Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Spring Courses are now open!
Other helpful links
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Homepage
- Spring 2023 Catalog (PDF)
- Download registration form (PDF)
Alumni Discount Codes
We offer discounts for our three alumni association partners: KU, K-State and Washburn. These discounts are only available for paid alumni association members and can only be applied to courses; they cannot apply to special events:
- KU Alumni Association Member Discount - KUAASPRING2023
- KSU Alumni Association Member Discount - KSUAASPRING2023
- Washburn Alumni Association Member Discount - WUAASPRING2023
Courses & Events
1971: The Year that Rock Exploded
New Year's Eve 1970, Paul McCartney initiated legal action that led to the demise of the Beatles and their amazing era of creative music. Was music innovation dead or was 1971 the beginning of a renaissance? Many record labels were open to creative singer/songwriters experimenting with production techniques that laid the groundwork for disco, punk, indie, new wave, and electronica. All the while, introducing some pretty good sounds. Come join the conversation.
Please note that the dates for this course when it is held at Tallgrass Creek have been change. No other courses have been changed.
Instructor Bio: Steve Lopes, AE, BA, MA, M Ed, was an educator for 15 years prior to 30years of advocating for teachers as a Kansas-NEA organizer. He enjoys researching Rock 'n' Roll history and sharing it with Osher participants.
February 23, 2023 to March 9, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
March 17-31, 2023, Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging In Person
March 21, 2023 to April 6, 2023, Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community In Person
1971: The Year that Rock Explored - Tallgrass Creek Residents
New Year's Eve 1970, Paul McCartney initiated legal action that led to the demise of the Beatles and their amazing era of creative music. Was music innovation dead or was 1971 the beginning of a renaissance? Many record labels were open to creative singer/songwriters experimenting with production techniques that laid the groundwork for disco, punk, indie, new wave, and electronica. All the while, introducing some pretty good sounds. Come join the conversation.
Instructor Bio: Steve Lopes, AE, BA, MA, M Ed, was an educator for 15 years prior to 30years of advocating for teachers as a Kansas-NEA organizer. He enjoys researching Rock 'n' Roll history and sharing it with Osher participants.
March 21, 2023 to April 6, 2023, Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community In Person
A Century of Genocide

April 11-25, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online
Alzheimer's Disease: A Physician-Scientist's Perspective of the Disease and Personal Research Journey

Alzheimer's disease, described over a century ago, disrupts the lives of millions of Americans. How physicians diagnose and manage Alzheimer's disease has evolved over this time, while research has provided insight into its causes and guided efforts to find treatments. We will review past and current definitions of Alzheimer's disease and explain current diagnostic and management approaches. To provide insight into the world of Alzheimer's research, the instructor will share his perspective from decades of studying the causes of Alzheimer's and trying to develop a cure.
Instructor Bio: Dr. Russell Swerdlow is a physician-scientist and director of the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. He cares for Alzheimer's disease patients and performs research on its causes and treatment. He is a recent recipient of the Oskar Fischer Prize, an international award that recognizes innovative Alzheimer's disease research.
Tuesday, April 11, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online
An Exploration of the Arts and Culture in Edo Era Japan (1603-1868)
Following a long and arduous warring states period, Japan entered a time of peace under the Tokugawa Shogunate which opened up opportunities for art and culture. The stunning theater arts of Bunraku (Puppet) and Kabuki delighted crowds while Samurai established schools and cultivated the arts of Zen meditation, tea ceremony, poetry and calligraphy. Woodblock prints, including those of the Ukiyo-e (Floating World) style promoted, reflected and preserved this exquisite period of artistic expression. Not just a history lesson and feast for the eyes and ears, the instructor will bring samples of kimono and other Japanese textiles, tea ceremony implements and allow you to experience Japanese calligraphy during this course.
Instructor Bio: Dianne Daugherty holds master's degrees in education and contemporary East Asian studies, with doctorate hours in public health and Gerontology. She lived and worked in Japan for three years, and taught Japanese to high school and college students for more than 20 years.
February 24, 2023 to March 10, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online
An Invitation to Poetry

