After moving to Tellico Village 17 years ago, Cindy Solomon applied to Tusculum College, where they asked her to teach statistics before she developed a Master of Arts in education degree program for the school.
“I said to myself it would be one year, but I taught there for 10 years,” Solomon said. “I really enjoyed sharing what I know in my career with other people.”
Solomon knew she wanted to do something different, so she retired in 2013 before starting Tellico Village University.
“It moved fairly quickly,” Solomon said. “I didn’t care how big it was. I just wanted a nice little program. It’s twice as active as I thought it would be. We’re doing 20 courses in the spring and the fall. ... Right now, we have 16 people who do various things, so no one is really burdened. It has to be very flexible and fluid.”
Jean Harvey volunteers as a class coordinator.
“I got in on the ground floor with her and her organization,” Harvey said. “I liked the idea of learning more. I had the time. I do have a classroom background, so I know how to handle a group. It just seemed extremely interesting to me.”
Coordinators tell Solomon what classes they’re interested in working before she assigns a semester schedule.
“Now I usually go to most of them because I’m interested in the topic,” Harvey said. “I’m only working a few of those officially in contacting the speaker ahead of time and making sure the room has what we need as far as microphones. ... We get a little background on the speaker, so we can know who this person is. It’s classroom management is what it basically comes down to. Making sure you have all the materials you need. That’s basically what all the coordinators do to make sure you have a smooth, running class.”
The marketing department promotes TVU as one of the amenities offered through Tellico Village, Solomon said.
“We have so many people who live in the Village who know so many things,” she said. “Many have volunteered.”
Solomon wants to make TVU diverse, convenient and affordable by offering a variety of classes, such as calligraphy, history, literature, origami and various others.
“Convenient means it’s here,” she said. “You can’t get any more affordable than up to $5 for a two-hour class.”
In December 2016, TVU had its 1,000th attendee.
“Well, as more people become aware of it and attend some of the classes, they get a feel for what continued learning is all about,” Harvey said. “Of course, there’s no homework. As far as growth, there has been growth. I have not been particularly surprised.”
Solomon agreed.
“I’m not surprised at how well-received it was,” she said. “I’m surprised at how quickly everything came together. We started talking about it in 2014, and were offering classes during 2015.”
While coordinators run the spring classes, Solomon coordinates the fall semester, which gets posted online in advance.
“There are very few things we won’t cover like the teachings of particular religions or health topics that are not proven,” she said. “We have a Living with Diabetes class, which is taught by certified diabetes instructors.”
Solomon requires teachers have a background in their subject area, with either a degree or certification.
On June 12, the Edward Jones-sponsored lecture will feature Freeman Owle’s “The Cherokee of Yesterday and Today: Religion, Villages, History and Social Structure.”
Solomon invites attendees living in and outside Tellico Village to enjoy the presentation.
