Christmas Carols, Cookie Decorating and Cocoa *New hands-on event
Instructor: Jean Hein

Dec. 13
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence
Cost: $75

Register

Description
“Carols for Christmas I,” last December, was a much-enjoyed Osher class. Join us for “Carols for Christmas II,” as we explore a new selection of carols from the Sir David Wilcox collection and a sampling of carols from throughout the world. Since we’ll work up an appetite singing, we’ll each decorate a dozen Christmas cookies with the help of a pro pastry chef. (We won’t tell Santa if they don’t all make it home.) Bring your friends and family to create a new holiday tradition!

Jean Hein recently moved to Kansas from South Carolina, where she was director and recorder performer with Columbia Baroque as well as a clarinetist. She currently teaches online recorder classes for seniors. Jean has served on the Board of Early Music America. She holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University.

Includes: Two hours of instruction, all cookie decorating supplies, one dozen cookies and light snacks

A Christmas Story: The Musical

Dec. 9
5:30 – 9 p.m.
In-Person
Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Ave., Lawrence
Cost: $100

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Description
From the songwriting team behind the smash-hit, Tony Award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen” and the critically acclaimed films “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman,” “A Christmas Story: The Musical” brings the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage! Nominated for three 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical, the Associated Press calls “A Christmas Story: The Musical” “a joyous Christmas miracle,” while The New York Times writes “I was dazzled. You’d have to have a Grinch-sized heart not to feel a smile spreading across your face.”

The event includes top-notch seats behind the Lied Center’s orchestra pit and a catered dinner with a special Osher-only presentation before the show. All reservations must be made by Nov. 18. No refunds will be given after that date.

Crimson and Blue Day Mini College *New event

Oct. 17
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
In-Person
Meet at St. Andrews Office Building, Lawrence
Cost: $50

Register

Description
Go ‘back to school’ at KU!  Crimson and Blue Day is a special day for prospective KU students to experience a day in the life of a Jayhawk, and this year, Osher students are invited to join in the grand tradition. You’ll choose your own schedule from six different classes and will learn alongside future KU undergraduate students and their parents.  All classes will be taught by current faculty from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and held in the Burge Union. You’ll park at the St. Andrews Office Building for free and ride the bus to and from campus. Lunch will be on your own at the DeBruce Center Food Court, a short, three-minute walk from the Burge. Class descriptions will be announced later online at osher.ku.edu.

Includes: Three one-hour class sessions, transportation to and from campus, and a special Crimson and Blue Day surprise gift.

East Lawrence Walking Tour *New event

Oct. 3
10 – 11:30 a.m.
In-Person
Meet at the corner of 10th and Rhode Island streets (Lawrence)
Cost: $25

Register

Description
Select a wide variety of people, add two dashes of independence and creativity, then stir in artistry and brick streets while slowly heating over a century and a half-plus. Voila! East Lawrence. We’ll learn of this place from its abolitionist beginnings through its central place for immigrant societies, industrialization, decline then arts-led resurgence during a one-hour walk with Bob Dinsdale. The tour is limited to 20 people. 

Bob Dinsdale grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, went to undergrad at Baylor University, then to medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He and his family moved to Lawrence in 1990. Now retired, Bob started Lawrencehistorytours.com. He has a decades-long passion for history, especially the stories of the people and events that have shaped our town. He uses techniques learned in his medical training to find facts and see things in new ways.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration *New event

Oct. 13
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence
Cost: $75

Register

Description
Get to know Indigenous peoples’ local histories and celebrate their contributions to society. We’ll learn about Haskell Indian Nations University’s history, as well as the story of the Pawnee peoples in Northeast Kansas prior to white settlement. Jason Champagne, a.k.a. Native Chef, will cater lunch and discuss the traditional Indigenous ingredients used. Through the afternoon we’ll discover contemporary Native artists, how today’s #LandBack movement returns traditional lands to tribes and efforts to restore the Haskell Wetlands.

The event includes six presentations and a catered lunch.

Know Your Joe: The Secret Life of Coffee *New event

Nov. 5
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence
Cost: $25

Register for Know Your Joe: The Secret Life of Coffee (Lawrence)

Description
It might be “the best part of waking up” -- but how much do you really know about your morning cup o’ joe? We’ll dive into coffee’s specific geography and how geopolitics, civil unrest, the economy and climate change affect its worldwide distribution. We’ll also hear about the multi-step process to turn those magical beans into your morning bliss. As a bonus: savor a cup of PT’s Coffee, brewed fresh on site by their head roaster!

Optional:

Nov. 6
10 – 11:30 a.m.
In-Person
PT’s Coffee (Topeka)
Cost: $25

Register Know Your Joe: The Secret Life of Coffee (PT's Coffee, Topeka)

Description

Meet us at PT’s Coffee in Topeka for a one-hour tour of their facility. You’ll see the roasting process in action, then enjoy a special tasting! You’ll also receive a bag of coffee – straight from the batch roasted during our visit – to take home. Limited to 30 participants.

Brent Piepergerdes is the chief operating officer for PT’s Coffee Roasting Co. In his 15 years in specialty coffee, Brent has developed longstanding relationships throughout the global supply chain, from producers to exporters, importers to roasters, and retailers to end consumers. As a green coffee buyer working in multiple countries of origin, he brings unique expertise to topics of direct trade and sustainability. Brent holds a doctorate in geography from the University of Kansas and has taught more than a dozen courses for Washburn University, Haskell Indian Nations University and KU.

