Learn about academic subjects, but take no tests at CEC

A frequent speaker for CEC classes is now leading the organization that is launching its new academic year next week.

The Continuing Education Center at Rancho Bernardo is hosting a free champagne reception from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30 at the Remington Club II, 16916 Hierba Drive in Rancho Bernardo. RSVP by Friday with Carol Saunders at 858-618-5520 or csau1@hotmail.com.

During the reception, the non-profit organization’s fall classes will be announced and pianist Bruno Leone will play melodies from the Great American Songbook.

Bill Thayer, who became CEC’s president last month, said he has given several history and aviation talks over the past couple years and was asked to be the organization’s leader for the next two years.

“CEC is a non-profit and non-partisan organization that presents interesting talks for people interested in simulating information,” he said. “From art to history, technology to current affairs, we offer a wide variety of subjects. People walk ... out knowing a few more (things) that they did not know before.”

The college-level lectures — attended primarily by seniors, but open to anyone — come with an additional perk, he said. There are no tests afterwards.

“It’s academic enjoyment rather than academic rigor,” Thayer said.

The classes often feature a professor from a local university or an expert in the subject. They are presented in the Remington Club II’s multi-purpose room from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays from September to May.

The Rancho Bernardo resident for the past 16 years is a retired flight test engineer who worked for Douglas Aircraft, which is now Boeing. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Stanford University, completed additional coursework in engineering at UCLA and earned his masters in aerospace engineering and a masters in business administration from USC.

Thayer said he has written four books and learned about CEC when presenting lectures for the World Affairs Council, which meet in the same venue. CEC’s diversity in subject matter is what drew him to the organization, he said.

“It’s just interesting, stimulating stuff,” he said.

While his background is in aviation, Thayer said he has been interested in history since childhood, calling it his “advocation for 60 years.” For some of his lectures he gets to combine the two fields, such as when talking about aviation pioneers Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart and Howard Hughes. Some of his other talks have included a history of the transcontinental railroad, connection between Thomas Edison and the development of the first computer, the Charge of the Light Brigade and a discussion about caliphates.

Thayer said the organization has around 100 members — they receive a discount on lecture fees — and one of his goals is to increase class attendance and membership. A membership is not required to attend classes.

“CEC is primarily for people who are retired, but it is not limited to retirees. But because of work schedules, that’s who (the classes) usually accommodate,” he said. “We have young people show up when they are interested in a particular subject.”

An annual CEC membership is $30 per person or $50 per family. Each class is $5 for CEC members and $7 for non-members. Remington Club residents get free admission. For details, call 858-487-0464 or go to cecrb.org.