Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

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In this interactive discussion class, we'll explore one or two different real-world ethical issues each week. Questions will include: should billionaires exist? Does their huge wealth indicate something unjust and unethical about how our society is structured, or not? Should the Audubon Society, streets, schools and other institutions change their names because they are named after people who owned slaves? Did the West Point Military Academy handle a recent cheating scandal ethically? Come join the conversation!


Instructor Bio: Sarah Rosenson holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University, a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's in Jewish studies from the Spertus Institute. She practiced law, then taught classes on ethics, philosophy and world religions at a private high school. She currently teaches adults both in-person and online, including several Osher classes.  



November 6-20, 2025, Online
Financial news - the stock market, interest rates, tariffs, cryptocurrency - often dominates the national news cycle. Want to know more about how these systems and policies affect our daily lives but feel you need a doctorate in economics to do so? We have you covered! Each week we'll dive into a few financial topics, first through lectures, then turn the floor over for interactive discussions. Bring your questions!


Instructor Bio: Gordon Sellon is an economist who spent 30 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, retiring as senior vice president and director of research. He also taught economics at KU, the University of Michigan, Grinnell College and Oklahoma City University. Gordon has degrees in economics from Harvard College and the University of Michigan. 



November 4-18, 2025, St Andrews Classroom

"And God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the Earth and subdue it." This course examines our efforts to subdue the Earth in North America. From removing the forests east of the Mississippi River for giant monoculture farms to having perfect suburban lawns, which attract deer and geese, subduing the Earth has been a constant battle. In the West we will learn "water flows uphill to money." One in nine Americans depend on water from the Colorado River. But with the current 20+ year drought, significant changes in water usage will be necessary. 


Instructor Bio: Thomas Luellen recently retired after 31 years in hospital administration and 14 years as an adjunct instructor at Washburn University. He has a master's degree in geography from the University of Kansas. His personal interests have always been his native state and its history.



November 4-18, 2025, St Andrews Classroom
We'll put several issues related to our democratic framework under the microscope in this interactive online discussion class. The House of Representatives is supposed to be representative by population, but is it? Should there be mandatory retirement ages for senators, congress people and presidents, or would that be unethical age discrimination? Should voting be mandatory?


Instructor Bio: Sarah Rosenson
holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University, a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's in Jewish studies from the Spertus Institute. She practiced law, then taught classes on ethics, philosophy and world religions at a private high school. She currently teaches adults both in-person and online, including several Osher classes. 



December 4-18, 2025, Online
October 22: Douglas County CASA Executive Director Erick Vaughn will explain what happens when a child enters the court system, how budget cuts at both the state and federal levels are affecting kids and families, and how CASA volunteers support kids in the system.

October 29: Melinda Lewis, professor of the practice in KU's School of Social Welfare, will discuss current public policy changes in Kansas and how research at KU impacts those policies. Professor Lewis heads the School of Social Welfare's Center on Community Engagement.


October 22-29, 2025, St Andrews Classroom
This unique class will give us insight into worldwide issues affecting modern society - and a platform for lively discussions related to them. (Come ready to share your ideas and engage your peers!) Each week we'll focus on a topic:
  • How the world structure is changing from the post-World War II rules-based structure to one of "might makes right."
  • How emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence may spark the fourth industrial revolution.
  • 80 percent of Americans believe climate change is real, and its impacts are growing. Yet we refuse to change our lifestyle to alleviate the effects. Why do we wait for the free market or the government to solve the problem?

Instructor bio: Charles "Chick" Keller is a retired senior executive and retired professor. He worked 15 years each at Sprint and Black & Veatch in strategic planning and strategic marketing, rising to VP level both times. In 2000, he began a career as a professor in the University of Kansas engineering management program where he taught finance and strategic planning.



October 16-30, 2025, KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall & Online