KU's Osher Institute, Ottawa University announce fall programming

LAWRENCE — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Kansas in partnership with Ottawa University will offer two courses on the OU campus this fall and a special discount for alumni association members.

“Exploring the Northern Isles of Scotland” will be presented Mondays, Sept. 9, 16 and 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in Room 101 of the Ward Science Building at Ottawa University.

In this course, participants will enjoy a colorful visit to Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides Islands. After an introduction to the geography of Highland Scotland, they will explore the physical, economic and cultural geography of these three fantastic island groups. Discussions will include archaeology (why Orkney is the “Egypt of the North”), land tenure (clans, crofts and clearances), ecology (the machair) and economies (sheep and oil). The course will be taught by Washburn University Professor of Geography Tom Schmiedeler.

“The Custer Brothers in Kansas” will be presented Tuesdays, Oct. 8, 15 and 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Room 101 of the Ward Science Building at Ottawa University.

The Custer brothers were among numerous legendary western characters who inhabited Kansas immediately after the Civil War, contributing to the nearly mythical era that made the Wild West so wild. In this course, the participants will examine George, the “Boy Genera” and the romance with his lovely young wife, Libbie, and the dubious reputation of the two-time Medal of Honor winner, George’s brother, Tom. Plus, the course will delve into the brothers’ pivotal roles in the Indian Wars as they follow their five-year-long trail through Kansas. The instructor will be former librarian Roy Bird, author of “The Better Brother: Tom & George Custer and the Battle for the American West” and former director of the Kansas Center for the Book.

The Osher Institute is offering 43 additional courses and 12 special events in Lawrence, Topeka and the Greater Kansas City area. Topics range from the West African slave trade to the Vietnam War, from Abraham Lincoln to Winston Churchill, and from Kansas cowboys, Indians and homesteaders to Herman Melville and Walt Whitman.

“This fall our theme is ‘Learning Is an Ageless Adventure,’” said Jim Peters, the Institute’s director. “And to ensure that, we have placed the broadest, boldest and best lineup of courses and events within reach of every person in Northeast Kansas and Greater Kansas City.”

The special events include performances of “Footloose” at Theatre Lawrence, “Sweeney Todd” at the Lawrence Arts Center, and a concert by Irish music singer Ashley Davis at the Lied Center. Bus tours include a visit to Lindsborg, tracing William Quantrill’s route and raid on Lawrence, and a visit to the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Stone Pillar Winery. Two free events include a CPR course with the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Department and a “Fashion of the Times” presentation associated with the Lawrence Arts Center’s production of “A Kansas Nutcracker.”

Members of the alumni associations of KU, OU, Kansas State University, Washburn University, Hutchinson Community College and Hesston College are also eligible for a $10 discount on the first course fee of $40.

A unit of KU Continuing Education, the Osher Institute develops enrichment programs focusing on those 50 and over but welcomes lifelong learners of all ages. The Bernard Osher Foundation of San Francisco selected KU in 2004 as a site for this nationally acclaimed program the shares the rich resources of the University of Kansas with the general public. The institute now has more than 2,700 members.

Course titles, instructors, start dates and locations are listed below. For more information or to enroll, visit Osher or call toll free (877) 404-5823 or (785) 864-5823.

Ottawa

• "Exploring the Northern Isles of Scotland," Tom Schmiedeler, Mondays, Sept. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Ottawa University
• "The Custer Brothers in Kansas, Roy Bird," Tuesdays, Oct. 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Ottawa University

Topeka

• “The Faith of Our Founders,” Barry Crawford, Wednesdays, Sept. 11, 3 p.m.-5 p.m., McCrite Plaza
• “German Settlements and Culture in Kansas,” Bill Keel, Wednesdays, Sept. 11, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Washburn University
• “Native American Art: How It Speaks to Us,” Gil Nichols, Tuesdays, Sept. 17, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Brewster Place
• “Exploring Regional Geographies of Europe,” Tom Schmiedeler, Tuesdays, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Washburn University
• “Understanding Your Rights: The Supreme Court in American History,” John Mack, Thursdays, Oct. 10, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Aldersgate Village
• “The Golden Age of Television,” David Wilson, Tuesdays, Oct. 8, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Brewster Place
• “Behind the Rainbow: Judy Garland & the MGM Musical,” Cynthia Haines, Wednesdays, Oct. 30, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Aldersgate Village
• “The Civil War in Kansas,” Debra Bisel, Tuesdays, Nov. 5, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Brewster Place

