Silver Frogs Celebrates 10 Years of Impacting Community

Silver Frogs started as a sliver of an idea for providing noncredit courses and lectures to lifelong learners. That idea grew into a signature program for TCU as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the program, which has grown exponentially with memberships selling out every semester. 

“In 2014, Extended Education was looking at new ways to engage the community,” recalled Julie Lovett, who leads Silver Frogs, of the program’s genesis. “We’d been getting calls from people who wanted to take noncredit classes but who didn’t want to go at night.”

To determine program interest, the department held a lunch for the targeted demographic: those aged 50 and over of all educational backgrounds and experiences with a love for learning and community. After an enthusiastic reception, an advisory group formed. In spring 2015, Silver Frogs launched with 160 members and 24 classes.

“We purposefully dipped into the program slowly and grew it cautiously,” Lovett noted of the early days. The program far exceeded expectations. “We never imagined how much it would expand. The growth has been impressive, with 80-90 percent retention from semester to semester.”

Today, there are more than 750 members in an average of 200 daytime courses or lectures led by members, faculty and subject matter experts. Most classes are taught on campus, with others at The Stayton and Trinity Terrace, two local senior residential centers. The format includes four-session courses and two-session mini-courses, plus one-time lectures. The program is open to all over 50; participants do not need to be graduates of TCU. 

Other than the Extended Education staff of four, the program is run by volunteers, either serving on the advisory board, editing and writing for newsletters and magazines or organizing special events. 

“The best thing about the program – for me and the staff – is we get to see how committed people are to lifelong learning, and they’ve created their own community and relationships,” Lovett said.

Instructors also volunteer. 

“Everyone has something to share,” she said of those who teach. “If there’s a topic someone is interested in, it takes just one person who knows someone.” A highly anticipated speaker this spring is civil rights advocate Opal Lee.

History tops the list of most popular courses. Others include art, financial management, literature, hobbies, technology and travel. 

During the pandemic, Silver Frogs went virtual, and it was a lifeline for many. Navigating Zoom was a new experience for members, but the online meeting platform continues for some courses and members who are unable to travel. 

In addition to providing a place for learning, Silver Frogs is about community, with nearly two dozen shared interest groups focusing on everything from art to baking to pickleball to wine. Field trips and trips are also part of the experience.

Silver Frogs members pay a per-semester fee. There are a limited number of waitlist spots available for spring, and registration for fall will open in June. For existing members, an anniversary celebration will be held Feb. 12.