News

New courses offered for semester of Bluestem U lifelong learning program

NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – Registration is open now for a new semester of Bluestem U courses, the lifelong learning program of Bluestem Communities for individuals age 55 and better. 

Three courses will be offered for the fall 2026 semester. Each course is $50. More information and registration can be found at bluestemu.org. All members of the public age 55 and better are welcome to be a part of Bluestem U, and do not need to have affiliation with any Bluestem Communities campus or program to participate. 

“This program offers individuals in our communities the opportunity to learn about specific areas of interest, and fuels the spark for learning that is so important through all life stages,” said Karah Covey, Lifelong Learning Manager. 

“Chemistry 101: The Everyday Chemistry In and Around Us” will be taught by Jim Yoder, Ph.D., professor emeritus of Hesston College, where he taught chemistry, general education science and astronomy for 50 years. The course will look at ourselves and the world around us through the eyes of a chemist. It will run for six weeks on Fridays from September 11 through October 16, from 10 to 11 a.m., in the Kaye Penner Education Center at Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton.

“Suing for Peace: A Guide to Resolving Life’s Conflicts” will focus on the thinking of attorney James Kimmel, Jr., J.D., about the psychology of retaliation and revenge and how to avert their frequent result in violence and other negative outcomes. The course will be team-taught by local experts including Robert Hull, M.Div.; Karen Kandel, Executive Director of KIPCOR (Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution); Erin Omole, J.D., Director of Training and Education at KIPCOR; Bill Rich, J.D., retired professor of Constitutional Law; Tim Voth, J.D., retired staff attorney; and Aimee Voth Siebert, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Bethel College. The course will meet for six sessions from September 24 through November 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the Kaye Penner Education Center at Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton.

“Buggies, Bonnets and Boundaries: A study of Amish faith, life and culture” will be taught by John Sharp, retired historian who taught history and Bible at Hesston College. The course integrates history, faith and culture as it explores key concepts that form the basis of life in Amish communities. It will run for six weeks on Thursdays from October 5 through November 12, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., in the Lakeside Commons Garden Room at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.

For more information and to register, visit bluestemu.org or call 316-836-4846.