In this first newsletter of the academy, I look back upon not only our first full quarter (July-September), but also upon the academy’s inaugural two preliminary months, namely May and June of this year. I look back more than anything with gratitude towards all those who have made the realization of this life-long dream a success. I am grateful to my team, as well as the scores of participants who have signed up for the various circles and seminars that we are offering. You made this project possible, thank you very much, everyone!
As many of you probably already know, I have been openly talking about launching my own academy or institute for going on two decades. I always believed it needed to be brick and mortar until the experience I garnered with Zoom delivery during the 2020 lockdowns made me realize that virtual delivery was not only up to the task of sharing knowledge in the way I have always yearned to share it, but that it actually offered the real advantage of enabling participants from all over the world to share in the pursuit of continuing adult education in languages and literatures. Thus, among the first participants at the academy are those from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, Russia, India, China, Singapore, and Australia. Just as they come from many corners of the globe, so too they come from all age ranges, from their 20’s into their 80’s. Their interests and careers are as varied as their ages and places of origin: college and graduate students, lawyers and medical doctors, air force commanders and diplomats, orchestra conductors and professors of musicology, entrepreneurs and law enforcement agents, acupuncturists and meditation teachers, research scientists and software developers… They are a most interesting and accomplished group of people, and it has been a privilege and a joy assisting them on their paths in regards to languages and literatures.
Although the academy is off to a good start, there is room and need for growth, and if you are reading this, then I ask you to spread the news and encourage others to explore us. First and foremost, there is room for others to join all of the current offerings. It is our aim to keep both circles and seminars small and intimate, but having a few more people in every offering would allow for more robust discussions. Secondly, I myself could offer a few more time slots during the week, either for other circles as described above, or for other offerings upon suggestion and request. Finally, in the coming year I hope to invite colleagues to join me in offering subjects that I cannot offer myself.
Thank you all again for your ongoing support in helping me realize my dream of revolutionizing lifelong adult education by expanding it beyond the traditional boundaries of the university. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Academy team, consisting of Christopher Stead, Wang Xing Hao, and Sebastian Lasota. Without them, what we are doing would be simply impossible.
With best regards,
Alexander Arguelles
