KU News Release

KU and Hutchinson Community College announce educational partnership

LAWRENCE — Continuing its commitment to statewide educational outreach, the University of Kansas has partnered with Hutchinson Community College to extend its popular Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to Kansans in Reno County and surrounding areas.

A memorandum of understanding was signed at a ceremony on the community college campus on Aug. 20, with initial programs becoming available in this fall.

Osher programs traditionally target those 50 and older, offering members a wide range of innovative courses in the arts, theology, philosophy, culture, health and well-being, and other popular topics.

“The Hutchinson Community College Osher Institute programs are designed to make it easy for people to attend,” said Ed Berger, president of the community college. “They are in the early afternoon, which means people do not have to worry about being out after dark, and there is no homework or tests involved — just the joy of learning from faculty who are passionate about their subject.”

The first program will feature William T. Brewer, chair of the fine arts department at Huchinson Community College, in a series examining the rise of Broadway musicals. Notable author and Ulysses native Elizabeth Black will highlight the second program, as she broadcasts her series exploring prairie fiction novels from Lawrence using state-of-the-art interactive technology.

“Thanks to several corporate partners, including local residential care facilities Mennonite Manor, Sunshine Meadows and Wesley Towers, the initial series is well supported and should offer great learning opportunities for anyone over the age of 50,” said David Wilson, director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at KU.

Details and a brochure for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Hutchinson Community College can be obtained by calling Jeff Adams at (620) 727-2790 or Collette Edwards at (620) 727-2791. Information on the programs is also available online on the Continuing Education Web site.

For more information on Hutchinson Community College, visit the college’s Web site.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.