Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Adults 50 and older can take advantage of six classes and one special event being offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Manhattan this fall.

These noncredit enrichment short courses are made possible through a partnership with the University of Kansas-based institute and Kansas State University, UFM Community Learning Center and Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community. It's the seventh semester Osher Institute classes -- for people age 50 and up -- have been offered in the Manhattan area. This fall's topics include the rise of the jazz vocalist, climate change and Kansas, the impact of World War I on the 20th century and more.

"The Osher classes, coordinated by UFM Community Learning Center, have seen great success over the last seven semesters -- a success due to the enthusiasm for continued learning throughout a lifetime held by Midwest residents," said Linda Teener, UFM director.

The classes include:

* Kansas State University's Mary Knapp, state climatologist and associate agronomist, will teach The Climate Challenges of Kansas. This class will look at the patterns of weather and climate in the state and cover the new methods of monitoring weather. It also will look at the challenges of adapting to a highly variable climate and the social, agricultural and economic concerns that arise. The class will be offered from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, 11 and 18, in the Community Room at Meadowlark Hills, 2121 Meadowlark Road.

* Robert Smith, director of the Fort Riley Museum, will teach WWI: A Century Later. This class will examine the origins of the war, specifically on the Western front from 1914-1917; the global nature of the war, stretching to far off fronts as well as at sea; and on America's impact on the war and the war's impact on the home front. The class will meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.10, 17 and 24, at Crestview Christian Church, 4761 Tuttle Creek Blvd.

* The Lost Gospels of Early Christianity will be taught by Barry Crawford, professor of religious studies at Washburn University. The class will address questions such as: Did Jesus have a wife? Was Judas a hero rather than a villain? What are we to believe about the life and teachings of Jesus now that hitherto unknown gospels have come to light? To answer these questions, the class will examine selected early Christian gospels both within and outside the New Testament to learn something of their literary character, their purpose and the varied images of Jesus they present. The class will meet from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, 9, and 16, at the Meadowlark Hills Community Room.

* Cliff Hight, university archivist and assistant professor at the Kansas State University Libraries, will teach Kansas State University: 150 Years and Counting. The class will address some of the highlights of the university's history, including its first term, and cover milestones in research, instruction, service, athletics and student life. This class will meet 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, 17 and 24, at First Baptist Church, 2121 Blue Hills Road.

* The Custer Brothers of Kansas will be taught by Roy Bird, author of "The Better Brother: Tom & George Custer and the Battle for the American West."The course looks at George, the "Boy General"; the romance of his lovely young wife, Libbie; and the dubious reputation of Tom, a two-time Medal of Honor winner. It will also explore the pivotal role the brothers played in the Indian wars. This class will be 2-4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, 21 and 28, at Crestview Christian Church.

* Paul Hunt, professor of trombone at Kansas State University, will teach The Golden Age of the Jazz Vocalist. This class will look at and listen to the contributions of some of the great jazz vocal stylists and close-harmony singing groups, beginning with the recorded artists of the 1920s and working its way through the golden age of the jazz singers of the 1950s, 1960s and into present day. The class will be offered from 3-5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, 18 and 25, at College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1609 College Ave.

The special event offering will be a Manhattan Holiday Lights Trolley Tour from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. The tour will go through neighborhoods in northwest and central Manhattan, including the Candlewood, Cico Park and Sharingbrook areas, to enjoy creative displays that celebrate the spirit of the holidays. The tour begins and ends at Mr. K's, 3901 Vanesta Drive.

Those interested in participating in these classes and events can go to the UFM Community Learning Center website at http://www.tryufm.org and click on the "Osher Institute Classes" link to find the various ways to register for a class, or call 785-864-5823 or toll-free at 877-404-5823. Beginning this semester, K-State Alumni Association members will receive a 10 percent discount on Osher classes.

The Osher Institute is a collaboration with UFM Community Learning Center, Kansas State University and the University of Kansas.