College for Mount Vernon seniors - Westfair Communications

From left: David J. Gentner, Wartburg resident Joan Parks, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas and Rev. Dr. John A. Nunes.

Concordia College New York and Wartburg, the senior care center in Mount Vernon, recently announced a new partnership to give Mount Vernon senior citizens over age 65 the opportunity to earn a college degree without charge.

David J. Gentner, president and CEO of Wartburg, along with Rev. Dr. John A. Nunes, the president of Concordia College and Mayor Richard Thomas of Mount Vernon spoke about the impact and opportunities this program will provide.

Called SeniorU, the program will give adults in Mount Vernon the chance to earn a two- or four-year college degree in interdisciplinary studies. Classes begin in January.

Gentner said, “As a senior service provider, Wartburg is thrilled to be a part of SeniorU. The program is truly unique yet also replicable and I am hopeful that my colleagues across the country will look for similar partnership opportunities.”

Joan Parks, a Wartburg resident who already signed up, said, “I didn”™t have a chance to go to college because I didn”™t have time and was raising children. I am thankful I now have a second chance and truly appreciate the opportunity.”

Thomas said the program will help make seniors competitive in the job market.

Nunes said, “Learning doesn”™t stop at a predetermined age; it never stops. We look forward to bringing all the worlds of Concordia to our SeniorU students and experiencing the new worlds that they will bring to us.”