Family affair: Toronto grandmother to study at UofT with her grandson, a fellow student and daughter, a professor

From left to right, Marion Gommerman stands with her grandson, Sam Griffin, and her daughter, Prof. Jen Gommerman. All three will be at the University of Toronto this semester. (Sasha Nagy/ Handout)

Marion Gommerman isn’t sure where her lifelong love of learning came from, but at 82 years old, she’s leaning into it.

“It’s just a real desire to learn and just keep learning and learning something different, trying something different, and just seeing where it takes me,” Gommerman told CP24.com in an interview.

This fall, Gommerman will be among those heading back to class and hitting the books at the University of Toronto, where she will be studying toward an undergraduate degree she began some 30 years ago at McMaster University.

While she started doing undergraduate course work in her 50s, life got in the way, with family commitments, her husband travelling for work, and splitting time in Florida.

But last year Gommerman’s passion for learning was reignited when she took part in a unique course at UofT.

The Intergenerational Classroom brings together older adults and undergraduate students in a shared classroom for an undergraduate course, ‘Aging and Health,’ which is offered as part of the Public Health Studies program. Half the students are undergrads, while the other half are residents of Christie Gardens, a Toronto retirement community and long-term care home.

According to a release from the school, the course focuses on aging and ageism in postsecondary education, touching on issues such as social isolation, dementia, purpose in later life, and end-of-life care.

“It was great. I really enjoyed it,” Gommerman recalled. “I learned a lot, and found it very interesting and thought about coming back into the program again this year. Some people do that, but I did find I wanted to know more, and the only way I could do that and get right into the real depth of everything was to sign up as a student.”

A family affair

While she said the move is important for her learning, she acknowledged it’s a big step.

Thankfully, she’ll know at least one fellow student on campus; her grandson, Sam Griffin, is also enrolling in undergraduate studies at UofT this semester.

“When I decided to go back, and he was enrolling in first year as well, we had a good laugh about that because we were doing some of the same things as we were registering for courses and everything,” Gommerman said.

“He’s going into a jazz musical program. He’s very talented.”

She said while it’s “sort of funny” that the two will be running into each other on campus, “it’s gonna be really nice to have him there.”

Gommerman will also know at least one of her professors: her daughter, Dr. Jen Gommerman, who will be teaching her immunology class.

“I didn’t know that when I signed up for it,” Gommerman laughed. “I found out after I signed up for it and found out that she would be actually teaching that course.”

She said while Professor Gommerman won’t be giving all the lectures in the course herself, she’s looking forward to having her as a teacher.

Aside from immunology and the Intergenerational Classroom, Gommerman will also be taking courses in psychology and philosophy.

Breaking down barriers

Gommerman’s return to class isn’t just a win for her but for the Intergenerational Classroom. Now in its third year, it aims in part to break down some of the age-associated boundaries that may keep older adults from returning to school.

“The longevity dividend and extended life span has created a generational opportunity,” Dr. Raza Mirza, the course instructor, said in a statement.

“If the classroom can be seen as a microcosm of society, then being intentional about bringing the current older adults and the future older adults together can help not only change perspectives but also shape the context of learning and, subsequently, how we may operate in society.”

Excited to begin her semester, Gommerman also has a word of advice for others who may be contemplating a return to studies but hesitating.

“I would say, just go for it,” she said. “From my perspective, I think I’ve got a short runway. And if there’s something I want to do, I better get busy and start doing it and just stop thinking about it. Just go for it, you know, and just see how much you can enjoy.”