Osher@Mizzou Clubs and Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
In addition to Friday lectures and Book Talks, current Osher members are invited to take part in clubs and SIGs for the entire academic year. Gather with other lovers of lifelong learning for fun and creative meetings, outings and discussions.
All meetings take place in the Moss Building (1905 Hillcrest Drive in Columbia), unless otherwise indicated.
To view the current meeting plan for each of the groups, along with notes and updates from coordinators, visit the SIG and Club Announcement page.
Baseball Bull Session SIG
Coordinator: Bill Clark
Discuss America’s Game, past, present, and future, with a panel of enthusiasts. The coordinator is Bill Clark, a 36-year veteran Major League Baseball scouting supervisor, including a dozen years as an international director. The panel will include John Kelly, longtime Hickman High athletic director; Terry Farmer, baseball card historian; Hank Landry, retired professor who’s steeped in baseball lore; and Dr. Sid Christiansen, who’s attended hundreds of MLB games and has the ticket stubs to prove it.
Current Events Discussion SIG
Coordinator: Sarah Perry
Meet to discuss current events, with topics identified in advance of the meetings. Current events are identified as a wide range of topics from politics, science, technology and human behavior on international, national and local levels. Our goal is to look at potentially controversial current affairs with curiosity, comprehension and civility. Discussion guidelines will be published and agreed upon. The discussions will be facilitated by Sarah Perry.
Movies SIG (New!)
Coordinators: Linda McElroy, Evan Smith, Lenora Smith, Michelle Wheeler
Inspired by recent Osher courses focused on film topics, this group formed in December 2024 to watch and discuss movies.
Social Club
Coordinators: Osher Advisory Council members and volunteers
Unique and creative outings are scheduled often. Recent trips included visits to the MU Research Reactor, the NextGen lecture series and Buck’s Ice Cream. Current Osher members should watch their emails for periodic invitations.
Social Justice Book Club
Coordinator: Nancy Browning
Books are selected by the club members and announced in the monthly Osher e-newsletter. To find out the current title, visit the SIG and Club Announcement page.
Travel SIG
Coordinator: Nancy Griggs
Learn about travel destinations, practices and offerings and/or share your own travel caveats and successes! The group picks a specific topic for each meeting – see the SIGs announcement page for information about upcoming meetings.
Walking The Camino in Missouri SIG
Coordinator: Lynn Tushaus
The idea for this SIG developed during the 2024 Osher class, “Why Walk 500 Miles? An Exploration of the Camino de Santiago,” taught by Dr. Connie Johnmeyer. Many of us may not be ready or able to walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail across northern Spain, but we can reap the rewards of walking together, talking, and enjoying our surroundings.
We All Need a Little Humor Book Club SIG
Coordinator: Lynn Tushaus
Don’t we all need – and want - humor in our life? Participants will choose books to read throughout the year. Join us to find laughter and friendship through reading and sharing with other Osher members.