Register for the Bundling Tour and Class! Cost for both: $45

Prairie Prestige: Day Trip to Abilene *New event

Aug. 22
7:30 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
In-Person
Abilene, Kansas
Meet at Edwards Campus (Overland Park) and St. Andrews Office Building (Lawrence)
Cost: $135

Register

Description
Let’s explore the “Best Small Town to Visit in the U.S.”! We’ll tour Abilene’s beautifully renovated Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, then head to the famous Brookville Hotel for a scratch-made, fried chicken lunch. Once our bellies are full, we’ll take a docent-led tour of the Seelye Mansion, an opulent residence with original 1904 Edison light fixtures, a Tiffany-style mantel and bowling alley.

Trip includes executive coach transportation, admission to both sites, a docent-led tour of the Seelye Mansion and lunch at the Brookville Hotel. The coach will pick up and drop off students at the St. Andrews Office Building in Lawrence and at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park.

Turn-of-the-Century Holiday Traditions Tour *New event

Dec. 12
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
In-Person
The Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center, Kansas City, Kansas
St. John the Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas
Vaile Victorian Mansion, Independence, Missouri
Meet at Edwards Campus (Overland Park) and St. Andrews Office Building (Lawrence)
Cost: $135

Register

Description
Did you miss out on the sold-out Strawberry Hill tour last spring? Here is your chance to experience this wonderful hidden gem. Experience the holidays through the lens of history by visiting two of Kansas City’s turn-of-the-century mansions, completely transformed for the Christmas season, and a traditional Catholic church built in 1900. The day will start with a tour of the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center, housed in a mansion built on a bluff overlooking downtown Kansas City in 1887. Each of the mansion’s rooms will be awash in holiday décor, including traditional Eastern European decorations. After a traditional Croatian lunch in the St. John the Baptist Fellowship Hall, we‘ll tour the St. John the Baptist Church, celebrating its centennial this year. Next we will board the bus and head east to the Vaile Victorian Mansion, one of the best examples of Second Empire-style architecture in the United States. The 31-room mansion includes nine marble fireplaces, spectacular painted ceilings and a 48,000-gallon wine cellar, all transformed for the holidays.

Includes docent-led tours of the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center, St. John the Baptist Church and the Vaile Mansion, a traditional four-course Croatian lunch, executive coach transportation and a special Christmas treat. The coach will pick up and drop off students at the St. Andrews Office Building in Lawrence and at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park.

All Puppets Ain’t Necessarily Muppets: Puppetry Through the Ages *New Class
Instructor: Alexander Levin

Aug. 12, 19 & 26
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
Join us as we look at how the art of puppetry has evolved from its beginnings over three millennia ago until now. We’ll see how its uses in entertainment, enticement, religion and social influence have changed. Sharing videos that range from the earliest examples of entertainment to current political commentary, we’ll see how it has adapted to the times. We will visit old friends we’ve forgotten and never realized how they reflected their eras. We’ll witness surprising new technology and how it works to tell stories. From traditional to contemporary forms, it all comes back to the basic goal – presenting the story to the intended audience. Warning: we may come across some Muppets in the process!

Alexander Levin has a theater degree from George Mason University and has served as technical director for several universities across the country. He was in the original “Muppet Movie” (1979) and was subsequently involved in various television shows and commercials. His large and extensive collection of puppets, acquired during his travels, formed the basis of his book, “In Search of Puppetry Around the World.” Alex believes puppetry is an art form that can bridge languages and cultures like no other.

Carols for Christmas I
Instructor: Jean Hein

Nov. 25
1 – 3 p.m.
In-Person
Brewster Place, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka, KS

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Description
Join us for a Christmas carol celebration, featuring stories behind the music and lyrics, inspiring video performances, and visual art to enhance your holiday season. As Sir David Willcocks said, “In our technological age, the simple pleasure of communal singing at Christmas has endured, and carol music, ‘the ancient unalterable music of the people’ still brings cheer.”

Jean Hein recently moved to Kansas from South Carolina, where she was director and recorder performer with Columbia Baroque as well as a clarinetist. She currently teaches online recorder classes for seniors. Jean has served on the Board of Early Music America. She holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University. 

Cartoons: From Disney to Saturday Morning to Pixar and Beyond *New Class
Instructor: Karl Menninger

Oct. 16, 23 & 30
10 a.m. – Noon 
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

Register

Description
We started watching cartoons as children, either at the movies or on television on Saturday mornings. Many of us continue to watch them, even without children or grandchildren. We’ll look at the invention of the animated cartoon in the Silent Era, the creation of a certain Mouse by a guy from Kansas City and the entertainment empire that spawned, cartoons from other studios (Betty Boop, Popeye, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tom and Jerry, Mr. Magoo, Mighty Mouse), how cartoons went to war in the 1940s and how they migrated to television, both on Saturday mornings and on “kiddie” shows on weekday afternoons. We’ll review the Disney renaissance in the 1990s, with “The Little Mermaid” and “The Lion King,” long-running prime-time cartoons such as “The Simpsons,” recent Disney competitors (Don Bluth, Ralph Bakshi, DreamWorks), and Pixar, who led the way in computer-generated animation with “Toy Story” and “Frozen.” We’ll also share where we watched cartoons: the movies, television, VHS/DVD/BluRay and now streaming services like Disney+.

Karl Menninger is a retired government lawyer who seems to have found an avocation teaching courses on disability law, citizenship, comedy and James Bond, among other topics.

