A Brief History of LINEC
New England College has been involved in providing educational opportunities for older citizens since the beginning of the Elder- hostel program which had roots at NEC. The College wanted to create an Institute for Learning in Retirement for those adults who live within commuting distance of the College. The Institute would provide non-credit college-level courses.

In the early fall of 1989, an invitation to attend a planning meeting for the new institute was issued by Professor of Economics, Thea Braiterman, and Professor of Education, Marvin Saperson. Jim Verschuren, then the Director of Elderhostel's Office of Support and Development was the Principal speaker.

Two meetings followed in November; eighteen people paid the first membership dues - on good faith! Officers were elected, Marvin Braiterman was the first Chair, committees were formed, and the first statement of policy was drafted.

Classes started in the spring of 1990. And the rest is history, well documented in course brochures, Steering Committee minutes, and at annual meetings. In the fall of 1999, LINEC celebrated a tenth anniversary by honoring the faculty, some of whom have taught a course in each of the ten years. We continue to be inspired by the dedication of those who were there at the beginning and who guided LINEC through its formative years.

LINEC has offered courses in most disciplines: science and technology, philosophy, literature, art and music, social sciences, and mathematics. Members are encouraged to offer suggestions for future courses by completing the reverse side of LINEC's registration form.