Who serves on Osher@Mizzou’s advisory council?

Officers Committee

Gloria Crull, Advisory Council Chair

I have lived my life in Missouri, having been born and raised in Independence. I moved to Columbia in 1965 with my former husband to attend MU. I have loved living in this vibrant, progressive small city for the last 56 years. My family includes two married children, seven adult grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

I returned to school as an adult to complete my education in Health Science (1985), Public Administration (1989) and Health Administration (1992). I retired from employment as the CEO of Family Health Center, a federally qualified health center, with medical, dental and mental health service sites located in central and north central Missouri.

My introduction to Osher came through a former neighbor and friend, and I attended my first class in the Fall of 2017, upon retirement from employment. I currently serve as co-chair of the Development Committee and vice chair of the Advisory Council of Osher. I look forward to the new program offerings each semester and frequently encourage friends and associates to give Osher a try.

In addition to Osher, I serve on the advisory councils of the Health Management and Informatics Program at MU and the Missouri Foundation for Health. I am an active member of the Community of Christ church, belong to a local book club, play Mah Jongg, love both domestic and international travel, MU Tigers football and basketball, nature, music and the arts.

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Barbara Schneider, Advisory Council Vice Chair, Program Committee Co-Chair and Liaison for MU Retirees Association

I retired in 2016 after 20 years working in admissions and student services for graduate MBA students in the MU College of Business. I loved the students and met many international students whom I promised to visit when I retired. So far, I have visited one in Amsterdam, but my trips to visit several more in Vietnam, Canada and Japan were "postponed" due to Covid.

On my last Friday of work Osher had a special ragtime music program so I took time in the middle of the day to attend. The next Monday I started the Osher Summer Session and also joined Silver Sneakers at the ARC to be sure to start my retirement right. I have continued both for almost five years, along with the MU Retirees Association, and they have all kept me healthy and happy during this past year of the pandemic.

I love Columbia, a wonderful college town full of interesting people and a wide variety of cultural and educational activities. I’ve lived here 35 years and raised two boys here, but I grew up in northern Virginia and lived in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and West Virginia during the first half of my adult life.

I love to meet new people, learn about the world and explore new places. I’ve taken three long cruises — two across the Atlantic Ocean and one up the western coast of South America and through the Panama Canal, where I lived the first two years of my life. In my early life, I was a social worker (Psychology degree at U of Dayton) and a lawyer (Indiana University), but I eventually landed as an administrator in higher education, which blended many of my talents, skills and interests. Now I am grateful for the opportunity and the freedom to design days to my own liking.

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Ava Fajen, Advisory Council Secretary

Although I was born in Miami, Florida, before I celebrated my first birthday my folks had moved to Columbia, Mo., and I have lived here ever since. I am a Hickman alum and studied biology at both Stephens and MU. I worked at MU in several research labs doing both inorganic chemistry and molecular biology, which led me to get my master’s degree studying the evolution of color patterns in Trinidad guppies, using mitochondrial DNA sequencing. I next worked in Jeff City with the Department of Higher Education, running a federal grant program for math and science education and working on performance-related budget recommendations for state public higher education institutions. While working there I also completed my PhD in higher ed policy. In my third work life, I worked for my husband’s business, managing the office and doing the books.

I’m sure the fact that I’ve always lived in the same town is one reason I love to travel! My father was a biologist and naturalist and when I was a kid he took the family on car camping trips each summer, usually to the Southwest US. Camping, anywhere — but especially in the Southwest states — is something I still enjoy doing whenever I get the chance. I also had the good fortune, while doing my master’s in biology, to go on field trips in Mexico, Trinidad, and Puerto Rico. I’ve had the opportunity to accompany my husband Scott Christianson on several study abroad trips with his students, visiting Germany, Spain, Italy, and New Zealand. We also have taken special trips with our nieces and nephews to the UK, Costa Rica, and Hawaii.

I enjoy gardening, cooking, genealogy, biking, kayaking, observing birds, and hiking. I belong to the Fortnightly Club, the Museum Associates, the League of Women Voters, the State Historical Society of Missouri (SHSMO), the Mizzou Alumni Association, and several book clubs. I enjoy reading both fiction and nonfiction books.

I love being a part of Osher! I started taking Osher classes in 2011, was recruited to the Osher Advisory Council in 2022, and I’m also happy to serve on the Program Committee.

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Jack Wax, Advisory Council Past Chair

I am originally from suburban St. Louis (University City) and migrated to Columbia after spending my undergraduate years here. We raised our kids here and have lived in the area for the last 40 or so years.