Handel and Bach: Their Lives and Their Music 
Instructor: Paul Laird

Oct. 14, 21 & 28
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
Get to know the lives, times and music of Baroque’s most famous composers. We’ll review Handel and Bach through images, biographical details, music and patronage in the early 18th century. We’ll also consider their works in terms of their function, their composition and how to listen to them in a more informed manner. 

Paul Laird is professor emeritus of musicology at the University of Kansas, where two of his teaching specialties were Baroque music and music of the United States. He has published widely on such topics as Leonard Bernstein and American musical theater and won the 2021 KU Chancellor’s Club Career Teaching Award. Paul has taught many Osher classes since the program’s inception at the University of Kansas. 

Happy Days: A Nostalgic Review of the 1950s
Instructor: Carl Graves

Dec. 1, 8 & 15
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

Register

Description
For a significant majority of Americans, the ‘50s were good times. The Baby Boom, prosperity and rising home ownership fueled more fun than in previous and subsequent decades. Do you remember “Howdy Doody,” poodle skirts, S&H Green Stamps, the McGuire Sisters and big cars with chrome and tail fins? We’ll look back on these things and more when covering topics such as suburbanization, television, cars, movies, music, fads, fashions, foods, beverages, toys, games and print media. We’ll also touch on social critiques and worries like polio. We’ll compare our memories to documents, film clips and music. 

Carl Graves, Ph.D., holds a master’s degree in U.S. history from the University of Kansas and a doctorate from Harvard. He taught at the university and community college levels and at Kansas City’s Pembroke Hill School.

Minnie Pearl *New Class
Instructor: Marlene Katz

Sept. 24
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
Long-time Osher instructor Marlene Katz once again brings history to life in her unique classes centering famous women throughout history. This semester, Marlene shares the story of legendary entertainer and philanthropist Sarah Cannon, better known as Minnie Pearl, through a combination of biographical facts and engaging storytelling.

Marlene Katz, a University of Missouri graduate, 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 for various groups, often in costume and speech of the character she is portraying.

Music Controversies and Curiosities
Instructor: Emanuel Abramovits

Oct. 14, 21 & 28
10 a.m. – Noon
Online

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Description
In the search for originality, some artists push the envelope too far and pay the price or use it for self-promotion. In Broadway and Hollywood today, political correctness and sensibilities on race, consent and sexuality have called for revisionism. Is it really a step forward? Should our cultural heritage be rewritten to avoid issues of domestic violence, gender roles, religion and prejudice? Buckle up for a course full of scandals, anecdotes and stories and the instructor’s own experience in the music business!

Emanuel Abramovits is a mechanical engineer with an MBA and has been a concert promoter since 2000, directly involved in many events by international artists, like Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Sarah Brightman, Roger Hodgson, ASIA, Journey, Kenny G and many more. He designed and staged many original orchestral events, including an Event of the Year winner and several world premieres.

Musical Exploration with Jean Hein: John Williams, Yo-Yo Ma and Paul McCartney
Instructor: Jean Hein

Sept. 16, 23 & 30
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, 1429 Kasold Drive, Lawrence, KS

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Description
Join us for a joyful exploration of three multi-talented musical geniuses! 

In a career that has spanned more than seven decades and “in a galaxy far, far away,” John Williams has written some of the most beloved film scores in history. He has delighted audiences as a world-renowned composer, conductor and pianist. 

Next, we’ll learn about Yo-Yo Ma’s upbringing, his appreciation for the music of different cultures and the importance of preserving these musical traditions, as well as the music and artistry of the world’s foremost cellist and music ambassador.

Lastly, British vocalist, songwriter, composer and bass player, Sir Paul McCartney’s work with The Beatles elevated popular music into a commercially viable art form. His list of hit songs includes “Yesterday,” “Something,” “Hey Jude” and many more. McCartney is also one of the most popular solo performers of all time. 

Jean Hein recently moved to Kansas from South Carolina, where she was director and recorder performer with Columbia Baroque as well as a clarinetist. She currently teaches online recorder classes for seniors. Jean has served on the Board of Early Music America. She holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University. 

Summers of Love: 1967 - 1969, Monterey, Woodstock, Altamont 
Instructor: Steve Lopes

Sept. 17, 24 & Oct. 1
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

Register 

Description
Rock music during the 1967 - 1969 countercultural era started with the Summer of Love and ended tragically just two years later. We’ll explore cultural and political events of the time from the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, through the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, and ending at the Altamont Speedway Festival. While Monterey introduced the world to many soon-to-be famous performers, Woodstock gave its name to a generation, and Altamont brought the era of love and trust to a sad end. Join the conversation as we recall this seminal time in American history. 

Steve Lopes, A.E., B.A., M.A., M. Ed., was an educator for 15 years prior to 30 years of advocating for teachers as a Kansas-NEA organizer. He enjoys researching rock ‘n’ roll history and sharing it with KU Osher participants.

The Samurai: Legendary Warriors to Cultural Icons *New Class 
Instructor: Karl Menninger

Nov. 6, 13 & 20
10 a.m. - Noon
In-Person
Clay County, Missouri (Location TBD)

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Description
Get ready to trace the history of the samurai class in Japan, its distinctive weapons, armor, code of behavior, and its part in Japanese history. We’ll also look at the samurai in Japanese pop culture, from books to movies (including “The Seven Samurai” and other films), to manga and anime. We’ll expand our discussion to non-Japanese books and films about samurai (“Shogun,” “The Last Samurai”), re-makes of Japanese samurai films (“The Magnificent Seven,” “A Fistful of Dollars”) or modern-day people who live by the samurai code (“Ghost Dog,” “Le Samourai”), video games with samurai, and how to tell the difference between a samurai and a ninja.

