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HEARD BY THE BIRD

Talk and squawk in the news

“What I remember most about that • • - - • • first Super Bowl is all the empty seats in the mammoth Coliseum and the captains coming out for the pregame coin toss. There was no fanfare or “My kids make fun hoopla like today. Who would have of Saul’s determined believed that it would turn into what walk. They call it it has today?” ‘the dad walk.’” — Veteran broadcaster and KU instructor Tom Hedrick, g’58, recalling his assignment as CBS Radio Network’s color commen- — Actor Mandy Patinkin,’74, on his tator for the first AFL-NFL World Championship Game—later role as Saul Berenson on the Show- christened anew as Super Bowl I—as told to David J. Halberstam time series “Homeland.” Patinkin of the Sports Broadcast Journal. After the 2019 death of CBS told the Wall Street Journal he lowers his voice to achieve a “deep, Television play-by-play legend Jack Whitaker, Hedrick became exhaustive sound” for an authoritative portrayal of the old-school the only surviving broadcaster who called the 1967 championship CIA division chief. “Homeland” kicked off its final season Feb. 9. game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers.

“We’ve had a lot of alums reach out to say that that’s really cool that they get to see the official KU name in the esports world. There’s a lot of high schoolers who are emailing me and saying they’re really interested in coming to play for us and that that could get them to come to KU.” — Michelle Compton-Muñoz, g’15, KU's esports coach, on competitive video-gaming

“I like to say that independent Follow us on your pharmacy is more than a career path. favorite platform: It’s a rich and rewarding lifestyle.”

— Gene Hotchkiss, p’69, senior associate dean of the KU School of Pharmacy, on the benefits of working at a locally owned pharmacy in rural Kansas. Since 1998, Hotchkiss has taken students on an annual tour of independent pharmacies in central and southeastern #KUalumni Kansas. This year’s tour, as reported by the Lawrence @KUalumni Journal-World, included 13 pharmacies. IN THIS ISSUE

ONLINE EXTRAS

Video Grad students in English to benefit from Cicotello fund

WINTER 2020 Audio Essay Rex Buchanan on the Petroglyphs of Kansas Publisher Heath Peterson, d’04, g’09 Digital Feature KU’s new varsity esports team competes Editor in League of Legends COVER STORY Jennifer Jackson Sanner, j’81 52 From the Archives Elite Scholars Creative Director The Fan Man has Chasing the nation’s Susan Younger, f’91 made a career highest honors, Profile: Paige Albert mapping the students get a helping A young entrepreneur finds her career calling Graphic Designer psyches of sports hand from the in Kansas City’s bridal market. Valerie Spicher, j’94 nuts. Turns out recently founded you’re not so crazy, Office of Fellowships. by David Garfield Associate Editors after all. Chris Lazzarino, j’86 by Heather Biele Steven Hill

Assistant Editor Cover image by 5 48 kansasalumni KU Voice Always Jayhawks Heather Biele Steve Puppe magazine.org New look, new features Association news and for Kansas Alumni alumni profiles Photographers 26 Steve Puppe, j’98 6 58 Dan Storey First Glance Class Notes Get me rewrite! Digital Team LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Stauffer-Flint turns 78 David Johnston, j’94, g’06 a page. In Memory Debbi Johanning, c’98, g’19 Kansas Alumni welcomes letters to the editor. Kara Rodriguez, j’10 Our address is Kansas Alumni magazine, 8 82 Ryan Camenzind, j’17 1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045-3100. Rock Chalk Review Photo Finish Mike Wick, c’83 Email responses may be sent to the Alumni A Jayhawk with deep Prairie sentinel Association, [email protected]. local connections Advertising Sales Letters appearing in the magazine may be edited for returns as the 84 Teri Harris space and clarity. For letters published, we’ll send a University’s new Hail to Old KU free KU gift, a $5 value. provost and executive Contact: KANSAS ALUMNI MAGAZINE (ISSN 0745-3345) vice chancellor. KU Alumni Association 34 42 is published by the KU Alumni Association four times a year in 1266 Oread Avenue February, May, August and November. $60 annual subscription Lawrence, KS 66045-3100 includes membership in the Alumni Association. Office of 22 Publication: 1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045-3100. 785-864-4760 Survival Story Urgent Delivery Jayhawk Sports Periodicals postage paid at Lawrence, KS. David Cicotello made it through six harrowing Researchers at a new KU help make vaccines Marcus Garrett is a 800-584-2957 days in the Utah wilderness, but his life-changing that can survive hard journeys to the remote places defender for the ages; www.kualumni.org POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kansas Alumni Magazine, 1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045-3100 [email protected] journey didn’t end there. they’re needed most. pole vaulter Zach © 2020 by Kansas Alumni Magazine. Bradford sets sights on Non-member issue price: $10 by Steven Hill by Mindie Paget Olympic honors. Established in 1902 as The Graduate Magazine Volume 118, No. 1, 2020

KANSAS ALUMNI 2 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 3 KU VOICE www.kuendowment.org/your-gift

IGNITE POTENTIAL

Welcome to the next era of Kansas now highlights Heard by the Bird, or, as no longer fits a university that spans five Alumni. After many months of research, Creative Director Susan Younger, f ’91, campuses and growing numbers of online TheindomitableJayhawkspiritisabeacon brainstorming, choosing and planning, christened the page, “talk and squawk students and alumni. the redesigned magazine makes its debut in the news,” tidbits from varied local, Jayhawk Sports will showcase more in- ofhopeinKansasandbeyond.Private with this Issue No. 1, Winter 2020, a quar- regional and national media that mention depth profiles of individual athletes, along terly print format, beginning, of course, Jayhawks or KU. with highlights from all KU teams who supportfuelsKU’ssuccessbytransforming with the new logo (or nameplate, in maga- The Table of Contents is now a dou- wear the crimson (or pink) and blue. zine parlance). ble-page spread that presents all stories Following the feature stories, alumni studentsintoleadersandideasinto The magazine team has created a new throughout the print edition as well as profiles and Alumni Association news visual and editorial presentation to appeal digital features and extras, including vid- form a section called Always Jayhawks. discoveries.Mostgiftsare$500orless,but not only to the Association's current eos and, in this edition, an audio essay. Our profiles trace alumni as they travel regardlessofsize,eachoneopensdoors members, but also to new generations of This page, formerly First Word, now varied life or career paths, including those readers, who connect with content far will share a KU Voice—an essay by a var- who attribute their professional success tonewopportunities. differently than their elders. To be honest, ied University or Association leader. to the powerful KU connections and it is high time for a makeover, but most Lift the Chorus, our letters to the edi- resources that students and alumni now important, the print edition now must tor, will remain, though sadly we did not can access more easily through the Associ- complement kansasalumnimagazine.org, receive enough recent letters to fill a page ation's Jayhawk Career Network. the expanded digital format that made its in this issue (hint, hint). Of course, Class Notes and In Memory, debut last August, offering stories to all Near the front and the back of each the mainstays of any alumni magazine, Jayhawks who visit the site. magazine, we will display dramatic photos remain your go-to resources. Even in the Of course, we are mindful of the fact of places, people, and memorable events in age of social media, readers still rely on that the magazine remains by far the most First Glance and Photo Finish. this essential news about alumni from valuable membership benefit, as alumni Rock Chalk Review describes an their classes and decades. affirmed in our 2018 survey. Equally expanded up-front section that combines For the finale, we have revived Hail to important is your alumni magazine's elements of the former Hilltopics, Jayhawk Old KU, a nod to our mission to preserve 118-year tradition. As stewards of this Walk and On the Boulevard, along with cherished KU history, including reverent legacy, we are committed to preserving the stories on research, the arts and books that and irreverent milestones, quirky charac- high standards and trusted voice of the appeared in the previous Rock Chalk Re- ters or episodes and, of course, the trea- longest-running periodical that captures view at the back of the magazine. We plan sured traditions that bind us all, no matter KU stories. to offer more variety up front and bring where we live or how long ago we left our Here’s a guide to help you navigate: research stories forward to their rightful hallowed home. Rock Chalk! Page 1 of the new format, which former- place in KU news. After many decades, we Heath Peterson, Publisher ly housed half of the Table of Contents, have retired the Hilltopics name, which Jennifer Jackson Sanner, Editor

ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 5 FIRST GLANCE

After months of furious renovation work, an energized Stauffer-Flint Hall opened its new front doors—now facing Jayhawk Boulevard—Jan. 21, just in time for the start of spring-semester classes. Along with sorely needed upgrades to the 121-year-old building’s structure and systems, the new ground floor now features an open-plan lobby flanked by a broadcast and podcast studio and the Susanne Shaw Student Media Center, all of which can be used as teaching and study spaces during the day and University Daily Kansan and KUJH-TV production space in the evenings.

Photograph by Steve Puppe

6 KANSAS ALUMNI 6 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 7 ROCK CHALK REVIEW

in the mid-1990s, a year as the School of Educa- With the hiring of Bichelmeyer—an Alumni tion’s director of technology before transferring Association Life Member since 1997—KU’s top Steve Puppe Steve her career to Indiana University-Bloomington—a three leaders are fluent in all things Rock Chalk: member, with KU, of the prestigious Association When named chancellor in 2017, Girod was in of American Universities—where she spent his 23rd year at KU. Girod in 2014 lured prominent 20 years in assorted research, teaching and cardiologist Robert Simari, m’86, away from the administrative roles. Mayo Clinic to become dean of the School of the Bichelmeyer in 2015 joined the University of Medicine, and in 2018 Girod named Simari as his Missouri-Kansas City as provost, executive vice replacement as KUMC’s executive vice chancellor. chancellor and professor in the Henry W. Bloch “What you have is people who have a deep appre- “I have come to School of Management. She told the Adams Alum- ciation for, and connection to, this university, writ know Barbara ni Center audience at her November candidate pre- large,” Bichelmeyer says. “We have a great appreci- as a genuine sentation that she had not sought out KU’s provost ation for the assets that this university can bring to job, but eagerly accepted when invited to apply. bear at this moment of change.” Martin Baron, execu- and compassion- “I’m a little nervous,” she said, “as well as honored While traditional systems required rigidity in tive editor of the ate person who and very much excited.” time and place, boring fast-paced students while Washington Post, will cares deeply Chancellor Doug Girod on Dec. 6 announced others were blamed for failing to keep up, technolo- receive the 2020 about students, that he had chosen Bichelmeyer ahead of three oth- gy and systems advances can now flip the paradigm. William Allen White er finalists, including Interim Provost Carl Lejuez, Rather than “holding time constant and letting Foundation National research and who now returns to his role as dean of the College achievement vary,” Bichelmeyer says, educators can Citation for journalism higher education. of Liberal Arts & Sciences after 19 challenging “hold achievement constant and let time vary a bit.” during KU’s annual She is a Jayhawk months guiding the Lawrence campus through a Noting at her candidate presentation that support William Allen White Day to the core and one-time budget amputation of $20 million. systems and human behavior inevitably collide, she celebration April 16. “I have come to know Barbara as a genuine and added, “You have to organize so that people have Baron joined the Post in committed to compassionate person who cares deeply about stu- the tools and resources they need, and the incen- 2013, leading the paper this university’s STRONG HALL dents, research and higher education,” Girod wrote tives they need, and the organizational systems they to nine Pulitzer Prizes. success.” in a letter to campus, noting their years of coopera- need, and the culture they need, so that they know He edited the Boston tion in advancing regional economic development how to do things, they want to do things, and they Globe for 11 years, Return to the Hill as leaders of Kansas City’s two most prominent have the ability to do things. during which the paper —Chancellor Doug Girod, universities. “She is a Jayhawk to the core and com- “That’s how my brain thinks all day, every day.” won six Pulitzers. on Provost Barbara Jayhawk with four KU degrees leaves UMKC post mitted to this university’s success.” –Chris Lazzarino The award is bestowed Bichelmeyer to assume leadership of Lawrence campus by trustees of the William Allen White Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer, the young- to the nascent technology revolution—Bichelmeyer Foundation. Both the est in a family of 10 siblings, describes her parents as also pursued her dream of studying English, earning foundation and KU’s “the most inquisitive people I ever met.” As children her second degree in 1986. She supplemented her School of Journalism of the Great Depression, however, they were denied income by officiating local sports; while working Day at the Museum: Dinos and Mass Communica- any chance at higher education, and her father, a tournament, she bumped into her high school tions are named for

Ryan Waggoner Ryan stalking galleries? Let’s get pics! KU’s John, worked in butcher shops and meatpacking principal. He surprised her with a job offer. White, 1890, editor of plants across northeastern Kansas until 1946, when “The first day, I had two of my nephews and Natural History Museum and Spencer the Emporia Gazette. he founded the still-thriving Bichelmeyer Meats. nieces in various classes. I said, ‘I can’t mess up their Museum of Art enlivened national Respecting her father’s wishes, Barbara came to brains,’ so I ran straight back up to KU and said, ‘I Mount Oread to study journalism. need some courses in teaching.’” Museum Selfie Day, Jan. 21, to encour- “I really wanted to major in English because I So began a journey that led Bichelmeyer to age visitors to snap and share. “It’s OK to loved to write,” recalls Bichelmeyer, j’82, c’86, g’88, advanced degrees in educational policy and ad- PhD’92, whose tenure as provost and executive vice ministration and educational communications and have fun in the galleries,” says Spencer’s chancellor begins Feb. 26. “My father, being a man technology; unanticipated instructional work with Elizabeth Kanost, c’09, j’09, g’14. of the trades, said, ‘That’s not going to get you a job,’ Fortune 100 companies and the U.S. military; and, so we made a deal that I would major in journalism “Taking selfies is a way for people to and I could get a job and move on from that.” document their experiences and find While working as a reporter for the Olathe Daily ABOVE Barbara Bichelmeyer, shortly after arriving at News and as a founding editor at Intertec Publish- Strong Hall on a sunny December morning to meet new works that speak to them.” ing’s Cellular Business magazine—her introduction colleagues in the Office of the Provost.

KANSAS ALUMNI 8 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 9 ROCK CHALK REVIEW

ACCOLADES remaining tract of tallgrass prairie. CALENDAR Shimomura, born in Seattle, spent two years of HIGHLIGHTS Steve Puppe Steve Honorary doctorates his early childhood in Minidoka, Idaho, in one of For full listings of events, 10 concentration camps for Japanese Americans visit the links below. Journalist, artist to receive degrees during World War II. As a distinguished military graduate from the University of Washington, he served in Korea, and Spencer Museum of Art Bill Kurtis and Roger Shimomura will later earned his master’s degree in fine arts from “Staging Shimomura,” become the University’s 20th and 21st recipients of Syracuse University. Often inspired by his immi- “While the task Feb. 29 through honorary doctorates during the 148th Commence- grant grandmother’s diaries, Shimomura has created June 21 force recognizes ment, May 17. Kurtis is a renowned broadcaster and paintings, prints and theatre pieces that depict the the need to documentarian, and Shimomura is an acclaimed sociopolitical issues of Asian America. Featured in spencerart.ku.edu enjoy the college artist and longtime KU Distinguished Professor. more than 150 solo exhibitions, his work is in the Kurtis, j’62, who grew up in Independence, has permanent collections of more than 80 museums. experience, excelled as a reporter and broadcaster. A graduate He has received more than 30 grants, including Lied Center students at the of KU and Washburn University School of Law, he four National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships. April 17 Candid University too began his career at WIBW-TV in Topeka. Follow- He was named the first Kansas Master Artist and Camera’s LOL Tour with frequently ing his 24-hour coverage of the destructive 1966 received the Governor’s Arts Award. A KU faculty Peter Funt tornado, he became a CBS reporter and anchor member since 1969, he is a Distinguished Professor have taken the lied.ku.edu in Chicago. He led the first team to report on the and recipient of the Higuchi Research Award and experience to STUDENT LIFE needed to create this task force to begin with.” defoliant Agent Orange’s impact on U.S. service- the Chancellors Club Career Teaching Award. extremes.” Recognizing that KU’s sorority and fraternity men. As a result, veterans affected by Agent Orange –jennifer jackson sanner Humanities community represents more than 20 percent of the became eligible for compensation and treatment. Lecture Series Greek report issued undergraduate population, it was suggested that He also chronicled the desperate plight in Saigon –Sorority and Fraternity After year of study, task force staffing in the office of Sorority & Fraternity Life be of children of U.S. servicemen and Vietnamese March 26 “The Lies that Life Task Force increased to include a full-time assistant director for mothers. His story led to laws granting the children Bind: Rethinking delivers suggestions to chancellor IFC; an additional coordinator position for PHA, access to the United States. Identity,” Kwame MGC and NPHC; and graduate student support. He later co-anchored the CBS Morning News Anthony Appiah, KU Fraternity freshmen should continue living Because a portion of that budget is provided by the and, after retiring from the network, he found- Union Ballroom in chapter houses, in recognition of higher GPA Greek community, it was also recommended that ed Kurtis Productions. He created a Peabody hallcenter.ku.edu/hls and retention rates for in-house freshmen than their students and alumni have a voice in staff selection. Award-winning series, “The New Explorers,” for non-Greek peers, and, in an effort to dampen the With health and safety as priorities, the task force PBS as well as documentary series for the A&E growing tradition of Thursday night revelry, Friday plainly stated that hazing must be eliminated and Network, The History Channel and CNBC. Murphy Hall morning classes should return to the Lawrence that the community hold itself to higher standards Kurtis maintains his Kansas roots as a conserva- campus, across all disciplines and schools. of conduct: “This is a responsibility the community tionist and owner of the 10,000-acre Red Buffalo April 14 HornBone- A-Palooza Those are two findings by a 27-member Sorority must take seriously.” Programming must focus on Ranch in the Flint Hills. It is the nation’s largest Bill Kurtis Roger Shimomura and Fraternity Life Task Force, which delivered its “root cause,” including alcohol, drug and prescrip- music.ku.edu 12-page report to Chancellor Doug Girod one tion drug abuse; hazing; and sexual harassment, year after its formation (studentaffairs.ku.edu/ abuse and assault. sorority-and-fraternity-life-task-force). “While the task force recognizes the need to True fan: John Halpin, e’75, on Nov. 30 KU Theatre & Dance Also of note is a plea that all four KU councils— enjoy the college experience, students at the Uni- concluded his 50th-consecutive season of March 20-22, 25-29 Steve Puppe Steve the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Multicultural versity too frequently have taken the experience attending every home football game. His “Indecent,” William Inge Greek Council (MGC), National Pan-Hellenic to extremes, often with life-changing results,” the Memorial Theatre Council (NPHC) and Panhellenic Association report states. “These issues require difficult, candid wife, Kathy Weaver Halpin, d’74, g’76, often (PHA)—unite in common cause, including chapter conversations and cannot be improved without a joined him, but many times Halpin drove in theatredance.ku.edu and campus leaders, student members, alumni and commitment by all parties to change the culture from Overland Park alone. “There were a lot their house boards, chapter advisers and KU staff. that currently exists.” Academic Calendar Included within the plea for improved unity and The task force, chaired by Beta Theta Pi alumnus of Saturday mornings that I didn’t want to get communication are national governing associations, Mike Michaelis, b’68, g’69, intends to continue up out of bed and go to the game, but I did,” March 9-15 Spring break parents and Lawrence neighborhood associations. its work and views its report “as a framework to he says. “It doesn’t mean I stayed the whole “The truth is, these stakeholders have not begin to address the critical issues facing the Greek game, but I went.” May 7 Last day of always been on the same page,” Girod wrote in community.” classes a Jan. 10 campus letter, “which is largely why we –Chris Lazzarino

KANSAS ALUMNI 10 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 11 ROCK CHALK REVIEW

FOSSIL APP sity Institute to create Specify, the software used BOOKS AT A GLANCE: by museums worldwide to share data from their collections. Zach Spears refined the design for the The Digital Atlas of new mobile app, which features crisp, high-resolu- Comanche and his Ancient Life app is tion images and easy navigation. Captain available for both iPhone Users can browse specimens from the Cretaceous by Janet Barrett and Android platforms. period; the Ordovician, which began 488 million Tall Cedar Books, $18.95 years ago and ended 443 million years ago; Pennsyl- vanian, 318 to 299 million years ago; and Neogene, “People typically 23 to 2.6 million years ago. The images lead to facts don’t have web about fossils’ geographic distribution and taxonomy. Comanche and his connections If proposals for continued grant support succeed, Captain, by horsewoman when they’re out the team plans to add more geologic time periods Janet Barrett, tells the and geographic regions to the app. long overdue story of the finding fossils; Though the mobile digital atlas is a welcome re- KU Natural History Museum’s iconic warhorse— they need some- Biodiversity KU Institute Paleontology, Division of Invertebrate source for paleontologists and other scholars, Lieb- preserved by L.L. Dyche himself—and the charis- thing when erman and his colleagues hope to promote curiosity matic Irish soldier of fortune and Civil War hero they’re out in and exploration among K-12 teachers and their who in 1868 purchased a tough mustang, rounded students and anyone interested in fossils, especially up by horse traders in the south Texas desert, for the field.” in Kansas, a region rich in specimens. $90. Their devoted partnership, which ended with “Kansans are intuitively inquisitive about the Capt. Myles Keogh’s death at the Battle of Little –Bruce Lieberman RESEARCH Science Foundation grant to launch the Digital natural world,” he says. “We have a real connection Big Horn, became frontier legend, but details Atlas of Ancient Life website in 2014. He collabo- to the land because of the importance of agriculture, dimmed. This tightly told tale, Barrett’s second rated with Jonathan Hendricks of the Paleontolog- and we live in a state that has large amounts of coun- warhorse history, restores man and mount. After Fossil guide evolves ical Research Institution in Ithaca, New York, and tryside, even near big cities like Kansas City. There They Called Her Reckless, about a Marine mare who colleagues from several universities to gather digital are lots of rock exposures, so people naturally come served valiantly in the Korean War, Barrett turned Digital Atlas of Ancient Life adds images of specimens from their combined collec- into contact with fossils.” next to Comanche. “I was suddenly on the trail of Android app, Cretaceous specimens tions. A mobile version was the natural next step. Though he cautions fossil hunters to steer clear of a long and complicated history,” she told Kansas “People typically don’t have web connections when highways and busy roads, where collecting is illegal, Alumni. “I’ve fallen in love with Comanche.” Fossil hunters of all ages—and smartphone they’re out finding fossils; they need something Lieberman says there are countless opportunities to preferences—now can use a new and improved digi- when they’re out in the field,” Lieberman says. find specimens along local roads and trails. “They tal field guide, thanks to a KU-led team of scholars. Two additional NSF grants supported the 2015 are anyplace where you see rocks that outcrop, espe- Researchers at the Biodiversity Institute and Nat- release of the first mobile app and Version 2.0. Al- cially the yellow rocks,” he says. “Those are going to Petroglyphs of the ural History Museum in December released Version though the first app was available only for iPhones, be packed with fossils. Kansas Smoky Hills 2.0 of the Digital Atlas of Ancient Life, a smart- it garnered 7,500 active users in the United States, “Someone could walk up to a rock and pick up a by Rex C. Buchanan, phone app now available to Android users. The first Canada and beyond. In only one month since shell that lived 290 million years ago under a gentle Burke W. Griggs and rendition of the app, released in 2015, worked only Version 2.0 made its debut, more than 1,750 users shallow sea.” Joshua L. Svaty on iPhones. downloaded the tool, Lieberman says. –Jennifer jackson sanner University Press of The digital atlas continues KU’s quest to share The improved app features 30% more content, Kansas, $29.95 the millions of specimens in its collections, not including 500 new species from the Cretaceous only with fellow scholars but also with everyday period (which began 145 million years ago and discoverers who yearn to know more about the ended 66 million years ago), along with maps of Little known and rarely seen sandstone carvings natural world. collection sites in Kansas and regions throughout OPPOSITE This large ammonite, an extinct relative of left by the first inhabitants of what became central “Our collections have great importance for scien- North America. The first version of the app focused squids, lived during the Cretaceous period about 85 Kansas are detailed in this magnificent book by tific research, and we make sure our data is available on invertebrate fossils; Lieberman says users of the million years ago. It was collected from the Cody Shale Rex Buchanan, director emeritus of Kansas Geo- to scholars, but we recognize that many people are new app are especially pleased that the additional of Wyoming, part of a vast region (including what is now logical Survey; photographer Burke Griggs, l’06, fascinated by the natural world around them,” says Cretaceous specimens include fossil vertebrates, Kansas) that lay beneath a shallow seaway stretching associate professor of law at Washburn University; Bruce Lieberman, senior curator at the institute and primarily from the Western Interior Seaway that from Mexico through Canada. and former Kansas secretary of agriculture Joshua professor of ecology & evolutionary biology. “We covered Kansas and neighboring states. “People Svaty. Buchanan, a KPR contributor, details the can give them the opportunity to see things that are seem really psyched about sharks’ teeth,” he says. LEFT The Digital Atlas of Ancient Life app features authors’ intentions for their passion project in an still locked in cabinets, and that’s a huge advantage.” The digital atlas team also includes Rod Spears, images from the Cretaceous and three other geologic audio essay written and recorded for Kansas Lieberman, who joined the KU faculty in 1998, who built the program infrastructure for the mobile time periods. Alumni, available at kansasalumnimagazine.org. leads the atlas project, which began with a National app. Spears previously worked at the KU Biodiver-

