
miss you!
Of a mixed bag was the extended “vacation” which happened to me last
fall. It was the worst of times because I couldn’t be with you, yet it was the best
of times because capable people stepped up and kept the classes, luncheons, and
all running seamlessly. My thanks to all of you who did that. My thanks as well
for all the concern, prayers, visits, and encouragement which you extended to
me. What joy it was to be back with you again for the second semester.
Elder Quest works because of you, the members and because of a
dedicated corps of leaders who volunteer many hours to keep the organization
functioning. My deepest thanks to all the board members for their constancy
and dependability. Carol, Terry Ann, and now Karen are all there working for all
of us. Thanks to all of you.
Thank you for being active, involved members of Elder Quest. Now, get
out there and bring in your friends to join with us. Our word-of-mouth
advertising is the most effective tool we have to build our base.
I am full of excitement for that which is to come!
My Love to you all,
Dave (now the past-president)
In May, 2014, Joan, Carla and Ken, under the direction of Dale and Margene Shumway, took 43 of us on a
week-long marvelous Indian country tour. Leo Platero, a delightful, funny, full-blooded Navajo taught us so much
about Navajo culture and customs all along the way.
We were fed and entertained by Navajo youth and their leaders in Blanding, Utah,
and we toured Fort Bluff and Mesa Verde. After an overnight in Durango, we saw
amazing Goosenecks of the San Juan, Goulding Trading Post, and toured the awe-inspiring
Monument Valley.
Margene
Peter MacDonald (85) shared his experiences as a Navajo Code Talker. We reveled in gorgeous Canyon de
Chelly and were humbled by the tenacious, wonderful Hopi people. The giant hogan/Navajo Museum in Tuba City was
eye-opening (no wonder Indians have a bumper sticker that reads, “Fighting terrorism since 1492”).
Antelope Canyon (a true slot canyon) was jaw-dropping in its beauty and amazing shapes. And the cruise of
Lake Powell was the perfect end to a busy and terrific week of fun, inspiration, education and strengthened
friendships.
Submitted by Jim & Janet Harmon
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All images copyright James L. Wright
STUDIES SHOW
Studies show that the most effective stimulus to learning is the act of learning itself: in plain
terms, the more you learn, the more you want to learn. Learning something new is an exciting
experience. And providing opportunities to learn is one of the main objectives of the Elder Quest
program.
Read carefully the description of fall classes when it comes out; or if you attend the opening
Elder Quest dinner, pay attention to what the teachers say they plan to teach. Then try the classes
out: go to the first one or two classes and see what stimulates your interest. Then commit yourself
to attending the one or two (or more) classes that will stretch your mind.
Elder Quest is always looking for stimulating teachers. If you know of someone who has
taught you something "exciting," let the Elder Quest leaders know. Maybe that person would be
willing to teach a class.
As for what to do this summer, consider writing something, notably the
memorable experiences of your life. Like reading, or attending stimulating classes,
writing also becomes a very self-satisfying experience. Yes, writing is "hard" for
most of us, but it is also very satisfying to have put down on paper (handwritten,
typewritten, or computer composed) some of your thoughts or life experiences.
Write maybe only one or two pages on a vivid memory. If you have an email
address, I can send you a list: "500 Topics for Personal History," plus some hints
on how to write what I call "episodes"—stories or descriptions of memorable experiences. Writing,
like any new skill, becomes easier with practice.
Many of my "elderly" students in the personal history class I taught at BYU sent their weekly
stories to a grandchild (or to grandchildren—or great-grandchildren?). Your young posterity may
become fascinated by how things used to "be" or "be done."
Back to reading: Ask a friend who reads a lot (or an Elder Quest teacher) what they are
excited about reading. That's one of the best ways to locate some good reading.
—Don Norton, Elder Quest teacher
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UVU ELDER QUEST
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION 2014-15
Participant First Name:
Participant Last Name:
Preferred Name:
Address:
City:
Home Phone:
Email:
(for name tag)
State:
Cell:
Zip Code:
Work:
□ I wish to be phoned about upcoming events.
□ I wish to be contacted by email about events and activities.
(optional)
Birthday: mm/dd ___________
□ I wish to receive the newsletter by email.
 Enclosed is the modest $40.00 annual membership dues (cash or check, check preferred).
Please make checks payable to UVU Elder Quest. This payment will cover classes for the academic
year 2014-15 (with the exception of material fees in some classes.)
 Luncheons, dinners, trips, travel and some activities will require additional payments.
 A nametag will be provided which will identify you as a UVU Elder Quest Student. This nametag will also
act as your receipt for your payment of your annual dues.
Emergency Contact Name:
Emergency Contact:
Relationship:
Participant Signature _______________________________________________Date______________
By signing this, I verify that I have read and agree to the RISKS AND HAZARDS: STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND RELEASE
found on reverse side of this page.
