Institute for Retired Professionals

Linda and Pete Scull: Back to School

You'll recognize Linda and Pete Scull when you see them. Linda is the one co-ed on campus who wouldn't be caught dead in a belly shirt; Pete's button down will most definitely be tucked in. Plus, his hair's a bit thinner than the next guy's.

If going to college is a milestone in a kid's life, going back the second time is even better. "You know, when we were in college, the professors were dry and just expected us to give them the facts," says Linda, sociology major at Skidmore in '59. "In our classes here, we've gotten into wonderful, stimulating discussions. We thought at first that the kids might resent us, but they seem to want our opinions and have even asked our advice on occasion." She's quick to admit, though, that some things never change. "Just like in college," Linda says. "I take all the notes and Pete steals them!"

The Sculls were introduced to Fairfield University by way of the soccer team. "Our grandsons play soccer, so we brought them here to watch a game against Colgate, my alma mater," Pete remembers. "We thought the campus was beautiful and the people were just so nice." The two explored the idea of taking a class and were introduced to Elizabeth Hastings, program development assistant at University College. "It was Elizabeth who got us involved in the Institute for Retired Professionals (IRP)," says Pete.

The IRP encourages retired and semi-retired professionals in the area to become part of the Fairfield community. IRP members can audit courses, receive reduced price tickets to Open VISIONS Forum and a discount at the RecPlex, and are invited to participate in monthly symposia. The first class the Sculls took, "Faith after the Holocaust" with Dr. Ellen Umansky, "was so powerful that we were in tears more than once, and we were hooked after that," says Linda. Since then, they've taken Dr. David McFadden's "The West and the World", "Frontier Literature" with Dr. Peter Bayers, and a couple of American art history classes with Dr. Philip Eliasoph. They loved that so much that they signed up for the trip to Italy that Philip and his wife Yael run each spring. And, they say, the Open VISIONS lectures have been so interesting that they've been moved to become sponsors.

Even though they're simply auditing their classes, the Sculls take them very seriously. They always do the readings, and while their friends may be free to travel whenever they want, Pete and Linda schedule their vacations around their school schedule; it just wouldn't be fair to the rest of the class, they say, if they didn't show up. They've been impressed with the students they've met, too, whom they label as "very bright". Pete cites the work ethic of a number of students who are working their way through school, an issue that resonates with him, a scholarship student in his undergrad days.

After a lifetime of working hard (Pete worked for Time Warner for 36 years; Linda was a realtor in Darien) the Sculls had no intention of spending their retirement in Florida. "Our three daughters are here, and we love babysitting, being involved in our grandsons' activities," says Linda, noting that they have seven grandsons. Both spent some time volunteering, but they wanted something more. "Our involvement with Fairfield over the last couple of years has been terrific because it gives us something we can do together. And we're always passing out brochures to our friends to get them to come to the Quick Center, or bringing our grandsons to Stag games." The Sculls have tried to get more of their friends involved with the IRP, but admit it's been a tough sell. "They have too many choices," says Pete. "Several are involved with various boards and charities; others travel or have a winter home. We'd like to get them to travel in their minds rather than on Jet Blue!"

"In some ways, Fairfield University is really a hidden jewel," says Linda. "But we're so glad we've discovered it, because now it's become our university."