KANSAS ALUMNI 12 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 13 BOOK frequently avoids with his own well-timed injec- tions of art and heart. Discussing the documented health benefits of keeping pets, he notes that a full Wild at Heart explanation is ultimately beyond the reach of sci- ence. “It’s like dissecting love,” he writes. In a chapter Journalist sees potential saving grace on animal language, he grounds academic research in human-animal connection on extraspecies communication with an observa- tion many an outdoorsman would find authentic: We live in the anthropocene epoch, a “When we answer the call of a coyote or owl with geological era so dominated by mankind that our our own, we sing the oldest song.” works and ways have fundamentally altered the The dire environmental situation we face today, planet’s ecosystem. We’ve dammed half the world’s Louv rightly concludes, “calls for the mother of all largest rivers and converted 20% of the world’s land resets.” His deep dive into the ecological, psycho- to agriculture, creating monocultures that account logical, physical and spiritual connections between for perhaps 95% of the planet’s land-based verte- us and our fellow animals is hopeful such a reset brate biomass in the form of pets and livestock. can happen, that we may move from the Anthropo- These statistics and the many others that journal- cene to the Symbiocene, the era of connectedness. ist Richard Louv, j’71, marshals in Our Wild Calling Describing the efforts of a disparate group who form the factual argument that we are fouling our practice soliphilia, “a state of mind that encourages nest. But Louv, co-founder of the Children and Na- people to work together to repair the world and ture Network and author of 10 books, including the themselves,” Louv contends they are pursuing “a Our Wild Calling landmark Last Child in the Woods, which warned way of life that recognizes the threat of the climate by Richard Louv of the perils of Nature Deficit Disorder in children, crisis and biodiversity collapse but refuses to give in Algonquin Books of does not settle for merely documenting objective to the global psychological depression. Not able to Chapel Hill, $27.95 proof of the planet’s decline. Repeating the Dutch heal the entire world, they are choosing to live lives artist and naturalist Jan van Boeckel’s argument of caring and reciprocity. In communion with the that science and the environmental movement need natural world, they are conducting beautiful acts “art and heart” in addition to analysis and warning, not out of (or at least not solely from) guilt or obli- EDUCATION THAT he urges a shift in perspective to what he calls the gation but from their heartfelt inclinations—their shared “habitat of the heart,” a mysterious space be- desire for personal healing and for reassurance that WORKS JUST AS tween our physical environment and our inner life hope survives.” that represents the potential for deep connection Such acts benefit the planet’s wild things and between humans and animals. places, Our Wild Calling argues, as well as the wild HARD AS YOU DO. Gathering firsthand stories of people who’ve ex- heart that beats inside us all. perienced this “crossing over”—a child who bonds –Steven Hill with the family dog, an oceanogra- pher who has a mystical encounter with an octopus, a wildlife advocate If you’re an educator considering going back Virtual resources whose life is twice transformed by Puppe Steve to school to specialize, let the KU School of for learning online. jaguars—Louv builds a case for what Education help you achieve your goals. greater awareness of and empathy for Let our virtual school district, interactive animals can do for humans. Rather than view them as tools for profit or Find your focus. reading room and student simulations help bring your online learning experience to life. barriers to progress, we should see our We offer a variety of online programs in special fellow creatures as deserving of lives education, curriculum and teaching, and educational beyond human intrusion even as they leadership and policy studies. can help us become more human by Fly higher with an online graduate putting us in touch with senses “long Continue working full time. degree from the School of Education. forgotten or never known.” Louv is not only a collector of Our 100 percent online coursework is designed to stories but also a fine storyteller in his Richard Louv accommodate the schedules of busy educators GET STARTED TODAY. own right. The concepts he explores like you. onlinesoe.ku.edu/jayhawks tend toward abstraction, a misstep he

KANSAS ALUMNI 14 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 15 ROCK CHALK REVIEW

system attacks healthy blood cells. After a series of TO THE STARS tests, Felmlee was confirmed as a perfect match and Border farewell: As we noted agreed to donate his bone marrow to help save the Astronaut O’Hara in a 2016 story about restaurants young girl, a decision he made in large part because Chris LazzarinoChris of his father, Jeff, PharmD’01, who also suffers from When she graduated from more than two that live on only in memory, Border

Laila Anderson and Felmlee Kenton Courtesy an immune disorder. years of basic training and earned her silver astro- Bandito’s Mark Arndt, ’76, shares Kenton Felmlee “He listened and was a good sound board to naut pin at the Johnson Space Center, Loral O’Hara bounce my ideas and thoughts off of,” Felmlee says officially became the fourth Jayhawk astronaut and with his patrons a list of local joints of his father, who offered guidance and explained is now among the small group of candidates vying the 23rd Street taqueria has outlasted; sadly, Arndt adds the that the surgical procedure to extract the bone mar- to become the first woman to walk on the moon. row from his pelvis would be difficult. “He helped NASA’s Artemis program is expected to launch final update June 20, when he ends Border Bandito’s 50-year me prepare mentally for that.” its first moon-landing mission in 2024; at the run. “I hope we’ve stayed true to our customers,” he wrote on Little could prepare Felmlee, though, for the sur- Jan. 10 ceremony in Houston, Administrator Jim prise of learning Anderson’s identity in November, Bridenstine emphasized that women will be among Facebook, “and made your experience here as good as possible.” “When they said 10 months after undergoing surgery at KU Medical the crew. The good news: Still time for another Texas burrito or two. he was studying Center. “When [Be The Match] told me her name, Given her recent graduation, it’s unlikely O’Hara to be a doctor, I they said it was big,” Felmlee recalls with a smile, would vault into a seat on the first moon mission just thought he explaining that at the time he didn’t know who she since Apollo 17—during which command module was. A quick Google search, which “exploded” with pilot Ron Evans, e’55, became the last human to Kij Johnson, ’04, already saved a results, soon remedied that: “The first thing that orbit the moon alone and one of only three associate professor of kid’s life.” Puppe Steve English and associate STUDENTS popped up was a video of her kissing the Stanley astronauts to conduct a deep-space spacewalk. Cup at the game. And then that she had visited the None of that concerns O’Hara, who emphasizes director of the Gunn Center for the Study of —Heather Anderson, Laila White House and received an award in Toronto. that she’s dedicated to supporting her classmates Science Fiction at KU, Anderson’s mother A perfect match It was just all of these amazing things that she had and the entire astronaut office, no matter the done. It was astounding.” assignment. received the 2019 World KU student donates bone marrow Anderson’s family was equally eager to learn “With the [astronaut] office these days, and my Fantasy Award for Best to save 10-year-old girl about Felmlee. “When they said he was studying class in particular, the environment is not com- Novella in November. Given by the World to become a doctor, I just thought he already saved petitive at all,” O’Hara told Kansas Alumni in an KU sophomore Kenton Felmlee had no idea a kid’s life,” says Heather Anderson, Laila’s mother. exclusive interview shortly after her graduation. Fantasy Convention, the what was in store when he joined the Be The Match “He just has to be a special soul to sign up at 18 “It’s so cooperative. It was a really cool and unique UPDATE World Fantasy Awards bone marrow registry in 2018. Then an 18-year-old years old and agree to do that. I just thought it was experience going through that basic training with recognize the best senior at Lawrence High School, he learned about amazing.” them and learning how to be a really good team. Stresses of identity in flux fantasy fiction in a range the organization from his history teacher, Valerie After connecting with Anderson and her family I’ve never really had that experience.” of genres. Johnson’s novella, “The Privilege Schrag, g’02, who had recently donated bone through Facetime, phone calls and emails, Felmlee Expanded O’Hara coverage is available at When discussing Journalism’s Lost Generation, of the Happy Ending,” marrow and shared her experience with students. finally met them during a Be The Match event in kansasalumnimagazine.org, as is a link to Kansas a 2016 book for which he surveyed thousands of was published in Felmlee was inspired by her story and signed up at December in St. Louis, which raised more than Alumni’s reporting on O’Hara’s 2017 selection for journalists about the crucibles of layoffs, marginal- an event at the high school. $665,000 for patients in need of stem cell trans- astronaut training. ization and ridicule, Professor Scott Reinardy told Clarkesworld magazine. She also won presti- “I figured, why not?” he recalls. “They’ll probably plants. Felmlee was overcome with emotion as he –Chris Lazzarino Kansas Alumni, “Journalists are under siege.” never call. It’s slim to none that they’ll call. Even if rushed onstage to embrace the inspiring young His next step was to interview hundreds of gious Nebula and Hugo they do, I’m OK with that. It’s something I can do.” girl who had battled her disease for more than two former journalists to gauge their sense of the print awards for best novella Much to his surprise, Felmlee was contacted years. NASA landscape as well as their personal well-being. in 2012. within months of registering, and in less than a year, “The first thing I said to her was that I loved her,” Reinardy’s study, co-written with an Australian col- he not only donated life-saving bone marrow but he recalls. “It was weird at first to think that I could league, found that 36% of respondents still identify he also discovered that the transplant recipient was love somebody I had never met, but I did. I definite- as journalists even after leaving the profession. none other than Laila Anderson, the young St. Lou- ly, definitely did. She instantly felt like family.” “When you’re committed to the idea that you is Blues superfan who became a national sensation Following the fundraising event, Felmlee spent are a journalist, that’s who you are,” Reinardy says, during the team’s quest for the 2019 Stanley Cup the weekend in St. Louis with Anderson and her “and when you’re told you’re not going to do that title. family and attended a Blues hockey game, where he anymore, it takes a real part of you.” Felmlee, a pre-med student, had just started his received a heartfelt welcome and standing ovation Reinardy also found that 39% of study partic- freshman year at KU when he learned he was one from the team and fans. ipants reported emotional difficulties, including of three potential matches for a 10-year-old girl “Laila’s very loved in this town,” Heather Ander- depression, yet 24% said they felt relieved to leave with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, or son says, “and now people love Kenton, too.” the field and were ready for new opportunities. HLH, a rare disease in which the body’s immune –Heather Biele –Chris Lazzarino

KANSAS ALUMNI 16 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 17 ROCK CHALK REVIEW Steve Puppe Steve

“Chancellor Gray-Little led with a special dignity and grace that made her a role model for Jayhawks everywhere. YOUR We are thrilled to rename such an important building in her home away from home honor.” IN LAWRENCE...

–Chancellor Doug Girod CAMPUS nal chemistry, physics, molecular biosciences and Enjoy the all benefits of a private country club when you’re in town to cheer on the Jayhawks! related fields. It is the centerpiece of the vibrant new Central District, a once-in-a-generation project on Exceptional golf and full-service golf amenities, casual and fine dining, exclusive events, and much more. Gray-Little Hall the Lawrence campus. During Gray-Little’s eight- Integrated Science Building will become year tenure, KU completed 50 capital improvement projects totaling $700 million. 17th chancellor’s namesake She guided other transformations, advancing ...AND ON THE ROAD the University’s mission to educate future leaders, Bernadette Gray-Little, who led the Uni- build healthy communities and make life-changing Do you follow the Jayhawks on the road? versity from 2009 to 2017, will return to the Hill discoveries: later this year to celebrate the official renaming of • New admissions standards, scholarships and Your membership at Lawrence Country Club provides you with access to private clubs across the country including the Integrated Science Building in her honor. The more robust student recruitment led to five straight long-awaited hub for research and education years of growth in the freshman class. dining, fitness and golf! Many even include complimentary or preferred greens fees. in the sciences, which opened in 2018, will • In 2012, KU succeeded in its long quest to become Gray-Little Hall. achieve National Cancer Institute designation. Our partnership with ClubCorp includes several clubs throughout Big XII country so you can play where the Jayhawks play! The Kansas Board of Regents in • The Schools of Engineering, Pharmacy, Medi- December approved the building’s cine and Nursing expanded. new name, along with a new title for • With state funding and donors’ support, KU AUSTIN, TX DALLAS/ FT. WORTH, TX AMES/DES MOINES, IA NORMAN/OKLAHOMA CITY KU’s 17th leader: chancellor emerita. recruited 12 renowned scholars to become new “Chancellor Gray-Little guided KU Foundation Distinguished Professors. Lakeway Country Club Las Colinas Country Club Glen Oaks Country Club Oak Tree Country Club to unprecedented success, elevated • KU Endowment completed a record-setting Lost Creek Country Club TPC Craig Ranch The Trails Golf Club the University’s stature, and trans- $1.66 billion fundraising campaign. formed the way KU serves the state,” said Along with her achievements, Girod lauded his & More & More & More Chancellor Doug Girod. “Among her many predecessor’s leadership style. “Chancellor Gray- accomplishments was the development of the Little led with a special dignity and grace that made MORGANTOWN, WV WACO, TX Integrated Science Building to provide outstand- her a role model for Jayhawks everywhere” he said. Baylor Club ing new research space at a crucial moment in the “We are thrilled to rename such an important build- The Pines Country Club University’s history.” ing in her honor and to forever have the pleasure of The building comprises approximately 280,000 referring to her as Chancellor Emerita Bernadette square feet of space for teaching, learning and Gray-Little.” interdisciplinary research in chemistry, medici- –jennifer jackson sanner katie gates | director of membership & Events | [email protected]

KANSAS ALUMNI 400 country club terrace | Lawrence, ks 66047 | (785) 843-2866 ext 2 18 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 19 ROCK CHALK REVIEW

CLASS CREDIT MONEY MATTERS Mass Street & more only Steve Puppe Steve ROTC honors KU is the state’s public university to lower its food and Three students in KU’s Reserve Officer housing rates for the

Training Corps distinguished themselves during the Younger Susan 2020-’21 academic past year with achievements that place them among year. For a double America’s ROTC elite. occupancy room and a Midshipman 1st Class Alyssa Sharp was one basic dining option, of only 15 midshipmen in the nation selected to which includes 10 meals participate in a Foreign Exchange Cruise with the per week, the University Japanese Navy. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, “Students want will see a 0.7% decrease senior in economics and African-African American Where synapses sizzle in cost, from $9,768 to something more studies spent two weeks aboard the Japanese ship Lawrence leaped into the top 20 on the latest $9,700. than the tran- Shimakaze. “Bloomberg Brain Concentration Index” after script to show Midshipman Jake Murray finished third in the climbing 33 spots in three years. Trumpeting that they received nation at the Conning Officer Virtual Environment “the synapses are sizzling in the Lawrence, Kansas, Competition, which tests students’ ability to drive metropolitan area,” and citing “youthful energy systematic and handle ships under various simulator scenarios. generated by a university population of more than training on UPDATE from students, who stand to benefit from more job The senior from Lake Zurich, Illinois, is majoring in 30,000,” the annual survey ranked Lawrence No. cybersecurity.” offers and higher starting pay. “They want security supply chain management. 19 on a list that also features other college towns Engineering strengthens courses and something more than the transcript Army ROTC Cadet Alden Vogel graduated at the and cities—Boulder, Ann Arbor, Charlottesville, –Bo Luo cybersecurity programs to show they have taken the courses—that they top of his cycle at Advanced Camp, a month-long Durham, Madison—that, like Lawrence, boast received systematic training on cybersecurity,” training event that tests cadets’ leadership skills. The concentrated talent pools in science, technology, The Robert W. and Luo says. Even students who don’t plan to make Overland Park senior in economics earned the dis- engineering and mathematics. Geraldine Wilson KU undergraduates hoping to forge cybersecurity their career will benefit. “With that tinguished RECONDO Badge, which is awarded Museum Fund recently careers in the rapidly burgeoning field of cybersecu- knowledge, with that certificate, a student in soft- to less than 3% of trainees, for exceeding standards received $950,000 in rity have long looked outside the classroom to gain ware engineering is going to produce code that is in physical fitness, navigation, marksmanship, first gifts and pledges from experience battling hackers, testing themselves in less vulnerable,” he says. “There will be a long-term aid and other essential field skills. three women that will competitions that pit teams from different uni- benefit there.” KU is one of just 53 universities that have all benefit the study of versities in simulated cyberwar games [“Domain The certificate is part of an ongoing effort to three service ROTC programs on one campus. mammals at the KU Defenders,” issue No. 2, 2017] designed to test bolster KU’s offerings in the rapidly growing field. Since the programs began at KU, nearly 3,000 LazzarinoChris Biodiversity Institute and students’ ability to ward off online attacks that cor- The School of Engineering has expanded cyberse- ROTC graduates have gone on to serve the nation. the Natural History porations, utilities and public institutions face daily. curity faculty to five tenure-track positions and is –Steven Hill Museum. The fund, Now these students have more options inside the in the midst of a $4.7 million, five-year grant from established in 2007, classroom, thanks to a four-course cybersecurity the National Science Foundation that’s part of a honors the late Robert program from the School of Engineering that for nationwide effort to bolster the federal govern-

Steve Puppe Steve Wilson, a professor of the first time allows undergraduates to build and ment’s information security systems while support- zoology and associate certify their expertise at defending digital networks ing students who agree to take jobs after graduation curator of vertebrate in workplaces, schools and homes. defending critical national infrastructure systems paleontology at the The program requires students to take Intro- at the Central Intelligence Agency, National museum from 1947 to duction to Communications Networks (EECS Security Agency, Department of Defense and other 1961. The gifts were All aboard! 563), Introduction to Information and Computer federal, state and local agencies. In December, the commited by his Security (EECS 565), and one other three-credit se- school announced a new planning grant from Rededicated in 2019 after 10 years of res- daughter, Professor curity-related course of the student’s choice. A final the NSF that enables KU researchers to design a toration efforts led by local volunteers, including Emerita Margaret cyberdefense requirement can be earned by either Center for High-Assurance Secure Systems and mid-century modern enthusiasts, the Santa Fe train Wilson; her late cousin, completing an additional three-credit course or by IoT (CHASSI) that would enlist researchers at five station in east Lawrence is once again a charming Frances Fefes; and her practicing cyberdefense techniques in real-world universities to strengthen security for a range of transit hub for Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, with close friend and scenarios such as the competitions attended by the items, from Internet of Things products to import- daily service to and from Los Angeles and Chicago. longtime KU librarian, school’s Jayhackers team. ant infrastructure systems like energy grids and Sally Haines. Bo Luo, professor of electrical engineering & financial markets. KU will submit its final proposal ABOVE ROTC cadets Alyssa Sharp, Jake Murray and computer science and faculty adviser for the team, to the NSF this year. Alden Vogel earned national distinction during training expects the certification will be in high demand –Steven Hill and exchange programs in 2019.