What makes a poem a poem? What differentiates a poem from all other forms of verbal expression? To answer these questions, we'll be discussing the technical aspects of poetry; not just how a poem "means," but also and no less importantly, how a poem embodies and dramatizes that meaning. We can better interpret and appreciate a poem by attending to its basic elements: the role of the speaker, the nature of metaphor, forms, and rhythms traditional and "free." Along the way, we'll be reading many great poems, old and new.
Instructor Bio: Max Westler earned his Bachelor of Arts from Boston University and his doctorate from Columbia University, where he worked with the poet Kenneth Koch. He has taught at Columbia College, Hunter College, and Northwestern University, where he taught both graduate and undergraduate courses. For 38 years, he supervised the Creative Writing Program at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. His poems have appeared in numerous publications. His chapbook Civil Defense was published in 2011.
March 20, 2023 to April 3, 2023, Senior Resource Center for Douglas County In-Person
An Ocean of Grass: Prairie Writing, Past and Present

The Tallgrass Prairie has been sustaining, mystifying, plowed almost to disappearance, saved in small acreages, recreated, and much revered. Kansas writers have, since their first contact with what poet Kenneth Wiggins Porter called "an ocean of grass to the stirrups," tried to describe and celebrate the prairie landscape. Join us on a walking and reading tour through the grasslands and through history, from indigenous writing to contemporary appreciations.
Instructor Bio: Thomas Fox Averill is professor emeritus at Washburn University where he taught Kansas literature, folklore and film for more than 40 years. He is the author of three story collections and five novels, almost all of them set in Kansas. His most recent novel is Found Documents from the Life of Nell Johnson Doerr: A Novel.
February 7-21, 2023, Brewster Place In Person
February 7-21, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
Bond. James Bond: 70 Years of Weapons, Women and (foiled) World Domination

February 2-16, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
Cabaret
Willkommen to the Kit Kat Club. In this provocative, multiple Tony Award-winning musical, the euphoria of free expression, new relationships, and the seedy nightclub scene slowly fades away against the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party. An ominous and violent situation begins to emerge; some remain oblivious or apathetic, while others sound the alarm or flee. With grit, dance, and a highly celebrated musical score, Cabaret ultimately proclaims "it can happen here." The University Theatre's unique staging allows for a more immersive experience for audience members. Join us for an exclusive presentation with show director, Markus Potter and the dramaturg/assistant director, Jonah Greene before the performance.
Sunday, April 23
1 p.m. - Pre-performance Presentation
2:30 p.m. - Performance Stage Too!, Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall 1530 Naismith Drive
Park in Lot 54 at 15th St. and Naismith Drive, directly across the street from Murphy Hall.
$25 fee includes pre-performance presentation and show. (Transportation on your own.)
Refunds will be honored on or before April 14 minus a $10 administrative fee.
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Climate Change: When Will Panic Ensue?

The Yangtze, the Rhine, the Colorado. Worldwide, some rivers are drying up, while other rivers are flooding. Commerce and industry are impacted. Food and water shortages are beginning. Hundreds of thousands of people are dying. Our plan to thwart climate change is scheduled to take 30 years. The platform for a panic is set. Will panic ensue in the next 5 years?
Instructor Bio: Charles "Chick" Keller is a retired senior executive and retired professor. He worked 15 years at each Sprint, and Black and Veatch in strategic planning and strategic marketing raising to the VP level both times. In 2000 Chick began a career as a professor at the University of Kansas, Master of Engineering Management program where he taught Finance and Strategic Planning.
Wednesday, March 8, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In-Person
Decades of the Dictators: The '20s and '30s

In Europe, the years between World Wars I and II seemed to be the decades of the dictator. Not only in Germany and the Soviet Union, but in Austria, Italy, Poland, Portugal and other countries, dictatorships replaced democracies. By 1940, they outnumbered constitutional democracies. What factors led from democracy to dictatorship? Could this happen again? This class will examine the process by which dictators replaced democracies in each of these major countries and suggest danger signs of this process.
February 27, 2023 to March 13, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
Donation to the Osher Institute
December 1, 2022 to May 5, 2023
Eleanor Roosevelt: Her Private Struggles and Public Triumphs

