On November 19, 2014

Bethel University returns due to popular demand

Pop-up community universities may spread to other towns

BETHEL — Last March, Bethel University launched and became the first community pop-up university of its kind. Next year it’s coming back – and spreading to other nearby towns.

Bethel University is a community pop-up university. For one month last year, Bethel University offered free “mini-courses” that showcased the diverse talents of residents and businesses and brought people out to meet, build community, discover Bethel’s assets and explore new ideas.

In its first year, anyone in Bethel, Vt., was invited to teach a course on any topic under the sun, and anyone could take courses for free. In total, 21 “professors” offered Bethel University courses ranging from Zumba to vermicomposting, quilt making to BBQ, and 134 people from 12 different towns signed up. To organizers’ surprise, more than half a dozen other towns have asked how they can replicate the idea.

The Bethel Revitalization Initiative (BRI) created Bethel University (BU) as a way to strengthen the community, spread knowledge, forge relationships, and build a new buzz in town. BU far exceeded organizers’ expectations: according to a survey

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Dream Maker Bakers will close Dec. 22

December 11, 2024
By Polly Mikula Megan Wagner, owner of Dream Maker Bakers, announced Saturday Dec. 7, that she will be closing her bakery in Killington.  “With a mix of emotions, I’m announcing that Dream Maker Bakers will be permanently closing on December 22, 2024,” she posted on Facebook. “This is something that I have known I wanted…

Long-time Killington clerk is retiring

December 11, 2024
By Curt Peterson No one will ever call Lucrecia Wonsor a “nine-to-fiver.” The veteran Killington clerk (20 years, 4 months) and treasurer (11 years, 10 months) is known for her dedication to her responsibilities, working long hours and some weekends to successfully manage the official and financial affairs of this resort town of about 1,500…

Meet John Neal: Master of a versatile, enjoyable career

December 11, 2024
By Karen D. Lorentz When someone has worked their entire adult life in as many different ski-industry positions as John Neal, it’s not too surprising to hear him say, “The people and the passion for the sport and lifestyle have given me the opportunity to have a career I enjoy.”  Neal grew up in Ludlow,…

Parents complaints about gender curriculum in kindergarten spark concerns from local advocacy groups about censorship

December 11, 2024
By John Flowers/Addison Independent and Mountain Times staff The leadership of the Rutland Area NAACP raised concern over recent developments in neighboring Addison County related to the actions of two Mary Hogan Elementary School parents/guardians who have challenged gender-related instructional materials to educate kindergarten students at the Middlebury school. According to sources, the complaints relate…