Karl Menninger is a retired government lawyer who seems to have found an avocation teaching courses on disability law, citizenship, comedy and James Bond, among other topics.

The Search for an “American” Sound
Instructor: Emanuel Abramovits

Nov. 4, 11 & 18
6 – 8 p.m.
Online

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Description
Since the 1890s, when Americans began to develop their own traditions in classical music, composers have recognized the dilemma of creating the “American” sound. We’ll explore how not only classical musicians, but also Broadway and Hollywood composers, followed parallel paths in creating sounds that have been defined as evocative of these lands and its people. Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, William Grant Still, Florence Price, Alex North, Elmer Bernstein, Jon Batiste and others will be the protagonists in this lecture, supported with audiovisuals and anecdotes. 

Emanuel Abramovits is a mechanical engineer with an MBA and has been a concert promoter since 2000, directly involved in many events by international artists, like Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Sarah Brightman, Roger Hodgson, ASIA, Journey, Kenny G and many more. He designed and staged many original orchestral events, including an Event of the Year winner and several world premieres.

“West Side Story”: Its Creation, Music and Legacy
Instructor: Paul Laird

Sept. 16, 23 & 30
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person
Claridge Court, 8101 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS

Register

Sept. 18 & 25, Oct. 2
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person
Tallgrass Creek Senior Living Community, 13800 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS

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Description
“West Side Story” is an icon of American popular culture. An update of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” with a plot that addresses issues of youth violence, racism and hatred, the show remains as topical today as when it opened in 1957. We’ll first focus on the show’s creation by four driven collaborators: Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim. Next, we’ll consider the music, placing it in the context of American music of the time and how it helps with characterization and dramatic progress in the show. Finally, we’ll look at the two films (1961, 2021) and the show’s continuing international legacy.

Paul Laird is professor emeritus of musicology at the University of Kansas, where two of his teaching specialties were Baroque music and music of the United States. He has published widely on such topics as Leonard Bernstein and American musical theater and won the 2021 KU Chancellor’s Club Career Teaching Award. Paul has taught many Osher classes since the program’s inception at KU.

Ethics in Modern Life *New Class
Instructor: Sarah Rosenson

Nov. 6, 13 & 20
2 – 4 p.m.
Online

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Description
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!

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.

Figuring Out Today’s Fickle Financial Landscape *New discussion group
Instructor: Gordon Sellon

Nov. 4, 11 & 18
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
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!

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 the University of Kansas, the University of Michigan, Grinnell College and Oklahoma City University. Gordon has degrees in economics from Harvard College and the University of Michigan.

Structural Issues in the U.S. Government *New Class
Instructor: Sarah Rosenson

Dec. 4, 11 & 18
2 – 4 p.m.
Online

Register

Description
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, congresspeople and presidents, or would that be unethical age discrimination? Should voting be mandatory? 

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.

The State of Child Welfare in Kansas *New Class
Instructors: Melinda Lewis and Erick Vaughn

Oct. 22 & 29
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description 
Oct. 22: Douglas County CASA 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 help kids in the system to thrive despite their circumstances. 

Oct. 29: Melinda Lewis, professor of 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.

Three Big, Long-Lasting Changes: The World Issues Discussion Series *New discussion group
Instructor: Charles Keller

Oct. 16, 23 & 30
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
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? 

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. 

Lowlands, Highlands, Islands: The Geography of Scotland
Instructor: Tom Schmiedeler

Aug. 12, 19 & 26
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description     
We’ll travel across the pond to explore Scotland’s physical and human geography. We’ll get to know its four physiographic regions highlighted by an astounding geologic history and development of natural resources. Next, we’ll study the contributions of key ethnic groups — Picts, Scots, Norse and Angles — to Scotland’s cultural history, particularly language and how Scotland evolved with England in often violent ways. These actions led to today’s highly dynamic political geography with its emotionally charged, contentious issue of independence. Lastly, we’ll compare the vastly different origins and cultural characters of Scotland’s two great cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, separated by only 40 miles.

Tom Schmiedeler is professor emeritus of geography at Washburn University where he taught a variety of geography courses including Kansas Geography, Geography of Europe and World Regional Geography. He was the director of Washburn’s Center for Kansas Studies. He has master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Kansas and has published widely on historical geography topics, particularly frontier urban planning. 

Stories and Songs of Big Rivers and Great Lakes
Instructor: Carl Graves

Sept. 16, 23 & 30
1 – 3 p.m.
Brewster Place, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka, KS

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Description
The Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio Rivers and the Great Lakes are rich in history, tall tales and music. Come learn how canal boats, steamboats, tugs, barges and Great Lakes freighters played a major role in U.S. territorial and economic expansion. We’ll cover the Steamboat Arabia, the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and more. The grandson of a Great Lakes sailor, our instructor has visited the Great Lakes and rivers covered in the class and will share his photos plus films of vessels and a wide range of exciting music and stories.

Carl Graves, Ph.D., holds a master’s degree in U.S. history from the University of Kansas and a doctorate from Harvard. He taught at the university and community college levels and at Kansas City’s Pembroke Hill School.