Lawrence

• “WWI - The Great War: Myths and Reality,” Nicholas Murray, Mondays, Sept. 16, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., KUCE Building
• “The Vietnam War and Its Legacy for America,” Tony Mullis, Tuesdays, Sept. 17.  7 p.m.-9 p.m., KUCE Building
• “The Portrayal of Lawyers in Popular Culture,” Mike Hoeflich, Wednesdays, Sept. 18. 2 p.m.-4 p.m., KUCE Building
• “I Always Wanted to Learn How to Draw Portraits,” Barbara Solberg, Thursdays, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., KUCE Building
• “The Civil War in Kansas,” Debra Bisel, Mondays, Sept. 23, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Brandon Woods Smith Center
• “Introduction to Digital Photography: Know Your Camera and Create Your Shot,” Mike Yoder, Mondays, Oct. 7, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., KUCE Building
• “Joyful Singing for Everyone,” Kelley Hunt, Tuesdays, Oct. 8, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., KUCE Building
• “The Search for Serenity in Chinese and Japanese Architecture,” Nancy Hope, Thursdays, Oct. 10, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., KUCE Building
• “Destination West Africa: Searching for Roots and the Legacy of Slavery,” Kim Warren, Mondays, Oct. 14, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., KUCE Building
• “Churchill and His Personal War on Behalf of the British Empire,” Jeremy Taylor, Tuesdays, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., KUCE Building
• “Native American Art: How It Speaks to Us,” Gil Nichols, Wednesdays, Oct. 16, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Brandon Woods Smith Center
• “Cowboys, Indians and Homesteaders: Tracing Kansas' Folk Icons,” Jim Hoy, Tuesdays, Nov. 5, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., KUCE Building
• “The Lost Gospels of Early Christianity,” Barry Crawford, Wednesdays, Nov. 6, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., KUCE Building
• “Kansas at the Crossroads: The Future of Energy and Water Resources,” Rex Buchanan, Wednesdays, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., KUCE Building
• “Melville, Whitman and the Civil War,” Haskell Springer, Thursdays, Nov. 7, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., KUCE Building
• “Politics vs. Policy: The Realities of Welfare, Education, and Healthcare Policy in the U.S.,” Chris Wiles, Mondays, Nov. 11, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., KUCE Building
• “Caravaggio: His Life, His Work, His World,” Ann Wiklund, Mondays, Nov. 25, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., KUCE Building

Overland Park

• “The Border Wars,” Tony Mullis, Thursdays, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., KU Edwards Campus
• “Abraham Lincoln: Statesman or Tyrant?” Jennifer Weber, Mondays, Sept. 16, 3 p.m.-5 p.m., KU Edwards Campus
• “Understanding Islam and the Roles of Muslim Women,” Beverly Mack, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Tallgrass Creek
• “From Myths to Molecules: Changing Ways of Seeing Life,” Elizabeth Wenske-Mullinax & James Floyd, Tuesdays, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., KU Edwards Campus.
• “Native American Art: How It Speaks to Us,” Gil Nichols, Thursdays, Oct. 10, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Tallgrass Creek
• “Imagine Your Retirement: Its More Than Just Money,” Kathleen Ames-Oliver, Wednesdays, Oct. 23, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., KU Edwards Campus

Lenexa

• “The Music of George Gershwin,” Paul Laird, Tuesdays, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Lakeview Village
• “When the Fat Lady Sings: A Short History of Opera,” Don Dagenais, Wednesdays, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Lakeview Village

Mission

• “Understanding Your Rights: The Supreme Court in American History,” John Mack, Thursdays, Sept. 12, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Mission Square
• “The Life and Times of Harry Truman,” Jim Peters, Thursdays, Nov. 7, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Mission Square

Olathe

• “Famous Kansans of the 1920s and 1930s,” Valerie Mendoza, Tuesdays, Sept. 10, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Aberdeen Village
• “Harp Music from Around the World,” Connie Wollenhaupt, Mondays, Oct. 14, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Aberdeen Village

Prairie Village

• “The Road Less Traveled: A Virtual Tour of Ireland's Hidden Destinations,” Sorcha Hyland, Wednesdays, Sept. 18, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Claridge Court
• “Secret Lives of Geniuses,” Norm Ledgin, Tuesdays, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Claridge Court

Kansas City, Mo.

• “Sculpture at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: Outdoors, Indoors and In-Between,” Alan Lubert, Fridays, Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Nelson-Atkins Museum

Clay County, Mo.

• “The Golden Age of Television,” David Wilson, Mondays, Sept. 11, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Maple Woods Community College
• “The Custer Brothers in Kansas,” Roy Bird, Thursdays, Oct. 3, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Maple Woods Community College
• “Shakespeare's Sonnets,” Alan Lubert, Fridays. Nov. 1, 10 a.m.- noon, Maple Woods Community College.