KANSAS ALUMNI 20 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 21 JAYHAWK SPORTS by Chris Lazzarino

league’s All-Defense First Team. while also bringing the ball up against “I feel like he’s one of the best two-way pressure. guards in the NBA,” Garrett says, “and he “When I see teams try to pressure Steve Puppe (4) Steve has the ability to defend multiple posi- [Dotson] and deny him the ball full-court, tions, too.” I always go ask him if he wants me to bring Turns out, playing multiple positions it up,” Garrett says. “It’s my job to help him is yet another tool in Garrett’s kit. He out and not have him bring the ball up regularly rotates through all the perim- against pressure the whole game.” eter spots, he can leap into the fray as an Garrett recently conceded that he spent athletic forward, and he even took a few his summer working on ball-handling— turns at center when two of Self ’s three not, as many assumed, shooting—and he big men were suspended after the Jan. 21 admits his atypical height for the point K-State melee. guard position gives him the advantage of After Garrett rang up 12 points and six seeing over the perimeter defense. assists in KU’s 60-53 victory Jan. 4, West “To me, he’s as fun a player as I’ve had to Virginia coach Bob Huggins said, “That’s a coach,” Self says. “You know, here may be “I don’t know hard cover when they play him at the four, a little bit different because you think of because he can bounce it so well.” Tyrel’s legacy, or Brady’s legacy, or Travis’ that we have Garrett is known to pay attention to legacy [Reed, Morningstar, Releford], and anybody who the national college scene, but you don’t think of guys who score a ton of guards like him not as a fan. As Self told The Athletic’s points. You think of winners. And I think since I’ve been CJ Moore, “He sees it through a coach’s that will be his legacy, that he is a true lens, as opposed to just watching.” Even winner. here. We’ve the humble Garrett allows that he usually “I also think this, though: I think his had some good has his own scouting report prepared even ceiling is higher than those other guys. I defenders, but I before coaches break down film on an think if he tightens some things up from don’t think we’ve upcoming opponent. a shooting standpoint, he could play this MEN’S BASKETBALL Turns out, however, that Garrett doesn’t game for a long time.” had anybody a Chatty Cathy: “I think our team lacks do such a great job scouting himself. Upon closer inspection, there is one better than him.” personality. Dot’s not a personality guy The “defensive savant,” in the words of criterion with which Garrett might one Lockdown on the court. Ochai [Agbaji] isn’t. To me, The Athletic, is averaging 5.11 assists a day see his No. 0 jersey lifted to the rafters: —, on Marcus ‘Tough as nails’ Garrett grinds out reputation as elite defender [Udoka Azubuike] and Marcus give us our game through the first half of the Big 12 Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Tour- Garrett personality.” season, trailing only Iowa State’s Tyrese nament would have a nice ring to it, eh? Since the concept of retiring jerseys to the “All the good teams we’ve had here that have Tough, an elite defender who relishes Haliburton, a potential NBA lottery pick, Allen Field House rafters was initiated before the had success have had guys that are considered ‘glue the chore, and some on-court panache: and Garrett leads the conference in as- 1991-’92 season, criteria for the rarefied honor have guys,’” Self said before the Dec. 19 Villanova game. Self ’s kinda guy. sist-to-turnover ratio at 2.88, far outpacing TRACK AND FIELD come to include such gaudy credentials as national “Travis Releford. Kevin Young. Unbelievable glue Garrett’s teammates think so, too. Haliburton’s 1.82. player of the year, two-time first-team All-American guys. Landen Lucas, unbelievable glue guy. But I “I think Marcus does everything,” says “I actually didn’t know that until you and consensus first-team All-American. think [Garrett] takes it to another level. As good as freshman guard Christian Braun. “I’ve just told me,” Garrett said after KU’s 69-58 Fly, ’Hawk, fly Will KU ever raise Marcus Garrett’s jersey? we’ve been defensively [in the past], I don’t know realized that coach Self loves tough dudes, victory Feb. 3 over Texas. “I definitely Record-setting pole vaulter aims Doubtful. Which probably won’t be a huge disap- that we have anybody who guards like him since and I would say Marcus is one of his favor- didn’t think that was possible, before the for NCAA titles, Tokyo Olympics pointment to the laconic Texan, since he’s already, I’ve been here. We’ve had some good defenders, but ite dudes of all time.” season. It’s kind of me being more aggres- even as a junior, a member of a much smaller group: I don’t think we’ve had anybody better than him.” “I look up to Marcus, defensively, and sive this year, trying to make more plays.” Pulling your body up to, then falling Bill Self ’s unofficial “he’s a stud” club. Self recently added an unexpected attribute for pretty much all of our guys do, too,” says After Garrett’s gutsy performance filling from, more than 18 feet—over and over “He’s tough as nails,” Self said of Garrett, a 6-5 a player who can make Frank Mason III sound like Agbaji, a sophomore guard. “He’s our in for Dotson at OU, Self, referencing again for an entire afternoon—can’t possi- wing from Dallas, after Garrett subbed for injured leader.” Dotson’s expected departure for the NBA, bly look easy, yet that’s exactly what Zach point guard Devon Dotson and racked up 15 “Marcus, he’s a do-it-all guy,” Dotson said, “There’s no doubt who the point will Bradford achieved last April when he burst points, five rebounds, and five assists against one says. “He’s the guy we can rely on defen- be next year.” It’s an assignment Garrett onto the KU sports scene with a stunning turnover while playing 38 minutes as the Jayhawks’ ABOVE Marcus Garrett (0), named to the Midseason sively and we can get energy from.” would relish, but not one he wants this Kansas Relays victory at Rock Chalk Park. primary ball-handler and lockdown defender in Naismith Award Defensive Player of the Year watch list, Garrett says he didn’t grow up idolizing season. For now, he wants to play along- “With boyish zeal and brash ability,” in KU’s 66-52 victory Jan. 14 at Oklahoma. Oh, and is scoring more than 10 points a game in Big 12 play, any particular player, but now follows Jrue side Dotson, not for Dotson, and give Dot- the breathless reporting shared in these this: Garrett was playing on two bad ankles, for much to the delight of senior center Udoka Azubuike Holiday, an 11-year NBA veteran who is son much-needed breaks from the grind pages, Bradford flew 18 feet, 11 inches, which he has endured daily treatment all season. and freshman guard Christian Braun (2). a prolific scorer as well as a member of the of defending the opponent’s ball-handler exceeding the World Championships’

KANSAS ALUMNI 22 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 23 JAYHAWK SPORTS

Midway through the Even more than the height, though, 19 feet to meet the Olympic standard. Big 12 season, sophomore Bradford, then a freshman in his first Kan- Growing up in Bloomington, Illinois, Steve Puppe Steve sas Relays, made it look … well, easy. For Bradford shadowed his older brother, point guard Devon Dotson, sure fun. And then comes a glance at his Steven, at practice, until fifth grade, when named to every national roster photo at kuathletics.com: one palm he picked up a pole and started jumping. player of the year watch list, wrapped in tape, face flushed, arms raised He won back-to-back junior high cham- was leading the conference in bruised and battered victory. pionships, and as a freshman was already The boyish zeal of an MMA fighter? within 4 inches of Steven’s high school in scoring at 18.15 points “In the meet, you don’t seem tired be- record when he told himself, “OK, I’m per game, nearly two cause you’ve got that adrenalin rush, you’re doing something right.” points better than TCU’s flowing, everything feels good,” Bradford But he did not win the state meet; in Desmond Bane. says, “but your body is definitely beat up. fact, he didn’t even qualify: “Is this some- You feel it afterwards.” thing I want to do, or do I want to keep Photograph by Now a sophomore with sights set on Big working at it and become the best?” Brad- Steve Puppe 12 and NCAA indoor and outdoor titles, ford did not lose another conference or as well as the Tokyo Olympics, Bradford state championship in his remaining three says the current indoor season was slow high school years, then leaped straight into to develop because his body needed rest. Kansas Relays glory and even the World Last season didn’t end until the first week Championships. in October, at the conclusion of the IAAF Brash ability? Maybe not so breathless Bradford World Championships in Qatar. Brad- after all. ford, then 19 and the youngest member of “He’s the real deal, there’s no doubt qualifying standard and topping the KU Team USA, placed 22nd in the world. about it,” coach Tom Hays, d’90, said after record, 18-10.75, set in 1983 by vaulting “I took that whole trip as a learning ex- the shocking Relays triumph. “He’s one of legend Jeff Buckingham, j’84. perience, having fun with it on and off the the U.S.’s best talents.” “Going into it, it was just another track, learning every little bit I can from As for that memorable afternoon, Brad- meet, just another chance to jump high,” the older athletes,” Bradford says. “I just ford does correct the record: It was not Bradford recalled Feb. 7, one day before had fun, kept a smile.” easy. But, fun? setting a new KU indoor mark, 18-8.75, at He is now training toward the Olym- “How can it not be,” he answers with Nebraska. “But I didn’t think it was going pics, but bars will be high: 18-10 to qualify a laugh, “when you’re flying your body to be that high. Pretty good tailwind, nice for the U.S. trials, where he’ll have to place 18 feet in the air and you’re floating weather, big crowd. That helped.” in the top three to make Team USA, and up there?”

UPDATE season undefeated, capped by a field athletes. ... Senior forward 21-point performance by Katie McClure was drafted

unior Manon Manning, Jacobsen Jeff freshman guard Holly 23rd overall by the Washington Jsophomore Kate Steward, Kersgieter Dec. 30 against Spirit of the National Women’s senior Elizabeth Amato- Wofford. Senior forward Soccer League, and senior Hanner and senior Carly Mariane De Carvalho on Jan. defender Addisyn Merrick Straight began swimming and 16 scored 16 to lead KU to its was chosen 28th by the North diving’s Feb. 1 dual meet with first Big 12 victory, 67-50 over Carolina Courage. ... Chris Arkansas by breaking Robinson Dilsaver Texas Tech. ... Senior Gleb Harris Jr., c’12, and Aqib Natatorium’s 11-year-old record Dudarev on Jan. 24 won the Talib, ’09, in December were in the 200-yard medley relay, week later, KU closed out the Jayhawk Classic weight throw named among the top 10 which was promptly followed regular season 7-1 as senior with an 80-foot toss, the cornerbacks of the decade by with pool records by Manning in Jenny Nusbaum won three fifth-best mark in NCAA history. ProFootballTalk.com, and Hall the 100-yard backstroke and individual races and a relay in a Earlier in January, Dudarev was of Fame running back Gale Dannie Dilsaver in the 204-111 victory at Iowa State. ... named to the Bowerman Sayers, d’75, g’77, was named 200-yard individual medley, en Women’s basketball zoomed Preseason Watch List, honoring college football’s all-time route to a 178-118 victory. One through its nonconference the nation’s top 10 track and 10th-best player by ESPN.

KANSAS ALUMNI 24 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 25 With help from KU’s Office of Fellowships, three outstanding Jayhawks outshine the competition to win prestigious ELITE national awards SCHOLARS by Heather Biele hen Anne Wallen, c’03, finalists for some of the most prestigious received an offer in 2012 national awards, including the Rhodes, Photographs by Steve Puppe to join the University Marshall and Mitchell scholarships. Honors Program staff, “Having four finalists was pretty wild,” sheW “felt like the skies opened.” After Wallen says. “The most I’d had before for earning her bachelor’s degree in Germanic this caliber of competition was two, and languages & literatures and humanities & four was more than twice the work.” Western Civilization, she had been advis- With more than 25 scholarships and ing honors students on fellowships at the fellowships to track, Wallen manages a University of Minnesota, where she com- formidable calendar of deadlines each pleted her master’s and doctoral degrees. year and oversees campus nominations Returning to KU was a dream come true. and endorsements for 11 of the nationally Now program director at the Office of competitive awards, as well as committees Fellowships, she has worked with scores that support students through mentoring of talented, ambitious young Jayhawks, and practice interviews. Phillip Drake, a expertly identifying scholarship and fel- faculty fellow and associate professor of lowship opportunities and guiding them English, and graduate assistant Charlesia through the arduous application process. McKinney help Wallen with campus out- This year, four KU students were named reach and other projects. Catalina Wedman, Alex Murray and Sam Steuart

KANSAS ALUMNI 26 ISSUEISSUE 11 || WINTERWINTER 20202020 27 are applicable in so many other contexts.” Murray’s vision for his career involves “He’s got vision. He’s got drive. using his expertise in finance to help combat the ongoing challenge of climate He’s ambitious. He really wants to see change. As one of 12 Mitchell Scholarship a better world, and he has no fear of putting Though Wallen is the first to admit that lex Murray’s pursuit of degrees winners selected nationwide from a pool the process isn’t all about winning, captur- in finance and environmental of nearly 360 students, Murray in fall 2020 himself out there to bring that about.” ing one—or in this case, three—of those studies—a somewhat unusual will study renewable energy and climate coveted national honors is certainly sweet. Apairing—stems in large part from his finance at University College Dublin. He —Vincent Francisco, mentor to Sam Steuart Shortly before the fall semester ended, Midwestern roots. At an early age, Murray is only the second Jayhawk to earn this KU announced that Alex Murray, a developed a deep appreciation for the award, after Kathryn Ammon, c’19, won finance and environmental studies major, environment and agriculture, thanks to his in 2018. Murray hopes to one day work had received the George J. Mitchell Schol- parents, who grew up in farming commu- at a global nonprofit organization like the arship; Sam Steuart, an American studies nities. He nurtured that interest at Olathe World Resources Institute and eventually the economic and business case for dealing ty Phi Delta Epsilon and executive director and biochemistry major, was awarded Northwest High School, where he partic- help influence economic policies at the with the problems that are facing us in of KU’s Center for Community Outreach the George Marshall Scholarship; and ipated in debate and speech and learned United Nations. terms of climate and to be able to talk with (CCO), an organization that provides ser- Catalina Wedman, a Spanish major with the value of researching and understanding “We need to change finance to meet the multiple stakeholders in order to attack vice opportunities for students on campus minors in political science and global & societal issues, including those that affect issue of climate change,” Murray says. “I the problem. And he’s going after it full and in neighboring communities. Steuart international studies, was named the Uni- the environment. hope to be a leader in that space.” force. He’s preparing himself, I think, to oversees 12 student volunteer programs, versity’s second Charles B. Rangel Fellow. “When you talk about the problem of Amy Burgin, associate professor in really be able to make a difference.” including the Campus Cupboard and These fellowships will fund the full costs climate change, it’s this existential threat ecology and evolutionary biology and en- Hawks for Health. of Murray and Steuart’s graduate degrees, to communities that are very close to my Murray vironmental studies and associate scientist Mary Barnes Klayder, associate director as well as stipends for living expenses. family,” Murray says. “That was a big inspi- at Kansas Biological Survey, has seen Mur- of undergraduate studies and University Wedman will receive up to $95,000 in ration for me. And I think debate really it’s something that during my time at KU ray’s leadership potential firsthand through Honors lecturer, was Steuart’s first faculty benefits for her advanced studies. brought in the academic side of things, the has become much clearer.” his work in her classroom. “He just has am Steuart’s life took a fortuitous adviser at freshman orientation. She also Considering that the acceptance rate is awareness of current events. That combi- In 2017, Murray co-founded Net this great way of making people feel at turn during his freshman year at has traveled with him on two study abroad less than 5% and that many applicants hail nation pushed me to why I chose what I Impact, a campus organization that aims ease and drawing people into conversation Shawnee Heights High School in trips and works with him at CCO. from private and Ivy League institutions, studied.” to identify alternative career paths for and having a real personal connection,” STopeka. While attending one of his older the winning trio, Wallen and the Universi- Though Murray initially had siloed his business students and create lasting social she says. “But then he also has this ability sister’s volleyball games, a student’s mother ty have much to be proud of. concern for the natural world from his and environmental change on campus and to synthesize information and make new asked him whether he would be as smart “These are the best of the best,” Wal- education, a seminar during his freshman in surrounding communities. The student insights and novel contributions. Some as his sisters, both of whom excelled in ac- len says of KU’s competition for these year in KU’s business leadership program group has hosted several guest speak- people do one or the other really well, ademics and athletics. “I had been dealing prestigious awards. “But our students can helped him understand how his economic ers who promote sustainability in their and I think it’s rare to do both. He’s got a with those expectations my entire life,” re- be successful on the same kind of footing and environmental interests might con- business endeavors, including the CEO of unique combo there.” calls Steuart, who often felt overshadowed with students from all over the country. verge. “I started to see that there was this local coffeemaker The Roasterie and the As a junior, Murray also launched the by his older sisters’ successes. “All I could That’s what’s amazing about them.” overlap that was developing,” he says, “and mayor of Greensburg, the rural Kansas KU Beekeeping Club with two other muster was, ‘I sure hope so.’” town that was rebuilt using green prac- students and recruited more than 400 Another mother who witnessed the tices following a devastating tornado in members in its first year. The club has built exchange approached a visibly distraught 2007. Now recognized as one of the most and installed hives at the KU Field Station Steuart and encouraged him to discover “I’ve met a number of kids who would like sustainable communities in the United in North Lawrence and visited local class- his own path, possibly through a leader- States, the town partnered with graduate rooms to teach young children about the ship experience like student council. That to be able to change the world, and Alex architecture students in KU’s Studio 804 critical role pollinators play in the ecologi- year, Steuart entered the race to become program to design and build the 5.4.7 Arts cal sustainability of our planet. sophomore class president and won. is someone I think might actually be able Center, the first LEED (Leadership in En- Jim Guthrie, the William and Judy “That was where I found myself and I ergy and Environmental Design) Platinum Docking Professor at KU’s School of Busi- loved it,” says Steuart, who eventually be- to do it.” building in Kansas. ness, developed a bond with Murray over came the school’s student body president “We wanted to bring awareness to stu- their shared love of beekeeping. “I’ve met a his senior year. “From there it just became —Jim Guthrie, mentor to Alex Murray dents that they could do something with number of kids who would like to be able a thing.” their careers that wasn’t just accounting or to change the world, and Alex is someone Steuart continued to take on leadership a very traditional role,” Murray says. “The I think might actually be able to do it,” roles throughout his career at KU, becom- skills that you learn as a business student Guthrie says. “He wants to be able to make ing president of the pre-medicine fraterni- Steuart

KANSAS ALUMNI 28 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 29 “He’s amazing,” says Klayder, c’72, d’75, “He’s got vision,” says Francisco, g’92, g’82, PhD’09. “I don’t think I’ve ever met PhD’95, Kansas Health Foundation anyone like him. He’s able to lead by being Professor of Community Leadership and Sam, by having this incredible energy.” senior scientist at the Life Span Institute. Regarding his work as executive director “He’s got drive. He’s ambitious. He really at CCO, she continues, “The number of wants to see a better world, and he has no volunteers he has is phenomenal, because fear of putting himself out there to bring he creates an energetic and positive space, that about.” and people want to go there.” Francisco recalls one of his first con- The Topeka native, who is on a pre-med- versations with Steuart, during which the icine track majoring in biochemistry young man said he one day wanted to be and American studies with a minor in governor of Kansas. “I think he’s going to Spanish, was one of 46 students selected have a bigger impact on the world than this year to receive the Marshall Scholar- that,” Francisco says, “although that would ship, an honor KU last celebrated when be awesome if he were to do that. His Mark Bradshaw, c’01, won in 2003. The getting the Marshall is just an indicator of fellowship, which is awarded annually to where he’s going to go next.” high-achieving scholars nationwide, is named after former U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall and was created by the British government to bolster its alliance with the United States after World War II. fter graduating from high school Steuart, who also was named KU’s 20th in her native Costa Rica, Catalina Harry S. Truman Scholar in April, plans to Wedman moved to the United study comparative social policy at Oxford AStates to join her father, who had recently University in England, where he hopes to returned to his hometown in Harper, learn about the country’s welfare policies Kansas, to be near family. She took jobs and programs and the success England has at a grocery store and a restaurant, but had in garnering public support for them. soon found herself wanting to go back to Social equity in health care has been a school. central theme during Steuart’s time at KU. “My high school was really hard, and it In addition to his roles with Phi Delta needed to be worth it,” Wedman says. “I Epsilon and CCO, Steuart volunteers at wanted to keep studying. That’s when I the JayDoc Free Clinic at KU Medical started looking at different colleges.” Center and has worked with school-based She was shocked to learn how expensive health centers in Topeka, which deliver continuing her education in the states high-quality care to students of all socio- would be. “The tuition is what people economic backgrounds. earn in two years in Costa Rica,” says After earning his graduate degree at Wedman, before adding with a laugh, “I Oxford, Steuart plans to attend medical literally Googled, ‘How do people pay for opportunities, faculty mentors and tutor- commuting two hours each day on the of 30 winners, only the second recipient ABOVE Anne Wallen (left) has worked with school and become a professor in medi- college?’” ing. Wedman was accepted in the program bus. As she advanced through her courses from KU after Constanza Castro Zúñiga, hundreds of fellowship candidates over the cine and public health, “to focus on equity Armed with Pell grants and scholar- in fall 2017, her first semester at KU. at KU, she discovered that she no longer c’19, won in 2018. She will receive up to years, some who start seeking guidance as and what we can do as physicians to ensure ships, she enrolled at Johnson County “They pay you to do research,” she says, wanted to teach Spanish at a university; $95,000 to support a two-year master’s early as freshman year. Her advice to them? that we’re giving the same level of care to Community College in Overland Park, “which is really important for low-income instead, she wanted to work in foreign pol- degree in a field of study that relates to “Do things that make sense to you and are every single patient population,” he says. earning her associate’s degree and building students. You want to get those experienc- icy and bring about positive, lasting change foreign service, as well as internships and going to give you a great experience no matter Long term, Steuart hopes to become a a foundation to eventually attend KU. She es, but you can’t do it for free because you on an international scale. other training opportunities. Wedman, what,” she says. “You can’t plan your college leader in health care policymaking at the wanted to become a Spanish professor. still have a lot of stuff to pay. It’s a great Wedman took a giant step toward who is assured a five-year contract as a career around the idea that you’re going to be state and national levels and, eventually, During that time she also learned about program.” fulfilling that goal in December, when she foreign service officer when she graduates a Rhodes Scholar.” run for political office—lofty goals that KU’s McNair Scholars Program, which In addition to taking classes full time, received the Rangel Fellowship, which is from the program, plans to study interna- come as no surprise to Vincent Francisco, helps low-income, first-generation and un- Wedman also helped support herself by funded by the U.S. Department of State. tional affairs. Steuart’s faculty mentor in the University derrepresented minority students prepare working 30 hours a week at JCCC’s Inter- More than 800 people applied last year A member of the University Honors Scholars Program. for doctoral study through paid research national and Immigrant Student Services, for the fellowship, and Wedman was one Program, Wedman also has studied abroad