I have worked in three different fields, but the majority of my working years were spent at The Missouri Bar, where I was the organization’s media relations director. Before that, I had been an outside salesperson for several companies. I also enjoyed working as a child development specialist at Mid-Mo Mental Health Center. I’ve done a variety of freelance writing over the years and still have a few publications for which I write.

I took my first Osher class about seven years ago but became hooked on Osher after taking Kit and Cathy Salter’s class on Missouri wines. I realize I’ve probably learned more at Osher than I did during my undergrad years at MU. I have a bachelor’s in English education, a master’s in child development from the HES department and a master’s in journalism — all from MU.

I enjoy reading fiction, mostly, with some science. My other pastimes include gardening, bike riding, and, of course, Osher.

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Members at large

Tom Bender, Development Committee Chair

I was born, raised and schooled in Nebraska at a time when the Tigers and the Huskers regularly had some great gridiron, Big 8 battles. Never during that time did I believe that my golden years would be spent in Columbia attending Osher classes. Sometimes life just gives you an unexpected and very welcome surprise.

My other bit of good fortune relates to my family. Barbara and I have two great sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law and two of the finest grandchildren one could hope to find. My final bit of fortune relates to the fact that I had an interesting and challenging career as a labor attorney and then general counsel of a Wisconsin company. I won’t say every day was a joy, cause...well it wasn’t but I can’t imagine having done or enjoyed any career more!

Upon moving to Columbia, an old friend told me to immediately get involved with Osher. I did and have been privileged to work within the organization on the Outreach committee, social events and the Advisory Council. I know this comment will date this writing, but I can’t wait to get back to face-to-face classes and meetings. I really miss the interaction with all Osher students.

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Cokie Blake

I was born and raised in Durham, N.C., and graduated from UNC-Greensboro in 1967 with a degree in math and a teaching certificate. Two days after our June wedding, my high school sweetheart Robin and I flew (a totally new experience for one who had never been more than 200 miles from Durham) to St. Louis, where he was to start medical school in the fall. We each had summer jobs, and I had a teaching position at Central High School in St. Louis City. After one year of teaching, I worked at MacDonnell Douglas as a computer programmer for two years until our first son Kevin was born.

Robin’s medical training and practice took us to Chapel Hill, Hot Springs, and Hillsborough, N.C., over the next eight years. While in Hot Springs (pop. 600), about an hour from Asheville, I helped establish a sheltered workshop which is still in operation today. Our son Russell was born in 1974.

My volunteering activities began when Kevin started kindergarten. Teachers and parents in Hot Springs were unhappy because there were not enough teachers for each grade to be separate, so I volunteered to help in some way. My duties were varied: teaching library use to 4th graders, a self-awareness program to kindergarteners and discussions with older students about respecting other people. Often, I had Russell in my arms as I “taught.”

We moved to Columbia in 1978, and I continued to volunteer at the nearby elementary school. Gradually, I took on small jobs in the office; this became permanent half-time work for 23 years. One of my favorite activities was conducting the Geography Bee, which I continued for several years after retirement. Then I began to work one-on-one with students who needed extra help. My 42 years of involvement with students at Shepard Boulevard Elementary School ended (hopefully temporarily) with the onset of the pandemic.

From 1981 to 1985 I worked for an epidemiologist on a project involving death rates around the Savannah River nuclear plant.

For several years, I assisted a Bosnian woman as she improved her English.

Robin and I are avid readers and members of book clubs. Our neighborhood club has not met since the pandemic started, but the “Book Guys” and the “Femmes” each continued, using Zoom. We are now meeting in person. Solving puzzles — words, Sudoku, and jigsaw — provides entertainment and, I hope, brain protection. Knitting baby caps for preemies and teddy bears for new babies is another activity. In the past, I’ve been physically active with swimming and yoga, and currently I walk in the neighborhood regularly and in city parks on occasion.

Robin and I have been involved with Osher for 20 years, taking several classes each session. Now we work together as he teaches classes. We appreciate the variety of subjects, and we look forward to a time when we can take full advantage of the opportunities to socialize and learn in person.

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Sarah Bowman, City of Columbia

Bio and photo to come!

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Mark Dickinson, Finance Committee Chair

I grew up in Cincinnati and lived primarily in California and Kansas most of my adult, married life, where my wife, Sue, and I raised our son. I’m retired from the U.S. Air Force. Much of my career was spent flying around the world as a navigator in a KC-135. My second career involved technical writing and engineering support with Boeing in Wichita, Kansas.

