At 82 years old, Alex Braiman is as enthusiastic about his studies at the School for New Learning (SNL) at DePaul University as any 25-year-old. On June 14, Braiman, a semi-retired Skokie resident, will reach one of his life’s central goals when he takes part in SNL’s commencement ceremony at 3 p.m. at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive.

“Alex is an ideal illustration of what it means to be a lifelong learner,” said Susanne Dumbleton, dean of SNL. “SNL is designed to meet the needs of people like Alex who know that growth and improvement though education is an ageless pursuit.”

Attending college had always been Braiman’s aspiration, but after serving in the army and starting a family, his priorities shifted dramatically. “I returned from the service in 1946 and got married,” said Braiman, who has been married for 57 years and is the father of two and the grandfather of six. “Instead of going to college I took a job in sales.”

After working in the grocery industry for several years, Braiman went on to become an expert in the life and health insurance industry. But the thought of earning a college degree remained in the back of his mind. When Braiman decided to seriously pursue his education he considered the SNL program because it is designed specifically for the older students who need a flexible schedule to earn or complete a college degree.

“I’d read a few ads about adult education programs, but then I saw the one from DePaul that would let me go at my own speed,” said Braiman, who last graduated in 1938 from Hyde Park High School in Chicago. “Classes were offered in the evenings and near my home. It had always been my ambition to go to college, so I took the initial course.”

After enrolling in SNL Braiman soon learned that some of the courses he took to become a Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant—both coveted designations in the insurance industry—as well as some things he learned through his life experience, would translate into 45 hours of credit at SNL.

Braiman is part of a growing number of older students who are returning to school to earn degrees. In the fall of 2003, there were 2,400 students aged 24 and older enrolled in SNL programs. SNL, which offers courses on five campuses—the Loop, Naperville, O’Hare (Des Plaines), Oak Forest and at Barat College in Lake Forest—provides a global model for adult education curriculum. The University of Free State in South Africa recently graduated its first class from a program patterned after, and designed with the help of, SNL. SNL courses have also been offered in Hong Kong.

Nationally, students aged 40 and over accounted for 11.9 percent of the total estimated number of students enrolled in degree-granting programs in 2001.

With a mature student population, SNL fosters an environment that allows students to learn from the real life experiences of their fellow students. While Braiman, who will graduate with a 3.92 grade point average, was greatly enriched in classes that examined such things as American presidents, the civil rights movement and Chicago authors he also was a valuable resource to his fellow students as he pursued his degree.

“I’ve lived through World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, recession, the Depression, inflation and epidemics,” said Braiman, who plans to be a volunteer mentor and tutor for students in need after he earns his degree this spring. “I’ve marched for civil rights and seen prosperity and good times in this country. I knew Nelson Algren. These are things that you don’t forget and life experiences that I brought to the classroom and shared with my fellow students.”

Braiman believes that earning his degree is just one more step in his pursuit of lifelong learning. Because of his firm belief that education is the key to longevity, there are no bounds to Braiman’s quest for knowledge. “The day you stop learning is the day you start dying,” he said.

Note to Editors: Reporter’s wising to cover the commencement should call Valerie Phillips at 312/330-3155 (cell).