Welcome to Evergreen Forum!
The Evergreen Forum is a peer-led, interactive dynamic learning program which provides rewarding,
day-time classes on diverse subjects led by knowledgeable course leaders.
Evergreen Forum began in 2001 with a humble cohort of forty inquisitive participants across four classes and has since flourished
into a tapestry of more than 500 engaged learners spanning twenty-six diverse courses.
Governed by a participant-elected Steering Committee, the Evergreen Forum invites you to embark on a voyage of knowledge and discovery.
How it Works
The Evergreen Forum is based in Princeton, and courses are available in-person in Princeton as well as online and as hybrid options which include both in-person and online participants. Online and hybrid classes draw participants from across the United States and beyond.
Courses are taught by volunteer leaders selected by the Evergreen Forum’s Steering Committee. These course leaders are from a wide variety of backgrounds, and they teach thought-provoking legal, political, scientific, arts and literary courses.
Most Evergreen Forum courses take place during the spring and fall. The duration of these courses ranges from three to eight weeks.
Spring courses begin in late-February
Fall courses begin in late-September
Summer and Winter “Samplers” in which each class is taught for one week by one person are also available.
Our Brochure
Check out our spring 2025 online printable brochure to find
all of our courses in an easily accessible document.
So, Which Course is Right For Me?
Our advice? Follow your interests when choosing a course. Nonetheless, we understand our variety of course types and formats may impact your decision-making process. To help with your choice, we have defined these terms, offering a roadmap for selecting courses with your unique interests and needs in mind.
Course Types
- Discussion — Discussion-based courses are actively designed to engage participants in meaningful conversation around the course topic. Whether meeting in-person or on Zoom, instructors encourage participant engagement throughout the course.
- Lecture — Lecture-based courses are designed by the instructor as an educational talk or presentation that welcomes questions from participants.
- Lecture/Discussion — Lecture-/Discussion-based courses are, as labeled, a bit of both. Typically, instructors will give a formal presentation and then allow time for a class discussion.
Course Types
- In-Person — These courses are taught and attended in-person at the Center for Modern Aging, Princeton, either at the Suzanne Patterson Building or The Nancy S. Klath Center for Lifelong Learning. Please note that in-person courses are not recorded.
- Virtual — Virtual courses are taught and attended on Zoom. Virtual courses are recorded.
- Hybrid — Hybrid courses are often taught in-person at the Center for Modern Aging, Princeton, but participants will choose whether to register as an in-person or virtual participant. Hybrid courses are recorded.
Special Note: Due to space limitations and administrative needs, participants MUST attend the course as they have registered and are not able to switch back and forth between attending in-person or virtually on Zoom. Exceptions may be made in certain circumstances, like extreme weather.
Registration Information
The Evergreen Forum uses a first-come, first-served registration system. Registration typically starts approximately a month prior to the first week of courses and continues until the semester’s commencement.
Registration opens on Tuesday, January 28 at 9:30 a.m. You can find the registration forms for your courses in two ways:
1. Mailing List
If you’re on our mailing list, you'll receive an email on January 28 at 9:30 a.m. with a list of courses. Each course will include a “Register here” button.
2. Website
Visit our website at cmaprinceton.org. Click the Evergreen Forum banner on the front page to access the course list. Find your desired class and click the “Register here” button.
To complete registration:
1. On the course registration form, select “Register me for this Evergreen Forum Course” button.
2. Fill out your information, choose the number of registrations, and select the registration type for your class. Please note: You can register up to two people per form, provided there are spots available.
Registration Limits:
• On Tuesday January 28, you may register for up to two Evergreen Forum courses.
• Starting on Thursday, January 30 at 9:30 a.m., registration will reopen for additional courses.
Mark your calendars:
Spring 2025 Registration — Opens January 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Cost
Evergreen Forum strives to provide the utmost quality courses in a variety of academic disciplines. To support our program and the Center for Modern Aging, Princeton, we charge fees for our courses.
Six- to Eight-Week Courses—$110
Three- to Five-Week Courses—$85
Scholarship Opportunities
For more information, contact Johanna Peters, director of social services, at jpeters@cmaprinceton.org, or 609.751.9699, ext. 111 to apply.
Your Support Makes a Difference
In addition to your registration, we invite you to make a donation to help ensure that CMAP has the tools to provide the classes, services, and resources you’ve come to love and expect. As a community nonprofit, over 80% of our budget comes through corporate and annual sponsorships, grants and individual donors like you.
ALL PROGRAMS
Start your search.
Finding programs that interest you has never been easier. Search by keyword, category or date.
The Schedule
Our Course Leaders
Many of our course leaders are retired faculty, seasoned educators, or experts in their related fields—all generously contribute their time and expertise. With courses spanning a flexible three- to eight-weeks, our leaders can craft enriching learning experiences related to their passion to a classroom of engaged learners. The best part? No tests or papers to grade!
Leaders typically choose their topics/courses based on experience or interest. They submit course proposals each semester to the curriculum subcommittee and are selected based on the holistic needs of the Evergreen Forum.
Interested in Becoming an
Evergreen Forum Leader?
The Evergreen Forum is always looking for new course leaders. If you have a course idea that you would like to be considered, let the curriculum subcommittee know by sending an email using the link below.
The Steering Committee
The Evergreen Forum is governed by a steering committee composed of active course leaders and participants, elected by participants at an annual meeting. This committee establishes policies for course offerings and selection of instructors and orchestrates both the annual meeting and other participant gatherings. The Evergreen Forum is administered by staff at the Center for Modern Aging Princeton who handle registration, technical support, and publicity.
Evergreen Forum Steering Committee Membership 2024–2025
Philip Carchman
Marna Golub-Smith
Lois Harrod
Harold Heft
Leonie Infantry
Christina Kales
Barbara Kirsh (Vice-Chair)
Sandy Kurinsky (ex-officio)
Ida Lawrence
Shashank Otiv
Jill Sandel
Peter Smith
Barbara Vilkomerson
Jianping Wang
Judith Wooldridge (Chair)
Fred Young
Role of Active Participants
Any active participant in the Evergreen Forum may attend the annual meeting, cast votes for steering committee members and other pertinent matters proposed by the steering committee.
Interested in Joining the Steering Committee?
Prior involvement as a course participant or leader is required to serve on the steering committee. Membership of one of its working committees (curriculum, evaluation, outreach, and volunteers) is open to persons who are not steering committee members. If you are interested in being on the steering committee or in serving on a working committee, please send an email to khendrickson@cmaprinceton.org.
CMAP thanks donors for targeted support of the Evergreen Forum:
The William and Nancy Lifland Evergreen Forum Steering Committee Chair
The Lee V. Harrod Evergreen Forum Literature Series
The Harold and Joan Kuskin Evergreen Forum Performing Arts Series
The Iona and Maurice Harding Evergreen Forum Natural Sciences Series
The Home Instead Evergreen Forum History and Political Science Series
Evergreen Forum Corporate & Sustaining Sponsors
Terms and Definitions
- NSK: Our location at Nancy S. Klath Center for Lifelong Learning at 101 Poor Farm Road, Princeton, NJ.
- SPB: Our location at the Suzanne Patterson Building at 45 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ.
- In-Person: The course will take in-person at our NSK or SPB locations.
- Virtual: The course will take place virtually on Zoom
- Hybrid: The course will be taught in-person at our NSK or SPB locations but participants can register to attend in-person or virtually online.
- Max: the maximum number of people allowed to take a certain course.
