SENIOR UNIVERSITY OF GREATER ATLANTA: A BRIEF HISTORY
Senior University of Greater Atlanta (SUGA) began in 1979 on the Emory Campus and first was known as Emory Senior University. It started with 35 students and a varied curriculum consisting of four classes per quarter on Mondays and Wednesdays. In 1986, Emory’s growth and classroom demands required that Senior University find another home. Mercer University was approached by then-president Robert Brown and others to discuss the need for a new location. Mercer responded positively and came to an agreement with SUGA. Ann Stewart was an outstanding liaison with Mercer during SUGA's time at Mercer. Also the late Don Anderson provided many years as the Coordinator making sure things got done right. Since Don’s passing Bill Beeson now serves as Executive Director. For the next thirty years, Senior University was known as Senior University at Mercer. This educational organization provided 12 courses each quarter for three quarters, Fall, Winter, and Spring. Students or members select two subjects on Wednesday and two on Friday for eight weeks. In the summer quarter SUGA offers four courses on Wednesday with students selecting two courses for the shortened six weeks Summer Quarter. The social aspects have always been an important part of Senior University. On class days volunteers provide coffee and snacks for a 30-minute social time between classes. In addition to meeting new friends who share interest in learning, there are two luncheons. One is a Holiday Luncheon to recognize instructors and course coordinators, and the other is The Spring Fling that recognizes volunteers, board members, and officers. Anyone with a love for travel will find it has been a major part of SUGA's offerings. Two trips are usually offered per year including domestic as well as foreign destinations. In 2015 Mercer’s growth and need for classroom space necessitated a new search for another location. After extensive research by member Beth O’Neill, a new home was found on the campus of Rehoboth Baptist Church on Lawrenceville Highway in Tucker, just outside I-285. The name officially changed back to Senior University of Greater Atlanta, and the organization was incorporated in 2015 as a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. At the new location, and with more than 300 members, classes started September 14, 2016, as SUGA continues to offer classes at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays for the Fall, Winter and Spring Quarters. A shorter Summer Quarter meets only on Wednesdays, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Year-round outstanding, professional, volunteer and self-taught experts serve as instructors. SUGA is still going strong. With Covid the program switched to Zoom only classes. Now with the future looking bright for SUGA members, classes for the Spring 2022 quarter will be held in-person with zoom
classes also. For more information you can visit their website at:
WWW.SU-GA.ORG