KANSAS ALUMNI 30 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 31 nitely one of the most hardworking people Now housed in Summerfield Hall specific things and answer questions that “People say, ‘What’s the key or what’s the I’ve met,” says Lemma, c’05, g’10, empha- with the Center of Service Learning, the they probably haven’t had to think about sizing that Wedman excelled in her classes Center for Undergraduate Research and before.” secret?’ The secret is that there’s no formula. while working nearly full time in Kansas the University Career Center, the office’s Articulating their interests, career goals City. “She is really well-organized, detail central location is easily accessible and wel- and personal strengths proved to be an It has to be these students who have figured oriented. She is also super-empathetic. She coming for all students on campus—even invaluable experience for this year’s fel- cares deeply. Both her career and academ- those who aren’t in the honors program. lowship winners. “It really encourages you out something that really drives them and ic aspirations are connected to a deeper, Wallen says the move also has improved to think about what compels you, what bigger picture and making a meaningful interaction and collaboration with those motivates you and why you’re doing it,” motivates them, and find a way to bring it contribution to society.” campus partners in the former School of says Steuart, who submitted applications –Anne Wallen Lemma believes those traits will serve Business building, many of which see a for the Truman, Marshall and Rhodes all together.” Wedman well as she prepares for a career steady stream of students inquiring about scholarships. in foreign service. “I think what’s going to experiential learning opportunities and Murray, who competed for the Rhodes, make her successful is she is very deter- career counseling services. Marshall and Mitchell scholarships, en- mined to be that person who provides a Wallen casts a wide net when identify- courages any interested students to partic- gateway to diplomacy, a gateway to peace ing Jayhawks for nationally competitive ipate in the process. “It does give you that the first to hear from each student upon and a gateway to connect different people awards, enlisting “campus scouts,” as she moment of clarity as you begin to prepare winning, it’s safe to say that she’s doing to each other.” calls them, and tapping into high-achiev- to leave KU,” says Murray, who views the something right. ing student groups like the McNair experience as beneficial for job hunting as “People say, ‘What’s the key or what’s Scholars Program, the honors program well. “Had I not gone through something the secret?’” Wallen says. “The secret is and the University Scholars and Global like this, it would have been really hard to that there’s no formula. It has to be these Wedman Scholars programs. “Any student who’s know where I wanted to go next.” students who have figured out something n 2017, at the prompting of even applying to those could be a nation- Eleven of the top fellowships require that really drives them and motivates DeAngela Burns-Wallace, then vice al fellowship candidate,” Wallen says, campus nominations, including the them, and find a way to bring it all to- in Xi’an, China, and has completed a provost for undergraduate studies, the “because they have that extra ambition.” Marshall and Mitchell scholarships, which gether. I can’t take credit for them having research fellowship with the Foreign IOffice of Fellowships transitioned out Determination and drive are vital for Murray and Steuart competed for and done all those things. But it’s my job to Military Studies Office. Last year she of the University Honors Program and students interested in fellowship oppor- won. Wallen recruits KU faculty, staff and help them put it together in a coherent received a Foreign Language and Area became part of undergraduate studies, a tunities. Under Wallen’s guidance, the community members to serve on those and compelling application so that other Studies (FLAS) Fellowship grant from the move that ultimately has allowed Wallen vigorous application process typically nomination committees and also support people can get the message of how cool U.S. Department of Education, which has to expand the office’s mission and connect includes a series of thought-provoking students through practice interviews and they are.” provided financial support during her final with more students. questions, written essays and, depending mentoring. Though Wedman’s Rangel Wa l l e n year at KU and allowed her to cut back on “A lot of people thought you had to on the fellowship, even experimental Fellowship did not require campus nom- job responsibilities. She currently works be in the honors program to apply for research papers. “That’s the wonderful ination, she still benefited from one-on- part time as an intercountry adoptions these scholarships, which was never true,” thing about the applications themselves is one advising with Wallen, as well as mock s’99, who won Truman Scholarships in student trainee at U.S. Citizenship and Wallen says. “But there was this perception that they’re very pedagogical,” Wallen says. interviews with committee members. 1988 and 1999, respectively. Longtime Best of the best Immigration Services in Kansas City, a job that was hard to overcome.” “They ask the students to think through “I counted, and working with people, faculty member Barbara Schowen, assoc., she feels will ultimately prepare her for a thanks to Anne, was more than 15 hours,” professor emerita of chemistry who retired ere’s a look at the number of career in foreign service—and one that Wedman says, in addition to the time in 2003 after nearly three decades at KU, HJayhawks who have won some occasionally has reminded her of home. spent crafting her essays and contemplat- also serves as an invaluable resource, after of the most prestigious national “When I was in Costa Rica, right across ing answers to interview questions. “It was guiding hundreds of students through fellowships: my street was this orphanage,” Wedman re- “She is definitely one of the most a lot of time, but it’s worth it, because I the application process when she led the calls. “Once I was working here in Kansas, hardworking people I’ve met. ... Both know how many hours I’ve had to work to honors program from 1996 to 2003. Astronaut Scholarship 11 reviewing this adoption document, and pay for other things in my school.” “It’s a big team project,” Wallen says. “A Goldwater Scholarship 67 it was from Costa Rica. It was from that her career and academic aspirations are Wallen collects feedback each year multiyear, multigenerational project.” orphanage. When I was little I just saw from students who apply for fellowships The impact that Wallen, the campus Marshall Scholarship 10 it, and I didn’t think I could do anything connected to a deeper, bigger picture and uses that information to help guide community and KU alumni have had Mitchell Scholarship 2 about it. Now I know some of the deci- future candidates. She also taps into the on this program is immeasurable, a view Rangel Fellowship 2 sions you make can make sure a child goes and making a meaningful contribution experience of past winners, including Ruth enthusiastically shared by Murray, Steuart Rhodes Scholarship 27 to a good home.” Anne French-Hodson, c’05, and Kelsey and Wedman, all of whom emphasized Mulu Lemma, director of the McNair to society.” Murrell, c’12, the University’s 25th and that the University’s support and invest- Truman Scholarship 20 Scholars Program, met Wedman when she –Mulu Lemma, mentor to Catalina Wedman 26th Rhodes Scholars; and Brenda Eisele ment in them was critical to their success. Udall Scholarship 20 first applied for the program. “She is defi- Jackson, c’90, and Melinda Carden Lewis, And considering that Wallen was among

KANSAS ALUMNI 32 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 33 by Steven Hill No Mans Canyon photograph by Tim Davis

Confronted with tragedy, a brother finds his way back to the world

David Cicotello was stuck. On a day hike in No Mans Canyon, a slot canyon in the fabled Robbers Roost area of southeastern Utah, Cicotello was in the middle of a two-stage rappel with his brother Louis. It was Sunday, March 6, 2011. The two had hiked into the canyon’s north fork around 9 a.m., wended their way through tight sandstone rifts worn deep in the flat mesa by centuries of wind and water, and completed four short rappels—including one they set up out of an abundance of caution when a path described in trip reports as hikeable appeared more precarious than advertised. “After all,” Louis deadpanned, “I am 70 years old.”

KANSASKANSAS ALUMNIALUMNI 34 ISSUEISSUE 11 || WINTERWINTER 20202020 35 Performing Arts Center. “All A’s in high Carl focused more on the art and Louis

Tim Davis Tim school. Valedictorian. He had read every shifted to technical climbing and rap- book in our hometown library.” pelling, recruiting David to join him on When David was ready to start college, his desert adventures. in 1971, he knew only that he wanted to During a campus visit in October, leave his home state of Pennsylvania. Lou- speaking to the KU Rock Climbing Club, Courtesy David Cicotello David Courtesy is, who had earned an MFA in sculpture David described how his older brother from Yale and was teaching at the Univer- challenged him to embark upon such a sity of Missouri-Kansas City, suggested demanding sport in his 50s. Step one was KU. David spent weekends at Louis’ house, rope training on an indoor climbing wall. endlessly sanding the large Plexiglas sculp- “He was serious about, ‘Get it done tures his brother was creating. Louis took before you even think about getting on a him to his first Grateful Dead show, his rope with me,’” Cicotello told students. first Asian restaurant. “At that time, I was “I had to learn on the gym wall to be in awe of him,” David recalls. “That was technically proficient, but he taught me really our first period of intense bonding.” more in the field than I ever learned The second came decades later in the in the gym.” Utah desert. By then David, c’75, g’77, was David was pupil to Louis’ master on working at a college in Nebraska, Louis in the weeklong trips, which Louis planned Colorado. They’d grown apart. But start- in fine detail, down to the nightly dinner ing in 2000, on trips with a third brother, menu. He gathered wood for the massive Carl, they fished and hiked and sought campfires Louis built, prepped ingredi- out remote sites that featured the ancient ents for the gourmet meals that Louis, an rock art that fascinated them. Over time, accomplished amateur chef, cooked. But as David grew into a more capable climber under his brother’s tutelage, the age differ- David, then 57, “laughed like hell” David watched as his brother clipped onto the rope when he came down. Then he carefully ence between them seemed to disappear. at his brother’s joke. and began backing down the ramp. When he eased his body, legs first, over the edge and “I think Louis and I developed a rela- A fit, experienced mountaineer who out of sight. tionship of equals through these trips to summited most of Colorado’s 14ers reached the edge, Louis paused to warn him not to It would be the last time David Utah because things fell away,” David says. before discovering canyoneering, Louis trap his hands between the rope and the rock when Cicotello would see his brother alive. “We were in the moment, enjoying each

had been climbing for more than 30 years Within seconds, he was staring in Cicotello David Courtesy other’s company.” In the desolate Utah and exploring canyons for the past 13. He he came down. Then he carefully eased his body, stunned disbelief as the rope carrying wilderness, conversation came easy. “We did three or four desert trips a year and, legs first, over the edge and out of sight. Louis—both he and his brother’s only could run the gamut from deconstruc- according to the climbers who know him means of getting off the ledge—zipped tionism to who’s gonna win the pennant, best, was “meticulous” in his approach to through the rappel ring, over the cliff ’s all along enjoying this wonderful canyon rappelling, carefully setting the anchors edge and out of sight. country we loved.” that he and his fellow canyoneers used “I knew in that instant that my brother Robbers Roost is a beautiful but severe to secure the ropes for their descents. He had fallen,” David says, “and taken the rope landscape of slick red rock and prickly had completed an estimated 600 rappels, they pulled their climbing rope down webbing. The webbing extended nearly with him.” cactus, fragrant sagebrush and stunted many of them, in the past few years, with and began rigging the second stage of the to the end of a 20-foot ramp that sloped What had begun as a six-hour hike had cedar. Jack rabbits, wild horses and outlaws David. At Louis’ urging, David took up descent: a 100-foot rappel that would steeply down to a narrow opening in the just become a six-day struggle for survival. are among the tough critters who’ve called rappelling in 2006, learning first on a take every bit of their 60-meter rope to cliff face, a tall vertical slot from which it home. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance climbing wall near his home in Omaha, complete. They planned to eat lunch at the 100-foot drop began. Through a Kid found the deep, mazelike canyons Nebraska, and later under Louis’ tutelage the bottom and then begin the long hike rappel ring attached to the webbing, Louis rom the time he started kinder- an ideal hideout, and they cached fresh in Utah’s red rock country, where together up an old horse trail to the canyon rim, threaded one end of the climbing rope, garten—the same year Louis left horses and food stores to sustain their they explored more than 40 canyons. across the wind-battered mesa and back to located the rope’s midpoint and threw Fhome for his freshman year of ABOVE Brothers Louis and David Cicotello Wild Bunch gang through long stretches Now it was 1 p.m. and they were on the trailhead. both strands down. college—David’s big brother was an almost reconnected during trips to Utah canyon on the lam. One of its chief charms—for their last descent of the day. Stage one was To set up the rappel, Louis started David watched as his brother clipped mythical figure in his world. country. Louis (top left) was the experienced bank robbers—is also one of its deadliest: a 40-foot rappel down to a sandy ledge with an existing anchor point, a bolt- onto the rope and began backing down “According to our dear mother he was canyoneer, David the proficient student. remoteness. No Mans Canyon, where Da- that was partially sheltered by an overhang and-hanger secured to one wall of the the ramp. When he reached the edge, a legend,” David recalled wryly during vid and Louis were exploring, is two hours from which Louis and David descended, cavelike ledge. To this anchor he attached Louis paused to warn him not to trap Nashville Storytellers: Survival, a storytell- CENTER The No Mans Canyon exit, a shel- from the nearest paved road. one after the other. Once on the ledge, a carabiner threaded with a new loop of his hands between the rope and the rock ing event in January 2019 at the Tennessee tered slot that opens onto a 100-foot cliff. The Roost’s unforgiving nature was most

KANSAS ALUMNI 36 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 37 famously illustrated by the experience of that his brother judged the distance LEFT During an October campus visit, Cicotello Aron Ralston, a 27-year-old canyoneer manageable. shared with the KU Rock Climbing Club his love who in 2003 amputated his arm to escape “In the next sort of nanosecond, he said, of climbing and the details of his ordeal. a slot canyon where he’d been pinned by a ‘No biggie.’” falling boulder, then nearly bled to death In the eight years since his brother’s fall, on an 8-mile walk before having the good David has replayed the scene over and fortune to cross paths with a family of over in his head. Interviewers, friends and hikers. The site of his desperate struggle family, sheriff ’s deputies who investigated orange, one energy bar, a small bag of ca- for survival, Bluejohn Canyon, is only the accident, all have asked how much shews, half a turkey sandwich, a 16-ounce 15 miles from where Cicotello—with a time passed between those words and bottled water and a liter of tea with a shock of realization Ralston would surely what happened next. lemon wedge he’d sliced that morning. recognize—was quickly coming to terms By David’s estimation it was three, Over the next six days he rationed his with his own dire predicament: Robbers maybe four seconds. Not much time to food carefully. He ripped the backpack Roost is an excellent place to lose yourself, say, Hold on, Louis. What do you mean, apart and used the foam padding to but one hell of a tough spot to get found. No biggie? keep warm at night, when temperatures But it was also a lifetime that ticked dropped into the 30s, by slipping it under by, a history of being together that had his shirt and pressing it to his chest. He avid couldn’t see Louis, but he become deeply grooved by decades of used spare socks as ear muffs and filled a could hear him. relating big brother to little, master to stuff sack with sand to fashion a makeshift D Soon after he eased over the student. pillow. He blew a safety whistle daily and edge, Louis had called to him: “He said, ‘No biggie.’ And when my made a HELP sign to dangle over the “It goes fast.” brother said, ‘No biggie,’ that meant, ‘OK, ledge, though he knew odds were long “He was letting me know it’s a free I’ve got it under control, this is gonna that anyone would pass near enough to rappel,” David says. “You’re not touching work out, no problem.’ He’s the experi- hear or see either. In all their visits to the rock face as you go down.” enced one; he knows what he’s doing. I’m Robbers Roost, he and Louis encountered Louis had one firm rule in the field, not gonna question him.” other people only twice. which he only rarely suspended: The most Panic turned to terror in the next He passed the hours tracking clouds and experienced climber goes first. Though moment as David watched the rope zip contrails that drifted across the crack of Steve Puppe (4) Steve he had guided David through about 125 through the rappel ring and disappear. sky overhead. He watched birds wheel and descents, he was always looking out for “He didn’t cry out. I heard no crash, no light on the canyon walls where the shad- his younger brother, always offering tips, hard landing,” he says. “But I knew what ows morphed into shapes that he began to urging caution. had happened: My brother had fallen.” recognize and anticipate with each passing “Then in the next moment,” recalls He called Louis’ name three or four day. At night, Orion stalked in and out David, “he said, ‘Oops, the rope is short.’” times, but got no answer. Without the of view, marking time. He gathered stray A 60-meter rope is 197 feet long; rope, there was no way down the cliff; he’d bits of tinder and lit fires that burned out doubled to form two even strands—as it have to climb back the way they’d come. quickly, more for comfort than for heat. must be to accommodate the belay device Forty feet of smooth red rock and an He used his knife to carve into the sand- that acts as a brake and allows a rappeller overhanging ledge stretched above him. stone walls his name—only a letter or two to control his descent—it reaches 98 feet. It was an act of desperation, but he had to alston did three things together,” he finishes. “And shit still sheriff ’s departments in the three counties at a time to lengthen the diversion—and If it is folded unevenly, creating long and try, had to get to Louis. Unable to secure “ climbers and canyoneers happened.” they’d be in, and left the map with his a hashmark for each day on the ledge. He short sides that reduce the amount of a toehold, he kept tumbling back onto Rwould check the box against,” A certain amount of risk is unavoidable girlfriend, Rhonda Hoffman. sang. He prayed aloud. The 23rd Psalm double strand available to hold the belay the ledge. At some point, he heard Louis Cicotello tells the KU rock climbers. in climbing, as his audience knows well. On the last night of their annual trips, particularly resonated: Yea, though I walk device, the effective reach is shorter. For a groan below. He screamed his name again “He went alone. He didn’t leave a Every rope and harness and implement David and Louis always stayed in a hotel through the valley of the shadow of death, rappeller, a rope’s usable length is only as but got no response. If he could just get map. And he told nobody where he comes with a bold-print warning sewn and called home to let loved ones know I will fear no evil. long as its shortest strand. back to the canyon rim, he might be able was going.” right onto it: Climbing is dangerous. they were safe. When they did not check “Because I was in my own kind of val- “I can’t see my brother, but I can picture to find a path to the bottom, to Louis. Clad in the same hiking clothes he was The Cicotellos did take precautions. in on Thursday night, as planned, Rhon- ley,” he says. “That psalm says walkthrough what he’s just described. The ropes have Miles stretched between him and the wearing in 2011, with his backpack and its Before leaving home, David printed da and Louis’ wife, Millie Yawn, would the valley. Don’t stop. Because if you stop, been set up uneven. Sheer panic came over help his brother needed, but what it came meager contents that day spread behind out a map on which he highlighted the know something was wrong. Rescue crews you get stuck.” me in that moment.” down to, in the end, was the first 40 feet. him on a table in the Ambler Student three campsites where they would stay, would start looking for them the next day. Twice he doubted his prospects for Louis had run out of rope short of the There was no getting past it. Recreation Fitness Center, he pauses to let the canyons they planned to explore and “My mantra became, Get to Friday. I rescue enough to entertain a risky scheme. ground. David doesn’t know how high Dejected, in shock, his mind ablaze this lesson sink in a moment. the roads they’d drive to reach them. He couldn’t go up, I couldn’t go down. I was In his pack he carried an etrier, a nylon above the scree Louis found himself, but with fear and grief, he sank down on the “My brother and I left a map, people scrawled phone numbers for the federal stuck. I had to survive until Friday.” climbing ladder about 8 feet long; a 25- what he said next leads David to believe rocks and wept. knew where we were going and we were Bureau of Land Management and the He inventoried his supplies: One foot static rope; and two 25-foot pieces

KANSAS ALUMNI 38 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 39 of webbing. He twice tied these pieces to do next. He could have used a jumar, lets wanting to hear his story. He wasn’t “My brother and I left a together—on Wednesday and again on a piece of gear in his pack that allows a ready. Now, sharing what he’s learned is Thursday—before deciding not to risk climber to ascend a fixed rope, to climb part of his determination to avoid getting map, people knew where his life on a jury-rigged rope. “I decided back up. stuck in grief, to keep pushing through the we were going and we if it came to that,” ­if rescuers did not find Instead, he judged the problem he faced valley. him, “I’d sit down and let it come.” to be one he could solve. “My survival story is not only in that were together. And shit By Friday he had only an inch of water “Part of my grief and guilt is tied up in slot canyon, but there was survival out of still happened.” left. He refused to drink the last sip until that moment, when I relied on my broth- that canyon. I kept that canyon inside me he was sure rescue was imminent; staring er’s signal, ‘No biggie.’ And never thought because there was trauma that I had to get —David Cicotello .... at an empty bottle seemed too deflating. Puppe Steve for a moment to intervene. To say, well, through.” The sandwich had gone bad before what are you gonna do?” His survival story is unique, but it’s not he could finish it. So had the tea. Only A big part of David’s recovery was real- better than anyone else’s, he says: Many of the cashews remained, and he’d stopped izing it was his brother’s decision, not his us find ourselves stranded on a ledge by di- eating them because he was so dehydrated Back home in Tennessee, where he’d death, and stranded me for six days and own inaction, that led to the accident. vorce, bankruptcy, a bad medical diagno- that they turned to gum in his mouth. moved in 2010, he relied on his parish potentially could have caused my death,” “I had to come to grips that my broth- sis. He hopes a book he’s writing about the He’d lost 15 pounds, and frostbite gnawed priest, his physician and a grief counselor David says. “I had to deal with that.” er chose to do what he did,” he says. “It ordeal and his recovery from it, as well as at his toes and fingers. He spent the day in to work through the trauma. The annual report “Accidents in North wasn’t anything I did, or that I chose not the speaking engagements that he’s leaving a hopeful mood, waiting for the sound of “I was devastated. I was weeping too American Climbing,” published by the to intervene.” the classroom after 40 years in higher ed- a helicopter, but as the shadows stretched much. I would think of Louis and just American Alpine Club to document In the end, the thing that tore them ucation to devote more time to, will help longer and longer then deepened to come unglued. Every time I laid my head the year’s most significant and teachable apart was the thing that holds them others dealing with their own trauma. The darkness, no rescue came. He lay down to down to sleep for about six months, I was climbing accidents, classified the cause as together. same goes for a gift he announced during sleep worried that his worst fears had been right back in that slot. I was still stuck in rappel error/ropes uneven. “I loved my brother, and he loved me, his October visit to campus. The David realized. the valley.” Louis used a piece of white tape to mark and in those moments in the canyon you Cicotello and Louis Cicotello Memorial Late that night, he heard the whop, David would startle awake at night, the center of the rope, David writes in didn’t have to speak it, you knew it. And Fund will aid graduate students in English whop, whop of an approaching chopper. Hoffman says, “like he was still there on the report, but “it was not always firmly that to me is the wonderful peace that will who are facing a pressing need other than It passed overhead, then dropped below the ledge.” People wanted to know what attached to the rope, and he repeatedly always reside with me. I’m sure he never tuition and fees. It’s meant to offer a boost the canyon rim and turned to shine its had gone wrong. “There was a lot of vowed to ‘fix’ the position of the tape imagined what he was about to do would to someone who needs a little help surviv- spotlight into the slot. Monday morning quarterbacking from more securely as a future project when he have led to what happened. Absolutely ing a rough patch in grad school. And then it flew away. everyone, and that was hard on him.” was at home.” The rope had been properly not. But it happened.” It’s one more way of honoring Louis, “They didn’t see me,” David says. But at The counselor had him write letters to coiled and marked when they set out that who guided David to KU in the first place. least he knew they were looking. Louis to tap into his anger. morning, David says, but he believes the Had things gone according to plan that they’d traced together and the imposing, The next morning, Saturday, they were “I was pissed at Louis, and I had to deal tape was displaced from the midpoint hen David first returned from March day in Utah, the brothers would red-streaked rockface that is the exit to back early, hovering outside the ledge. with that. He decided what he decided to during one of their prior descents. “As we Utah, in 2011, a stack of mes- have enjoyed lunch at the bottom of the No Mans. Then they’d gather their gear to This time they saw Louis’ body at the base do, and I had to come to peace with that threaded the rope for the second stage of Wsages awaited from news out- final rappel, perhaps marveling at the path complete another of their canyon rituals. of the cliff, saw David where he stood wav- decision.” the exit rappel, we watched for that piece “We loved to make that cross-country ing his HELP sign. No one knows exactly what happened of tape on the rope, and when it came near trip across the mesa to go back to where He had made it. He was saved. on the rope. The theory is that Louis be- the rappel ring, we stopped threading,” we had parked,” David says. Unexpected lieved he was close enough to the ground David wrote. “We based everything we wonders often lay along the way, just to basically jump the rest of way, that he did from that point on what we thought waiting to be discovered. Once they found Steven Kugath Steven hroughout his six days on the believed he could rappel off the short end, was the middle of the rope.” a cache of chert where earlier inhabitants ledge, David pushed grief to the land safely and keep the rope intact. Then When he threw the ends down, Louis had shaved arrowheads, the chips and Tback of his mind in order to focus with David’s help he would rearrange the did not check to see that both strands broken tools reminders that humans on survival. Once he was rescued, it came strands evenly to allow a safe descent for touched the ground. Nor did he tie stop- called this forbidding landscape home flooding back. his brother. per knots in the ends, a safety measure to long before they happened along, and In the hospital in Moab, doctors We have no idea the distance he had to prevent someone from rappelling off the would continue to long after the Cicotello rehydrated him and treated his frostbite. cover, but it’s clear the landing went badly, rope. (“Holding the ends of a rappel rope brothers were gone. He cleaned up and asked to see a priest. “I because Louis’ body was recovered some and coiling it until coming to the center, “You wouldn’t get that,” David says, “if needed to unburden what I was feeling, distance from where he would be expect- combined with knotting the ends with you were on the trail all the time.” which was guilt that I could not do some- ed to land on a straight vertical drop, and stopper knots are both recommended,” thing for my brother,” he explains. “Fear the autopsy indicated a broken pelvis. advised an editor’s note on the American turned to grief very quickly. I had survived The force of his fall pulled the rope down Alpine Club report.) After realizing the View Dan Storey’s interview and my brother didn’t. That was the next behind him. ropes were uneven, he could have tied off ABOVE Artifacts of Cicotello’s six days stranded: A sign fashioned from backpack contents, a with David Cicotello online at emotional hurdle I had to get through.” “His miscalculation ended with his and consulted with David about what carving made to mark time and the map that led to his rescue. kansasalumnimagazine.org.

