Breadcrumb
Lifelong Learning
Our Mission
Lifelong Learning (LLL) seeks to provide quality, community oriented programs for people of various ages. UCM’s LLL series is designed to provide programs and performances that enlighten and inform people throughout the region. All programs are free and open to the public. Please join us!
Our History
Lifelong Learning (LLL) began with an interest survey distributed to UCM’s to members of the UCM Emeriti Association in April 2010. In June, 2010 a committee of emeriti members, Dee Hudson, Justyn Graham, Harold Sampson, and Deems Brooks met to begin planning a variety of ungraded learning opportunities for older adults within the community. Though not serving on the committee, Dick Carr aided with media releases. Darlene Laubenstein replaced Hudson on the committee in April 2011 and Karen Haase was added in the summer of 2011.
Meet the Board
Karen Churn - Co-Chair
Karen Churn is a 1987 graduate of Central Missouri State University, now UCM, with a bachelor's degree in political science. She worked for the American Red Cross Service to Military Families at Fort Leonard Wood, MO from 1989 thru 1996 which included deploying with the 82nd Airborne Division to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield in 1990. Currently, she has worked for Trails Regional Library in various capacities since 1996. Since returning to Warrensburg, she has volunteered for the Warrensburg Food Center, served on the boards of Survival and the WMMC Auxiliary, and was a Hospice Volunteer for Johnson County Community Health Services for nearly 10 years
Karen Hicklin - Co-Chair
Karen Hicklin has lived in Warrensburg for 15 years. Prior to retirement, she was the Director of Trails Regional Library. She also serves on the Warrensburg Historic Preservation Commission and volunteers at the Jeremiah Project warehouse. Karen & her husband Bob Steinkuehler enjoy reading and traveling.
Bobbie Erickson - Secretary
Erickson retired in 2004 after a 24-year career as a public-school library media specialist. She has a BS degree in Sociology from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) and an MSE in Library Science from UCM. Her passion is travel and she has visited all 50 states and many foreign countries. She also enjoys reading, singing in the church choir, and working at the Teacher's Warehouse.
Robin Osborne - Treasurer
Osborne graduated from UCM in 1986 with a degree in elementary and special education and holds a Master’s degree in education administration from William Woods University. She taught in the Sherwood Cass RVIII and Chilhowee School Districts and retired from teaching in 2016. Education remains a priority to her, and she continues to substitute teach on occasion.
Ellen Blaize - Public Relations
Blaize is a lifelong Warrensburg resident and UCM alumna. She received a BS in Broadcast Media in 2011 and a MA in Mass Communication in 2013. She works as an integrated marketing specialist in UCM’s office of Integrated Marketing and Communications. She and her husband Josh love animals and have two basset hounds and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and camping in her RV, and playing bass guitar and singing on the worship team for Life Church of the Nazarene.
Josh Blaize - A/V Tech
Blaize, who comes from an Air Force family, moved to Warrensburg in 2001 after growing up at Eielson AFB in Alaska. He works as a multimedia specialist for UCM’s Office of Technology, and has served as the audio/video tech for Life Church of the Nazarene in Warrensburg for nearly 20 years. In his free time, he enjoys collecting and repairing vintage Apple computers, which he shares with the 45,000+ followers on his TikTok channel.
Travis Seek - Graphics Coordinator
Biography Coming
Eddie Osborne - Member at Large
Osborne is a native of rural Henry County and a 1969 graduate of Chillhowee Public High School Eddie has called Warrensburg home for the past 36 years. A passionate supporter of the arts he’s served on the Warrensburg Arts Commission. He wrote, produced and performed in a reader’s theatre celebrating Warrensburg’s native son John William “Blind” Boone and served as producer and host of the long running radio program the “Eclectic Café”. He presents topical essays at Old Drum Open Mic and serves on their advisory board. Since 2009 he’s partnered with the Johnson County Historical Society to present 168 performances in the long running “Concerts in the Courthouse” series.
Mary Solomon - Member at Large
Solomon retired after a 34-year career as a middle school language arts teacher. She is a University of Missouri graduate and completed graduate work at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Solomon is a past member of the Survival Adult Abuse Center board and volunteers in other community capacities. She is an avid reader who enjoys traveling, playing bridge, and spoiling grandchildren.
Fall 2023 Presentations
Turkeyfoot Prairie: A Walking Tour
Speakers: Vern Elsberry and Christine Lichte, members of Citizens for Environmental
Action
Date/Time: Thursday, September 14 at 6:30 pm
Location: Turkeyfoot Prairie, next to the soccer complex south of the intersection
of 101st St and Division Road, across from Old Drum Animal Shelter
Participate in a guided walking tour of a ½ mile loop through the tallgrass portion of the property and learn more about prairie ecosystems, plants, and wildlife.
*Rain date set for Thursday, September 21
The Native American Experience in Missouri
Speaker: Galen Gritts, registered member of the Cherokee Nation and the Missouri Humanities
Council Speaker Bureau
Date/Time: Thursday, October 26 at 6:30 pm
Location: Trails Regional Library, 432 N. Holden Street in Warrensburg
The program will cover what life in general was like for Native folks in Missouri based on Native traditions and such sciences as archaeology and geology.
Johnson County Schoolhouse Jammers
Date/Time: Sunday, November 12 at 2-3 pm
Location: Culp Building, 302 N. Main Street in Warrensburg
Enjoy an entertaining afternoon with a talented group of local musicians.
Cardmaking with Karen
Speaker: Karen Churn, avid crafter and card designer
Date/Time: Thursday, November 16 at 6:30 pm
Location: Trails Regional Library, 432 N. Holden Street in Warrensburg
Come learn some tips and tricks for beginning cardmaking and leave with some materials to get started on your own!
Contact
Online and Learning Engagement
HUM 410
Tel: (660) 543-4984