In 2016, Sue and I selected Columbia as a good place to retire, and it wasn’t long after that we started participating in Osher. We’ve found the wide variety of classes stimulating and enjoyed the friendship of other members.

My interests include reading (science, history, philosophy, fiction...everything!), biking (love the trails here), working outside, art, and, of course, friends.

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Carolyn Dye

I was born in Kansas City, and my parents and I moved to Fulton, Mo., just in time for Churchill’s visit. I am blessed to have two daughters, a son and a grandson who live near me in Columbia.

My B.S. in Elementary Education and M.ED. in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction are from the University of Missouri, Columbia. I taught first grade at Lee Elementary in Columbia for 32½ years. For four years following that, I supervised MU Early Childhood students in their literacy block.

During my teaching career I was very involved in leadership roles:

• Helped create and implement the Expressive Arts Program at Lee, the use of literature study/discussion groups in early elementary classrooms, conflict resolution with primary age students, the first elementary curriculum for the planetarium when it opened, the first Emergency Response Team for the district and served on the district and building team and a Jazz in the Elementary Schools curriculum.
• Served on the district’s Professional Development Committee Executive Board from its inception until I retired (served as secretary and then as chairman), on the district salary and career ladder committees.
• Served as rep from Lee for CTA/ MSTA, district language arts committee and Partner in Education Committee
• Hosted education students from MU, Stephens and Central Methodist as aides and observers in my classroom.
• Hosted staff from the New York Scholastic office who had been pen pals with my students for a year and collaborated on a book of terms that English Language Learners needed to know to function in the classroom.

I also collaborated with professors in the colleges of education from MU, Stephens and Central Methodist:

• Pen pal project between reading and language arts classes and my class to help the education students understand the literacy development of young children and to provide my students real life reasons to read and write for an audience.
• Hosted visiting professors from across the U.S. to observe the use of literature study/discussion groups with primary students and to learn about the use of conflict resolution in primary classrooms.
• Hosted two doctoral students for their research and served as a lay person on the doctoral committee of a student whose research was on reading strategies of first graders.
• Tapes were made of the workings of my classroom and used on a National Teleconference and in MU classes.
• Collaborated with MU professors on articles for Language Arts.
• Participated in a group at MU that reviewed new children’s books.

When I retired, I wanted to have a focus for what I would become involved in. My priority was to support my grandson in his educational and personal endeavors and spend as much time as I could with him and my grown children. I decided my retirement motto would be “do some good each day, learn something new and have a little fun.” These three things have guided my choice of volunteer service activities.

I am a member of the General Federation of Women’s Club International (GFWC), Mississippi Valley, Mo., District 4, and the Tuesday Club of Columbia. It is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Missouri (Osher@Mizzou) is a program of MU Extension and the Bernard Osher Foundation to provide lifelong learning for mid Missouri residents 50 and over. Currently I serve as a member of the advisory council, chair of the program committee and member of the outreach committee.

I volunteer usher for the Missouri Symphony Society at the Hot Summer Nights concerts and for the University Concert Series, September through May.

In my spare time I like to read and belong to a reading sorority through GFWC and a book club with women I taught with. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres.

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Frank Green, Volunteer Committee Co-chair

Frank Green moved to Columbia in Fall 2015 after living in Pennsylvania for over 60 years. Since then, he has become involved with Osher, The Newman Center at MU, the MU Med School and a now-defunct nonprofit organization.

He taught both elementary school and high school during his working career, retiring in 2014. His interests today include watching many of The History Channel programs on TV, reading books from an eclectic list and anything and everything about the sport of baseball.

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Kathy Green, Outreach Committee Chair

My husband Frank and I moved to Columbia from Pennsylvania in September 2015. Our daughter had attended Mizzou and, as the story happens so often, she had met her husband here and he worked for Extension. As a matter of fact, my son-in-law is the one who told us about Osher. We moved here two weeks before our first grandchild was born. The third grandchild was just born on April first of 2021.

I had two careers before my retirement. I majored in Secondary Education Social Studies at West Chester University. When I graduated in 1973, the only people who were hired were men who could coach a sport. I began a career in retail sales management, working for Sears for 14 years. I then moved to a men’s store chain called Today’s Man — similar to Men’s Warehouse.