Tales of Atlantis *New Class
Instructor: David Mannering

Nov. 11 & 18
1 – 3 p.m. 
In-Person
Brewster Place, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka, KS

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Description
Among the many legends of lost cities and vanished ancient civilizations none has captured the popular imagination quite like the lost continent of Atlantis. First described in a tale told more than 2,000 years ago, Atlantis has been “found” many times since. Was it a real place or just an allegory? Can modern archaeological methods and satellite imagery lend credence to the legend? Join us to look at the leading theories of its whereabouts and revel in the tales of those intrepid sleuths who believe they’ve solved the mystery.

David Mannering earned a master’s degree in philosophy and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Kansas, then spent 40 years in information technology. After retiring, he rekindled his interest in the ancient civilizations bordering the Mediterranean and has taken several trips to visit ruins in its vicinity. 

1863: The Turning Point *New Class
Instructor: Ethan Rafuse

Sept. 3, 10 & 17
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
Come with us to look at the military history of the American Civil War in 1863, with particular focus on the evolution of Northern and Southern strategy and the course, conduct and outcome of major operations. We’ll address strategic and political contexts that shaped the great battles fought in Virginia, Tennessee and elsewhere, as well as look at the individuals, such as Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, William Rosecrans, Joseph Hooker, Thomas Jackson, Braxton Bragg, Robert E. Lee, William T. Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant, whose decisions and leadership shaped what proved to be a dramatic and transformative year in America’s bloodiest war.   

Ethan S. Rafuse received his doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is professor of military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His publications include “Robert E. Lee and the Fall of the Confederacy 1863-1865,” essays in “The Chattanooga Campaign” and “The Chickamauga Campaign,” and “U.S. Presidents During Wartime.”

Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady of the World
Instructor: Diana Carlin

Oct. 14, 21 & 28
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, 1429 Kasold Drive, Lawrence, KS

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Nov. 4, 11 & 18
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person
Tallgrass Creek Senior Living Community, 13800 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS

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Description
Recognized among the most admired people of the 20th century, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt first overcame an unhappy childhood when both parents and a younger brother died before she turned 10. 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. We’ll explore how 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. 

Diana Carlin is professor emerita of communications at Saint Louis University and a retired professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas. Her teaching and research interests are in political communication with an emphasis on speeches, debates, campaigns, women in politics and first ladies.

First Ladies of the White House
Instructor: Russ T. Hutchins

Nov. 3, 10 & 17
10 a.m. – Noon
Online

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Description
Let’s dive into our First Ladies’ lives with a short biography of each. We will discuss how active – or not – the ladies were in Washington politics, from Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Mrs. Reagan. We won’t leave out those who chose to stay home either, like Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Truman and others! 

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.

Frederick Douglass: From Enslaved Man to Statesman
Instructor: Paul Post

Aug. 11, 18 & 25
10 a.m. – Noon
In-person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman. After escaping enslavement in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York. We’ll explore his life in enslavement, look at his autobiographies and other writings, and conclude with his life in Washington, D.C. as an elder statesman.

Paul Post, a native Kansan, received a bachelor’s degree in history from Kansas State University and a law degree in 1974 from the University of Kansas Law School. Now retired from practicing law, he is a member of the Shawnee County Historical Society and an amateur beekeeper. He has authored essays on the history of SBA Hill/former Menninger Campus in Topeka, Topeka’s Bates Family, The Fred Harvey Company and Duke Ellington.

Germany at a Crossroads: 35 Years After Unification
Instructor: Anette Isaacs

Sept. 18, 25 & Oct. 2
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Online

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Description
Three-and-a-half decades after the Berlin Wall fell, Germany stands at a defining moment in its history. Over three weeks, we’ll dive into the country’s evolving political landscape, the triumphs and tensions of reunification and the everyday realities of life in modern Germany. From economic and social integration to the rise of new political movements, we’ll look at the forces shaping Europe’s largest democracy. What lessons can be drawn from the past, and where is Germany headed next? Join us for an insightful exploration of a nation still forging its identity.

German born and raised, Anette Isaacs is a historian and public educator who has presented hundreds of programs on more than 40 topics (all pertaining to her native country’s history, politics and culture) all over the United States. She holds master’s degrees in American studies, political science and history and currently serves as the director of OLLI at Florida International University in Miami.

History of Quindaro *New Class
Instructor: Aaron Margolis

Sept. 15 & 22
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
Join us to get to know the history of Quindaro, now part of Kansas City, Kansas, from its origins as a stop on the Underground Railroad, through its apex as a bustling town of freed slaves and suffragettes. We’ll discover how Quindaro served as a shining example of the quest for freedom in an age of oppression. We’ll also explore Quindaro’s place in national and Kansas history, as well as its continuing legacy today.

Aaron Margolis received his doctorate in history from the University of Texas at El Paso where he concentrated on Latin American and borderlands history. He is currently an associate professor of history at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Madeleine Albright: Her Personal and Professional Lives *New Class
Instructor: Anita Tebbe

Sept. 15, 22 & 29
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
Madeleine Albright blazed a path as a career diplomat. Over three weeks, we’ll delve into Albright’s personal life, from her 1937 birth in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to living in Great Britain during World War II and relocating to the United States afterward. We’ll track her diplomatic rise, culminating in serving as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and U.S. Secretary of State. Lastly, we’ll scrutinize Albright’s unique diplomatic tactic of using jewelry to convey messages – either subtly or explicitly. We’ll look at one of the 200 brooches she wore to important meetings.

