Osher Institute expands classes to Hutchinson

Thursday, September 18, 2008

A class with no homework, tests or grades may sound too good to be true – but it’s not for people enrolled in the KU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. This semester, the Institute is expanding its noncredit course offerings to Hutchinson Community College.

The Institute offers classes to people who want to learn about unique topics outside of a normal college classroom.

The Institute partnered with the College to offer its three-week long learning programs. Although Institute courses began Monday in Lawrence, the Hutchinson programs are scheduled to start next month at the College.

David Wilson, director of the Institute, said although only two classes would be available in Hutchinson at first, the University was planning to add more classes in the future. The courses, which are geared toward adults ages 50 and older, are offered at several locations in Douglas County, Johnson County and Clay County, Mo.

“The courses are really about expanding your mind and reaching out for different and foreign ideas,” Wilson said.

Jeff Adams, Hutchinson’s associate director of continuing education, said although anyone could enroll in the classes, the structure was ideal for adults older than 50. The two-hour long courses meet for three weeks on Thursday afternoons.

Courses cover topics such as the arts, theology, history and culture. The Institute has offered courses on airplane building, American Sign Language, the murals of Topeka, metalsmithing and the works of Ernest Hemingway.

Muff Kelly, a 62-year-old from Lawrence, said she and her husband had been taking classes at the Institute since 2006.

“As a student, it’s been nice not having homework and just being able to learn for the joy of it,” Kelly said. “All the instructors have been fabulous.”

Wilson said the average age of students enrolled in the Institute was 70 years old. He said that more than 600 members were enrolled in the Institute and that he expected about 200 people to enroll in the new program in Hutchinson.

Membership and enrollment in the Institute is $35 for one class, $50 for two classes and $75 for three classes.

— — Edited by Jennifer Torline

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