Jim Biggs is the most well dressed guy in class and he always sits in the last row, at the desk next to the wall.
Students in the American Literature notice because he never hands in any work or takes any quizzes. He carries a picture of his two grandchildren in his wallet.
Biggs is 64.
Since he is a member of the Institute of Retired Professionals here at Fairfield, Biggs is allowed to audit one class a year, this means he gets to be a student who observes the class, without getting credits or receiving grades.
The Institute is open to all retired and semi-retired people over 55. The only requirement for joining is an intellectual curiosity, according to the Fairfield Handbook.
“I am allowed to study things I didn’t get a chance to in college,” Biggs said. “Reading a book when you’re 64 is a lot different than when you were 19.”
He decided to take American Literature (1920-1960) with Dr. Leo O’ Connor, the two met when O’Connor was teaching at the University of Massachusetts.
“We’ve known each other for 30 years, we played tennis together.” O’Connor said. “I am delighted to have him in class, we have interesting discussions afterwards.”
Biggs graduated from Dartmouth in 1962 as a business major.
“I didn’t kill myself in college,” he said.
For a guy who didn’t break his back at Dartmouth, Biggs has done well for himself. He was the president of the People’s Bank in Connecticut and now enjoys traveling and playing tennis. In his youth, he played on the pro U.S. Open Tennis Tour.
“When you retire you get very selfish with your time,” said Biggs. “I spoil myself, and like to take breaks and travel to warmer climates. When you don’t see me in class, I’m probably down South.”
Students at Fairfield have taken notice of these men and women who audit their classes.
“Mr. Biggs is in my English class and I have had a few other classes that other people have audited,” said Will Yost ’06. “I envy that they get to listen to interesting discussions and don’t have to take the tests.”
Biggs has had a long association with Fairfield, and he served on the University Board of Trustees in the 1990’s. He said that he has noticed a very steady and consistent improvement in requirements for admission to the school, compared to the standards in place 25 years ago.
“Students here are smart. They don’t need a lot of advice. Kids mostly want to talk to someone they can trust, and who can be objective,” said Biggs, who is currently volunteering at the Dolan School of Business as a mentor on the Advancement Board to help guide students.
Taking classes now allows Biggs to continue his learning and he is amazed at the things he has learned just sitting in class and listening to the students. He is also impressed by the quality of classroom discussions he has heard.
Philosophy and poetry are two subjects that Biggs would like to know more about.
“I like listening to students. Back when I was in school, women were thinking about marriage and families first,” he said.
As an older person who is among younger students, Biggs would like students to realize that learning doesn’t stop when your career ends:
“Once you stop learning, you start dying. Retirement is just redirecting your energies.”
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