Seniors Achieving Greater Education (SAGE)

Seniors Achieving Greater Education (SAGE) welcomes intellectually curious adults, aged 50 and above, and with a desire to learn in the company of others in a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere, to discover new things about the world and themselves. There are no grades or tests–learning and connecting with others are their own reward.

SAGE began in fall of 1998. We offer courses that vary in length from three to eight weeks. The courses are planned and led on a volunteer basis by our own members and guests. Course formats range from lectures and discussions to field trips and hands-on learning. Course topics include arts, sciences, current events, foreign affairs, and specialty courses. We have two sessions per year, one beginning in October, and the other in mid-March. Classes usually meet for two hours once a week. Excursions to special places and events are planned whenever possible. SAGE is one of 17 senior colleges in the Maine Senior College Network and one of the two senior colleges north of Bangor.

SAGE Fall 2025 courses

SAGE will host Seasons of Sharing: SAGE Meet & Greet on Tuesday, Sept. 9 in the Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room. The program will be from 9:30-11 a.m. with lunch to follow directly after the event. The meet & greet will include the introduction of instructors and a brief overview of their courses, information about special programs coming up this academic year and a sample of Gary Smith’s class – “Theater of the Mind, Old Time Radio Programs.” All are welcome to attend and bring a friend to this free event.

There are two classes that have become “clubs.”  The SAGE Book Club meets once a month by ZOOM and the Mahjongg Club meets every Tuesday at the Sargent Family Community Center.  Other “clubs” are being talked about for the future.

The fall session will run between September and November, with a few exceptions. Courses generally meet once a week for approximately two hours. Course formats range from lectures and discussions to hands-on learning. All SAGE instructors and facilitators are volunteers who have both knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject they are presenting.

For a complete listing of SAGE Fall 2025 courses and a registration form, see links below. For more information, call the SAGE Office at 207-768-9501 and leave a message, or email sageatumpi@outlook.com. Follow SAGE on Facebook at SAGE-UMPI for even more information. Annual membership for SAGE is $25. Courses are $5 or $10 for members, though some hands-on courses and activities have additional fees. Thanks to generous donors, membership scholarships are offered to SAGE courses for members.