This year’s Summer Session drew lifelong learners to the Principia College campus for a remarkable blend of friendship, intellectual stimulation, and spiritual nourishment.
Approximately 20 percent of this year’s students were first-time participants, including Patty Sanchez, who made the journey to Elsah from her home in Mexico. “I first learned about Principia (and Summer Session) through a Zoom-based Christian Science weekly lesson group that I began participating in during the pandemic. To be a part of this year’s program has been wonderful. I’ve made so many new friends this week and hope to return again.”
The sense of community and camaraderie is a defining feature of Summer Session. “Attendees feel buoyed by love—from each other and Principia’s faculty and staff,” remarks Principia Lifelong Learning Director Susie (Sharples) Quitter (US’89, C’93). “Connections made at Summer Session are special. Christian Science is at the heart of our program. The diverse courses, supportive atmosphere, and meaningful conversations foster a deep sense of belonging and inspiration.”
Summer Session offers a refreshing break from daily routines and an opportunity to engage directly with instructors who are among the top in their field. Says one participant: “The classes were outstanding. I would have liked to have taken almost every single one. The broad range of topics—from music and lectures to social justice and physical activities—was wonderful.”
Outstanding classes, an enriching community, inspirational content, and an inviting atmosphere created this unforgettable Principia experience for 150 adult learners from 28 states and three countries. As one participant remarked, “It always feels like coming home."