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The popular University of Kansas Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is expanding its Friends of Osher program, to include tiered levels of giving and more recognition to donors.
The KU Osher program, part of KU Continuing Education, creates intellectually engaging and enriching classes and events for its members, with a focus on those 50 years of age and older.
According to program director David Wilson, the Friends of Osher is an important group of people and community-minded leaders who financially support the KU Osher program. They recognize that the accessible, low-cost educational opportunities offered by Osher enrich the lives of adult learners, so they want to help the program expand both course offerings and the geographical areas served.
"Many of our Osher members are on fixed incomes," Wilson said. "We are committed to keeping membership fees low and continuing to offer scholarships to learners who cannot otherwise afford to attend the courses. An initial Osher endowment and a few smaller grants have been supporting us, but that alone will not sustain our program."
Along with the new levels for the tax-deductible donations, the process of acknowledging gifts has been enhanced as well. Contributors will now be listed with their name and level of support, with permission, in the Osher catalog and on the Osher Web site. The top two levels will have the choice of including their company and logo with their listing.
Another new option for donors will be to sponsor individual courses, which would add the giver’s name or company to the title of the course on all marketing materials.
Currently more than 700 KU Osher members enjoy courses at 12 sites in Lawrence, Topeka and greater Kansas City. A developing network with Kansas community colleges is establishing a new era of programming opportunities, allowing KU Osher to offer courses to many more learners statewide. Hutchinson Community College and Labette Community College were the latest schools to partner with KU’s Osher program, and several other schools have agreements in the works.
The Bernard Osher Foundation of San Francisco selected KU in 2004 as a site for this nationally acclaimed program that opens the university’s doors to the public. The Osher Institute develops programs focusing on those 50 and older, but welcomes lifelong learners of all ages. Institute members can enroll in courses for as little as $35. Other benefits include a KU online ID, which provides access to more than 40 instructional technology workshops, KU library services and a 10 percent discount on adult art education classes at the Lawrence Arts Center.
For more information about the Friends of Osher or the KU Osher program, visit the KU Osher Web site or contact director David Wilson at 785-864-7873 or dmwilson@ku.edu.
Last modified September 30 2009 9:00 am Valid XHTML
