History

OUR FOUNDER 
 Father Louis J. Putz, C.S.C

June 1, 1909 – June 24, 1998

Immigrant-Priest-Teacher-Visionary

Forever Learning Institute is the legacy of Fr. Louis J. Putz, C.S.C. As a Notre Dame professor nearing retirement, in the early 1970’s Fr. Putz became deeply interested in 'third agers.' He saw life as a chain with three links: the age of learning, the age of earning, and the age of returning. He chose to focus on the third age because he saw that in this time of life seniors were so often overlooked and forgotten by their communities. He also knew they had a great capacity to give back to their community and one another.  

He believed that “service adds years to your life and life to your years” and that “isolation is the greatest malady of older adults.” 

A School for Seniors

Fr. Putz’s beliefs lead to his vision of a school for seniors where students could come together for the pure joy of learning, interaction, and their own ongoing personal development. Thus, on May 24, 1974, he assembled his first advisory group to flesh out the mission, goals, and structure of the school.

Father Putz was successful in attracting numerous well qualified teachers, dedicated to the mission, and all who would serve without pay. Our first executive director was Sr. Madeleine Adamczyk, Ph.D, who had authored seven textbooks in the 1950's, and had served in education as a teacher, professor, and college dean for decades. She was a member of the White House Council on Aging in 1971. 

For our first semester, Fr. Putz hoped for 40 students, but was delighted that 115 enrolled in 22 different classes. While Fr. Putz passed away in 1998, his vision has lived on. Today Forever Learning thrives as the largest adult educational program in Michiana. We offer over 200 classes annually and continue to improve the lives of thousands each year.  

• 1974:  Forever Learning opened its doors at the novitiate for the Sisters of St. Joseph, 107 South Greenlawn Avenue

• 1979:  FLI moved to the former St. Patrick’s Grade School, 308 S. Scott Street 

• 2006:  FLI moved to Little Flower Parish Center, 54191 Ironwood Road

• 2024:  FLI celebrates 50 years of life-long learning