BGR 6/16/15: Dr. Jacki Browne, Online Masters in Gerontology; 30 Lessons for Loving from Dr. Karl Pillemer

About the guests

Jacquelyn Browne is Program Professor of Gerontology Initiatives at Nova Southeastern University’s Abraham S. Fischler School of Education in South Florida, where she developed and teaches an 18 credit minor in Humanistic Gerontology. Dr. Browne is a recipient of several grants oriented toward exploring the experience and potential of older adults. In addition, Dr. Browne maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Dr. Jacquelyn Browne holds a B.A. degree from Barnard College, New York City, a Masters degree in English and a Masters degree in Social Work from New York University, and a Ph.D. from The Union Institute and University.

Karl Pillemer, Ph.D., is one of America’s leading family sociologists and researchers on aging. Ten years ago, he realized that he had spent most of his career focusing on the problems of older people – and treating older people as problems. He explains: “I had been studying issues like disability, chronic pain, and dementia. It suddenly hit me that I needed to focus on older people as critically important sources of wisdom and insight. So I went on a decade-long quest to find out what older people know about living happier and more fulfilling lives that the rest of us don’t, and to share their advice with younger people.”

Dr. Pillemer created the Cornell Legacy Project, which is devoted to surveying thousands of older Americans about their lessons for living. His first book, 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans, struck a chord with readers, who loved the sage advice and great stories from extraordinary older Americans who shared what they wish they had known when they were starting out. His second book focuses on the most talked-about parts of 30 Lessons for Living—love and marriage. 30 LESSONS FOR LOVING: Advice from the Wisest Americans on Love, Relationships, and Marriage, was published by Hudson Street Press/Penguin in January 2015.

Dr. Pillemer is Professor of Human Development at Cornell University and Professor of Gerontology in Medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical College. He is also the founder and Director of the Cornell Institute for Translational Research on Aging, a center that conducts research and develops programs to improve the quality of life for older people. Dr. Pillemer has authored more than 100 scientific publications, is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, and has served in leadership roles in a number of scientific organizations. He is a recipient of the Gerontological Society’s Lawton Award, a distinguished honor that recognizes a significant contribution in gerontology that has led to innovations that improve the lives of older persons.