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Father Louis J. Putz, C.S.CJune 1, 1909 – June 24, 1998
Immigrant-Priest-Teacher-Visionary
Forever Learning Institute is the legacy of Fr. Louis J. Putz, C.S.C. As a Notre Dame professor nearing retirement, in the early 1970’s Fr. Putz became deeply interested in 'third agers.' He saw life as a chain with three links: the age of learning, the age of earning, and the age of returning. He chose to focus on the third age because he saw that seniors were so often overlooked and forgotten by their communities. He also knew they had a great capacity to give back to their community and to one another.
He believed that “service adds years to your life and life to your years” and that “isolation is the greatest malady of older adults.”Establishing A School for Seniors
Fr. Putz’s beliefs lead to his vision of a school for seniors for continued intellectual challenge, physical fitness, spiritual growth, and social connectedness. Thus, on May 24, 1974, he assembled his first advisory group to establish the mission, goals, and structure of the school.Father Putz was successful in attracting numerous well qualified teachers. All teachers would serve without pay, giving their time and knowledge in service to this community. Our first executive director was Sr. Madeleine Adamczyk, Ph.D, who had authored seven textbooks in the 1950's, and had served in education as a teacher, professor, and college dean for decades. She was a member of the White House Council on Aging in 1971.
For our first semester, Fr. Putz hoped for 40 students, but was delighted that 115 enrolled in 22 different classes. While Fr. Putz passed away in 1998, his vision has lived on. Today Forever Learning thrives as the largest senior educational program in Michiana. In the 2025-26 school year we saw record enrollment of over 5,000 class seats, from 2000 students and teachers, in 350 different classes and travel opportunities.
Timeline
- 1974: Forever Learning opened its doors at the novitiate for the Sisters of St. Joseph, 107 South Greenlawn Avenue
- 1979: FLI moved to the former St. Patrick’s Grade School, 308 S. Scott Street
- 2006: FLI moved to Little Flower Parish Center, 54191 Ironwood Road
- 2018: Thanks to our donors FLI establishes an endowment with The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County with $25,000
- 2024: FLI celebrates 50 years of life-long learning
Awards
- Age of Excellence Award - Real Services - 2015, 2021
- Distinguished Community Service Award - South Bend Alumni Association - 2018
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Forever Learning In The Media
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