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K-State Today

October 8, 2018

UFM celebrates 50th anniversary

Submitted by Erika Davis

UFM will host an exhibit, Teaching, Learning and Growing: 50 Years of UFM, at the William T. Kemper Art Gallery in the K-State Student Union from Oct. 8 to Nov. 3, with an opening reception from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12.

The exhibit will be open to the public 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. In partnership with K-State Libraries, K-State Union Program Council, the Historic Costume and Textile Museum in the College of Human Ecology and Riley County Historical Museum, the exhibit features historical documents, pictures, and artifacts celebrating 50 years of UFM.

UFM, originally known as University For Man, was created by K-State faculty and students in the late 1960s as a way to share ideas and learn by ways outside of the traditional education structure. It rapidly became a bridge between the campus and the community. The concept that everyone has something to share was quickly embraced with the slogan "anyone can teach, anyone can learn." Fifty years later, UFM continues to fill that mission and more.

UFM published its first brochure in January 1968, offering seven classes. Today, UFM publishes catalogs three times a year, highlighting more than 250 classes a semester. Classes are taught by members of the K-State/Manhattan community. In addition, other UFM programs include the Lou Douglas Lecture series, Project EXCELL for special needs adults, a teen mentoring program, the Manhattan Community Garden and UFM co-sponsors the Osher Lifelong Institute with Kansas University. UFM also serves as the fiscal agent for the Manhattan Area Risk Prevention Coalition and the Manhattan Nonviolence Initiative. Total participation in UFM activities during FY18 was more than 20,000. For more information about UFM Community Learning Center or any of its programs, visit tryufm.org.

For more information about Union Program Council events, visit kstateupc.com.