AGHE to hold 38th Annual Meeting and Educational Leadership Conference, Feb. 23-26

The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) - the educational branch of The Gerontological Society of America - will hold its 38th Annual Meeting and Educational Leadership Conference from February 23 to 26 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, VA. Media representatives are invited to attend free of charge.

This conference provides a forum for professionals in the field of aging to present their work and share ideas about gerontological and geriatric education and training. The theme for 2012 is "Engaging Aging in Higher Education." Complete meeting details are available at www.aghe.org.

"Re-Engaging Aging in Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities"

Opening Plenary Session: Thursday, Feburary 23, 6:30 p.m.

This symposium focuses on the theme of re-engaging aging within the priorities of institutions of higher education, from the general education and life skills education of community college and undergraduate programs to the masters, doctoral, and post-doctoral level training provided in research universities. Symposium contributors, each representing a particular constituency and a unique vantage point derived from personal experience, will review the challenges and opportunities for strengthening gerontology and geriatrics within higher education.

"Age of Champions"

Film Screening: February 24, 10 a.m.

Join Producer Ali Sargent for a screening of the new documentary "Age of Champions," an inspiring story of a group of athletes - a 100-year-old tennis champion, a 86-year-old pole vaulter, a pair of swimming brothers, and a team of basketball grandmothers -all chasing gold at the National Senior Games. The film captures the triumphant spirit of these seniors who tackle old age with grace, humor, and optimism. Win or lose, they are living proof that it's never too late to become a champion.

"Bridging the Generations: An Important Older Person in My Life"

K-12 Committee Student Writing Contest Award Presentation: February 25, 3:30 p.m.

The AGHE K-12 Committee is sponsoring the annual writing contest for middle school students in the DC area. The theme of the writing contest is "Bridging the Generations: An Important Older Person in My Life." Finalists and their guests will be recognized at this special event.

"The View From the Provost's Office"

Closing Plenary Session: Sunday, February 26, 11 a.m.

Scott Bass, PhD, the provost of American University and founder of the Gerontology PhD Program at the University of Massachusetts Boston, will lead a question-and-answer session to discuss issues pertaining to the relationship between gerontology program development and survival amid university administrative priorities.