With the recent budget cuts, the state of the Cheshire Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL) program on campus has come into question. The main demographic for the program is retired people and senior citizens, with CALL also being known as Learning in Retirement.
With cuts to funding, it’s unclear if CALL will be able to continue in its current capacity on campus.
Debbie Bowie, a long-time CALL participant, addressed the concerns about the future of CALL.
“Right now, it’s on pause,” Bowie said. “What’s happening with it is that the Citizens for Keene State College is continuing to work with the Keene State administration and we’re advocating for the return of the program.”
Bowie also shared what her experiences have been like with the program.
“The program is wonderful,” Bowie said. “I’ve been in the program for over 15 years. It really adds a connection between Keene State and the community. It provides inter-generational experiences, too. I think it opens our eyes to the needs of younger people. Things that we might not see even amongst our own families.”
Bowie elaborated that she thinks the program has allowed her to understand things that she “might think differently about because of my age” or the way she was raised.
Bowie spoke of one particular experience in which she and other CALL participants were able to teach younger students how to play Bridge, a card game, at the L.P. Young Student Center, which she said she saw as a good bonding moment.
Bowie also reflected on how the program has positively impacted her, singling out an art class she took her first year, which helped her realize her artistic skills, and how she just “needed to learn a different way, to see a different way.”
“Interacting with students on campus has been great,” she said. “Many CALL members attend the programs that are here and interact that way with students. Many give donations.”
Bowie elaborated on how the CALL program benefits the campus.
“Many of us have helped when students are going to polling places,” Bowie added. “People will volunteer to help with that. At one point myself and some other CALL members were part of an integrative thinking and writing class for three semesters. And that was a great experience discussing books.”
Bob Tortolani, a member of the CALL program, spoke about his experience with the college and his classes.
“I think the quality of the teaching is superb,” Tortolani said. “Class participation is excellent. It’s really enjoyable to be with other students. I’m very enthusiastic about the program. You learn a lot.”
Tortolani, who has been with the CALL program for around six to seven years, began taking classes after retiring from his full-time job. He said he is also worried about CALL’s future.
“I’m worried about Keene State being able to continue the program as is,” Tortolani said. “I hope the people involved are able to continue it.”
Teena Lozado, a member of the CALL program who joined in the fall semester of 2025, described her feelings on the program.
“The CALL program for me was truly a life-changing experience,” Lozado said. “If there’s no future for the program, I may not stay in Keene. I only had experience with the fall session, but in one session of the CALL program, I found a reason to set root [in Keene].”
Bowie detailed what she hopes to see happen with the future of the program for the 2026 school year.
“We are waiting to see if we can have a scaled-down spring program,” Bowie said. “If not, we’re working toward a fall program also. But we just don’t have an answer yet.”
Chloe Erno can be contacted at
This article was updated on February 26, 2026, to correct the spelling of Teena Mozado’s name. The Equinox apologizes for this error.
