What is Forever Learning?

Forever Learning Institute has been in existence for over 45 years and provides a unique opportunity to engage seniors by continuing to expand their knowledge and serve their community. Our courses are taught by an all-volunteer faculty and cover topics such as dance, music, foreign languages, history and political science, creative arts, literature, spirituality, health and wellness, technology and computers, and business. 

As our society ages, programs such as ours fill a much-needed void in senior adult life, providing intellectual stimulation, social interaction, spiritual reflection, and physical activities for a largely ignored population.  Education and participation in intellectual pursuits should not end at high school or college, but continue throughout our lives.  Forever Learning offers our aging community members an opportunity to pursue intellectual challenges with other seniors throughout the community.

Forever Learning is currently housed in the Parish Center of St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church.  We lease office space, six classrooms, a full gymnasium and kitchen.

Forever Learning Institute was founded in 1974, under the direction of Fr. Louis Putz, C.S.C., who believed in the importance of challenging educational classes for the older adult population. A retired professor from the University of Notre Dame, Fr. Putz was convinced that a school could succeed making use of volunteer instructors from higher educational institutions in the South Bend area. Today, Forever Learning is continuing to serve seniors and flourish as the most successful senior educational program in the area.

Forever Learning typically conducts two 10-week semester each year.  Our Fall semester begins the first full week following Labor Day. Our Spring semester begins the first full week of March.  In recent years we have held smaller semesters during the collar seasons for students and instructors wishing to continue their studies.

We are very proud to say that we have remained true to our mission and FLI has continued to serve seniors and flourish as the most successful senior educational program in the Michiana area. Our fall 2019 semester was Forever Learning’s largest yet, offering 116 courses and serving over 1,000 students and instructors.

• Location:  54191 Ironwood Road, South Bend, Indiana 46635
• Phone (574) 282-1901
• Office Hours - In Semester 9 am-3 pm; Out-of-Semester 9am - 1 pm; Monday through Friday.
• Volunteer Board of Directors:  A dedicated Board controls and manages the affairs of Forever Learning Institute to ensure its viability and longevity.
• Students:  FLI is open to students 50 years of age and older of  any race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin.  Currently, over 1300 students enroll annually in classes for the sheer joy of learning.
• Volunteer Faculty:  Each member of the faculty gives of his/her time, talents, and energy in order for lifelong learning to take place for our senior community.  The sharing of knowledge, expertise, and wisdom that occurs between the student community and faculty truly is inspiring.
• Curriculum:  Diversified courses are included in the topic areas of arts and creative crafts, business and finance, computer and technology, cooking, dance, geography, health and fitness, history, languages, literature, music, science and nature, special interests/skills, and spirituality and religion.  There are two ten week semesters—one in the fall and one in the summer.  A six week interim session occurs in the winter.
• Scholarships:  FLI offers a limited number of scholarships. They are based on financial or educational need and space availability.
• Tuition:  All classes are $55, unless otherwise noted.