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Galloway, N.J. – The focus of this year’s Successful Aging Festival was bridging relationships between generations, something that Gina Maguire knew could benefit both 91��Ƶ������վ students and the surrounding community.

Maguire, the coordinator of older adult programs for the 91��Ƶ������վ Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA), said she intentionally welcomed students on campus to participate and offer presentations at the annual festival, held on May 9.

“We don't want to silo older adults. Older adult communities are great for them, but we want them in our community too, and we want our students to know and interact with older adults. So, we bring older adults in, and it's fascinating to see how they bond,” Maguire said.

In addition to a resource and small business fair that was held throughout the Campus Center, participants joined workshops and lectures on health and wellness, explored and photographed the surrounding nature on campus, spent time with therapy puppies-in-training and enjoyed dance performances by Miss Lois & the Silver Dancers and a poetry competition. 

In one presentation titled “Let’s Talk About Cannabis,” Teaching Specialist Angela Speakman of 91��Ƶ������վ’s Hemp & Cannabis Business Management program demystified the cannabis industry and provided information on safe consumption and usage of cannabis products.

Speakman, who founded the cannabis education hub , shared many facts and statistics about the cannabis industry, including the fact that New Jersey’s profit within the industry is already estimated to be around $1 billion.

“That's a billion with a ‘b,’ so when we think about how our individual experiences happen and how many different possibilities there are in consuming or purchasing cannabis products, we have to make informed decisions to have a good experience or achieve the wellness or medical benefit that we seek,” Speakman said.

Both Shelee McIlvaine, of Galloway, and John “Jake” Straughn, of Smithville, were initially skeptical about attending the presentation. 

“She was phenomenal: questions I didn’t even know I had have been answered,” McIlvaine said. “I wish I had come earlier to catch what I may have missed in the beginning.”

“I agree, she was great,” Straughn said before revealing that he’s usually “anti-cannabis.” However, “I feel that I got a balanced viewpoint on all of this. She was dynamic, and this was a wonderful presentation,” he said.

Sapphire Gunnarson, a major from Atlantic City, gained valuable insight into the cannabis industry, saying, “It was really interesting. I enjoyed the topic itself, and learning about older people’s experiences was nice.”  

Another popular presentation focused on the application of artificial intelligence in everyday life. Accompanied by Professor of Duo “Helen” Wei, four students presented on the basics and risks of AI, how AI is utilized in health care and how one can protect their data privacy.

Computer Science major Elijah White, of Galloway, introduced the participants to various AI tools, including heartbeat monitoring and fall-detecting software, both of which are readily available in devices such as Apple Watches. He also introduced them to an app that tracks, diagnoses and treats various symptoms.

“Seeing how much AI has evolved and will keep evolving, I just want to get everyone – younger and older – on the same page because, at the end of the day, we can use AI to benefit ourselves and essentially learn all as one,” White said.

Faith Maynor, a Health Sciences student from Florence, shared similar sentiments, stating that it’s up to younger and more tech-savvy generations to help support older generations in exploring the latest technological advances.

“It might be a little hard, but even if they learn just a little bit about AI, a little bit goes a long way, and it could maybe open them up to more learning,” Maynor said. “This information is so useful, especially since it’s becoming more prevalent in everyday life.” 

Ann Conelli, an older adult from Little Egg Harbor, said she and her peers are a more vulnerable population, which has led her to want to learn more for their sake.

“The thing is, I live in a senior community, and if I can learn, maybe I can help the next person,” Conelli said. “We have to help each other.”

Overall, the festival was successful in helping connect the aging community to resources and information.

“This is the highlight of our year for the Center on Successful Aging,” said the center’s director, Christine Ferri, who expressed her gratitude to Maguire for organizing the event. “She did a great job bringing in different types of topics and organizations for our local community to learn and know about.”

Maguire is already anticipating a future event centered around intergenerational relationships in June 2026. SCOSA will co-host the Mid-Atlantic Intergenerational Conference with Penn State at the Atlantic City Campus. More details will be available next year.

– Story by Loukaia Taylor

– Photos by Susan Allen

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