Recognized among the most admired people of the 20th Century, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt first had to overcome an affluent-but-unhappy childhood when both parents and a younger brother died before she was 10 years old. Sent to school in London, she returned in 1905 to marry her distant cousin, Franklin Roosevelt, and was given in marriage by her uncle, President Theodore Roosevelt. Her marriage combined a complicated personal life--involving a controlling mother-in-law, six children and FDR's affair--with an extraordinarily successful political role as FDR's surrogate, the nation's longest-serving First Lady, an ardent civil rights activist and respected international diplomat.
February 23, 2023 to March 9, 2023, Aberdeen Village In Person
February 28, 2023 to March 14, 2023, Mission Chateau In Person
March 20, 2023 to April 3, 2023, Village Shalom in Person
Ethical and Effective Advocacy

Instructor Bio: Robert C. (Robin) Rowland, Professor of Communication Studies at KU, has won four university-wide awards for teaching, a national teaching award, and several national awards for his research. He presented the keynote on rhetoric at the Reagan Centennial. He has taught advocacy to generations of students at KU.
April 10-24, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
Experience the Renovated Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
It's time to visit the renovated 25,000 square feet of museum exhibit space at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene and see Ike again for the first time. The most recent innovations in technological components and interactives bring Ike and Mamie to life and are guaranteed to pique your interest.
In addition to seeing historically significant artifacts and hearing stories from the archives, visitors will come away with a better understanding of Ike and Mamie's life stories. Using newly digitized and never-before-seen footage from the National Archives, new minitheaters offer visitors the opportunity to hear Ike's words firsthand on a variety of events and issues from D-Day to world peace.
There will also be time to visit the Eisenhower boyhood home, Place of Meditation (where the Eisenhower's are buried) and gift shop. For lunch, we'll enjoy the famous family-style dinner and elegant ambiance of Legacy Kansas: Munson's Prime & Brookville Hotel. Before heading home, we'll take a guided bus tour of historic Abilene. On the bus ride to and from Abilene, Anita Tebbe will share stories from her Osher course, "Exploration Time: Discover the Thirteen United States Presidential Libraries and Museums."
Friday, April 14
7:40 a.m. - Coach departs the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr., Lawrence
9 a.m. - Coach picks up travelers at the Manhattan Junction (I-70 & KS-177)
3:35 p.m. - Arrive back at Manhattan Junction (I-70 & KS-177)
5 p.m. - Arrive Osher Institute
$140 fee includes coach transportation, museum admission, guided historic tour around town, lunch and Anita Tebbe's presentation.
Refunds will be honored on or before March 31 minus a $20 administrative fee.
Friday, April 14, 2023
Explore Omaha: The Gateway to the West
Join us as we explore Omaha, a stop on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. We'll enjoy lunch at Gorat's, a favorite of Warren Buffett, then stop and smell the roses at the Omaha Botanical Center. We'll stroll through Lauritzen Gardens at Omaha Botanical Center and explore the 100-acre oasis on a tram.
Next is a guided tour of Joslyn Castle, built in 1903 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. We'll stop by St. Cecilia Cathedral to view stained-glass windows from the 16th century and drive by the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Dinner is on your own in the Historic Downtown Old Market District as you stroll along cobbled streets.
Arbor Day begins at the Henry Doorly Zoo where you'll choose from the following experiences and enjoy free time to explore at your leisure. The first 42 registrants also get a private tram tour.
- A Golf Cart Tour to see popular exhibits from the comfort of the cart as you journey behind-the-scenes from a private service road. Limit 20. (1 spot left)
- Go behind the scenes to explore the aquarium from the other side of the glass. Limit 30.
- Self-guided time with unlimited rides to include tram, carousel, train, skyfari, and the sting ray beach.
