College isn’t just for students in their teens and early 20s. Lifelong learning opportunities are available at NPC, and many area people in their 50s, 60s and 70s are enhancing their knowledge and skills in college today. In fact, you’re never too old to learn.
One of those older students is David Peelman, age 62. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 24 years and has considerable military college education. It wasn’t until he relocated to the Show Low area that he fulfilled a wish to study at a civilian college. Peelman is now studying history at NPC. He says it is a great alternative to staying home, watching television and eating sweets.
“I’ve always appreciated learning new information and concepts, enjoyed the collegiate atmosphere and wanted to refresh my memory of things I had previously learned,” Peelman says. “Taking classes at NPC is my effort to forestall cerebral atrophy. It is an outstanding investment in time, effort and knowledge.”
Now a realtor and U.S. Coast Guard-licensed boat captain, Peelman had taken police science, maritime science and criminology classes while serving in the military. More recently, at NPC, he took the U.S. History to 1877 course and he plans to take the U.S. History 1877 Present course in the fall semester.
Asked if he recommends NPC courses for his contemporaries as well as others, this former serviceman responded with a hearty “Roger that.” “Absolutely! Time and knowledge are precious; don’t waste either. Learn and keep on contributing to yourself and others,” he says.
For residents of all ages in the community who are interested in taking classes at NPC, consult the college website to explore the many outstanding course offerings. Seniors (60+) can benefit from a 50 percent discount on the cost of tuition!
– Dennis Durband