Letter to the Editor

Mount’s Desmond Campus

By Joan McAdam, Wallkill
Posted 7/16/20

A study in 2019 talked about how nearly 1 out of 3 older Americans now lives alone.  This has resulted in loneliness and isolation and can be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a …

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Letter to the Editor

Mount’s Desmond Campus

Posted

A study in 2019 talked about how nearly 1 out of 3 older Americans now lives alone.  This has resulted in loneliness and isolation and can be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.  The problem is particularly acute among seniors.

The Desmond Campus for Adult Enrichment, part of Mount Saint Mary College, has been a thriving educational environment with 2000+ registrations per year. People were able to take classes in the beautiful home that Alice Curtis Desmond bequeathed to  the Mount.   The diverse offerings, the educational quality of the classes, and the social exposure provided a unique, exciting and fulfilling experience for all who attended classes, took trips, and for those who taught there as well.  No loneliness epidemic there!

The atmosphere at Desmond was fantastic - adults vibrant and engaged and wanting to continue to learn.  Not only were great classes offered with something for everyone but great friendships were formed (even a marriage!) at a time of life when it can be hard to make friends.  Part of the Mount’s mission statement is for lifelong learning and Desmond was the epitome of that.

When Jason Adsit was hired as the new president of the Mount a comment in an article said that what made him stand out among the candidates for the position was that he seemed really concerned about the community and how the Mount interacts with the community.  There was hope among Desmond students that now Adult Enrichment would be appreciated and preserved.  This was not the case and it’s a shame.   Not long ago the decision was made to close this vibrant campus and it will be missed very much and leaves a huge void in this community and the lives of all who attended classes.