Wilbur West, Lawrence
Jeane Landry, Lawrence
Participants, KU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Programs: Live to learn
“The classes help me keep my mind alert. I’m not getting older, just more mature.”
— Wilbur West
Master’s in music
education ’54
Just try and keep up with Wilbur West or Jeane Landry. West, 92, a retired music teacher, repairs old stringed instruments and volunteers weekly at the local hospital. Landry, 81, a former Wichita resident who served on many community boards, is an avid bridge player. The two friends — along with more than 650 other annual participants — love the diverse course offerings at the KU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Whether it’s a class on Mozart taught by KU musicologist Paul Laird or a study of Islam and the Middle East led by KU Religious Studies Professor Margaret Rausch, the programs always draw a crowd. KU’s Osher Institute, administered through KU Continuing Education, offers classes in the Lawrence, Topeka and Kansas City areas, with a special focus on participants 50 and older. The Bernard Osher Foundation provides major funding for the Institute through KU Endowment.
2007 Program support: $18.2 million
KU Endowment assists a wide variety of academic programs for KU students as well as outreach programs for people of all generations through the Osher Institute, the Lied Center for the Performing Arts, the Hall Center for the Humanities, the Dole Institute for Politics, KU museums and other university entities.