Seattle's DiscoverU closes its doors

Seattle-based DiscoverU, a continuing-education program that offered classes on topics such as river rafting, wine tasting, flirting, papermaking and other eclectic pursuits, shut its doors earlier this month.

The closure of its office at 2901 Third Ave. occurred within the past two weeks, former President Erin Brandon said Wednesday.

The closure also caps a 16- year run of offering evening and weekend classes to people mainly in their 30s, 40s and 50s, she added.

"It's sad to see something like that go," she said.

Brandon, who left the company in November, did not know why DiscoverU closed. Its most recent owner, Terrence Zehrer of DU International, could not be reached for comment.

But Bob Ederer, the owner before Zehrer, recalled how DiscoverU students gained confidence, met significant others and changed careers because of its classes.

"The stories of life changes that I heard, when I owned it, were significant," he said. "It was an amazing business. It's a real loss for the community."

For its students, DiscoverU exposed them to a world unlike their own.

The shy could enroll in "72 Ways to Flirt." Those who lacked the wealth of Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates could learn about "Building Your Financial Portfolio on $25 a Month or Less!"

One class helped students deal with difficult people and examined "Exploders, Whiners and Complainers," according to an archived version of its Web site.

Recently, the program enrolled 10,000 to 12,000 students each year and worked with about 150 contract instructors, Brandon said.

One highlight, she recalled, was when Michael Roizen, an anti-aging expert who has appeared on Oprah Winfrey's television show, gave a seminar on healthy living.

When Brandon left the company, there were about 12 full-time employees.

DiscoverU's closure will prompt Seattle-area residents who enjoy these types of classes to look elsewhere.

Community colleges and the University of Washington, specifically its Experimental College and UW Extension, offer similar courses.

Brandon, though, thinks DiscoverU will be hard to replace and would not be surprised if the education program returns in the future.

"We had a lot more variety," she said. "It's a great concept. There are still a lot of adult learners."

NOTE FOR STUDENTS

If you paid for a DiscoverU class that has not started, call 206-365-0400 for information about getting a refund. But calls to the phone number were not answered Wednesday.

Source: Archived version of DiscoverU Web site