KANSAS ALUMNI 40 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 41 With global partners, KU researchers The photo looks like a scene from an Indiana formulate life-saving vaccines to be Jones movie. Precarious? Sure. But With a cooler suspended from a it’s the most expedient way dispatched around the world strap around his chest, a UNICEF to deliver life-saving vaccines to health worker harnessed to a cable children living in isolated villages by Mindie Paget carefully pulls himself across a swift- beyond the opposite bank. moving river in India. Heart racing, In the global health community, eyes focused on his hands as he grips harrowing treks like this are called Photograph of river crossing by UNICEF with right, then left, he must trust “the last mile.” And there’s some- the strength of his arms, the cable thing far more serious at stake than and the harness to reach his a fictional archaeologist’s fortune destination unscathed. and glory.

KANSASKANSAS ALUMNIALUMNI 42 ISSUEISSUE 11 || WINTERWINTER 20202020 43 LEFT David Volkin and Sangeeta Joshi recently launched the Vaccine Analytics & Vaccines destined for developing countries must also be Puppe Steve Formulation Center within the KU School of capable of enduring harsh conditions that might arise Pharmacy. during “last-mile” treks across inhospitable terrain. OPPOSITE Oluwadara Ogun, Ying Wan and Ozan Kumru work in the VAFC lab to analyze The resolute workers who brave those journeys and and formulate vaccine candidates. the children who stand to benefit from their deliveries inspire KU’s scientists to do their best work every day. lishing research results,” says Joshi, director of the VAFC and co-investigator on the grants. “The hope is that once our work is shared with the scientific community, oth- Vaccines save an estimated 2.5 million tined for developing countries must also er researchers and developing countries’ lives each year, according to the World be capable of enduring harsh conditions vaccine manufacturers can build on our Health Organization. But they’re only as that might arise during “last-mile” treks results to produce vaccines that meet the effective as their ability to reach people across inhospitable terrain. The resolute (3) Storey Dan needs of specific countries and regions.” everywhere on the planet with their me- workers who brave those journeys and the dicinal value intact. children who stand to benefit from their u u u Eight thousand miles from that Indian deliveries inspire KU’s scientists to do river, KU researchers help vaccines survive their best work every day. n the third floor of KU’s Multidisci- their journeys. “We certainly feel a sense of urgency Oplinary Research Building, modern In laboratories overlooking the Research because the vaccine candidates we study finishes and natural light connect VAFC Partnership Zone in KU’s West District, could have a large impact on public laboratories, offices and common areas. pharmaceutical chemists David Volkin and health,” says John Hickey, c’06, PhD’11, The bright, open environment mirrors the Sangeeta Joshi have assembled a team of scientific assistant director at the VAFC. medicine,” says Volkin, the Ronald T. storage. Special preservatives extend the collaborative spirit of the scientists work- scientists with the specialized expertise to “But we must be systematic, thorough and Borchardt Distinguished Professor of shelf life of the vaccines so they can protect ing within the space to help people around help build vaccines that are more afford- guided by sound science. The safety and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and principal many children. the world. able for low- and middle-income countries efficacy of these vaccines are paramount.” investigator on the VAFC’s Gates Foun- “Given the complexity of analyzing and capable of surviving the volatile path dation awards. “When one of our partners l Various formulations of a rotavirus and formulating vaccines, all aspects of from manufacturer to child in vulnerable u u u discovers a new vaccine candidate, we vaccine candidate that could be added to our work are collaborative,” Hickey says. regions. address analytical and formulation chal- existing pediatric combination vaccines. “Teams can range from two or three On the strength of three new research hen the global health community lenges to ensure the vaccine will remain Combination vaccines take two or more scientists to half of our group. We all have grants and a service contract totaling Wlaunched the Decade of Vaccines, stable and potent as it advances from the vaccines that could be given individually unique backgrounds that coalesce not about $10 million from the Bill & Me- it envisioned a world in which all individ- laboratory into clinical trials.” and put them into a single shot, reducing only to design and execute a study, but linda Gates Foundation, Volkin and Joshi uals and communities could enjoy lives VAFC scientific staff, postdoctoral fel- cost and the number of health care visits also to strengthen and expand all of our recently launched the Vaccine Analytics & free from vaccine-preventable diseases by lows and graduate students are working on required. knowledge.” Formulation Center (VAFC) within the 2020. Despite great strides—including a dozens of collaborative projects supported The foes in their quiet battle—micro- KU School of Pharmacy. Although Volkin 73% reduction in measles deaths and the primarily by the Gates Foundation and l Low-cost formulations of immune- scopic pathogens that spawn diseases like has conducted vaccine research at KU for near-eradication of polio—one in five its global partners, including nonprofit stimulating antibodies that can be deliv- rotavirus, polio and tetanus—elude the a decade and Joshi for twice as long, they children worldwide are still missing rou- organizations, academics, biotech com- ered orally to protect against infectious naked eye. But they’re not invincible. now are turning their team’s attention tine vaccinations, resulting in about panies and developing countries’ vaccine diseases, a strategy known as passive Vaccines weaponize our bodies against almost entirely toward advancing vaccine 1.5 million deaths each year. manufacturers. The three most recent immunization. infection by introducing a weakened or candidates for the developing world. To help meet this urgent need, the Gates Foundation grants provide directed killed form of the disease-causing virus or It’s a mission with unique challenges. All Gates Foundation builds coalitions to funding to KU to evaluate: The life-saving benefits of KU’s work bacteria. Healthy immune systems respond vaccines pass through a complex, refrig- move promising new vaccines from discov- on these and other Gates Foundation by developing antibodies—an army of erated “cold chain” designed to preserve ery to delivery. KU scientists at the VAFC l New formulations of HPV vaccines projects will be compounded by the biological soldiers ready to mount a their immune-boosting properties during are among the catalysts in that pipeline. that contain multiple doses in a single organization’s open-access policy. defense anytime they encounter the shipment and storage. But vaccines des- “We’re here to facilitate translational vial and remain potent during long-term “I really like their commitment to pub- invader in the future.

KANSAS ALUMNI 44 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 45 genetics, immunology, pharmacokinetics, 20 years as an R&D scientist in the vaccine biochemistry, biophysics, physical chemis- and biopharmaceutical industry, I came to try, pharmaceutical chemistry, and more. KU 10 years ago to develop a research pro- Dan Storey (2) Storey Dan “When you first join the lab, the gram for something I really feel passionate learning curve is steep,” Kumru says. “I’ve about, and I have found it with our new received more training than I ever thought mission here at the VAFC.” possible, and I’m constantly learning more. A similar passion fuels research and 19.4 million infants in need There are new challenges in every project, teaching throughout KU’s School of Phar- and technology is rapidly evolving. It really macy, says Dean Ronald Ragan, p’84, g’97, n 2018, an estimated 19.4 million is an exciting time to be in science, and I PhD’98. Several years ago, the University Iinfants worldwide were not reached with feel like I have found my calling.” asked each school and department to an- routine immunization services such as swer, in one sentence, the question, “Why three doses of DTP vaccine. About 60% of u u u do you do what you do?” The School of these children live in 10 countries: Pharmacy’s response? “Because the dis- he VAFC’s growing relationship with covery and delivery of effective medicines Angola Tthe Gates Foundation also includes enhance and extend lives.” Brazil a $17.6 million Grand Challenge Grant “I’m struck by how accurately and Democratic Republic of the Congo awarded in 2017 for a collaboration powerfully that statement describes the Ethiopia with University College London and the work that Dr. David Volkin, Dr. Sangeeta India Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Joshi and the entire VAFC team do each Indonesia Through this ongoing project, Ultra-low and every day,” Ragan says. “We’re proud Nigeria Cost Transferable Automated (ULTRA) of the positive impact they have on the Pakistan Scientists in the VAFC are the drill formulation approaches that can lower ABOVE John Hickey and Kaushal Jerajani, Platform for Vaccine Manufacture, the re- world, and particularly on those places The Philippines sergeants in this scenario, running vaccine costs, including compatibility with other g’20, are among VAFC scientists collaborating searchers are attempting to standardize the that are not as fortunate as we are here in Vietnam candidates through an analytical and vaccines (combination vaccines) and pre- with global partners to advance vaccine development of new recombinant protein America.” formulation boot camp: servatives (multi-dose vaccines). candidates for the developing world. vaccines and produce them for less than 15 —Paget, c’99, g’01, is director of external Source: World Health Organization cents a dose. affairs for the KU Office of Research. l They start by reviewing published l Manufacturers then use those formu- After that, it could still be a decade or research and conferring with collaborators lations to ensure that every vial of vaccine more before a new vaccine travels “the last about their experience with the candidate. they produce is identically safe, potent have a really good science background, mile” to children in the developing world and stable. and then you must learn how to apply it —for good reason. l Next, they examine the vaccine from to this field.” “Vaccines can take up to 20 years to The long road to vaccination every possible angle, running it through A complete characterization and formu- While earning his doctorate in microbi- develop before they are ready for wide- Vaccines must be kept between 35 to 45 degrees from the factory state-of-the-art instrumentation in the lab lation project for a new vaccine candidate ology at KU Medical Center, Ozan Kum- spread use,” Volkin says. “Vaccines are very to some of the most remote places on earth. to understand its structure and determine might take several years of rigorous, daily ru, PhD’11, took a vaccine development difficult to produce at a large manufactur- how it might respond to stresses common- attention. course on the Lawrence campus, learned ing scale, and vaccine clinical trials require

NATIONAL Borders Doctors Without ly encountered during manufacturing, “Every day is a new challenge, a new about the VAFC and successfully applied very extensive, multiphased testing to FACTORY ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ STORAGE FACILITY storage, handling and administration. discovery,” Hickey says. “And that’s what for a postdoctoral fellowship. ensure their safety and efficacy.” drew me to science in the first place.” “I underestimated how much I would For Volkin and Joshi, who have made l Then they synthesize all of that Through its specialized work, the VAFC learn and the challenges of vaccine formu- this type of vaccine development the top knowledge to design and implement a is preparing a new generation of scientists lation and development,” says Kumru, now priority of their professional careers, every formulation strategy. That often involves like Hickey with the interdisciplinary ex- a scientific assistant director at the VAFC. milestone achieved is exciting. REGIONAL STORAGE adding an adjuvant—an ingredient that pertise to help improve the lives of people “Our work with the Gates Foundation “We’re advancing new vaccine candi- FACILITY boosts the body’s immune response to the who have the most urgent needs and the is very rewarding to me personally. I feel dates at the VAFC,” Joshi says. “Hopefully vaccine—and any number of excipients— fewest champions. like we are really making a difference in one of these projects will lead to a new substances that help stabilize the vaccine at “Training of students and postdoctoral helping to bring stable vaccines to the vaccine for use in the developing world. the molecular level. scientists is a key role for us,” Volkin says. developing world and saving lives.” That would be a dream come true for me.” CLINIC REMOTE VILLAGE “We’re working in a highly specialized Formulating vaccines requires knowl- “One thing I’ve learned is the impor- l For vaccines intended for the develop- field. You don’t get a college degree in edge from various disciplines, including tance of finding purpose and meaning in ing world, the KU team also emphasizes how to make vaccines. You first must cell biology, microbiology, virology, your work,” Volkin says. “After spending

KANSAS ALUMNI 46 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 47 ALWAYS JAYHAWKS

soon will hire an additional staff member to sup- ALUMNI EVENTS port JCN and help expand new networking oppor- Dan Storey Dan Dan Storey Dan tunities through partnerships with LinkedIn Local A full calendar of and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, as well Alumni Association as other professional development and continuing programs and events is education opportunities. available online at A key priority for the program moving forward kualumni.org. will be retaining KU talent in Lawrence, Kansas City and surrounding communities, an objective March shared by Chancellor Doug Girod and the Univer- sity. “Students in our pipeline are choosing to move 1 KU Cares: New York to Chicago or the coasts, because we’re not doing Upper West Side Soup a good job highlighting what opportunities exist Kitchen, New York City for them here,” says Kristi Durkin Laclé, c’99, vice 4 KU vs TCU watch parties president of student, alumni and career programs. 5 KU Libraries: To address that concern, the Association will “Unrivaled,” Portland, focus on promoting regional career opportunities Oregon for Jayhawks and sharing success stories of alumni “It’s been great who work for local businesses. In addition, the 7 KU at Texas Tech watch to hear about the Association will continue to strengthen KU Men- parties connections toring and ensure that the digital platform remains 7 KU Libraries: being made a robust, active community for students and alumni “Unrivaled,” Las Vegas seeking professional connections. through the 11-14 Big 12 CAREER “Our team is positioning the Alumni Associa- Jayhawk Career tion to create value for all Jayhawks at every life Championship, Network, and Jayhawk Career Network stage and serve as a trusted, strategic partner to the Kansas City I’m encouraged University,” says Heath Peterson, d’04, g’09, Asso- 18 Houston: ciation president. “The Jayhawk Career Network Jayhawks & Java knowing that New gifts will expand resources, opportunities for students and alumni is an important part of our strategy and includes alums can get 24 KU Night with the partnerships across multiple KU campuses. We are Timberwolves, the support they Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple in for one-time or long-term connections based on now in position to facilitate and scale global career Minneapolis, Minnesota need throughout San Francisco, invested in the 2018 startup of the career interests, location and other factors. More connections between all Jayhawks and engage with Alumni Association’s Jayhawk Career Network than 7,500 students and alumni have joined KU industry partners in new and meaningful ways.” their careers.” (JCN) with an initial $250,000 gift. Two years Mentoring since its inception. April later, the JCN’s impact on students and alumni In addition to KU Mentoring, JCN also offers: 15 Houston: –Brad Garlinghouse so impressed the longtime tech executive and • a job board that highlights mid-career positions Jayhawks & Java entrepreneur that he has donated an additional for alumni looking to make career moves or hire $1 million match challenge to encourage more fellow Jayhawks 19 KU Cares: New York Jayhawks to support expanding and developing • an opt-in digital newsletter, “The Water Cool- Upper West Side Soup the Jayhawk Career Network. er,” which provides helpful career information from Kitchen, New York City “It’s been great to hear about the connections the Association and its JCN partners, including

being made through the Jayhawk Career Network, the KU Edwards Campus and other University Brad Garlinghouse Courtesy and I’m encouraged knowing that alums can get departments the support they need throughout their careers,” • networking events in Lawrence, Kansas City says Garlinghouse, c’94, who received the 2015-’16 and other metropolitan areas that unite students Distinguished Alumni Award from the College with alumni experts in various fields. of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “I wouldn’t be where Thanks to Garlinghouse’s generosity, JCN career I am today without my KU network, and I know resources will continue to grow. The Association other alums share that sentiment.” The JCN has helped thousands of students and alumni make valuable professional connections ABOVE Kristi Laclé (right) shows students how to sign up through resources such as KU Mentoring, a Uni- for KU Mentoring during an event last semester, which Garlinghouse versitywide digital platform that connects Jayhawks was co-hosted by the University Career Center.

KANSAS ALUMNI 48 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 49 ALWAYS JAYHAWKS

EVENTS are coming in from California, Arizona, Texas and Feathers and Flappers maybe haven’t been in 20 years. We’re excited to be able to honor them and all the work they have done Jayhawks to celebrate milestone to make Rock Chalk Ball what it is today.” Rock Chalk Ball with nod to 1920s Returning to emcee this year’s event is John Holt, j’81, l’84, co-anchor of Fox 4 News. Sasha Flores Boulware, c’98, g’00, and Billy Marshall, c’00, will Alumni in the nation’s largest KU commu- serve as ball committee co-chairs for the third con- ALUMNI EVENTS nity will celebrate the exuberance and excitement secutive year. Boulware is a Presidents Club member of the Roaring ’20s—as well as a historic Alumni and serves on the Associaton’s national board of A full calendar of Association milestone—at the 25th annual Rock directors. She and her husband, Al, c’98, l’02, g’02, Alumni Association Chalk Ball, Saturday, May 2, at the LEX, a sleek co-chaired the 2005 ball. Marshall is a Life Member programs and events is space in the lower level of Municipal Auditorium. and a Presidents Club donor. He also is a longtime available online at The theme for this year’s event is “Feathers and ball participant. kualumni.org. Flappers,” and guests are encouraged to dress in Trisha Brauer, owner of Taking Bids Benefit their finest 1920s-themed attire. Auctions, will rally the crowd again this year during May Hosted by the Association and its Greater Kan- the live auction, and guests also will have the For members only— 2 25th-annual Rock Chalk sas City Network, the annual fundraising event, opportunity to bid on silent auction items through Ball, Kansas City which dates back to 1996, will benefit the Jayhawk the BidPal OneCause app. “We have some really in February only! Career Network and the Student Alumni Net- great auction items this year,” Galle says. “There’s 6 Jayhawk Book Club work. In 2019, SAN became the largest student something for everyone, whether your budget is Members can buy this exclusive reception and discussion, alumni organization in the Big 12, and it now $10,000 or $10.” KU Alumni Association Charlie Adams Alumni Center includes more than 6,700 members. 15-17 Gold Medal Club Honorary chairs who helped organize the ball Visit kualumni.org/ Hustle T-shirt through the Reunion over the past 25 years will be recognized at this rockchalkball for more KU Alumni Association app for year’s celebration. “They’re spread out all over the information and to register. 20 Houston: the discounted price of $20. country now,” says Kelsey Hill Galle, c’12, assistant Jayhawks & Java director of Kansas City programs. “Some people Get it in the app June • Find alumni events in your area 1-3 Mini College, EVENTS • Access the latest KU and alumni news Lawrence feel a bit cheated. I think it’s cool that people now • Renew or upgrade your membership kuminicollege.org Gold Medal Club get to come back and do that.” 14 KU Cares: New York In addition to Commencement activities, the The KU Alumni Association app is for Upper West Side Soup Class of 1970 will commemorate reunion weekend, May 15-17, also will include all alumni, friends and fans of KU. Kitchen, New York City 50 years with cherished tradition guided tours of campus and Quantrill’s Raid through Lawrence, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Visit the App Store or Dole Institute of Politics and a visit to the Spencer Google Play to download, or For decades, the Association’s Gold Medal Research Library, which will feature a specially go to kualumni.org/app. Club reunion has celebrated alumni who have curated exhibition of archived material from the reached the 50th anniversary of their KU gradu- 1969-’70 academic year—a time of campus protests ation. This year’s festivities, which will include a and upheaval, including the Kansas Union fire. series of social gatherings and campus events, also John Rury, professor of education and history, and will feature a historic Jayhawk tradition: The Class Bill Tuttle, assoc., professor emeritus of American of 1970, one of only a few classes that did not walk studies, will lead a reunion discussion that examines down the Hill at Commencement because of rain, the changes that have occurred at KU since the tur- is invited to dress in regalia and participate in this bulent 1960s. Current Gold Medal Club members year’s procession, May 17, with the Class of 2020. and Chancellor Doug Girod will officially welcome “It’s a rite of passage for graduates,” says Michelle the Class of 1970 into the club during a luncheon. For more information, Miles Lang, b’02, director of alumni programs. Visit kualumni.org/reunion for more informa- “When you miss the opportunity to do that, you tion and to register. visit kualumni.org/app or call 800-584-2957

