FILL at Florham

The Florham Institute for Lifelong Learning program or FILL was established in 1972 by Joseph Tramutola, Jr., now a retired business law professor. FILL’s first name was EPOP (Educational Program for Older Persons). The program originally offered the chance for senior citizens over the age of 65 to enroll in courses alongside traditional undergraduate college students.

Now seniors can audit courses, enroll for credit, or opt for FILL courses, classes taught by lifelong learners for lifelong learners. FILL classes include a mixture of academic and informal topics, covering subjects as far-flung as Irish literature, the brain and behavior, meditation and photography. The FILL-Florham program has also expanded by lowering the age requirement from 65 to 60.

"It’s good for your body and good for your brain to keep active. Stimulating oneself in a University context is a natural fit, in part because the University offers resources for both body and mind. You can take a class on opera appreciation and then go work out in the gym for 45 minutes and then take a meditation class. That’s a full afternoon of therapy and enrichment, right there."
— Bruce Peabody

Fairleigh Institute for Lifelong Learning at Florham

In 2025, the Florham Institute for Lifelong Learning became the Fairleigh Institute for Lifelong Learning at Florham (FILL-Florham) and a new parallel program was also launched at the University’s Teaneck/Hackensack campus to meet the growing need in the communities surrounding FDU’s Metropolitan campus.  

Fundamentally, the FILL-Florham program remains true to its mission and Lifelong Learners continue to attend lectures, art shows, athletics events and plays together on campus. Some have standing lunch dates at the dining hall. “I might not want to go to a play by myself. But because I’m in the program, I can meet friends there,” explains Patricia Moran of Chatham, N.J., BS’63 (M), MBA’72 (T), who first connected with FILL through the Public Affairs Lecture Series, sponsored by FDU and held at the Morris Museum.

Want to join the FILL-Florham Community?

Apply Now

Please save your completed and signed application before sending it as an email attachment to: lifelonglearning@fdu.edu

For more details including the upcoming FILL class schedule, contact Professor Bruce Peabody at 973-443-8729 or visit www.fdu.edu/fill.