Burnt Store Church

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 by Continuing Education

RENAISSANCE ACADEMY COMES TO CHARLOTTE COUNTY

FGCU, Burnt Store church partner to offer courses in Charlotte County

PUNTA GORDA -- Florida Gulf Coast University's Renaissance Academy in Charlotte County will partner with Burnt Store Presbyterian Church to expand its program in the area.

Plans are for classes to begin in February at the church's location at 11330 Burnt Store Road in Punta Gorda. Under an agreement reached this month, FGCU will use the church facilities to bring a variety of courses and events for adults, seniors and retirees, significantly expanding its programs in Charlotte County.

"FGCU is poised to meet the growing educational needs of Charlotte County," said Steven Bloomberg, executive director of Continuing Education. "Our new partnership with the (church) offers the opportunity to reach out with our Renaissance Academy and provide much needed access to a premier lifelong learning program. We are excited about this partnership and its potential for the future."
The FGCU Renaissance Academy has based its programs on the premise that learning should never cease, and that keeping the mind intellectually, creatively and culturally active fundamentally enriches and invigorates lives, according to Bloomberg. In addition to Charlotte County, the Renaissance Academy offers programs in Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples and Marco Island. Single lectures, short courses, day trips, computer classes, film series, life enrichment and travel abroad are some of programs presented by the academy.
Burnt Store Presbyterian Church has offered community education classes since 1999 under the banner of "MindWorks," which will continue, according to church officials.

A complete listing of Renaissance Academy programs is now being planned, including courses on George Gershwin, Vincent van Gogh, Thinking Creatively, Toulouse-Lautrec, U.S. Espionage, History of Pirates in Southwest Florida and Analysis of the 2008 Presidential Election.

A free catalog of courses may be obtained by calling 941-505-7414.

George Scheer is the chairman of Burnt Store Presbyterian Church's MindWorks committee.
Provided by GEORGE SCHEER

[Return to Listing]