We'll enjoy Spaghetti Works for lunch before our docent-guided tour at Durham Museum inside Union Station. You'll get to explore the Byron Reed Section, the 3rd largest collection in the world, to view an 1804-coin worth more than 7 million, as well as see a circa 1200AC collection of Gregorian chants. Be sure to make the soda fountain your last stop to enjoy a delicious treat!
Thursday, April 27, and Friday, April 28
7 a.m. - Coach departs the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr., Lawrence on Thursday and returns Friday by 7:45 p.m.
8 a.m. - Coach departs the Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park on Thursday and returns Friday by 6:45 p.m.
$495 per person for single occupancy
$435 per person for double occupancy
Fee includes coach transportation, lodging, museum and admission fees, guided tours, exclusive presentations, one breakfast, two lunches and snacks.
Refunds will be honored on or before April 10 minus an $80 administrative fee.
April 27-28, 2023
Exploring the Wonders of Kansas
Join us in Osawatomie for a guided tour of the John Brown Museum and the historic Adair cabin, once used by John Brown. We'll enjoy lunch at Memorial Hall and hear from Osher instructor Jim Peters and the great-great niece of John Brown, May Bester. We'll drive by the Old Stone Church and the Soldiers' Monument where John Brown's son Frederick is buried.
Next, we'll visit the Chanute- Wright Brothers Memorial with our Chamber step-on guide. We'll end the day at the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum for guided tours of the gallery and exhibits, and an exclusive Archives Show & Tell. Ranked the No. 1 Museum in Kan., explore it through the lens of these "Kansans with Kodaks."
Also included is Russ Hutchins' online class, "Martin and Osa Johnson: Life Is a Safari."
Course Description: Between 1917 and 1936, Martin and Osa Johnson of Chanute, Kan., travelled throughout the South Pacific and Africa documenting their adventures with reels of black and white film. In Borneo they encountered headhunters and cannibals, and in Africa Martin filmed close-ups of lions, elephants, rhinos, and zebras while Osa stood close by with a gun at the ready.
We'll recount their adventures starting in Chanute before heading to more exotic places. We'll review the many books, still photos and documentaries they produced to wide acclaim around the world. Today, the Martin & Osa Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute stands in testament to their work.
Instructor Bio: Russ Hutchins teaches U.S. history, Western civilization, economics, business, philosophy, and business management at Friends University. He is a retired public-school administrator and educator of 40 years.
Friday, March 31
7 a.m. - Coach departs Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park to return at 7:45 p.m.
8 a.m. - Coach departs the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr., Lawrence to return at 6:45 p.m.
$155 fee includes coach transportation, admission fees, guided tours, presentations, lunch, and Russ Hutchins class on Martin and Osa Johnson.
Refunds will be honored on or before March 17 minus a $30 administrative fee.
Friday, March 31, 2023
Flashback to the Birth of Rock 'n' Roll
Come relive the excitement, energy, and thrills from December 4, 1956, when four young musicians gathered at Sun Records for one of the greatest jam sessions ever! This thrilling, smash-hit Broadway musical, Million Dollar Quartet, takes you inside the Sun recording studio for an unforgettable night of Rock 'n' Roll bringing together icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. Enjoy "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "That's All Right, Mama," "Sixteen Tons," "Great Balls of Fire," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Who Do You Love," "Hound Dog" and more! When the live band kicks in, you'll want to get up and boogie. Enjoy lunch and an exclusive Outreach Post- Show Talkback presented by a New Theatre professional.
Wednesday, May 3
11 a.m. - Arrive at New Theatre & Restaurant 9229 Foster St., Overland Park 3:45 p.m. - Depart
$75 fee includes lunch, show and exclusive presentation (Transportation on your own.)
Refunds will be honored on or before April 12 minus a $20 administrative fee.
Wednesday, May 3, 2023, New Theatre and Restaurant
From the Right to Vote to Running for President: Women's Struggle for Political Equality