Anita Tebbe is a retired professor in the legal studies department at Johnson County Community College. She earned an undergraduate degree in history, a graduate degree in education and a law degree. Anita is a Kansas-licensed attorney and has more than 40 years of teaching experience at the high school and college levels.

One-Term Presidents
Instructor: Russ. T. Hutchins

Sept. 15, 22 & 29
10 a.m. – Noon
Online

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Description
Join us for a deep dive into the “one-hit wonders” of U.S. presidents! This course will spotlight those presidents elected for one term and those who filled out an unexpired term and were elected to only one term. We’ll scrutinize their domestic and foreign policies along with issues with Congress and the Courts. 

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.

Secrets of the Tomb: Han China
Instructor: Robert Thorp

Sept. 15, 22 & 29
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person 
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
China’s first long-lived empire, the Han (206 B.C. – A.D. 220), is known for its richly furnished tombs – the Flying Horse of Gansu, silks and lacquer of the “pickled” Lady Dai, the jade burial suit of Prince Liu Sheng and the awesome necropolises of the Han sovereigns. Join us as we explore some of the most significant archaeological finds of the last century as an introduction to one of China’s great ages.

Robert Thorp taught at Princeton and Washington University in St. Louis for 25 years followed by a second career as a 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.

Sisters in Sorrow, Equal in Suffering: The Women of Bleeding Kansas *New Class
Instructor: Michelle Martin

Dec. 3 & 10 
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Online

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Description
Let’s travel back in time to share the experiences of women who made Kansas Territory their home from 1854 - 1861. Regardless of their political sentiments, women in Bleeding Kansas shared sorrow and grief equally as the territory roiled with turmoil. From the staunch abolitionist Sara Robinson to a young woman robbed of her fiancé, we’ll look at the compelling human dramas that took center stage as Kansas decided if she would be a free or slave state.

Michelle M. Martin is a Michigander by birth and a Kansan and Oklahoman by choice. Martin earned her doctorate in history at the University of New Mexico. Her research probes interracial marriage, gender, race and power in the Mvskoke Nation in Indian Territory from 1870 - 1897.

The Growth and Evolution of American Military Power
Instructor: Robert Smith

Oct. 16, 23 & 30
1 – 3 p.m.
Brewster Place, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka, KS

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Description
Throughout American history the military has played a significant role in our country’s development. Come walk through history as we examine some of America’s most significant battles, both victories and defeats. We’ll survey a series of military actions from the Revolution to the Korean War charting those conflicts, lessons learned and those lessons forgotten. We’ll first focus on the victories and defeats incurred during the American Revolution and the War of 1812 when America fought against the world’s premier military power, Great Britain. In Week 2 we’ll investigate the Civil War and America’s first experience with the “Total War” concept. We’ll spend the last class discussing America’s climb to become the world’s foremost military power during its early 20th-century conflicts. 

Robert Smith, Ph.D., is the retired director of the Fort Riley Museum. He has a doctorate in history from Kansas State University and has published numerous articles on military history.

The JFK Assassination: 60 Years Later
Instructor: Brian Edwards

Oct. 13, 20 & 27
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person
Brandon Woods at Alvamar, 1501 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS 

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Description
Let’s jump into the political and social climate of the early 1960s and the circumstances involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963. Over three weeks we’ll consider the major theories as to who was likely behind the assassination. You’ll see numerous photographs which were not available to the public in 1963 during the course, too. We’ll conclude with an in-depth examination of an eyewitness – who was ignored by the federal government – who observed a man shoot at the president from behind a picket fence.

Brian Edwards has researched the Kennedy assassination for five decades. During that time, he has interviewed hundreds of individuals connected with the case. He has given numerous presentations on the assassination throughout the United States. Brian co-authored three books on the assassination: “Beyond the Fence Line: The Eyewitness Account of Ed Hoffman and the Murder of President John Kennedy” (2008), “Blueprint for Murder” (2020) and “Admitted Assassin” (2024). In 2019, he collaborated with and appeared in Oliver Stone’s four-hour documentary on the assassination, “JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass.”

The Remarkable Montgall Avenue *New Class
Instructor: Margie Carr

Aug. 11, 18 & 25
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence 

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Description
Some of the most important leaders in Kansas City lived on this block. We’ll learn about the lives and work of these remarkable men and women, including Hugh Oliver Cook, principal of Lincoln High School; Anna Jones, prominent civil rights leader and suffragette; John E. Perry, founder of Wheatley Provident Hospital; Chester Franklin, founder of the Kansas City Call, and Lucile Bluford, the Call’s longtime editor. In addition to discovering these folks, we’ll examine the street itself and the attitudes and policies that impacted its rise and fall. When the first Black residents moved to Montgall, it was integrated. Over the course of the 20th century, the street — and the nation — became more segregated, and the Montgall residents responded in various ways. Jim Crow finally ended in the middle of the 20th century, but other policies replaced it, and with devastating consequences.

Margie Carr is a fourth-generation Kansan and grew up in the Kansas City area. She knew how to attend only one school, the University of Kansas, which is where she earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Her undergraduate and doctoral degrees are in education while her master’s degree is in museum studies, an area she pursued because it sounded calm. Except for the years spent raising her children when she worked as a freelance writer, she was in classrooms working with every age of student from preschool to the graduate level. Today she trains and supervises volunteers who advocate for children in the foster care system. She is the author of “Kansas City’s Montgall Avenue: Black Leaders and the Street They Called Home,” winner of the George Ehrlich Award for excellence in writing and chosen as a Notable Book of Kansas in 2024. 

