"Longmont
Free University is inexpensive, non-credit, and fun.""
Thursday / November 20, 2008
Once every five years, partners at the Rocky Mountain law
firm of Holland & Hart take a three-month sabbatical.
Some whisk their spouse off to Italy, others have taken their
family to a Wyoming dude ranch, and a few use the time to
do nothing at home.
Not for Jude
Biggs, however. In 2004 the partner in Holland & Hart's
Boulder office started a university in Longmont, Colorado
with her husband, Dennis DuBe. Biggs, who is currently back
from sabbatical and serves as Boulder's Managing Partner,
converted her three-month sabbatical to a six-month part-time
status. She used her 'free time' to launch the Longmont Free
University.
"LFU (www.longmontfreeu.com) is inexpensive, non-credit,
and fun." said Ms. Biggs, "We published four catalogs
of courses, which are geared to adults, although there are
some children programs as well. People who want to teach
have a place to teach. People who want to learn have a place
to learn. It has turned into a very nice community center
and it is helping revitalize downtown Longmont."
Biggs
and DuBe bought an abandoned building in the historic district
of downtown Longmont. They spent their own money
to renovate 505 Main Street, Longmont, creating new dance
and art studios, classrooms, and community meeting rooms.
Classes have become so popular that they are also being held
in neighboring churches, schools and the Chamber of Commerce.
Classes range from astronomy to sculpture. Since October
2004, more than 2,400 students have signed up for classes
through the community university. Classes are not free, but
rather inexpensive, usually in the $30 to $100 range, depending
on length, supplies and curriculum.
In addition to classes, LFU hosts fundraisers and events
for local non-profit organizations as well as a gallery for
local artists.
Jude Biggs, an employment lawyer with Holland & Hart,
was assisted by Chris Gunlikson and others in the Boulder
office to handle a variety of legal and business issues,
including acquisition of the historic property, non-profit
corporation status, and tax issues. "It really has been
a pro bono project of the entire office." said Biggs, "Everyone
has been very supportive of LFU, from assisting with the
renovation to teaching classes."
Biggs
and DuBe bought an abandoned building in the historic district
of downtown Longmont. They spent their own money
to renovate 505 Main Street, Longmont, creating new dance
and art studios, classrooms, and community meeting rooms.
Classes have become so popular that they are also being held
in neighboring churches, schools and the Chamber of Commerce.
