Breadcrumb
Lifelong Learning
Our Mission
Lifelong Learning (LLL) seeks to provide quality, community oriented programs for people of various ages. UCM鈥檚 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鈥檚 to members of the UCM Emeriti and Retiree 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.
Spring 2026 Schedule
Think Before You Click: Cybersecurity Q&A
Thursday, Jan. 15 at 12:30 p.m.
Warrensburg Senior Center - 445 E Gay Street, Warrensburg
Presenters: Jared Allen and Bob Adams - UCM Office of Technology
Allen and Adams will teach you how to spot spam emails, avoid tech support scams and protect yourself from online fraud. Bring your questions!
The Life and Legacy of Morris L. Collins
Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
First Christian Church, 101 E Gay Street, Warrensburg
Presenters: Loretta Collins and Barbara Collins Hill
Join us as we journey through the life of Morris L. Collins, tracing his path from his early years on the family farm to his groundbreaking role as the first African-American teacher in the Warrensburg School District.
Impacting Education
Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Trails Regional Library - Warrensburg Branch
Presenter: Monda Reynolds
Monda will share insights from her impactful career as a teacher, assistant high school
principal and elementary principal. She will discuss the transformative power of education
and share stories that shaped her journey.
What's Going on in the Burg?
Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Trails Regional Library - Warrensburg Branch
Presenters: Mike Schrage - city manager, Chris Deal - Parks & Rec, Jamie DeBaker - Main Street
Learn about what's going on in your hometown!
The History of Whiteman Air Force Base
Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Trails Regional Library - Warrensburg Branch
Presenter: Dee Gullickson - Whiteman AFB Historian
Join us for an engaging look at the history of Whiteman Air Force Base and its impact on our community.
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鈥檚 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 an MA in Mass Communication in 2013. She works as a senior integrated marketing specialist in UCM鈥檚 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 camping in her RV, playing bass and singing on the Life Nazarene Church worship team, and collecting vintage items from thrift stores, garage sales and estate sales.
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鈥檚 Office of Technology, and has served as the audio/video tech for Life Nazarene Church 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.
Eddie Osborne - Member at Large
Osborne is a native of rural Henry County and a 1969 graduate of Chilhowee Public High School. Eddie has called Warrensburg home for the past 36 years. A passionate supporter of the arts, he鈥檚 served on the Warrensburg Arts Commission. He wrote, produced and performed in a reader鈥檚 theatre celebrating Warrensburg鈥檚 native son John William 鈥淏lind鈥� Boone and served as producer and host of the long running radio program the 鈥淓clectic Caf茅鈥�. He presents topical essays at Old Drum Open Mic and serves on their advisory board. Since 2009, he鈥檚 partnered with the Johnson County Historical Society to present 168 performances in the long running 鈥淐oncerts in the Courthouse鈥� series.
Bruce Uhler - Member at Large
Charlie Rutt - Member at Large
Contact
Online and Extended Studeis
WOOD 136
Tel: (660) 543-4984