Symposium celebrates life after 55
Article By: Agnes Hina
The University of North Georgia's (91ÁÔÆæ) Institute for Healthy Aging will host its first symposium since 2020 on May 19-20 at 91ÁÔÆæ's Gainesville Campus. This year's Community Healthy Aging Symposium theme is "Dance from the Inside Out … Celebrating Life after 55."
The symposium kicks off with a gala reception from 5-8 p.m. at the Gainesville Campus Student Center, and it will feature a keynote address and honor retiring 91ÁÔÆæ President Bonita Jacobs for her leadership at 91ÁÔÆæ.
"Her vision enabled this relationship to be created and developed between the Wisdom Project and the Institute for Healthy Aging," Dr. Pamela Elfenbein, director of the Institute for Healthy Aging said. "We’re going to make sure she goes off with a small parting gift."
It's an opportunity to bring people together to learn together, to discuss what's important to them and begin to understand one another
Dr. Pamela Elfenbein
director of the Institute for Healthy Aging
The symposium keynote speaker will be Westina Matthews, author of "Dancing from the Inside Out," the book that inspired the conference theme.
Matthews is a retired managing director with broad experience in business development, education, community relations, and philanthropy. At Merrill Lynch, she led an entrepreneurial initiative, facilitating $4 billion in financing and new client assets by linking community relations andAfter living and writing in New York City for more than 30 years, Matthews is now writing along the banks of the Wilmington River in Savannah, Georgia.
"She's wonderful. We've had her speak for us before at our first Personal Enrichment, Action and Knowledge Series (PEAKS) program," Elfenbein said.
On May 20, the symposium will consist of two tracks, one for the community and a continuing education unit track, with a number of inspiring, educational and thought-provoking presentations from 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the Martha T. Nesbitt Academic Building. The presentations are where many will find great significance from the event.
"It's an opportunity to bring people together to learn together, to discuss what's important to them and begin to understand one another," Elfenbein said.
The symposium cost is $45 for Friday only, $50 for Saturday only and $90 for attendance on both days, and no charge for CEUs. Registration is available on .
91ÁÔÆæ helps adults care for aging parents
91ÁÔÆæ and Legacy Link serve as sponsors for the Hall County chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents, a nonprofit started in 2012.
PEAKS events go in person in Blue Ridge
Personal Enrichment, Action, and Knowledge Series (PEAKS) geared toward older adults in Fannin County and the surrounding region will launch an in-person set of events this summer on 91ÁÔÆæ's Blue Ridge Campus.
State funds expansions in Blue Ridge, Cumming
The Fiscal Year 2023 state budget includes more than $24 million to expand 91ÁÔÆæ's facilities to enhance degree offerings on its Blue Ridge and Cumming campuses.