Information on this form will be used for direct contact only and will not be shared with any other organization except in connection with
notification of and participation in UVU Elder Quest activities.
Please return this completed form with your $40.00 annual fee
to one of the UVU Elder Quest financial volunteers below.
Email questions to [email protected]
Karen Cloward
Utah Valley University
800 W University Parkway MS 147
Orem, UT 84058
801 863-8490
President Carol Hinckley
1879 N Heather Dr
Orem, UT 84097
801 221-1448
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Vice President Fran Reiser
UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY
ELDER QUEST
RISKS AND HAZARDS: STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND RELEASE
The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees to the following statements:
1.
I (name listed on reverse, herein “participant”) expect and intend to participate in activities with the UVU Elder
Quest organization, sponsored by UVU Elder Quest during the 2014-15 year, following the execution of the Statement
of Understanding and Release.
2.
In consideration of the University’s partnership with UVU Elder Quest, participant hereby states that he/she has
read and fully understands the Risks and Hazards Statement below and releases and discharges the State of Utah,
Utah Valley University, UVU Elder Quest and their officers, agent and employees and volunteers from any and all
claims, damages, losses or injuries arising from any Elder Quest activity or connected therewith, including, but not
limited to, any loss, damage or injury suffered by participant or others, as a result of failure to obey safety regulations or
resulting from the exercise of the activity coordinator or other individuals acting in good faith response to emergencies
and exigencies on UVU Elder Quest activities whether at the University or at any other location.
3.
Participant further agrees and understands that during the activity, he/she specifically agrees to comply with all
reasonable directions and instructions by the instructor or director during the course thereof.
4.
Participant understands and acknowledges that there are specific risks of injury to person and/or property that
are associated with activity, including risks related to travel hazards, terrain, weather, eating and sleeping
arrangements, and other circumstances. Participant understands that UVU does not carry insurance for any
activity or travel for groups or individuals.
5.
Participant understands and acknowledges that Utah Valley University and UVU Elder Quest assume no
liability for personal injuries or property damages to participants or to third parties arising out of a UVU Elder Quest
activity, except to the extent that such a liability is imposed by law. Participant agrees to indemnify and to save
harmless, the State of Utah, the University, Elder Quest and its officers, agents, employees, and volunteers from any
claim or liability arising out of the acts or omissions of the participant during any such activity, subject to any limitations
or restrictions against such indemnification that are imposed by law.
6.
The participant agrees and understands that he/she will be personally responsible for any medical costs
incurred during a UVU Elder Quest activity.
7.
The participant agrees not to use any illegal drugs or alcohol while undertaking any and all activities with Utah
Valley University or UVU Elder Quest.
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UP-COMING Elder Quest SUMMER TRAVEL
July 17-19 will find Elder Questers in Logan for the Logan Opera Festival!
August 25-27 will find us in St. George and Cedar City for the “Southern Utah Extravaganza
2015 TRIPS IN THE MAKING!
Travel Passport is arranging an incredible tour of The Revolutionary War and Early American Sites.
This trip will be in either May or Sept of 2015. The timing will depend upon the second big trip planned for
Elder Quest.
This trip will begin, as all big trips must, at the airport with Boston as our destination where we begin our
study of the Revolutionary War. The North Church (“one if by land and two if by sea”), the harbor were the Tea
Party took place, Lexington and Concord are also on the agenda as is Salem, with the Witch Trials, and
Plymouth Rock.
Valley Forge is a must as is Philadelphia with Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell, and Betsy Ross’s
Home where our first flag was made. We journey on to Washington, D.C. and Mt. Vernon, and then arrive at
Yorktown, VA., where the last battle of the war was fought. Bless the French! Jamestown, the first settlement in
America is five miles away and close by, along with Williamsburg, an historic colonial preserved town. This is
one of my all-time favorite places to tour.
Other surprises await you, so start saving your pennies. Our big announcement will come at our opening
dinner in September.
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Utah Valley University
Elder Quest MS 147
800 West University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058-5999
ELDER QUEST
Elder Quest provides member-driven programs which convey the Utah Valley University’s
mission of providing educational opportunities to all members of our community.
The Elder Quest program offers a wide range of classes for participants at all levels.
Elder Quest respects diversity of thought and encourages the sharing and understanding of various backgrounds and philosophies,
as well as an appreciation for hard-earned knowledge and skills.
Elder Quest showcases innovative activities in current events, literature, humanities, history, arms, and social sciences.
Elder Quest holds monthly current event luncheons, with special guest lecturers.
Elder Quest holds a yearly seminar which host speakers from various cultures and backgrounds.
Elder Quest members donate to grant scholarship funds to Utah Valley University non‐ traditional students.
Elder Quest is an opportunity to broaden intellectual horizons, pursue studies of many kinds, on a peer‐taught basis, associate with
adults who share common interests, and enjoy recreational and social activities in informal settings.