50 KANSAS ALUMNI ALWAYS JAYHAWKS

Jayhawk Profiles

In a boutique where personalized “One of my skiing buddies in Vail was draw around 1,300 people and $2 million attention is the No. 1 goal, Albert is always left paralyzed after a skiing accident,” says or more in giving this year. Steve Puppe Steve thrilled when a bride-to-be finds her per- Raymond, who was working at a small Telecommunications professionals fect wedding gown. television station at the time. “He not only attend socials, seminars and roundtable “I’m very emotional so I tear up almost got back into skiing, he became very good discussions. Many form lasting relation- every time,” Albert says. “You can tell at competition. Several of us went to his ships with a paralympic ski team member when somebody finds their wedding dress races and saw how important staying active they’re paired with. and their face lights up. Nine times out of and competitive was to him and others.” “That athlete spends the weekend with 10, I know a bride’s found her dress before A few years later Raymond was well them. They’ll ski together. They’ll race she knows it. Just seeing mom’s reaction … into a 25-year career with ESPN when the with them and they’ll go to dinner to- and everybody’s so excited for her. I can’t same friend, Bob Meserve, told him of the gether,” Raymond says. “When you get to even describe it.” paralympic ski team’s probable end. know them as people, they become friends Thanks to her consistently high level of By then Raymond also was president that are almost like family.” customer service, Something White Bridal of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of He exited Disney/ESPN Media Net- last year was inducted into The Knot Best Cable Television and Marketing, a trade works in 2014 as senior vice president for of Weddings Hall of Fame. organization. national accounts and works now with “I think I’ll do this forever,” Albert says. “We’d been looking to create a signature Gracenote Connectivity as vice president “If I have a daughter, I’d love to be able to event to sponsor that could be a fund- of client solutions. He has served on give it to her, or a grandchild. I think that raising event and bring industry leaders several boards related to paralympic skiing would be really awesome.” together for networking,” Raymond says. and traveled internationally with the team. —Garfield, c’88, is a Lawrence freelance “We started SkiTAM and the first year our For the 2010 Paralympic Winter Olympic writer and frequent Kansas Alumni main goal was to raise $100,000 to save games in Vancouver, he was honored to be contributor. the team.” named the head of the U.S. delegation. They doubled that goal and have done “The paralympic movement is a big part much more since. The annual, three-day of my life and a big deal for my family. STEVE RAYMOND event in many years has raised about 40 My kids all volunteer,” he said. “Even after percent of the funds needed to support 25 years I want to help keep growing this Paralympic supporter the team. The event’s name changed to event, and this sport. It’s a great way for PAIGE ALBERT bridal industry after her freshman year at styles—“the best thing that’s ever hap- Adaptive Spirit in 2010. us to contribute and help some really KU, when she job-shadowed her cousin, pened to me.” earns induction in Heading into this year’s event, April 2-5 great people.” Young alumna lives who worked as a sales rep for a bridal de- “I’m really thankful I found something I snowsports hall of fame in Vail, Adaptive Spirit has raised nearly –Pearce, ’81, is the former outdoor girlhood dreams with signer. Albert then worked at a bridal shop love,” Albert says. “Every day, I wake up so $17 million through the years. It could columnist for the Wichita Eagle. chic KC bridal boutique in Lenexa for nine months before hiring excited that this is mine and I get to make by Michael Pearce on with Something White Bridal Boutique it mine. in 2016 as a bridal consultant. Within six “I don’t know what else I’d be doing. I n the United States Paralympic Ski by David Garfield months, the owner approached her about know I’m not curing cancer, but making OTeam are veterans who lost limbs in buying the business. somebody smile is so important.” battle. Other members were born with Paige Albert can still remember Two years ago, Albert’s longtime dream Albert says her six employees, including physical limitations or suffered life-altering growing up in Andale and falling in love became reality. She credits her parents— her sister Carly, a KU student, are “family.” injuries. Now, they compete all over the with fashion and love stories while drawing both hard-working entrepreneurs—as her “Our brides are family, too. We try to world with skills that rival able-bodied Raymond Steve Courtesy sketches of what her future wedding gown inspiration. be part of their story before they ever Olympians. would look like. “I feel they were both doing their dream come in. After their wedding day, we stay Yet when Steve Raymond, j’82, became This was her dream, her little world. jobs,” says Albert, whose boutique in in contact with brides. It’s fun to see their involved in 1994, the team was in danger Now 25, Albert, c’19, owns Something February won the Kansas City Wedding families grow.” of disbanding because of fund- White Bridal Boutique, a premier bridal Vendor Choice Award as 2020 Bridal ing issues. Since, all has been shop in Kansas City’s Crossroads District Boutique of the Year. “Owning my busi- well. For his role in the team’s that features gowns created by designers ness, I get to provide so much for the ABOVE Paige Albert was still a KU student turnaround, he was inducted from around the world. girls who work here, and help them when she bought Something White last fall into the Colorado “It’s so funny to look back and see how provide for their families, and making a Bridal Boutique—Kansas City’s bridal shop Snowsports Hall of Fame. full circle everything’s come,” Albert says. difference in the community in every of the year for 2020—which she describes Raymond’s support of Albert became the shop’s owner at 23, way we can.” as “simple, chic and unique.” Her daily adaptive skiing began after ABOVE Steve Raymond (second from right), longtime supporter of the U.S. in January 2018, with a year of college She calls Something White Bridal—of- workplace companion is her adored and he moved to Colorado Paralympic Ski Team, was joined by his friend Bob Meserve (second from left) remaining. She found her calling in the fering elegant, simple and modern bridal adorable pooch, Lard. following his KU graduation. of Fame Hall Colorado Snowsports during his induction into the Colorado Snowsports Museum Hall of Fame last fall.

KANSASKANSAS ALUMNIALUMNI 52 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 53 ALWAYS JAYHAWKS

MOLLY BYBEE their minds and muscles, and ultimately when her song becomes a hit. improve their quality of life. It’s those moments, Bybee says, and Music therapist “I’m like a musician, cheerleader and knowing that she’s making a difference in hits high note coach all in one,” Bybee says. the residents’ lives, that make her job so She begins all of her group sessions with rewarding. “I’m using my music and we’re at retirement community her signature singsong welcome, “Hello, creating something together.” ladies. Hello, gentlemen. Hello, ladies, it’s by Heather Biele nice to see you today,” a familiar tune that residents can recognize as they transi- MIKE WENTHE s an undergraduate at Truman State tion through levels of care at Paul’s Run. University in northern Missouri, After greeting each participant by name, ‘Thrill of the hunt’

A via Wire ZUMA Argus Gallagher/Dispatch Jessica Molly Bybee searched for a career path that Bybee sings a few songs before assessing combined her passion for music with her the group as a whole. If attention levels built brewing collection; desire to help others. Music therapy—and are low, she’ll shift gears and play a round love of history sustains it a subsequent move to Mount Oread to of catch, tossing a ball to each resident to pursue a master’s degree in the profes- boost awareness and engagement. Bybee by Steven Hill sion—struck a chord. then passes out musical instruments, which Bybee, g’17, is now a board-certified usually includes tambourines, maracas and traight out of college, Mike Wenthe, music therapist at Paul’s Run, a 450-person jingle bells, and encourages participants to Sc’77, got a sales job with a beer dis- continuing care retirement community play along with her. tributor in Rock Island, Illinois, near his in Philadelphia, where she coordinates a “Throughout the entire process I’m hometown of Moline. variety of group and one-on-one sessions observing and assessing where residents He also got his hands on a rare 1890s for residents, many of whom suffer from are at,” she explains. “My thought is that advertising calendar promoting a then severe cognitive disease and other age-re- if you’re participating, then you’re newly formed brewery, the Rock Island lated illnesses. The 29-year-old Midwest enjoying it.” Brewing Co. transplant employs a variety of techniques Bybee also incorporates several elements So began a 40-year stretch of selling to motivate the older residents, stimulate of neurologic music therapy, a clinical beer and whiskey while simultaneously approach that uses musical interventions collecting artifacts such as promotional to achieve functional goals. By varying the items, giveaways and advertising signs that tique toys, old-school golf equipment and is just sharing the knowledge,” he says. rhythm, pitch and volume of her music provide a historical glimpse of the market- advertising items from breweries up and Recognized as the de facto expert on the and demonstrating specific movements for ing of alcohol in pre-Prohibition America. down the Mississippi River, including the Quad City’s rich brewing history, Wenthe residents to mimic, Bybee helps individuals “If you like the early stuff, which I Quad Cities area of Illinois and Iowa. He gives lectures, maintains the Quad Cities who may not respond to verbal cues alone. do, the history goes hand-in-hand with once owned a trove of country store items Brewing History Facebook page, and has Courtesy Molly Bybee Molly Courtesy For example, when asking residents to raise the collecting,” Wenthe says. “In order so large that when he sold it to the Cracker exhibited parts of his collection at the Na- (2) Wenthe Mike Courtesy their arms above their heads, she might to appreciate the artifacts, you’ve gotta Barrel restaurant chain the company sent a tional Brewery Museum in Potosie, Wis- play higher notes on her guitar, or use know where they came from, what story is semitrailer to haul it away. consin. The basement of his Taylor Ridge louder ones to prompt a marching motion. behind them.” Though he pared down some collections home—where he displays hundreds of tin The group sessions, which range from The collecting bug started early and was and sold others outright, he always held on signs, glassware, trays and paper advertising 45 minutes to an hour, can be challenging already in place when Wenthe met his to his core holding, a stockpile of nearly in his beer and whiskey collection, includ- for Bybee, both physically and mentally. wife, Phyllis Hofer Wenthe, f ’77, at KU. 100 items from Rock Island Brewing Co., ing the original 1890s calendar that started “When you’re working with residents with They frequented Quantrill’s Flea Market which opened in 1893 and closed with the it all—is a practically a museum on its own. dementia,” she says, “you have to be the downtown, where he hunted for “cool onset of Prohibition in 1920. “What makes it fun is when people most exciting thing in the room.” stuff ” to decorate his dorm room and, “The Rock Island stuff is who’ve never been here visit, and In just three years at Paul’s Run, Bybee’s later, apartment. still my baby,” Wenthe says. they go, ‘Holy cow, where did music therapy program has had a powerful “She always says about me, ‘One’s good; “It’s still the stuff I like best. I all of this come from?’” impact on the retirement community, and ten’s better,’” Wenthe says with a laugh. would never get rid of that.” Wenthe says. “Well, it’s she has built lasting relationships with “That’s my motto. Even as a kid it wasn’t Eventually the “thrill of the been a journey of more ABOVE Among the rarest items in Mike ABOVE Molly Bybee, a music therapist at Paul’s many of the residents and their families. enough to have one yo-yo; I had to have hunt” that drove him to scour than 40 years to get Wenthe’s collection of pre-Prohibition Run retirement community in Philadelphia, One woman, whom Bybee works with 10 different ones. Like any kid I collected every antique store and flea where I’m at now. It’s not memorabilia are an 1895 advertising calendar employs several of the techniques that were individually, is writing her own Philadel- comic books, model cars. Anything kids market on his sales route gave as important to add new and an 1892 display stein LEFT from Rock used to help former U.S. Congresswoman phia-inspired lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s pop- collect, I collected.” way to more abiding pleasures. things anymore. It’s just Island beermakers. Gabby Giffords speak after she was injured at a ular tune “New York, New York,” and has That breadth of interests continued in “My greatest satisfaction now knowing that I did it.” community event in 2011. assured Bybee that she’ll share the profits adulthood. He built collections of an-

KANSASKANSAS ALUMNIALUMNI 54 ISSUEISSUE 11 || WINTERWINTER 20202020 55 ALWAYS JAYHAWKS

New Life Members ASSOCIATION New Staff Board Reunion Megan McGinnis joined the Alumni Associ- ation in November as assistant director of student The Association thanks these Nancy J. Hale-Martinko John R. and Allison Rohman Thomas M. and Barbara M. programs, which include the Student Alumni Jayhawks, who began their Samantha R. Harlan Rosa Stephens Life memberships Nov. 1 Allan S. and Jessica Hemmy Micah J. and Jordan Smith Rose Kelly N. Stroda Leadership Board and Homecoming. She received (3) Younger Susan her bachelor’s degree in English from Northeastern through Jan. 31. For informa- Kevin M. and Cathy J. Hines Steven E. and Lynn Nugent Rus Debra Rapp Sull State University in 2013 and her master’s degree tion, visit kualumni.org or Christopher R. Holcomb Monica Santos Terry R. Tuma in college student development from Oklahoma call 800-584-2957. Carsten Holm Brian M. Schmid and Lauren Michelle M. Voisin State University in 2015. As coordinator of student Joshua P. Hoskins and Jacy J. Reiter-Schmid Kay Walden McGinnis programs for the OSU Alumni Association, she led Charles T. Allred Hurst Rebecca A. Seeber Merideth G. Warinner Homecoming, the Class Ring, the Legacy Program, Cameron S. Atwill Jeffrey D. and Jill Burbach Hrabe Jeffrey A. Seib and Kelly D. Hannah M. Westhoff and Grandparent University. Megan’s husband, Javier A. and Beth A. Baca Michael D. James Ashton Brent D. Whitten Brock, directs player development for KU women’s Martin K. Barber Robert C. Johnson Jr. and Jana C. Andrew J. Shreve Kevin M. and Deborah L. basketball. Rick and Erica Milligan Baruth Johnson Courtney Kasun Simmons Wilkerson Ruth A. Beach Scott S. and Jennifer Joseph Jonathan W. and Adrienne Katherine K. Winter Megan McMullen, d’04, g’09, joined the Asso- Kelly Wiedt Belk Johnson Garcia Starlin ciation in December as director of donor relations. Stuart R. and Susan T. Bell Tyler S. and Michelle R. Butler A Great Bend native, she studied sport management Nathan M. Berman Johnson and sport studies at KU before joining Kansas Zachary W. and Miriah L. Blue Ryan S. Julius Athletics as an intern. Shortly after graduating, she Ashley A. Booker Matthew and Phoenix K. accepted a full-time position with Athletics, moving The national Board of Directors welcomed more Vivien A. Brite Kaufmann

from administration to the Williams Education than 20 former members for a Jan. 24 reunion: Jeanie Bundy Margaret McManus Lanoue LazzarinoChris Fund, where for nearly a decade she oversaw donor TOP Jeff Kennedy, Patti Gorham, Kurt Watson, Grant Butler Gregory Leung McMullen travel, events and hospitality, and served as an ac- Marvin Motley and Sue Watson; Kennedy, Motley Mark D. and Megan Campbell Paul M. Lewis and Elizabeth count representative. After 16 years with Athletics, and Sue Watson are former national chairs. Braeden A. Carr Winter-Lewis she maintains connections with many Jayhawks, and ABOVE LEFT Greg and Debby Ek. RIGHT Debbi Scott A. and Sharon H. Carter Nathan M. Lutz she looks forward to meeting even more alumni in and Howard Cohen. David C. Caylor Kent L. and Susan C. Lyman her new role. Ann Goodwin Clark Betsy Wilson Marvin Joseph A. Clausing William R. McCort Samuel M. Collinson Scott L. and Susie Bishop Michael J. Happe, j’94, DIRECTORS TO 2021 Keturah Harding Pohl, DIRECTORS TO 2024 Board of Directors Brian E. and Vicki Sieg Crawley McKinney Eden Prairie, Minnesota f’04, g’08, Findlay, Ohio Ryan T. Colaianni, c’07, Julie Garney Andrews, Donald M. Crook David Moreno CHAIR Jay A. Kerutis, c’82, j’07, Arlington, Virginia Adam J. Wray, c’93, j’95, Waukee, Iowa Pamela K. Davis Eric M. Mosier Mesa, Arizona Medina, Washington Dave B. Roland, e’80, Jay A. Kerutis, c’82, Joseph C. Courtright, Mary Winter DeLeone Regan L. Muldoon Shorewood, Minnesota Christopher W. and Melanie M. Sarah E. Murphy Janet Lusk Murfin, d’75, Mesa, Arizona DIRECTORS TO 2023 p’89, Little Rock, Wichita Arkansas Dillman Cooper L. and Lynda Westervelt CHAIR-ELECT Janet Lusk Murfin, d’75, Sasha Flores Boulware, Alexandra M. Driscoll Nickel Keturah Harding Pohl, Wichita c’98, g’00, Fairway Allen K. Fee, c’84, Jay A. Kerutis, c’82, f’04, g’08, Findlay, Ohio Hutchinson Dyrk L. and Kris N. Dugan Lori A. Noto Mesa, Arizona Portia Kibble Smith, F. Taylor Burch, p’88, Page Etzel Peter C. and Cheryl L. Owens Dave B. Roland, e’80, c’78, Overland Park Jacqueline Sloan Hall- g’98, PharmD’09, Sheigh W. Freeberg Stephen T. and Paula Marine EXECUTIVE Shorewood, Minnesota www, b’75, Sublette Lantana, Texas Christopher S. and Allison Pawlewicz COMMITTEE DIRECTORS TO 2022 DIRECTORS TO 2020 Brenda Roskens Dicus, Clint M. Rogers, b’98, Bernard Gallaway Esther Daniels Platt Steve M. Dillard, c’75, John W. Ballard III, b’73, b’83, Topeka ’19, Ellsworth Becky A. Goodin Tara Pollack Missy Hodge Wichita Overland Park Daniel J. Grainge Jessie J. Riedel c’86, s’88, Eric S. Edell, c’76, m’81, Jody Bosch Sellers, McCarthy, Michael C. Flowers, Ryan T. Colaianni, c’07, Rancho Mirage, California Rochester, Minnesota p’81, Council Grove j’07, Arlington, Virginia c’77, Apollo Beach, c’00, Florida David R. Hoese, e’86, Ellen O. Remsing, For more information on Chancellor Douglas A. Manhattan, Kansas Chicago, Illinois Girod, Lawrence Michael J. Happe, j’94, the Association’s board Become a Members ignite student and alumni success and Dave B. Roland, e’80, Eden Prairie, Minnesota Peter S. Johnston, c’94, members and staff, visit Life member today! career growth! Visit kualumni.org/join. Shorewood, Minnesota l’97, Salina Rosa Aguirre Mitchell, kualumni.org s’85, Elkhart

56 KANSAS ALUMNI CLASS NOTES by Heather Biele

1939 Esther Cooper interim chaplain at the School of Business honored in 1973 by his fellow students Gale Sayers, d’75, g’77, in Fame in Topeka. He currently Carolina. His career with the KU School of Nursing, was Foreman, c’39, celebrated her Mayflower Community, a him with the Distinguished and is awarded annually to November joined 11 other serves on the Alumni Associa- station spanned 30 years and inducted as a fellow in the 102nd birthday in July. She retirement residence in Business Alumni Award. student leaders. His wife, running backs on the NFL 100 tion’s national Board of was celebrated with an on-air Academy of Nursing Educa- makes her home in Kansas Grinnell, Iowa, where she and David Preston, j’68, retired Paula Hauser Leffel, f ’70, All-Time Team. Sayers in 1977 Directors. retirement party. tion. City, where she retired after her husband, John, live. as chief pilot and director of recently exhibited her paint- became the Pro Football Hall of Susan Myres, b’79, a George Gomez, c’81, is an teaching kindergarten for 25 John Feist, c’58, lives in flight operations at Russell ings at HJ’s Youth & Commu- Fame’s youngest inductee, a 1978 Doug Barrington, senior partner at Myres & attorney at Tenopir and years. A graduate of KU and Falls Church, Virginia, where Stover. He moved from nity Center gallery in distinction he still holds. j’78, who co-owns Team Associates in Houston, is Huerter in Topeka. He lives in Kansas City Kansas Commu- he recently wrote and pub- Overland Park to Mesa, Brookside. Barrington Real Estate in president of the American Lenexa. nity College, she established lished two novels, Night Rain, Arizona, in 2018. 1976 Dan Kaup, m’76, is a Topeka, was named 2019 Academy of Matrimonial Ron Hrabak, e’81, recently the Cooper-Foreman Heir- Tokyo and Blind Trust. 1973 Gary Flory, l’73, is family physician at St. Mary Realtor of the Year by the Lawyers. was awarded the Five Star loom Garden at KCKCC and 1969 Donald Anderson, director emeritus of the Kansas Medical Center in Valparaiso, Sunflower Association of Award, one of the highest has traveled worldwide with 1961 Delberta Hollaway m’69, retired in 2018 after Institute for Peace & Conflict Indiana. Realtors and will serve as 1980 Lorie Kuchem honors for individual accom- several members of the college’s Coonrod-Vannoy, d’61, in nearly 50 years as an anesthesi- Resolution at Bethel College. president of the association in Bowman, a’80, in October plishment at FedEx. He just faculty and staff. September received the Albert ologist. He lives in Stillwater, He and Ann Sollenberger 1977 Lon Dehnert, d’77, 2020. He also leads the Kansas was elected to the KU completed his 12th year in the Marquis Lifetime Achievement Minnesota. Flory, g’72, a retired librarian, DMA’87, retired in August as Association of Realtors as Endowment board of trustees. strategic projects department 1946 Julia Kabance, ’46, a Award. Her career in education Mark Swanson, m’69, is a live in McPherson and have assistant dean of the KU School director. She is a principal architect and at FedEx Express in Memphis, 109-year-old World War II spanned more than 40 years retired surgeon in Marshfield, three children. of Education. He joined the M. Margaret Sheahan president of BBN Architects Tennessee. veteran, in November received and included roles in public Wisconsin, where he lives with Michael Mehl, c’73, retired school’s administrative team in Moran, b’78, l’83, is deputy Inc. in Kansas City and John Logan, j’81, l’84, is an the Daughters of the American schools and universities in his wife, Mary Jane. They have after more than three decades 2012. city attorney for Kansas City, Manhattan. Lorie also serves attorney at Laff Gordon Revolution Distinguished Citi- Kansas, Nebraska, Indiana and two children. with the federal government, Michael Flowers, c’77, a Missouri. on the School of Architecture Bennett Logan in Denver. He zen Medal for her many years Texas. Most recently she taught including 30 years at the Naval retired brigadier general with 30 & Design advisory board. specializes in commercial serving in the military and at Binh Duong University in 1970 Paul Gray, d’70, Research Laboratory in years of service in the U.S. 1979 John Cessarich, litigation, real estate, contract volunteering in VA hospitals Vietnam. She retired in 2002 wrote Notes From Papa, his Washington, D.C., and three Army, in December was c’79, retired in November as 1981 Nelda Schwinke and employment law. and churches. She is the oldest as an educational consultant. fourth motivational book, years as the Kinnear Professor inducted in the Washburn chief meteorologist at WYFF Godfrey, g’81, associate dean Caroline Bilderback member of the Prairie Band which was published in of Physics at the U.S. Naval Rural High School Hall of 4 in Greenville, South of partnerships and practice at Sosin, n’81, was promoted to Pottawatomie Nation and the 1967 Lloyd Free, g’67, November. He and his wife, Academy in Annapolis, first Native American to g’69, PhD’70, a former Margaret “Kitsy” Waggoner Maryland. He is now a research receive this award. assistant professor at the Gray, d’69, live in Lawrence professor at Duke University. University of Michigan, wrote and have three children, two of 1951 Gene Balloun, b’51, Bittersweet, which was pub- whom are Jody Gray White, 1974 Stephen Kunz, m’74, l’54, retired partner at Shook, lished by Sugarhill Press in d’01, g’03, and Jay, c’06, and is a retired physician and lives Hardy & Bacon in Kansas 2018. The historical novel six grandchildren. in Overland Park with his wife City, in November received the celebrates the beatnik jazz and Rusty Leffel, c’70, l’73, an of 44 years, Cynthia Stark Breaking Barriers Adoption poetry scenes in San Francisco artist and photographer in Kunz, c’92. They have three Award from Voice for Adop- and Paris in the 1960s. Mission Hills, was recently children, two of whom are tion, a national adoption profiled in KC Studio maga- Eric, ’01, and Lara, ’09, and advocacy group. Throughout 1968 M.D. “Mike” Mi- zine about his lively yard-art five grandchildren. his career, Gene has helped chaelis, b’68, g’69, in October installations, which he creates more than 1,500 foster was elected vice chair of the to encourage conversation 1975 Patricia Hirsch, c’75, children find permanent KU Endowment board of about global and social issues. l’79, s’98, lives in Newtown, homes. trustees. He is president of Rusty is a former attorney and Connecticut, where she retired Emprise Financial Corp. and the inspiration for KU’s Rusty as director of customer services 1958 The Rev. Patricia has served on the Endowment Leffel Concerned Student at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory “Pasha” Hafer Buck, g’58, is board since 2003. In 2004, the Award, which was established Commission.