In 1997, I had my mid-life crisis and started over by finally getting a teaching position. In addition, I had to go back to school for my master’s plus credits for permanent certification. I was always the oldest person in my classes with recent graduates. I taught in an Alternative Education School. My students had fallen far behind in credits or had been incarcerated or were girls who had babies and had missed a lot of school. To say that I enjoy a challenge is an understatement.

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Nancy Griggs, Program Committee Co-Chair

Nancy Griggs heard of Osher Lifelong Learning from a friend who thought Osher was for MU retirees only! Nancy was pleased to discover that was not the case and has been enjoying a multitude of Osher classes since 2012, saving a great deal of money by being a Premium member!

Nancy is a Mizzou Tiger. Due to persuasive, outstanding MU faculty, she selected econ/statistics for her undergrad and social work as her master’s degree. Working neither as an economist nor social worker, Nancy’s career was in the Misouri Courts ystem, starting with the Circuit Court in Boone (Columbia) and Callaway (Fulton) Counties and spending her last 17 years in the Office of State Courts Administrator. She enjoyed working with the judges and court clerks throughout the state, particularly on implementation of the Statewide Court Automation project.

Dave and Nancy, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary during the Covid shutdown, love to entertain at their lake property, travel the world, be active in the Columbia and University communities and relax in their Lenoir Woods “little house.”

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Lori Johnson

I have lived in the central Missouri area my entire life. My husband, Greg, and I have three children and six grandchildren who also reside in central Missouri. With a master’s in healthcare administration from Mizzou, I have worked in healthcare administration most of my career, including many MUHC clinics and also several departments in the School of Medicine. I took early retirement to care for my mother, who moved in with us when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I missed all the wonderful people I worked with, so I came back to work part-time at Mizzou several times. I am currently the interim administrative manager in Radiation Oncology.

I am both a Certified Master Naturalist and a Certified Master Gardener, which means I spend a lot of time outdoors. As Master Naturalists, we help various organizations such as the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Stream Team and Missouri State Parks. As a Master Gardener, I volunteer at Jefferson Farms & Gardens through Extension. I also foster dogs for the Central Missouri Humane Society. Some of my other interests include camping, reading and traveling. I am currently planning a trip to Iceland.

A friend told me about Osher, and it was a great way to get out of the house and meet new people when I was my mom’s primary caregiver. I originally took one class and have been a premium member ever since. I love the variety of classes and usually try to take one that gives me a new perspective or exposes me to something new.

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Barbara Montgomery

I was born and raised in central Kansas and moved to Missouri in 1978. My husband and I found Columbia to be an ideal place to raise our two daughters and now to help raise our three wonderful grandchildren.

I studied painting at the Kansas City Art Institute and received a BFA from the University of Missouri in 1981. Later I studied accounting at MU and received an MBA from William Woods University. I began working at MU in 1985 and retired from the School of Medicine in 2017. Having grown up in a very small, rural community, I loved the opportunity to meet and work with students, faculty and staff from around the world.

Following retirement, I became a docent at the MU Museum of Art and Archeology. This feeds my love of learning and lifelong interest in art and art history. I enjoy giving tours and participating in the programming sponsored by the museum. In addition to making and learning about art, my other interests include genealogy, travel, quilt making and other fiber arts, volunteering, playing mahjong and reading.

My first experience with Osher@Mizzou came from a fellow docent who invited us to share his art history lecture. I was hooked. I appreciate the opportunity Osher provides to learn about a broad spectrum of topics. Through the pandemic, participating in Osher via zoom was a lifesaver.

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Sarah Perry

I moved to Columbia late 1989 from Des Moines, IA. The “where did you grow up” question is kind of difficult for me because my father was in the Air Force, meaning we moved frequently. He retired to southwest Iowa as I entered high school and my mother is from southwest Missouri, so I claim the Midwest as my home.

I worked in insurance and safety-related fields in Omaha, NE, Des Moines and Columbia and Jefferson City, ending up in the position of risk manager for the City of Columbia for 26 years, prior to my retirement in 2022. Osher had been on my radar for several years and signing up for classes was one of the first things I did when my schedule finally allowed. From there, I was hooked.

My undergraduate degree is in business administration, and I have a master’s in strategic leadership, both from Stephen’s College right here in Columbia. Obtaining my degrees while working full time allowed me to hone my prioritization skills, though retirement may have weakened them. Right now, I enjoy taking a diverse collection of Osher classes, from a variety of instructors and not feeling the pressure of tests or homework.

