Lynn Russell is a graduate of Kansas University’s first Mini-College.

“I had just moved here, so it was a chance for me to get to know the university,” the retired nurse said. “I loved it. It was just wonderful.”

Again this year, KU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will offer “courses” ranging from topics on Germans in the U.S. Civil War to sexual selection in insects.

About 110 people have signed up for the weeklong series of lectures, extracurricular events and social events that run from May 24-28, said Jessica Beeson, project coordinator for the college of liberal arts and sciences.

This year, the event will offer keynote speakers each day who will address the entire group before the participants move into smaller lectures.

Speakers include Steve Hawley, a KU physics and astronomy professor who is a former astronaut, and his wife, Eileen, who worked in NASA’s public relations department; and Randy Scott, a KU alumnus who is now CEO of Genomic Health. Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little is also scheduled to address the group.

Registration for the event is $225 if completed before April 30, and $250 after that until May 16.

More information, including how to register and a complete list of speakers and lecture offerings, is available online at minicollege.ku.edu, or by calling 864-1767.