School Codes g Master’s Degree s School of Social Welfare EdD Doctor of Education a School of Architecture and h School of Health u School of Music OTD Doctor of Occupational Design Professions AUD Doctor of Audiology Therapy b School of Business j School of Journalism DE Doctor of Engineering PhD Doctor of Philosophy c College of Liberal Arts l School of Law DMA Doctor of Musical Arts SJD Doctor of Juridical and Sciences m School of Medicine DNAP Doctor of Nursing Science d School of Education n School of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (no letter) Former student e School of Engineering p School of Pharmacy DNP Doctor of Nursing Practice assoc Associate member of the f School of Fine Arts PharmD School of Pharmacy DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy Alumni Association

KANSAS ALUMNI 58 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 59 Good sports, great academics.

senior RN manager of the agency VSA Partners in Scottsdale, Arizona. Kelly in August to the Kansas NICU at Banner Thunderbird Chicago, received the Distin- Brian Wertenberger, j’87, Wildlife and Parks Commis- Get in on the action with KU’s flexible online Master’s in Sport Medical Center in Glendale, guished Alumni Award from owns Fitness Machine sion. He currently serves as Management,* which can prepare you for roles in brand strategy, Arizona. the KU School of Architecture Technicians. He makes his director and commission marketing, business development, corporate sponsorship, player & Design in September. He home in Gardner. liaison for the unified govern- 1982 Steve Raymond, j’82, also is founder and chief ment of Wyandotte County personnel management and more. in October was inducted in the design officer of Cooler 1988 Doug Barraza, a’88, and the Kansas City, Kansas, Colorado Snowsports Hall of Screens, a technology compa- is principal and recreation and County Administrator’s Fame. In 1995 he co-founded ny. wellness leader at Smith- Office. Adaptive Spirit, which helps Laura Shaneyfelt, l’85, in Group, a design firm in Kelly Donohoe, c’90, g’92, Scout the Program fund the U.S. Paralympic Ski September received the 2019 Denver. a former KU quarterback, is Team, and he continues to lead Robert L. Gernon Award for the new head football coach at • Designed for working professionals the organization’s board of her commitment to legal Born to: Rockhurst High School in • 100% online coursework directors as chair. Steve also education. She’s the Criminal Michael Frakes, c’88, and Kansas City. For the past 20 serves on the board of the U.S. Justice Act resource counsel his wife, Malisa, son, Gabriele, seasons he coached at Blue • Finish in as few as 2 years Olympic and Paralympic for the Kansas Federal Public July 23 in Boston, where he Springs High School, where he • No GRE required Foundation. Defender Office in Topeka. joins a brother, Charlie, who led the team to four state • Continue to tap into the KU Alumni Network Mark White, c’82, l’85, lives James Wright, l’85, is just turned 3. Michael is chief championships. Kelly is a in Houston, where he’s chief senior tax director at Aptean quality officer and director member of the Missouri Sports administrative officer at Baker in Alpharetta, Georgia, where of clinical care for Boston Hall of Fame. Botts law firm. he makes his home with his MedFlight. Kathy Hime Wagoner, Did you know? wife, Susan. d’90, in October was named 1983 Michael Bohn, c’83, is 1989 Laura Bronson, j’89, Hays Post Teacher of the KU alumni have worked for the Dallas Cowboys, athletic director at the Universi- 1986 Deirdre Hajidimitri- lives in New York City, where Month. She has been teaching , , the ty of Southern California in Los ou Petersen, c’86, is firm she’s executive editor at for 28 years and has spent her Major League Baseball Fox Sports Big Ten Angeles. administrator at Barnwell Callisto Media. entire career at Hays High Conference and the Special Olympics Kansas. Rick Embers, c’83, a’88, in Whaley Patterson & Helms in Kathryn Ulrich Lask, c’89, School. September received the Distin- Charleston, South Carolina. l’93, is an attorney and guished Alumni Award from the professor in the paralegal 1991 Darren Black, c’91, KU School of Architecture & 1987 Peter Clouston, ’87, program at Kansas City l’93, lives in Fairway, where Design. He is principal at Pulse is a video and digital producer Kansas Community College. he’s national practice leader at Design Group in Overland at Terracon and a camera She lives in Overland Park and Risk Strategies, an insurance Park, where he has worked for operator for the Kansas City has two sons. brokerage and risk manage- more than 30 years. Chiefs. He lives in Lawrence. Paul Rupp, c’89, l’92, is a ment firm. He oversees the Kim Martens, l’83, is an J. Leon Greene, ’87, who corporate business develop- national professional liability attorney at Martens Work joined the KU faculty in 1995, ment adviser at Chevron in practice group. Comp Law in Wichita, where retired in July as associate Houston, where he lives with Elizabeth Kennedy he lives with his wife, Glenda. professor emeritus in the his wife, Lucia. Trudeau, j’91, is the U.S. Earl Richardson, j’83, l’08, is department of health, sport Dionne Scherff, c’89, l’91, Consul General in Belfast, a photographer in Lawrence. and exercise sciences. an attorney at Joseph, Hol- Northern Ireland. She James Holt, l’87, is of lander & Craft in Kansas City, previously served in the same 1985 Paige Vicker Butler, counsel at Bruce & Lehman in was named to the 2019 role in Lahore, Pakistan. b’85, l’88, is deputy executive Wichita. Missouri & Kansas Super James Whittaker, c’91, director at George Mason Sharon Stephens, j’87, Lawyers list. She specializes in g’00, lives in Lawrence, where University Antonin Scalia Law c’88, l’91, is an environmental criminal defense. he’s a financial adviser and School in Arlington, Virginia. consultant at the Minnesota principal at GP Strategies. He’s Michael Carothers, j’85, Pollution Control Agency in 1990 John Barbian, l’90, is also a cycling coach at Velotek works at Fox Sports Kansas City. St. Paul. She lives in White political economic chief for Performance. He and Karmel Crampton Bear Lake. the U.S. Department of State Carothers, c’85, m’89, live in Patrick Sturgeon, j’87, is at the Consulate General in 1992 Alexandra Good- Ready to change the game? Overland Park. managing editor of college Johannesburg, South Africa. pasture Reilly, c’92, recently Learn how at sport.ku.edu/alumninetwork Jamie Koval, f ’85, founding wires at USA Today Sports. Emerick Cross, c’90, g’06, earned national certification partner of brand and marketing He makes his home in was appointed by Gov. Laura from the American Bankers

1 Retrieved on January 28, 2019, from pwc.com/us/en/industries/tmt/library/sports-outlook-north-america.html *This program is a Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in health, sport management, and exercise science with an emphasis in sport management. ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 61 CLASS NOTES Andrew Wymore PROUD MEMBER. Save the date for Rock Chalk Ball 2020 Realtor. Feathers and Flappers Saturday, May 2, 2020 Location The LEX event space, Municipal Auditorium Kansas City, MO In cooperation with the KU Visit kualumni.org/rockchalkball for more information or contact Kelsey Galle, [email protected]. Alumni Association, I am excited to participate in the

Association as a certified Iron, a cloud-based data A.J. Cleland, c’94, manages government affairs at Nestlé in Give Back Initiative. financial marketing profession- protection provider. accounts at E2 Lending. He Washington, D.C. al. She is vice president and Melanie Stuart-Campbell, lives in Denver. Paul Ling, g’95, g’97, l’02, agency principal at Banktastic, a d’93, a language teacher in Larry Kleeman, b’94, c’94, lives in Olathe, where he’s marketing agency for financial Topeka, wrote Learn Spanish l’97, is an attorney and munici- senior director and corporate brands. with Pictures: Easy, Visual pal adviser at Ranson Citycode counsel at Evergy. Karen Whipple, ’92, retired Lessons to Master Basic Gram- Financial in Wichita. As your Realtor I will give back Serving all of your real estate needs: in October after nearly 20 years mar and Vocabulary, which was Jennifer Klemp, c’94, g’99, Married buying, selling, and property management. as an accountant at the KU published in November by g’03, PhD’08, associate Matt Eblen, e’95, g’00, to Liz 10% of my commission in your Alumni Association. She and Rockridge Press. It’s her second professor of medical oncology Johnston, Aug. 10 in Kansas ƒ Licensed in Kansas and Missouri. her husband, Don, assoc., book. at KU Medical Center, is City. They make their home in real estate transaction directly recently moved to Eureka Amy Schwartz Walker, leading a $2.25 million Nation- Roeland Park, where Matt is a to the KU Alumni Association. Springs, Arkansas. b’93, was promoted to vice al Cancer Institute grant-fund- project manager at McClure ƒ Specializing in the Greater Kansas City president of remote tax ed study on survival rate Engineering. metro area. 1993 Beth Anderson preparation at H&R Block in disparities in rural parts of The Give Back Initiative Easter, c’93, is community Kansas City. Kansas. She shares principal 1996 Karen McGaughy ƒ Nationwide referral network of trusted bank president of INTRUST investigator duties with Allen Lavendusky, f ’96, directs space applies nationwide through Bank and oversees consumer 1994 Michelle White Greiner, m’95, g’00, associate management at KU. She Realtors. operations in Lawrence and Bowman, j’94, in November professor of family medicine commutes from De Soto. my network of referral Topeka. She has been with the became a member of the board and community health. Janith Lewis-Bryant, l’96, is bank since 2011. of governors of the Federal senior assistant general counsel partners. Contact me Richard Salmen, g’93, lives Reserve System. She previously 1995 LaRisa Chambers, at Dallas Area Rapid Transit. Contact me to invest in you and invest in KU. in Olathe, where he’s president served as state bank commis- c’95, lives in Goleta, California, She lives in St. Paul, Texas. whenever and wherever of Family Investment Center. sioner of Kansas. where she’s a senior gift officer Daniel Mudd, j’96, makes 913-515-2386 [email protected] Brian Smith, b’93, lives in Don Cawby, g’94, is at Cottage Health. his home in Hong Kong, where you are buying or selling Olathe, where he’s vice presi- finance director for the city Molly Fogarty, c’95, is senior he’s general manager of Burt’s dent of operations at Cobalt of Shawnee. vice president of corporate and Bees Asia. real estate.

ANDREW WYMORE 62 KANSAS ALUMNI REALTOR 63 CLASS NOTES

Take a second look at these 2020 adventures! FREE • Hot Breakfast Daily Cruising the Tanzania • Doorside Parking • High-Speed Wi-Fi Adriatic and the Oct. 6-17 Aegean Seas Go on safari during PLUS • Drink Specials West Lawrence Sept. 17-25 the annual Great • Guest Reception Cruise from Venice Migration of vast • Indoor Heated Pool • Fitness Center along the Adriatic droves of wilde- coast and through beest, zebra, gazelle the Corinth Canal to and Cape buffalo— Athens aboard the and see wildlife five-star, small ship including elephant, Le Bougainville. lion, cheetah and 1997 Brad Allen, c’97, a 91-store grocery chain Nicole Mehring Schmidt, Jen Silvers, j’99, lives in leopard. executive director of the based in his hometown of e’98, is senior director of Chesapeake, Virginia, where Lawrence Public Library, in Springdale, Arkansas. He’s development at Central Square she’s district vice president of August was appointed by Gov. been with the company since Technologies. She and Zacha- YMCA of South Hampton Laura Kelly to the Humanities 1997. ry Schmidt, e’97, ’02, a Roads. Machu Picchu to Cosmopolitan Kansas board of directors. Tanya Wilson, l’97, is senior lieutenant colonel in the U.S. the Galapagos Havens Clay Barker, l’97, is deputy counsel at Husch Blackwell in Marine Corps, live in Camp 2000 Matt Nyberg, b’00, a Oct. 6-21 Nov. 3-11 general counsel for the Kansas Kansas City. She and Richard, Lejeune, North Carolina. shareholder at Brownstein Journey to Lima, Sail to some of the Secretary of State. He and assoc., live in Stilwell. Hyatt Farber Schreck in Peru, and on to the most cultured cities Laura McKnight Barker, l’94, 1999 Guiseppe “Jon” Denver, in October was elected mysteries of Machu on the western live in Leawood. 1998 Alan Carr, j’98, is Bonacci, b’99, chief financial to the board of directors of Picchu. Then fly Mediterranean on Jeannette Blackmar, g’97, executive director of the Kansas officer at GLY Construction in Team Breckenridge Sports via Quito, Ecuador, this seven-night g’99, g’16, is executive director City Kansas Convention and Bellevue, Washington, recently Club, a nonprofit organization to the Galapagos cruise aboard of the Lumberyard Arts Center Visitors Bureau. was named a shareholder of the that supports young athletes. Islands to discover Oceania Cruises’ in Baldwin City. She previously Alexandra Lussier Philip, company. the unique wildlife elegant Marina. directed the city’s Chamber of b’98, ’07, directs client services Mark Keeton, c’99, 2001 Monique Centeno, of the Islands. Commerce. at LionShare, a health care data PharmD’02, directs service c’01, is a judge in the 18th Erica Smith, f ’97, makes her analytics and marketing agency. reliability at IdeaTek TelCom Judicial District in Wichita. home in Mooresville, North She lives in Olathe. in Buhler. She was a trial attorney at Wall Carolina, where she’s an online Wendy Rohleder-Sook, William Lewis, l’99, is Huntington Law Firm. merchant at Lowe’s. c’98, l’01, is assistant professor special counsel at C. Tumey Dustin Engelken, m’01, is a J. Max Van Hoose, g’97, and director of pre-law/legal Law Group in Houston, where pulmonary critical care was promoted to executive vice studies at Fort Hays State he makes his home with his physician at Alaska Native president of Harps Food Stores, University in Hays. wife, Darcy. Medical Center in Olympia,

For the latest dates and detailed trip descriptions, 64 KANSAS ALUMNI visit kualumni.org/travel or call 800-584-2957. 65 CLASS NOTES

Washington, where he lives Sprint, live in Overland Park. her home in Aurora, Colorado. been with the University since with Michelle, m’04. Matthew Stratemeier, c’02, 2003. Matthew Gaus, c’01, l’06, is 2002 Jennie Neumann l’05, is vice president of Brian Iverson, g’03, is senior associate litigation counsel at Carter, b’02, l’04, is an Gradient Financial Group in commercial relationship the Kansas Board of Healing attorney at Counts Law Firm in Topeka. He lives in Lawrence. manager at INTRUST Bank in Arts in Topeka. He commutes Prairie Village. Lawrence. from Lawrence. Doug Herbers, e’02, g’06, 2003 Eric Aufdengarten, Amber Lutz-Sewell, d’03, Calling all bookworms! Chadron Patton, c’01, l’10, lives in San Diego, where he l’03, is associate general counsel co-owns Lutz Plumbing in The KU Alumni Association has partnered is senior associate general works at Naval Information at KU. He commutes from Shawnee. with KU Libraries to create the Jayhawk Book Club counsel at Blue Cross and Blue Warfare Center Pacific. Lenexa. Maria Lara Ojeda, g’03, is for alumni, students and friends. Shield of Kansas City. He lives Jerrihlyn Miller McGee, Jeff Boschee, d’03, in June assistant city manager of in Lenexa. n’02, g’05, DNP’15, was will be inducted in the North American Canyon, California. Megan Hoss Pedersen, promoted to vice chancellor for Dakota Sports Hall of Fame. A Here’s how it works How to join c’01, g’08, lives in Lawrence, diversity, equity and inclusion Valley City, North Dakota, 2004 Julie May Austin, Each semester, KU Libraries staff will 1. Visit kualumni.org/bookclub and fill where she’s senior director of at KU Medical Center. She has native, he played basketball for c’04, is associate athletic select a book and create discussion out the form to join the Jayhawk Book surgical clinics at Lawrence been a clinical assistant KU from 1998 to 2002 and director of marketing and questions. The discussions will take place Club and receive emails. Memorial Hospital. She’s been professor and director of helped the Jayhawks advance to licensing at Texas Christian in a closed Facebook group, and you can with the hospital for eight graduate leadership programs the Final Four during his senior University in Fort Worth. participate as much or as little as you like. 2. Join the Jayhawk Book Club Facebook group. Discussion questions will be posted years. in the School of Nursing. year. He’s the head men’s Jerald Cook, b’04, l’09, is an We’ll hold a reception and discussion in this group. Emily Schutte Vijayakirthi, Sara Ott, g’02, is city basketball coach at Missouri attorney at Cook Law Firm in May 6, led by KU Libraries staff. c’01, l’04, is senior attorney manager of Aspen, Colorado. Southern State University Leawood. He lives in Stilwell. Questions? and assistant compliance Stephanie Stewart Peders- in Joplin. John Tyler Marshall, e’04, Spring 2020 book Contact Michelle Lang, director of alumni manager at Black & Veatch in en, l’02, is senior director of Michele Casavant, PhD’03, a’06, lives in Croton-on-Hud- The One by John Marrs. programs, at [email protected] or 785.864.9769. Leawood. She and Victor, g’10, Medicaid market development is assistant dean of the KU son, New York, where he’s an IT applications manager at at Express Scripts. She makes School of Education. She has managing director of New York

A charitable gift annuity allows you to support City-based design and architec- HERE Arts Center in New Quinton McElhaney, l’06, tive attorney at the Congres- CREATE FINANCIAL an area of KU that is ture firm Workshop/APD. York City. He makes his home is an e-discovery consultant at sional Research Service in the Travis, f ’04, and Brooke in Jersey City, New Jersey. Wiley Rein in Washington, Library of Congress. STABILITY FOR YOU meaningful to you, while Wehner Russell, j’03, co-own Laci Wright, j’05, is a D.C. Joshua Roehr, d’07, also paying you or a loved Public at the Brickyard in digital marketing specialist for manages consumer marketing AND HELP BUILD A one income annually for Wichita. the KU Edwards Campus in 2007 Katharine Fisher at Kansas Speedway. He and GREATER KU life. Scholarships, academic Overland Park. Dernier, l’07, lives in Kansas Kelli Nuss Roehr, c’07, programs, research and 2005 Jon Cline, c’05, g’09, City, where she’s underwriting director of Educare Kansas more can be supported with l’09, makes his home in Born to: counsel at First American City at KU Medical Center’s Houston, where he’s senior Elaine Fukunaga, f ’05, Title Insurance Company. Project Eagle, live in Glad- charitable gift annuities. corporate counsel at Hines, a and her husband, Christopher, Deanna Hanson-Abro- stone, Missouri. real estate firm. son, Baley, July 27 in Bulach, meit, PhD’07, is associate Eric Schlickman, a’07, SAMPLE RATES OF RETURN Ben Gholson, a’05, an Switzerland, where he joins a professor of music education lives in Wheaton, Illinois, architect and senior associate sister, Aspen, who recently and music therapy at KU. She where he owns 302 Wheaton, AGE RATE at Cooper Carry in Atlanta, turned 2. lives in Lawrence with her a burger restaurant. 65 4.7% was part of a team that won husband and their two Megan Simpson, f ’07, 75 5.8% the 2019 Radical Innovation 2006 Anna Kowalewski children. l’12, is compliance and privacy Award in October. Lloyd, c’06, l’09, lives in Alonzo Jamison, c’07, is business partner at Saint 85 7.8% Ronald Huston Jr., c’05, Chicago, where she’s executive section manager at Hallmark Luke’s Health System in l’09, is a staff attorney at director at the Chicago Cards in Lawrence. He and Kansas City. Go to kuendowment.planmygift.org YoungWilliams. He lives in Committee, a nonprofit Colleen Rodgers Jamison, Sarah Sims, c’07, ’08, and use our Charitable Gift Annuity Shawnee. organization that provides f ’87, live in Tecumseh. directs engagement and Calculator to figure out what your Brandon Snook, f ’05, networking opportunities Whitney Novak, j’07, l’14, accessibility at the Missouri rate would be. recently performed in “Looking and support for minority recently moved to Washing- Historical Society in St. Louis. at You,” an opera featured at lawyers. ton, D.C., where she’s a legisla- Lucas Thompson, c’07, is

KANSAS ALUMNI 66 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 6767 CLASS NOTES

president of Ad Astra Insights. associate creative director at sister, Nora, who just turned 5. during the KU Homecoming He lives in Los Angeles. Critical Mass, a digital-experi- game. He was a safety for the ence design agency. 2009 Jessica Shannon Jayhawks from 2006 to ’09 and 2008 Amber Clifford-Na- Matthew Meyer, c’08, l’12, Burtin, j’09, l’12, is an attorney went on to play professionally poleone, PhD’08, is professor is vice president of CAC at Ascension Via Christi in for the San Diego Chargers. of anthropology and director of Specialty, an insurance broker- Wichita. the McClure Archives and Uni- age and investment banking Brendan Fletcher, l’09, is a 2010 Jenny Brockel, j’10, is versity Museum at the Univer- company. He lives in Centenni- compliance specialist at the a flight attendant for Sun sity of Central Missouri in al, Colorado. Colorado Department of Country Airlines. She lives in Warrensburg. Glen Stansberry, c’08, is a Public Health and Environ- St. Paul, Minnesota. Megan Dodge, c’08, g’10, is web developer at KU Edwards ment in Denver. Kevin Hardy, c’10, j’10, deputy secretary of operations Campus in Overland Park. Ashley Epperly Schubert, covers business for the Kansas for the Kansas Department for l’09, is a dispute resolution and City Star. Children and Families. She and Born to: policy specialist at the Colora- Erica Braker Potter, b’10, is Scott Gustafson, c’08, live in Andrew Sherwood, j’08, do Department of Education. a marketing and communica- Lawrence and have two and his wife, Kayla, twins She lives in Denver with her tions specialist at Allied children. William and Adelaide, Oct. husband, Cameron. National. She and Samuel, Catherine Wilcox Fuller, 21, in Plano, Texas. Andrew Timothy Spencer, c’09, c’17, live in Overland Park. s’08, s’09, l’14, is assistant is a leadership gifts officer at u’10, coordinates grants at KU. Kate Renner, g’10, g’12, an attorney general in the Texas Southern Methodist University He and Kim Adams Spencer, associate at HKS in Washing- Office of the Attorney General. in Dallas. c’07, ’11, live in Lawrence. ton, D.C., received the Young She and her husband, Levi, live Eric, g’08, and Jordann Darrell Stuckey, c’09, in Architect/Designer Award in Georgetown, Texas. Parsons Snow, c’08, son, October was inducted in the from the KU School of Eric Jorgensen, j’08, lives in Henry, Aug. 28 in Prairie Ring of Honor at David Booth Architecture & Design in Los Angeles, where he’s Village, where he joins a Kansas Memorial Stadium September.