April 13-27, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions
German Settlements and Culture in Kansas

German is the most prevalent language after English and Spanish spoken at home in 77 counties in Kansas. Since 1854, thousands of German-speaking immigrants have sought better lives here, including Pennsylvania Dutch, Volga Germans, Mennonites, Austrians and Swiss. German churches dot the prairie, and some rural Kansans still speak a dialect of German.
February 23, 2023 to March 9, 2023, Fairfield Inn and Suites - In Person
Grant, the General: The Civil War Campaigns of Ulysses S. Grant

Instructor Bio: Robert Smith, Ph.D., is the Director of the Fort Riley Museum. He has a doctorate in history from KSU and has published numerous articles on military history.
April 12-26, 2023, Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging In Person
Historic Kansas City Bus Tour
This guided tour takes us by scores of Historic Sites with photo stops. You'll be treated to a first-person account by Octave Chanute, the civil engineer who designed and built the 1869 Hannibal Railroad Bridge. Learn about the man who mentored the Wright Brothers and has a town in Kansas named in his honor. Explore sites like the Santa Fe Trail Ruts, Satchel Paige's Grave, Case Overlook Park, the Missouri River Boardwalk, Lewis and Clark campsite, and others. Learn the stories behind KC's 8th Street cable car tunnel, Quantrill, Union Station Massacre, KC's first skyscraper, Thomas Swope and his murder, Nell Donnelly Reed's company and her kidnapping, the Battle of Westport, Political Boss Tom Pendergast, the NFL's longest game, and KC as the BBQ Capital of the World. We'll enjoy lunch at Minsky's pizza located in the historic downtown City Market.
Friday, February 17
8 a.m. - Coach departs the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr., Lawrence and returns by 4 p.m.
9 a.m. - Coach departs Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park and returns by 3 p.m.
$125 fee includes coach transportation, tour guide, and lunch.
Refunds will be honored on or before February 1 minus a $20 administrative fee.
Friday, February 17, 2023
Hollywood Scores: A Fertile Land for Immigrants

As doors were closing in Europe in the '30s, they were opening in America, despite the Great Depression. Together we will discover how immigrants, some of them escaping the Nazis, created the Hollywood music that we all love. We'll explore how that migration changed the landscape of American culture and with strong audiovisual support, we'll learn how the famous scores of Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, The Bride of Frankenstein, or Ben-Hur, were written, performed, and recorded. Anecdotes and stories, combined with musical examples will show how some composers analyzed the protagonists' psyche, the director's intentions and then enhanced the final product and the filmgoing experience.
March 20, 2023 to April 3, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions
How does this pill know where to find the place that hurts? Dennis the Menace

The purpose of this course is to help participants understand how their medications work, are administered, dosed and the frequency needed to meet their health concerns. We'll answer questions the following questions. How are drugs absorbed after oral dosing? Why do I need to take one of my medications once a day and another three times per day? Why do I have to take some of my medications with food and in other cases, not? How might my medication dose need to be adjusted as I age?
Instructor Bio: Valentino J. Stella, PhD, KU Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Val taught at KU for 45 years in the School of Pharmacy and is the inventor or coinventor of six approved drug products. He is also the coinventor of a novel solubilizer/stabilizer now in 15 approved products.
February 2-16, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
How Hitler Came to Power

February 7-21, 2023, Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community In Person
How Hitler Came to Power - Tallgrass Creek Residents
February 7-21, 2023, Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community In Person
I Am Malala: The Young Lady Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

We'll study the history of Afghanistan and Pakistan through the voice of Malala Yousafzai, who overcame the Taliban assassin's challenge regarding education for girls. She single-handedly turned the issue of a girl's right to education and then the right of all children, into headline news despite being shot in the head by the Taliban. She is the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Her voice changed the world.
Instructor Bio: Marlene Katz, a graduate from the University of Missouri was an adjunct professor at UMKC where she taught English and literature. Marlene has a 28-year teaching career and has been involved in storytelling for 20 years. Women in History is her specialty and Marlene has performed in a five-state area and has lectured at various groups, often in costume and speech of the character she is portraying.
Monday, February 13, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online
Inside the Kansas Biological Survey: Scope and Applications of Research and State Programs

International Travel
March 22, 2023 to April 5, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online
It's Not Easy Being Green

March 22, 2023 to April 5, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions
Lowlands, Highlands, Islands and a Wee Dram: the Geography of Scotland

This course explores several aspects of Scotland's physical and human geography. It is roughly divided into sections on its astounding physiography, Precambrian geology and natural resources, followed by contributions of key ethnic groups (Picts, Scots and Norse) to its cultural history. We'll discuss "the true inventors of the social sciences," Adam Smith, James Watt, David Hume, James Hutton and Sir Walter Scott. We'll also compare two great cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, with quite different origins and cultural characters. Finally, we'll explore the country's (is it a country?) dynamic political geography, including political parties and the highly charged, contentious issue of independence.
April 13, 2023 to May 4, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
Martin and Osa Johnson: Life Is a Safari

