January 25, 2001

WKU Adds Courses To Continuing Education Program

Bowling Green, Ky. - Still wrapped in debt from your Christmas spending? Worried about filing your income taxes? Want to make sure whatever money you have left is used wisely?

Continuing Education courses at Western Kentucky University can answer those questions and many more this semester.

Personal enrichment, computer training and professional development courses will be offered from February to May at the WKU South Campus on Nashville Road. And, for the first time, Western is offering a variety of noncredit courses online with more than 100 classes available.

"We're really excited about our courses this semester," said Sharon Woodward, coordinator of Continuing Education programs.

In addition to the regular computer training, motorcycle skills and professional development courses, new courses include wine appreciation, tax tips, hymn playing and personal finance.

"People make New Year's resolutions and start thinking more about money issues," Woodward said. And with tax-filing deadlines looming, "people have taxes on their minds."

The five personal finance-related courses are "Tax Tips Seminar" on March 1; "Debt Free Living" on March 5; "Wills and Living Wills Seminar" on March 29; "Spend Smart" on April 3; and "Estate Planning" on April 17. All begin at 6 p.m.

Woodward expects a good response for "Basic Wine Appreciation." The class will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on April 5, 12 and 19, but is limited to 25 students. The class is open to anyone who wants to learn more about wine varieties and how to select or serve a wine.

"Play Hymns Like a Pro" will be offered from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on April 9. The course will be taught by Bernie Schweickart, who also teaches the "Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People" from 9 a.m. to noon on March 3.

An addition to professional development courses is "Managing Multiple Projects" from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on March 6. Other courses, all taught by Dr. Aaron Hughey, are "Personal Leadership Development" on Feb. 28, "Conflict Resolution/Mediation" on March 28 and "Dealing with Difficult People" on April 4.
Preregistration for all courses is recommended. For information on the classes, call the Continuing Education at (270) 745-1912 or visit the office online at http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/AcadAffairs/ContinuingEd/

If the courses offered at the South Campus don't fit your schedule or interests, check out the online offerings at http://www.ed2go.com/wku

The online courses are taught in six-week periods with two lessons per week, Woodward said.

Western faculty, staff and alumni, adults over 60 and Bowling Green/Warren County Chamber Gold Card members receive a 10 percent discount on Continuing Education courses.

For more information, contact Sharon Woodward at (270) 745-1910.