Greetings! My name is Mike Bice and I serve as the President of the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College, or as we are more commonly known, ASPEC.

In my judgment, aging well means aging in a community of like minded individuals who are committed to the letter and spirit of life long learning. ASPEC is one such community. The Academy is entering its 26th year of service.  This is remarkable in and of itself, but you need to probe further to appreciate the Academy’s hold on its members. Four activities energize and sustain us. The first is intergenerational learning. We interact with Eckerd College students on a daily basis as teachers, mentors, role models, and allies. The second is intellectual capital. Over 45 interest groups, ranging from philosophy to visual arts, meet weekly to promote and deepen such interests. We were engaged in brain fitness exercises long before it became fashionable to do so. The third is civic engagement. We contribute our time, resources, and talents to a wide range of community agencies. For us,  “Giving back” is no mere slogan.  The fourth is social capital. ASPEC is a support system, a community of friends, and for many, a family.

I am delighted that you have taken the time to learn more about us. Please visit Lewis House, our home on the Eckerd College campus, when you are in the Tampa Bay area. Our main number is 727 864 8834. And, you can reach me by email at any time at bicemo@eckerd.edu.

All the best,

Mike