Friday, March 17, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions
Mobile Storytelling and Social Marketing

Students will learn to produce creative and targeted social media that will build a community around any creative or entrepreneurial endeavor. From promoting a business, to espousing a cause, marketing a non-profit, jump-starting a start-up, and showcasing art and design, we'll learn o create social media that develops and delivers a dedicated audience and customer base.
February 22, 2023 to March 8, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions
Mountains of True Peace - a Guatemalan Journey

April 10-24, 2023, Riley County Seniors' Service Center In-Person
Music Inspired by the Natural World

Classical music composers have found inspiration in many places. In this course you will explore classical music inspired by works of nature. The first class will focus on music inspired by the wonders of the earth, such as mountains, valleys, oceans and nature occurrences. The second class will explore music inspired by the plant kingdom such as trees, flowers and forests. The third class will be devoted to music representing the animal kingdom, such as birds, swans, fish, bears, elephants, monkeys and even whales. Come prepared to look at classical music from a whole new perspective.
Instructor Bio: Don Dagenais has been a preview speaker for the Lyric Opera for more than 20 years and he teaches classical music and opera courses for local organizations. Among other pursuits, he enjoys studying American political history and has compiled an extensive collection of memorabilia from presidential political campaigns from 1840 - the present. He recently retired as a real estate attorney.
February 14-28, 2023, Northland Innovation Center In-Person
February 23, 2023 to March 9, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online
Only Hope: My Mother and the Holocaust Brought to Light

Monday, February 6, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions
Osher Institute Gift Certificate
December 1, 2022 to May 5, 2023
Pioneering Stories from the Settling of Emporia and Lyon County, Kansas
March 21, 2023 to April 4, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
Rollin' Down the River - Exploring the Entire Missouri River

This course grows out of a Summer 2016 seven-week exploration/adventure "trip of a lifetime" along the Missouri River, from its official source in Three Forks, Mont., to its confluence with the Mississippi River near St. Louis. It will interest everyone from armchair travelers to history buffs, especially Lewis and Clark enthusiasts. We'll explore scenery, geography, culture, fascinating people, and all the magic along the 2,341-mile route of arguably the most unique river in the world! And discover why Atchison, Kan., was the most unique stop of the trip.
Instructor Bio: Larry Campbell spent 35 years teaching mathematics and mathematics education at two institutions in southwest Missouri. He won several college, university and state-wide teaching and service awards during his career. Since his retirement he has been running AfterMath Enterprises, LLC, an umbrella organization of his various activities.
February 22, 2023 to March 8, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online
Significant United States First Ladies of the Modern Era
April 12-26, 2023, Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse In Person
Stargazing 2: Beyond the Valley with Dr. John C. Tibbetts

February 2-16, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In-Person
The 1950s: A Decade of Prosperity and Change

In the'50s, American led the free world as we witnessed the move to the suburbs, the birth of Rock' n' Roll, the space race, a baby boom, hot rods, and drive-in movies. We'll examine the rebuilding of Europe, its division into the free West and the Soviet-dominated East, and the end of colonialism in the Far East.
Instructor Bio: Robert Smith, PhD, is the Director of the Fort Riley Museum. He has a doctorate in history from KSU and has published numerous articles on military history.
March 21, 2023 to April 4, 2023, Washburn University, Henderson Learning Center, In-Person and Online
The Art of Stephen Sondheim

February 14-28, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology

Since 1949, archaeology in China has flourished on a scale and with a productivity unmatched anywhere in the world. This class will review the history of archaeology in China-from "foreign devils on the Silk Road" and the discovery of Peking Man before 1949, to the remarkable discoveries shown in "The Chinese Exhibition" of the 1970s. We will then focus on major developments of the last 40 years as professionalization, generous government support, modern practices and UNESCO recognition have yielded a significant reinvention of our understanding of the Chinese past.
Instructor Bio: Robert Thorp taught at Princeton and Washington University in St. Louis for 25 years followed by a second career as tour lecturer in China and Japan. His publications include Chinese Art and Culture (2001), China in the Early Bronze Age (2006), and Visiting Historic Beijing (2008). He has visited China more than 50 times.
February 7-21, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
The Grand Canyon