In addition to Osher service, I am involved with Columbia’s City of Refuge, the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture and the Columbia Farmers’ Market. In my spare time, I love to read, travel with my wife, cook and enjoy our three cats. Columbia has been my home for so much of my adult life, I almost consider myself a native.

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Evan Smith

I grew up in Kansas, the son of an archaeologist and an artist. I traveled a lot as a kid and a little as an adult. I hold a doctorate in linguistics and a double bachelors in linguistics and anthropology. I have been teaching, recruiting instructors, coordinating curriculum, and researching at Midwestern universities, including MU.

Even as a retiree, I am still interested in language studies, professional jargon, and history, including the American Civil War. I love adult education and the ability it provides for growth. I enjoy my engagement with Osher @ Mizzou because I can further dedicate myself to learning and general life progress.

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Mike Trial

I was born in Kansas City but spent part of my childhood overseas, where my father worked for an oil company. We came back to the States in time for me to attend a one-room school here in Boone County. Some years later I graduated from the University of Missouri, and after a couple of years in the army, took up a career with the Corps of Engineers doing construction contract management. I lived and worked in various locations around the U.S. and overseas for 30 years then retired in 2003. Since then, I’ve been managing our family tree farm — 50 acres of black walnut trees.

Lately my interests include technology, especially the space program, late 18th century and early 19th century English literature, opera (especially Wagner), and of course, tree farming. We are members of the Jane Austen society, the Missouri Prairie Foundation, several tree farm committees, and several charitable and alumni organizations. Always busy, but never too busy for Osher@Mizzou.

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Lynn Tushaus (pronounced Tuss-house)

I became aware of Osher in 2016; I don’t remember how. I started taking courses and teaching courses in 2017. I’ve enjoyed every course I’ve taken and every presentation I’ve made and look forward to more. This is my first year as a member of Osher. I moved to Columbia from the Saint Joseph area in September of last year.

I am a retired secondary science teacher. My undergraduate degree is from the University of Missouri in Agronomy/Soil Science from the College of Agriculture. I completed my master’s degree in Science Education from the University of Iowa. I taught students from grades 6 through 12. Most of my classes were focused on earth science and physical science. I have always promoted teaching through inquiry and have shared that with other teachers through various professional development opportunities.

I enjoy traveling and nature. I am a member of the Missouri Master Naturalists and have just started getting involved in volunteer activities at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. I enjoy hiking and kayaking. Just before the Covid-lockdown started, I took a month-long, solo, camping trip out west with memorable stops in Glacier National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

I have traveled to 49 of the 50 states. I must admit that I enjoy a good, old-fashioned road trip to just about anywhere! I have not traveled as much as I did before Covid, so I am anxious to get back into the travel mode. My most challenging overseas travel experience was a six month stay in Varanasi, India. One of the most beautiful places that I have visited is Barcelona, Spain.

I have two grown children. One lives here in Columbia and the other lives near Madison, Wisc. I enjoy cooking and baking (just in case we ever need treats for a meeting)!

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Mary Willis-Nail

I was born in Amarillo, Texas. However, because my father was transferred with his company about every two years, my family moved to Odessa and Dallas, Texas. Then we lived in several towns in Colorado, Illinois and Iowa.

My dream came true when I married my high school sweetheart in 1967. After many years of education, he became a true entrepreneur, owning several businesses through the years. So, we moved a lot, just as in my childhood.

I focused on raising our wonderful son who was born in 1970, working and taking classes whenever possible no matter where we lived. Eventually, I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, going on to earn a master's degree in counseling psychology. Then it was on to completing two years post-graduate requirements to become a marriage and family therapist.

Life changed forever for my son and me when my husband died unexpectedly of ventricular fibrillation at the age of 52 in 1999. No doubt about it, this totally rocked our worlds. After taking some time to heal, I decided to find work outside of the counseling field and worked as director of education at, what was then called, SSM Rehab in St. Louis. After a couple other twists and turns, I ended my career as a research clinician in pediatric psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine. It was so rewarding to help the children and their families there.

I moved to Columbia in 2019 to be closer to my son and daughter- in -law. This, of course, was just before the Covid isolation began. I heard about Osher classes here and without hesitating signed up for classes online. Being perpetually curious, I love taking classes in various areas of interest! The opportunity to learn at Osher means so much to me that I decided to volunteer and hopefully contribute to its success!

My hobbies include reading and spending time with family and my cute cat, Oliver. I'm also learning watercolor and calligraphy (we'll see how that goes!)