JoAnn Smith, a self-proclaimed lifelong learner, says learning doesn’t stop with earning a diploma.

Smith, dean of continuing education, is wrapping up her first year as dean at Kansas University but has been working in the industry for 20 years.

“It’s just so varied,” Smith said. “There are programs for every age group, and I like providing continuing education for adults.”

Smith said more people needed to realize the university doesn’t just belong to the traditional students. It belongs to everyone.

“There are people of all ages that are involved in educational learning and growing,” Smith said.

KU has been providing continuing education for 111 years. It is one of the three oldest programs in the country along with University of Chicago and University of Wisconsin.

The program serves every Kansas county, all 50 states and 49 countries with more than 1,000 programs.

Community connection

Programs include law enforcement and fire service training as well as distance education and independent study programs. Smith is particularly proud of a program that gives back to Lawrence.

“KU for Lawrence, beginning its fourth year, provides classes and opportunities for people in our community to enjoy intellectual engagement with the finest KU professors,” Smith said.

The program offers several non-credit courses taught by KU faculty. The programs are sometimes held in the KU Continuing Education Building, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, on campus or in appropriate locations for the course material. Last spring, a meeting room was filled to capacity at the Eldridge Hotel for a program on Lawrence history.

Offering programs like these for everyone to enjoy is a small way KU can give back to Lawrence, Smith said.

“It’s an opportunity for people in the Lawrence area to have intellectual enjoyment with some of our best faculty,” she said.

Five programs will be offered through the KU for Lawrence program this fall, including “Lawrence, Kansas: Phoenix in the Ashes,” “Art, History and Culture: Understanding the Visual Record,” “Conflict and Crisis in the Western Church,” “One Year after 9/11” and “KU Men’s Basketball: History, National Influence and Inside Perspectives.”

Courses are taught by KU faculty members. The KU basketball program will include lectures by Roy Williams, former assistant coach Jerry Waugh, broadcasters Max Falkenstien and Bob Davis, and Distinguished Professor Norm Yetman of American studies and psychology.

Meeting times and frequencies vary.

Affordable learning

Smith said programs were offered at the lowest rate possible. KU Continuing Education isn’t about making money, she said. The program barely makes any money.

Smith said the program was especially beneficial to those who move back to Lawrence for educational growth.

Pete Crane has attended several KU for Lawrence programs. A retired doctor, Crane moved to Lawrence two years ago from Manhattan.

“The reason I came to Lawrence was to be around the university where they have these educational programs,” Crane said.

Crane has attended programs with his wife on topics ranging from religion to central Europe to Ireland.

Steve Polson, a retired architect, moved to Lawrence about six years ago. He said he has attended a few programs about the Middle East.

“It’s just an interest,” Polson said. “I find the ones having some historical base are really good because it’s a compact lesson in history.”

Polson said he enjoyed taking advantage of things the university offered, like great professors, that many traditional students take for granted.

Why does he attend classes after he has retired?

“Because of the interest,” he said. “And because I don’t have to.”