Here, the geology, archaeology, ancient and modern human history, flora, fauna, and people of the Grand Canyon are described to yield a "grand" look at one of America's most famous natural wonders. There are many aspects of Grand Canyon that are fascinating and amazing, and this course explores the facts, trivia, and fun about one of America's most visited National Parks. And, yes, there is a portion dedicated to the famous Grand Canyon mules!
Instructor Bio: Stephenie Slahor, lecturer, and writer, enjoys travel, hiking, kayaking, horsemanship, and the natural sciences. She is a member of the Grand Canyon Conservancy, Southwest Marine Educators' Association, Coachella Valley Archaeological Society, Astronomical Society of the Desert, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, and the Shadow Mountain Gem & Mineral Society.
April 18, 2023 to May 2, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions
The History of the Kansas City Athletics, 1955-1967
The Kansas City Athletics (1955 - 1967) were a product of the post-World War II geographical shift that changed the face of Major League Baseball. Formerly the Philadelphia A's, the franchise's new owner moved it to Kansas City in 1955. This course will explore the details surrounding the franchise's move, the impact of the move on Kansas City, the team's 1950s controversial relationship with the New York Yankees, the era of the new 1961 owner Charlie Finley, and the team's acrimonious departure from the city.
Instructor Bio: Kevin L. Mitchell is the baseball history blogger of The Baseball Scroll (www.thebaseballscroll.blogspot.com) and author of Last Train to Cooperstown: The2006 Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees from the Negro League Era. The Kansas City, Kan. native earned bachelors and master's degrees from the University of Kansas.
April 13, 2023 to May 4, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
The History of the World: From the Cold War (1979) to Covid-19 (2021)

April 10-24, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
The Journey from Coffee Bean to Coffee Cup
Join us at the Roasterie Coffee Company in Kansas City for an experience you won't soon forget. Take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn the history of coffee brewing and see a live demonstration. Watch as your coffee is roasted, blended, and packaged. Witness the craft cold brew process as it goes from brewing to canning. Sample the coffee as you chat with the baristas. And don't forget to use your ten percent-off coupon in the gift shop as you take home a piece of Kansas City! After the tour you'll be treated to an exclusive presentation" Coffee: Origins and Evolutions of a Cup of Joe," by Tom Schmiedeler. It's all things coffee. And it's just for you!
Tuesday, March 7
9:45 a.m. - Arrive at The Roasterie Coffee Company, 1204 W. 27th St., Kansas City, Mo.
11:45 a.m. - Depart (Lunch on your own)
3:30 p.m. - Exclusive presentation at the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr., Lawrence, or online via Zoom.
$55 fee includes guided tour, tasting and exclusive presentation. (Transportation on your own.)
Refunds will be honored on or before February 27 minus a $15 administrative fee.
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
The Kansas Entrepreneurs: Beech, Chrysler, and Coleman

We'll discuss how Walter Beech and later his wife, Olive, made aircraft for both civilian and military use in Wichita. Next, we'll review Walter Chrysler of Wamego, Kan., who initially worked on the railroad, but went on to build an empire in manufacturing cars. Lastly, we will discuss William C. Coleman, founder of the Coleman Company, who sold gasoline pressure lamps in 1905,demonstrating their use during a night football game at Sterling College. He later made a variety of camping equipment. Join us for review of these men and women who helped Kansas grow.
Instructor Bio: Russ Hutchins teaches U.S. history, Western civilization, economics, business, philosophy, and business management at Friends University. He is a retired public-school administrator and educator of 40 years.
February 22, 2023 to March 8, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions
The Life and Times of Harry Truman

March 23, 2023 to April 6, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online
The Renaissance, a Global Phenomenon

