March 5, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT
Janna Overstreet §941-359-4296 § [email protected]
Lifelong Learning Academy Wins
WEDU’s “Be More Empowered” Award
The award, which was presented at the 9th annual WEDU Be More Awards ceremony in Tampa on February 20, recognizes Lifelong Learning Academy for its ongoing achievement in providing adult learners in the Sarasota-Manatee region with a comprehensive range of high-level, affordable education programs.
(Sarasota, Florida) Lifelong Learning Academy (LLA) was recognized with WEDU’s “Be More Empowered Award” at the ninth annual WEDU Be More Awards ceremony on February 20 in Tampa. The award recognizes a small nonprofit (with a budget under $500,000) that best demonstrates the truth in the statement that “big things come in small packages.” The WEDU Be More Awards were created by WEDU to raise awareness for area nonprofits and the services they provide to West Central Florida. This nationally recognized initiative introduces new donors, volunteers and those in need of services to worthy local nonprofit organizations.
“We’re deeply honored to receive this recognition,” says Janna Overstreet, executive director of the Lifelong Learning Academy. “It gives us great satisfaction to be recognized for our outstanding courses and faculty.”
Now in its 15th year, the Lifelong Learning Academy offers affordable, university-level classes, workshops and seminars that cover a broad spectrum of topics and are rich in intellectual stimulation and interactive in scope. LLA’s instructors come from the top of their fields and include CEOs of major companies, professional artists, writers and photographers, experts in science and medical research, and educators from renowned universities and colleges. Most classes are held on the campus of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM). Some classes are also offered on Anna Maria Island and at SCF in Lakewood Ranch.
Registration is now open for Lifelong Learning Academy’s Spring 2014 semester, which offers 64 in-depth courses on such diverse topics as, “Human History—The Big Picture,” La Storia: The Italian American Experience,” 19 Ways to Generate Retirement Income,” and “Robert Frosts’ Greatest Hits.” Weekly classes run six to eight weeks, March 10-May 1, 2014. Each class costs $75; registration is open through March 13, 2014. To register or learn more about spring semester courses, visit www.lla-sm.org. For more information or to support the Lifelong Learning Academy, call 941-359-4296.
Lifelong Learning Academy offers four course terms per year on the USFSM campus, at 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-359-4296 or visit www.lla-sm.org.
Captions:
§ Lissette Campos, “Host of Positively Tampa Bay,” with Janna Overstreet, executive director of Lifelong Learning Academy, at WEDU Be More Awards ceremony; photo by Mamarazzi Foto.
§ Lissette Campos, “Host of Positively Tampa Bay,” Janna Overstreet, executive director of Lifelong Learning Academy, Sam Samuelson, board president of Lifelong Learning Academy, and ABC Action News Jack Harris, co-host of AM Tampa Bay on 970 WFLA, at WEDU Be More Awards ceremony; photo by Mamarazzi Foto.
ABOUT WEDU PBS
WEDU is West Central Florida’s leading PBS station and public media company reaching 16 counties through media platforms including on-air programming and online experiences that broaden horizons, transport and transform and open gateways to new ideas and new worlds. Financially supported by the community, the organization offers a wealth of award-winning inspirational, educational and enlightening content over a variety of media platforms including: television programming, station’s website, wedu.org and various social media platforms, monthly member magazine Premiere, educational outreach activities and a myriad of special events. WEDU’s focus on the local community has resulted in the station being regarded as a beacon of trust for men, women and children of every walk of life no matter their age, ethnicity or socio-economic status. WEDU is a treasured community resource; a window to the world for the homebound and a vital educational source for the youngest members of society. WEDU prides itself on its position in the Tampa Bay community as a leader, partner, informed citizen and a member of PBS, the most trusted institution in America (Harris Interactive Trust QuickQuery, January 2013). For more information, program schedules or to support WEDU visit wedu.org; WEDU Public Media on Facebook and Twitter or call 813-254-9338.