The Willows Maternity Sanitarium and Kansas City: The Adoption Hub of America
Instructor: KelLee Parr

Aug. 13, 20 & 27
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person
Claridge Court, 8101 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS

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Description
This course will share the reunion of a mother and daughter 66 years after being separated at birth at The Willows Maternity Sanitarium. We will delve into the history of The Willows and dozens of other maternity homes that brought more than 100,000 young women shrouded in secrecy to Kansas City.

KelLee Parr holds bachelor’s degrees in agriculture and education plus a master’s degree in adult and occupational education from Kansas State University. He has taught elementary school for many years in Topeka and now writes science curriculum for Nancy Larson Publishers.

The Witch Trials of Early Modern Europe (c. 1450 – 1750)
Instructor: Cameron Engelbrecht

Oct. 13, 20 & 27
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Online

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Description
Together we’ll explore what early modern Europeans 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’ll unpack 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’ll 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.

Cameron C. Engelbrecht holds a master’s degree in early modern history from Trinity College Dublin and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Central Missouri. He currently serves as director of faith formation at two Catholic churches in the Kansas City area and lives in Independence, Missouri, with his wife and daughter.

The Women of the Kansas City Mafia *New Class
Instructor: Marlene Katz

Aug. 20
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
Long-time Osher instructor Marlene Katz once again brings history to life in her unique classes centering famous women throughout history. This semester, Marlene brings the stories of the women connected to the Kansas City mafia to life through a combination of biographical facts and engaging storytelling.

Marlene Katz, a graduate of 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 for various groups, often in costume and speech of the character she is portraying.

Three Days at Gettysburg
Instructor: Ethan Rafuse

Oct. 29, Nov. 5 & 12
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
The great three-day Battle of Gettysburg has widely been seen as the American Civil War’s turning point, the pivot on which the war and the fate of the republic turned. This course will look at the three days of battle at Gettysburg. We’ll consider the great (and not so great) leaders, events and decisions that shaped its course, conduct and outcome, as well the larger campaign that carried the war north of the Potomac for the second time in less than a year. We’ll also look at the battle’s special place in the war’s history, as well as that of the individuals and events that shaped its course and results.

Ethan S. Rafuse received his doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is professor of military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His publications include “Robert E. Lee and the Fall of the Confederacy 1863-1865,” essays in “The Chattanooga Campaign” and “The Chickamauga Campaign,” and “U.S. Presidents During Wartime.”

United States and World War II: Forgotten Military and Civilian Heroes and Heroines
Instructor: Anita Tebbe

Aug. 11, 18 & 25
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person
Clay County, Missouri (TBD)

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Description
Americans living during World War II have been called the “Greatest Generation.” Outstanding military leaders immediately come to mind: Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Gen. George S. Patton. This course, however, celebrates the not-so-famous U.S. heroes and heroines of World War II. We’ll learn about Black American, Native American and Japanese American soldiers, as well as the Counterintelligence Corps. We’ll also honor women’s roles as nurses, pilots, factory workers and sustainers of the home front. Lastly, we’ll examine how American journalists, the Red Cross and other humanitarian groups, U.S. test pilots, medics and others contributed to the war effort.

Anita Tebbe is a retired professor in the legal studies department at Johnson County Community College. She earned an undergraduate degree in history, a graduate degree in education and a law degree. Anita is a Kansas-licensed attorney and has more than 40 years of teaching experience at the high school and college levels.

Understanding George Orwell: His Life and Legacy
Instructor: Vic Peterson

Dec. 2 & 9
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
This two-session course explores the life and works of George Orwell, a pivotal 20th-century writer known for his sharp critiques of totalitarianism, class inequality and political corruption. First, we’ll delve into Orwell’s life, from his upbringing in British India to his formative experiences in Burma, the Spanish Civil War and World War II. We’ll connect these moments, which shaped his political views and literary voice, to his early works, such as “Down and Out in Paris and London” and “The Road to Wigan Pier.”

The second session shifts focus to Orwell’s most iconic works, “Animal Farm” and “1984.” We’ll explore their themes of power, propaganda and societal control, discussing their relevance to modern political and digital landscapes. The session also examines Orwell’s influential essays, including “Politics and the English Language,” and his enduring legacy as a writer and thinker. Through discussions and reflections, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Orwell’s contributions to literature and his resonance in contemporary times.

Vic Peterson is the author of “The Berserkers” (Hawkwood 2022/Recital 2023), set in a fictional Nordic country. He worked as a business executive and now divides his time between Lawrence, Kansas, and Northport, Michigan.

An Introduction to Family Systems Theory *New Class
Instructor: Gordon Peterson

Aug. 18 & 25
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
In this course you will explore the key concepts of Bowen’s Systems Theory, an interdisciplinary framework used to understand how people interact and connect within families and organizations.

Gordon Peterson studied Family System Theory with Rabbi Edwin Friedman who was a student and colleague of Rabbi Murray Bowen. Bowen developed the eight concepts of the systems theory, which includes the concept of “differentiation of self” and the differing levels of maturity in relationships. Gordon has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a doctoral degree in pastoral care and counseling.

Exploring Reality Beyond Physics: Overview of Great Eastern Philosophies
Instructor: James Gaither

Oct. 15, 22 & 29
2 – 4 p.m. 
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
The usual distinction made between religion and philosophy in Western thought can also be applied to Eastern thought. However, Eastern philosophies are generally more tightly linked to religious ideas. Eastern philosophies inquire into the nature of reality and concepts of the divine using paradigms distinguishable from – yet similar to – those found in Western philosophy. We’ll take a quick journey through the great philosophies of India and China to explore how ideas about reality, God and knowledge evolved in those cultures. We’ll see how Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism have both religious and philosophical aspects.