This class examines an ancient pagan past that meets with the expanding influence of Islam to propel Christian societies of Renaissance Europe towards new artistic heights. From the Americas to Asia and Africa, we look at early global exchange connecting creative expression with innovation and desperation. Images of our present emerge as the pioneering technologies of warfare and capitalism meet at the confluence of a public health crisis, setting in motion human ingenuity that continues to influence the cutting-edge technology of our world today, from NFTs and cryptocurrency to top-secret microbes.
Instructor Bio: Hugh Leeman is an artist and lecturer at San Francisco State University. His artworks exhibit at the de Young Museum, the Museum of Mexico City, and the Masur Museum of Art. Leeman's courses have been part of the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Huntington Museum, and Crocker Museum of Art curriculums.
March 22, 2023 to April 5, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions
The Witch Trials of Early Modern Europe (c. 1450-1750)

This course will examine the infamous witch trials of early modern Europe. Together we'll explore what early modern people believed about witches and the devil, how these beliefs led to the persecution of thousands across Europe and its colonies, and what these trials tell us about life in early modern Europe. We will explore the origins of belief in witchcraft and the devil in Judeo-Christian texts and the development of these beliefs through the medieval period. Then we will examine specific cases and the laws regarding witchcraft in the major European nations and the American colonies. Content Warning: Some material discussed may be disturbing or explicit in nature.
Instructor Bio: Cameron C. Engelbrecht holds an M.Phil. in Early Modern History from Trinity College Dublin and a B.A. in History from the University of Central Missouri. He currently works at the Missouri State Archives and plans to pursue a Ph.D. soon.
February 1-15, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions
The World of Versailles

April 12-26, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online
Three Ship Disasters of the 20th Century: The Titanic, the Lusitania, and the Andre Doria

February 20, 2023 to March 6, 2023, Claridge Court In Person
Why Are We Here? A Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy

March 22, 2023 to April 5, 2023, Northland Innovation Center In-Person
April 10-24, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online
Why Beekeeping Matters - It's More Than Just the Honey

April 11-25, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
Wichita Will Wow You!
We begin our trip to the state's largest city with a stop at Keeper of the Plains, a 44-foot-tall steel sculpture overlooking the point where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers join. We'll visit the Mid-America All-Indian Museum, home to Blackbear Bosin's largest public collection.
Next up is Botanica Wichita to enjoy lunch and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the 1949 Joyland Carousel restoration project. We'll take a guided walking tour to see what's blooming and explore the history and unique aspects of the gardens, and ride on the Khicha Family carousel!
Our visit to the Museum of World Treasures includes a docent-led tour exploring everything from dinosaurs to ancient civilizations to American history and wars. A chamber step-on-guide will join us as we explore some of the 100 murals keeping urban art alive and well in Wichita. We end the day with a walking guided tour downtown for a close-up view of the whimsical and playful Georgia Gerber's bronze sculptures that dot the Wichita landscape. We'll stay at Hotel at Old Town and enjoy dinner on your own as you explore the pulse of Wichita.
Friday we'll begin with a guided tour of our hotel, once the largest warehouse in the world, and a former warehouse for Keen Kutter, an early 20th-century distributor of hardware, tools, dishes, and sporting goods. Next, we'll stop at the Wichita Art Museum for a docent-led tour to view collections spanning three centuries. You'll have time to explore on your own and enjoy 20% off in the gift shop!
After lunch at the Museum, we'll explore the Frank Lloyd Wright Allen House accompanied by our tour guide. We end the day at the Kansas Aviation Museum for a guided tour including a view from the control tower, one of the highest points in Wichita before enjoying dinner on the bus.
Thursday, March 23, and Friday, March 24
6 a.m. - Coach departs the Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park on Thursday and returns Friday by 8:50 p.m.
7 a.m. - Coach departs the Osher Institute, 1515 Saint Andrews Dr., Lawrence on Thursday and returns Friday by 7:50 p.m.
$465 per person for single occupancy; $410 per person for double occupancy
Fee includes coach transportation, lodging, museum, gallery and admission fees, guided tours, exclusive presentations, carousel ride, one dinner, two lunches, and one breakfast.
Refunds will be honored on or before March 8 minus an $80 administrative fee.
March 23-24, 2023
Women's Fast Pitch Softball in Topeka Before Title IX

Monday, April 17, 2023, Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging In Person
Your Space-Enabled Life

March 20, 2023 to April 3, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
April 13-27, 2023, Northland Innovation Center In-Person