By Melanie Wiseman

At 69, Patrick G. Metoyer said he has “always been a believer in lifelong learning. The Golden Scholars Program at Colorado Mesa University makes it easy to continue on that path.”

In that spirit, Metoyer was inspired to be a student at CMU through the Golden Scholars program. He has already taken advantage of two Documentary Photography classes and is looking forward to Music Technology.

“If you have the time, the price is right” Metoyer said.

The Golden Scholar program allows persons 60 years of age or older to enroll in CMU courses for no credit at only $25 per credit hour. Course fees such as art supplies sometimes apply.

CMU Registrar Holly Teal said 34 Golden Scholars enrolled in the program during the fall semester, which is a record high. More are always welcome. The program allows people to enjoy high quality learning without the stress of getting grades. Participants can choose from any classes offered at the university including languages, arts, science, computer technology, history and more. The number of reasons people take the classes are as great as the variety of class options. Keeping up with modern technology, learning a language to prepare for travel, developing a talent there wasn’t time for before are only a few.

Golden Scholars are given the same benefits as degree-seeking students. They receive a MAVcard and student ID number, which allows them to access library services, and athletic and cultural events at student rates. Degree-seeking students have first dibs on classes. Golden Scholars are able to sign up the week before the semester begins. Classes for the spring semester at CMU begin on January 17. Golden Scholars can register beginning January 10.

Having a degree in education, Metoyer enjoyed teaching for 16 years. He moved to Grand Junction in 1985 to develop and expand his interests in visual arts, writing and performance. Life threw him a curve ball 17 years ago when he woke up and couldn’t move. When he got sick, he thought his life was over and was reconciled with that. He spent the next 12 years getting well and asked himself, “What am I going to do to show gratitude for being given a second chance?”

Developing talents in the arts has given Metoyer a sense of purpose and fulfillment, keeps him moving, and lets him give enjoyment to others, which is rewarding.

“I live for the good days,” Metoyer said.

Good days for Metoyer include exploring his talents through the CMU Golden Scholar program. During his documentary photography class he had in the fall, he took 6,000 photos. He does all the assignments because he believes the assignments are part of learning. Metoyer believes “the more you invest the more you gain.” He is pleased to display the culmination of his recent class at Planet Wines downtown during the month of January.

Golden Scholars enjoy the university atmosphere where everyone around you is learning. It makes you feel young, keeps your mind active and teachers appreciate the maturity it brings to their classrooms. Young and old students can learn from each other’s experiences, creating a positive experience for everyone.

If you would like to take advantage of the Golden Scholar program, contact the CMU Registrar’s Office at 248-1555 or visit www.coloradomesa.edu.

See Metoyer’s work on display

Throughout January, Metoyer will exhibit 28 Watson Island Complex images that he produced while in Stevan Maxwell’s documentary photography class at Colorado Mesa University. Planet Wines, located at 420 Main St., will host a wine tasting and public reception for Metoyer from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. on Friday, January 6.

The lower-downtown Watson Island Complex north of the Colorado River is the subject of Metoyer’s yearlong project. His photographs feature a landscape in transition as efforts continue to eradicate nonnative species and reintroduce native plants to the areas bordering the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. Included among the images are photographs of a homeless site abandoned before crews clear-cut invasive species down to the Colorado River.

Metoyer pledged 20 percent of January sales of his photographs at Planet Wines to be divided between Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley and the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. Metoyer said that the discovery of the Watson Island homeless site was the motivation for his pledge.

“That site seemed to have been abandoned by a mother with one or more small children,” Metoyer said. “Their personal effects were loaded in two shopping carts and strewn around the riverbank just east of the island’s hiking path. Along with children’s books and a Tinkerbell comforter, there were bags of pet food, a library card, a house key, and much more. I expect that viewers of my images will share my emotional experience and wonder what became of this family.”

For more information, contact Metoyer at 720-272-7394.