James Gaither, Th.D., holds a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Kansas and a doctorate from Holos University Graduate Seminary. For over 25 years he has taught courses on the history of Western thought, world religions, metaphysics and ethics and is currently “semi-retired.”

Jewish Holiday and Life Cycle Traditions as Seen Through the Michael Klein Collection *New Class
Instructor: Abby Magariel

Nov. 6, 13 & 20
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person
Village Shalom, 5500 W. 123rd St., Overland Park, KS (Nov. 6 & 13)
The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, 12320 Nall Ave., Overland Park, KS (Nov. 20 only)

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Description
Get to know some of the diverse holdings of the Michael Klein Collection, a treasure of Jewish art, ritual objects and material culture from around the world. The first two classes will highlight objects from the collection that are used for holidays and life cycle events. The third class will meet at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in Overland Park for a tour of the Klein Collection displays.

Abby Magariel is the educator/curator of the Michael Klein Collection at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in Overland Park. Before joining the world of Jewish education and museums, she was an educator at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka and the education director at the Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence. 

The Challenge of Change
Instructor: Bob Williams

Sept. 17, 24 & Oct. 1
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person
Clay County, Missouri (Location TBD)

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Description
Change is both the greatest threat and the greatest path to happiness in life. This class presents a model for understanding why change can be so difficult. Most importantly, we’ll discuss specific strategies and nuts and bolts techniques for overcoming the challenge of change to make it your ally in life.

Bob Williams holds a doctorate in developmental psychology and curriculum, and master’s degrees in counseling, educational psychology and ancient history. He is a semi-retired professor of psychology at Maple Woods Community College where he has taught psychology and history for 38 years. He is the co-author of three books dealing with life span development, relationships and creativity. Bob developed a system for teaching creative thinking (“Unleashing the Right Side of the Brain”), which has been used by business and educational organizations. He also designs games and has produced a number of simulations. His most recent game, “In a Lifetime,” allows players to make decisions and see the effects as they experience a very realistic simulation of life and change.

What is the “Tao Te Ching”?
Instructor: Larry Campbell

Aug. 14
2 – 4 p.m.
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
Written about 500 B.C.E., the “Tao Te Ching” is largely unknown by modern Westerners. It is NOT a religious text, but rather an exquisite “manual for living with integrity.” We’ll examine its background, discuss why various translations differ and review passages you may be surprised come from the “Tao Te Ching”!

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 After Math Enterprises LLC, an umbrella organization for his various activities.

Artificial Intelligence and Art
Instructor: Hugh Leeman

Nov. 5, 12 & 19
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 
Online

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Description
For centuries, civilizations have turned to art to reflect their deepest beliefs, power dynamics and cultural foundations. As we move through the modern era, emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are reshaping this ancient terrain. These tools challenge conventional ideas of creativity, prompting new questions about authorship, agency and artistic intention. Come ready to explore the creative application of AI technologies and their integration into contemporary life. By tracing key developments and breakthroughs in AI, we will study the societal and ethical implications of these tools for human expression and consider how they may redefine cultural paradigms in the 21st century.

Hugh Leeman is an artist and lecturer. He lectures regularly at Johns Hopkins University and Duke University in English and at Colorado State University in Spanish. Hugh uses his art to engage social challenges while energizing community relationships.

Meditation for Everyone: Methods and Benefits
Instructor: James Gaither

Sept. 17, 24 & Oct. 1
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
Medical research shows that practicing meditation can reduce stress and anxiety plus act as a supplemental therapy for a host of physical and psychological issues. Join us to explore methods derived from both Eastern and Western religions and secular origins. This course will explore several meditation methods and some of the research on its benefits. You don’t need to espouse any specific religious beliefs to learn with us. We welcome beginners as well as current meditation practitioners!

James Gaither, Th.D., holds a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Kansas and a doctorate from Holos University Graduate Seminary. For over 25 years he has taught courses on the history of Western thought, world religions, metaphysics and ethics and is currently “semi-retired.”

Nature Wars: Our Battles With Vegetation, Wildlife and Water
Instructor: Thomas Luellen

Nov. 4, 11 & 18
2 – 4 p.m. 
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
“And God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the Earth and subdue it.” Over three weeks, we’ll examine North Americans’ efforts to subdue the Earth. From removing the forests east of the Mississippi River for giant monoculture farms to designing perfect suburban lawns – which attract deer and geese – subduing the Earth has been a constant battle. In the West we’ll learn “water flows uphill to money.” One in nine Americans depend on water from the Colorado River. But with the current 20-plus-year drought, we’ll need to make significant changes to our water usage.

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.

Pollinators in Your Backyard: Who They Are and How You Can Help Them *New Class
Instructor: Kristen Baum

Oct. 13 & 20
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
Pollinator declines have been documented worldwide. This course arms you with information about the life, history and habitat needs for the pollinators you can find in your backyard. We’ll place special emphasis on at-risk pollinator species, including monarch butterflies and bumblebees.

Kristen Baum is the director of Monarch Watch, senior scientist with the Kansas Biological Survey and professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas. Her research focuses on the effects of land use and management practices, and weather extremes on monarchs, native bees and other pollinators.