UK enrolled its first class of 26 Donovan Scholars in 1964 in the first-of-its-kind program in the nation to offer free classes to persons age 65 or older. In 1976, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a law allowing Kentucky citizens age 65 or older to take free classes at any state-supported institution of higher education.

A few hundred of the current and past UK Donovan Scholars will gather for a luncheon celebrating the 35^th anniversary of the program Nov. 3 at the Marriott Griffin Gate Hotel on Newtown Pike in Lexington.

To honor the program, Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton and Lexington Mayor Pam Miller have issued proclamations declaring the week of Nov. 14 as Donovan Scholars Week.

Robbins, 92, of Lexington, was one of the first Donovan Scholars. He took classes in the 1960s-1980s in writing, world history and world geography. He also took classes in education, "because I was a teacher and I wanted to see how the teaching field had changed since I taught."

Since taking writing classes, Robbins became a published author in children's textbooks, telling stories from his long and interesting life. The Reader's Digest is considering publishing one of his most recent short stories.

Keeping up with the way their respective fields have changed over the years and to learn entirely new disciplines are reasons several hundred seniors have been lured to the UK program said Arleen Johnson, Donovan Scholars director.

This fall, 99 Donovan Scholars enrolled in academic courses at UK. Forty Donovan Scholars have earned 41 degrees including three doctorates in education, one doctorate in philosophy and eight master's degrees.

The first Donovan Scholar to receive a degree was Amanda Hicks who earned a bachelor of arts degree in education at the age of 68.

Perhaps the best compliment of the program, Johnson said, is that it has been copied in many places around the United States.

In addition to taking courses that offer academic credit, Donovans also have been able to take self-enrichment classes in various areas since 1972. Currently, 600 Donovans are enrolled in these classes that include writing your autobiography, great decisions, art, chorus, computer use, dulcimer, gerofitness, radio drama and tai chi.

Each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, about 100 Donovans gather at the Senior Citizens Center on Nicholasville Road to hear prominent speakers discuss everything from poetry to politics.

The special classes, open to persons age 60 and over, are funded by a gift from Marguerite Simpson, a former Donovan Scholar who wanted to see the program expanded to include self-enrichment, community-based classes.

Shirley Smith, a retired nurse said, she just "couldn't wait" to get to be a Donovan Scholar so she could take dulcimer lessons. She said she was inspired to learn the dulcimer after meeting and hearing Kentucky musician Homer Ledford. She said Ledford made a dulcimer for her from the wooden door of a cabin built in West Virginia by her husband's great, great grandfather.

Smith plays with a quartet that has had such prestigious gigs as a performance at the Governor's 1999 Kentucky Derby Breakfast.

Another Donovan Scholar who will help celebrate the 35^th anniversary is Lexington's A.K. Alley, a long-time retired Greyhound Bus Co. employee. Mr. Alley said he "highly recommends" the Donovan Scholars program to his friends, though at 100, he now thinks the program is "for younger people."