68 KANSAS ALUMNI Serving Jayhawks through life’s proudest moments. Call 1-800-922-1245 today or visit www.TheAIP.com/Kansas Life • Health • Dental • Vision • Long-Term Care

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Mario Rodriguez, c’10, ’14, 2011 Alex Aguilera, l’11, lobbyist and political strategist development officer for the is a home-equity mortgage is assistant general counsel of at Strategic Capitol Consult- Jewish Federation of South representative at Communi- litigation and compliance at ing in Chesterfield, Missouri. Palm Beach County in Boca tyAmerica Credit Union. He Leggett & Platt in Carthage, He lives in Wildwood. Raton, Florida. He also serves lives in Kansas City. Missouri. Sumere Smith, h’11, g’13, as vice chair of communica- Adam Samson, j’10, is Sonia Hall, c’11, PhD’16, lives in Durham, North tions on JNFuture’s national assistant athletic director of is president and CEO of Carolina, where she’s a medical board of directors and chair of media and communications at BioKansas in Mission. records administration the local Broward chapter. Missouri Baptist University in Estelle Johnson, c’11, is a specialist. Brian Gardiner, b’12, l’16, St. Louis. He and his wife, professional soccer player for Connor Treanor, g’11, is an attorney at McDonald Megan, live in Maryland the New Jersey-based Sky Blue manages projects at Tre- Veon in Overland Park. Heights, Missouri, and have a FC and the Cameroon anorHL, an architecture firm Brian Greer, g’12, PhD’14, son, Benjamin, who recently women’s national team. She in Lawrence. is assistant professor of turned 3. was a defender for the Mary Tunakan, b’11, l’14, pediatrics at Robert Wood Show your pride with a Jayhawk license plate. Jenny Conner Smith, b’10, Jayhawks from 2006 to ’09. is an attorney at Creative Johnson Medical School at l’13, works for the city of Janelle McCoy, g’11, Planning Legal in Overland Rutgers University in New Jayhawk license plates are Your contributions help support: Shawnee as assistant city directs engagement at Bern- Park. Brunswick, New Jersey. He attorney. stein-Rein in Kansas City. also is assistant director of currently available in Kansas, • Scholarships for Kansas students Wade Whiting, l’10, is She makes her home in 2012 Sarah Bell, g’12, Children’s Specialized Maryland and Texas. • Jayhawk Career Network district attorney of Crook Tonganoxie. PhD’19, is a development Hospital-Rutgers Center for • Kansas Honor Scholars Program County in Prineville, Oregon. Matthew Nahrstedt, a’11, officer at the Watkins Museum Autism Research, Education Nick Woolery, g’10, lives in is a senior project associate at of History in downtown and Services. Baytown, Texas, where he’s MIG in Pasadena, California. Lawrence. Weston Pletcher, j’12, is assistant city manager. Jake Silverman, c’11, is a Matt Franzblau, g’12, is a assistant director of communi- kualumni.org/license ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 71 CLASS NOTES The Fred Ellsworth Medallion

cations for Wichita State Southern District of Ohio in where he lives with Ashley accounting software company. Athletics. He and Lyndsay Cincinnati. Speck Domsch, n’09, who Brooke Anderson Parker, Leisinger Pletcher, ’11, a Erin Borry, PhD’13, was works at Children’s Mercy g’13, manages learning and human resources generalist at promoted to associate Hospital. development at water.org. She the university, live in Park City professor of political science Jenna Christophel lives in Olathe and has two and have a son, Payne, who and public administration at Driskell, c’13, is an attorney at daughters, Maggie and Molly. turns 1 in March. the University of Alabama at LeBaron-Ramos Law Firm in James Rankin, l’13, is chief Nominate a worthy Jud Travis, c’12, is a Birmingham. She also directs Kansas City. She lives in operating officer and chief Jayhawk! self-employed comedian in the university’s master of Leawood with her husband, compliance officer at Change- Los Angeles. public administration pro- Hank. Path in Leawood. He and his Marcy Farguson Vanda- gram. Tyler Dumler, l’13, is a wife, Melissa, make their home Since 1975, the Fred Ellsworth Medallion has honored individuals ment, c’12, g’14, PhD’19, has Casey Cox Combs, c’13, program specialist for the in Prairie Village. “who have provided unique and significant service to KU.” Fred accepted a two-year post-doc- AUD’17, is a clinical audiolo- Federal Emergency Manage- Shannon Collins Schroed- Ellsworth Medallion recipients are honored by the Association toral fellowship in pediatric gist at Mid-Kansas Ear, Nose ment Agency in Washington, er, c’13, lives in Houston, in the fall and introduced during a home football game. Past neuropsychology at Sutter & Throat Associates in D.C. where she’s an associate at winners have been leaders in Kansas higher education, advisers Medical Foundation in Wichita. Justine Greve, g’13, coordi- Locke Lord. Sacramento, California. Jared Doke, g’13, is a nates research at Jackson Christopher Teters, e’13, on University boards and committees, volunteers for KU and the Joe Watson, b’12, is senior program specialist for the County Family Court in l’16, is assistant attorney Alumni Association, and donors to the University. If someone finance manager at Molson National Alliance for Public Kansas City. general at the Kansas Attorney you know has continually shared time, talents and resources to Coors in Denver. Safety GIS Foundation in Henry Kapka, c’13, is a General’s Office in Topeka. benefit KU, submit a nomination today! Andy White, c’12, is a Washington, D.C. He lives in project manager at Pace photographer at KU. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Analytical Services in Lenexa. 2014 Edward Bain, l’14, Robert Domsch, g’13, l’13, He lives in Leawood. is assistant counsel for the 2013 David Austin, l’13, is vice president of regional Grady Millikan, g’13, lives Unified Government of works as a law clerk at the U.S. operations at Mariner Wealth in Manor, Texas, where he’s a Wyandotte County in To submit a nomination, contact the KU Alumni Bankruptcy Court for the Advisors in Overland Park, data analyst at ScaleFactor, an Kansas City. Association by March 30, 2020 at 800-584-2957, or visit kualumni.org. KANSAS ALUMNI 72 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 73 Perry Brill, c’14, manages Kansas Court of Appeals in Exclusive savings Brill Eye Center in Mission. Topeka. He lives in Lawrence. KU Alumni Immanual Chioco, c’14, lives Julie Etzler, j’15, lives in ASSOCIATION Put KU in the palm in New York City, where he’s a Wichita, where she’s a digital law clerk for the New York State marketing coordinator at of your hand! for your love of Unified Court System. INTRUST Bank. All Jayhawks can use the app to: Peter Conley, l’14, is a trial Taylor Hatfield,c’15, app • Join, renew or upgrade your membership attorney for the Death Penalty directs operations for Wichita • Receive breaking news notifications and Defense Unit, a division of the State University women’s watch live-stream broadcasts • Read Kansas Alumni magazine online rewards side. Kansas Board of Indigents’ softball program. • Refer a prospective student Defense Services, in Topeka. Julia Johnson, b’15, lives in • Join the KU Mentoring community Austin Drake, b’14, is a New York City, where she Plus these members-only features: As part of the University of Kansas Alumni portfolio adviser at Sterneck manages customer service at • Network with Jayhawks Association, you may be eligible for a discount on Capital Management. He makes Braze, Inc. • Receive special discounts his home in Topeka. Lauren Longbine, j’15, is • Receive Kansas Alumni magazine your insurance. Philip Gonzalez, c’14, lives in director of Midwest promo- • Use your digital membership card Lawrence, where he’s a billing tion for Sony Music Entertain- specialist at The Hartford. ment. Ciara Malone, c’14, l’17, is an Travis Machelek, g’15, Visit the App Store or Google Play to attorney at Cohen & Cohen in was promoted to town download, or go to kualumni.org/app Washington, D.C. She lives in administrator of Estes Park, Arlington, Virginia. Colorado. He previously Benjamin Martin, c’14, s’17, served in an assistant The KU Alumni is a social worker at Truman administrator role. Association app We appreciate groups that bring people together over is powered by Medical Center in Kansas City, Hugo Macias Jr., g’15, is a common values and interests. That’s why we’re proud where he lives with his partner, high school professional to offer you exclusive discounts on your insurance. Zeb Duncan. communications teacher at Plus, we offer up to 20% savings when you bundle your Laura Minton, g’14, curates Uplift Education in Dallas. He in Lawrence. They live in management company. He home and auto insurance.* exhibitions at the Fralin makes his home in Garland, Richmond, Virginia, where makes his home in Kansas Museum of Art at the Universi- Texas. Liesel works in marketing and City. With more than 90 years of experience and expertise, ty of Virginia in Charlottesville. Nicole Multer, c’15, l’18, design at Thrivident. Anna Lavigne, j’16, l’19, is Nationwide can help you protect what matters today Katie Rowe, e’14, is a is an attorney at Rasmussen, an associate at Niedner Law chemical engineer at Honeywell Dickey & Moore in 2016 Molly Bernard, c’16, Firm in St. Charles, Missouri. and plan for what comes tomorrow. Federal Manufacturing & Kansas City. is a meteorologist at KETV in She lives in St. Louis. Technologies in Kansas City. Mitchell Spain, g’15, is a Omaha, Nebraska. Morgan Linder, c’16, lives She lives in Olathe. ceramics artist in Johnston, Perry Ellis, ’16, in May was in Walla Walla, Washington, Mark Savoy, l’14, lives in Iowa. inducted in the Kansas State where she’s an assessment and Denver, where he’s a criminal Teresa Martin Stanfill, High School Activities communication coordinator at defense attorney at the Colora- DNP’15, directs nursing Association Hall of Fame. He the Walla Walla County do Legal Defense Group. practice at St. Luke’s Health played basketball for the Department of Community System in Boise, Idaho. Jayhawks from 2012 to ’16 and Health. 2015 Montana Astorga, Anthony West, b’15, is a was the 2016 Big 12 Scholar Michelle Marron, c’16, See how we can help protect your life’s c’15, is a medical technologist at real estate agent at John Athlete of the Year. After s’17, is a youth community many sides. Quest Diagnostics in Lenexa. Moffitt & Associates in playing briefly in the NBA’s support worker at Corner- Kurt Blankschaen, g’15, is Kansas City. G-League, Perry has joined the stones of Care in Kansas City. assistant professor of philosophy Alyse Zadalis, l’15, works KU basketball staff as video Sage Morander, b’16, Visit nationwide.com/kualumni at Daemen College in Amherst, at Black & Veatch in Overland coordinator. works at Teak Media + or call 1-855-550-9215 for more information. New York. He and his partner, Park, where she’s dispute Matthew Frederick, c’16, Communication in South Robert Withrow, make their resolution counsel. l’19, lives in Lawrence, where Boston, where she’s an account home in Williamsville, he’s an associate at Fagan & executive. Ne w York . Married Emert. Senushi Jayaratne O’Sulli- Jeffrey Carmody, c’15, l’19, Liesel Reussner, c’15, to Tom Joyce, b’16, directs van, m’16, is a hospitalist at *Savings compared to stand-alone price of each policy, based on national sample customer data from 2017. Discount amounts do not apply to all coverage or is a research attorney for the Sean Callahan, assoc., June 1 sales at Naologic, a business Washington Regional Medical premium elements; actual savings will vary based on policy coverage selections and rating factors. Nationwide has made a fi nancial contribution to this organization in return for the opportunity to market products and services to its members. Products are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and aˆ liates, Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2018 Nationwide AFO-1106AO (10/18) ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 75 CLASS NOTES

Center in Fayetteville, Chicago, where she’s a project basketball for the Detroit 2019 Zach Baden, l’19, Arkansas. manager at Cook County Pistons. He was a guard for the lives in Overland Park, where Michael Portman, j’16, Circuit Court. Jayhawks from 2014 to ’18 and he’s an associate attorney at The start of lives in Kansas City, where he’s DongJoo Kim, l’18, is an was selected by the Los Watco Companies. a communications and public associate at Love & Blomquist Angeles Lakers in the 2018 Katie Bernard, c’19, j’19, is relations specialist at Glynn- in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. He NBA draft. a crime and cops reporter at something great... Devins. and his wife, June, live in Bridget Patti, ’18, is a the Kansas City Star. She lives Showcase your degree with pride! Jessie Pringle, c’16, l’19, is Overland Park. research project specialist at in Overland Park. an assistant revisor at the Nicholas LaPonte, g’18, KU’s Center for Public Erik Blume, g’19, l’19, Kansas Office of Revisor of l’18, is a staff attorney at Partnerships & Research. directs business management Statutes in Topeka. She GEICO. He and his wife, Andrew Pipes, l’18, is an services at the KU Bioscience commutes from Lawrence. Katherine, make their home in associate at Coan Payton & Technology Business Center Megan Ryan, e’16, is a Kenmore, Washington. Payne in Fort Collins, in Lawrence. OFF* process automation engineer at Keegan LeFevre, b’18, lives Colorado. He and his wife, Zack Brenner, b’19, is a $20 purchases $150+ Integrated Project Services in in Hesston, where he’s a Shannon, live in Loveland. project manager at software Overland Park. financial representative at Jason Rohloff, g’18, is a developer Epic. He lives in Code: GETREADY20 Zach Stegenga, b’16, lives Everence Financial Advisors. budget analyst for the city of Madison, Wisconsin. in New York City, where he’s a Christopher Mantei, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Eric Buckels, b’19, makes business development associate l’18, is a staff attorney for Jasmyn Wimbish, g’18, his home in Shawnee, where diplomaframe.com/KUAA at Leonis Partners. the KU Medical-Legal lives in Chicago, where she’s an he’s a client relations manager

Maureen Weber, m’16, is a Partnership in Kansas City. NBA writer for CBS Sports. and product consultant at ® hospitalist at Wright Memori- Victor Monteith, l’18, is an Fountain City Consulting. al Hospital in Trenton, assistant state attorney at the Born to: Elissa Burr, d’19, lives in *$20 off minimum purchase of $150 (excludes shipping and tax). Redeemable on diplomaframe.com/KUAA Missouri. Florida Office of the State Michelle Von Ruden, g’18, Rosemount, Minnesota, where through 3/31/20 11:59 pm ET. Offer not redeemable in bookstore locations, on partner websites, or on Attorney in Clearwater. daughter, Emily, July 6 in she’s an associate territory wholesale orders. Offer not applicable on previous orders or in combination with other offers. 2017 Cole Anneberg, j’17, Svi Mykhailiuk, c’18, plays Willard, Wisconsin. manager at Vita Solutions. coordinates marketing at the Hawes Group in Vancouver, Karlee Canaday, l’19, is an Sarah Kovalesky, g’19, is a who made up the first nursing Danon Taylor, ’19, manages Washington. attorney at Martin Pringle in career coach at the University class on the campus. college outreach and online Chad Archibald, l’17, lives Wichita. She lives in Valley of Utah in Salt Lake City. Nancy Musick, l’19, is a programs at KU. She lives in in Dallas, where he’s staff Center. Hannah Larson, c’19, lives term law clerk at the U.S. Lawrence with her daughter, counsel at Allstate. Miguel Chavez, j’19, is the in Apple Valley, Minnesota, District Court for the District Olivia. Ethan Brown, l’17, is an Kansas market manager for New where she’s an analytical of Kansas. She and her Owen Taylor, d’19, is a associate attorney at Stockton Belgium Brewing Company. chemist at Pace Analytical. husband, Theodore, live in third baseman for the Grand & Stern in Gardner. Raffaele Cipriano, DMA’19, Taylor LaRue, b’19, is a Roeland Park. Junction Rockies, a minor Molly Bybee, g’17, is a conducts the Overland Park business adviser at the KU Zach Reyes, b’19, is an league affiliate of the Colorado music therapist at Paul’s Run, a Orchestra. Small Business Development information security analyst at Rockies professional baseball retirement community in Ramsey Fowler, l’19, is a Center in Lawrence. DefendEdge, a cybersecurity team. Philadelphia. communications and outreach Nick Lewis, c’19, lives in firm. He lives in West Timothy Wealton, g’19, is Nathan Kakazu, l’17, lives specialist for the U.S. Depart- Farmington, Missouri, where Chicago. a teacher in Elmhurst, Illinois. in Kansas City, where he’s an ment of Defense in Washington, he’s a programmer at KTJJ Reed Ripley, l’19, is an He lives in Wheaton and has associate attorney at Blake & D.C. He and Konner McIntire radio station. associate attorney at Morris a son, Elliot. Uhlig. Fowler, l’19, live in Alexandria, Christalah Lyons, c’19, a Laing Evans Brock & Kennedy Cody Wright, l’19, is an Alison Peterson Tyler, j’17, Virginia. former shooting guard for KU, in Wichita, where he lives with attorney at Evans & Dixon in is a community manager at Matt Hamm, e’19, lives is a member of Olimpia CSU Mary Leathers Ripley, d’12. St. Louis. SecurCare Self Storage in in Cleveland, where he’s a Brasov professional women’s Justin Schmidt, g’19, Tulsa, Oklahoma. project engineer at MMC basketball team in Romania. works as a program manager at ASSOCIATES Contractors. Sarah Medlock, n’19, is a Children’s Mercy Hospital in Cynthia Jewell, assoc., is 2018 Courtney Coppinger Soohun Jang, l’19, is an registered nurse at Via Christi Kansas City. assistant to the director of Barnes, c’18, is a footwear attorney at LIG Nex1, an Hospital in Manhattan. She Mikaela Steutermann, the Las Vegas Executives and gear specialist at Run aerospace manufacturer and recently graduated from the b’19, lives in Kansas City, Association. Flagstaff. defense company in South KU School of Nursing in where she’s a financial analyst Alyssa Bauer, l’18, lives in Korea. Salina, one of nine students at Tradebot Systems.

KANSAS ALUMNI 76 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 77 IN MEMORY

1940s Letha Epperly Endowment. Surviving are his vived by a daughter, Sara Olin seven grandchildren; and six Kansas City. He is survived by c’75, and Brian, ’79; a daugh- at Kansas State University elementary school teacher and Bush, ’43, 97, Sept. 15 in wife, Audrey Wegst, PhD’79; Zimmerman, c’74, d’76, g’79, great-grandchildren. a son, William “Woody,” e’85, ter, Marianne Pratt Howell, College of Business. He school counselor. She is sur- Lyons, where she was a member three sons; two sisters; a broth- PhD’86; and a son, Ron, d’75, Gilbert Cuthbertson, c’59, g’87, PhD’96; a daughter, Me- c’84; seven grandchildren; and retired as president of Dodge vived by two sons, John, e’90, of P.E.O. Sisterhood and was er; three grandchildren; and PhD’83. 81, July 21 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. linda LaRue Brown, c’90; and five great-grandchildren. City Community College. and Brad, l’94; two daughters; active in her community. A two great-grandchildren. Barbara Roberts, c’47, c’48, He was a professor of political six grandchildren. Nova Gene Stucker, e’52, Surviving are his wife, Georgia a brother; seven grandchil- memorial has been established Helen Markwell Hartman, 93, Oct. 19 in Overland Park. science at Rice University in Alberta Johnson McGrath, 88, Nov. 13 in Houston, Scoggins Burke, n’74; a daugh- dren; and five great-grandchil- with KU Endowment. She c’41, 100, June 19 in Hays, She lived in Portland, Oregon, Houston and received many d’55, 86, Nov. 24 in Leawood. where he had a long career as ter, April Burke Bramini, ’93; dren. is survived by a daughter, where she was a homemaker for several years and was a teaching awards during his She was a docent for 50 years a chemical engineer. Survivors two sons, Ryan, c’00, and Walter Dean Henrichs, Helen Bush Frick, c’66, g’74; and a 50-year volunteer at hospital lab supervisor. tenure. at the Nelson-Atkins Museum include his wife, Dina Gaskell Tyler, ’08; two stepdaughters; c’61, m’65, 80, Oct. 30 in two sons, Granville “Scot- local hospitals. She is survived Robert Smith, e’46, 92, Rodney Davis, j’54, g’59, of Art and served as president Stucker, e’54; two daughters; five grandchildren; and five Advance, North Carolina. He ty,” c’70, l’73, and John, ’77; by two sons, Mark, j’72, and Sept. 8 in Leawood. He was an 87, Nov. 5 in Knoxville, of the museum’s Friends of Art two sisters; six grandchildren; step-grandchildren. was a Navy flight surgeon and seven grandchildren; and three Bill, c’78; two daughters, engineer and founded Smith Illinois, where he was Szold group. A memorial has been and nine great-grandchildren. George Burket III, c’65, retired as captain before join- great-grandchildren. one of whom is Kathy, ’83; and Boucher and Energy Distinguished Service Pro- established with KU Endow- Edward Wall, c’56, l’65, 85, 77, Oct. 31 in Kingman, ing Winston-Salem Health Francis Carr, ’49, 94, Sept. a brother, Calvin Markwell, Masters. Survivors include five fessor Emeritus of History at ment. She is survived by two Nov. 19 in Appleton, Wiscon- where he was CEO and presi- Care as the organization’s first 14 in Wellington, where he b’50; 10 grandchildren; and 10 sons, three of whom are Vince, Knox College of Galesburg. He daughters, Andrea McGrath sin. He worked for 25 years dent of Kingman Abstract and dermatologist. Surviving are had a long career in banking. A great-grandchildren. c’77, Jim, e’78, and John, e’85; is survived by his wife, Norma Wehner, c’86, l’89, and Virginia in the legal department at Title Company. He is survived his wife, Barbara Bremer Hen- memorial has been established Mary Wilson Hayman, a daughter, Mary Smith Buec- Glass Davis, f ’54; three daugh- McGrath Popper, c’88, j’88, Kimberly Clark. Surviving are by his wife, Linda, assoc.; richs, c’64; three sons, Matt, with KU Endowment. Surviv- c’42, 99, Sept. 12 in Raleigh, hler, j’86; and nine grand- ters; two grandchildren; and g’90; and four grandchildren. his wife, Marilyn Fuller Wall, a son, Christopher, c’05; a c’97, Mark, b’99, and Jon, ’01; ing are a daughter, Sarah, c’72; North Carolina, where she was children. two great-grandchildren. June Hereford Mendenhall, c’56; two sons; a daughter; a daughter; and two sisters. and two grandchildren. a son, David, c’73; two grand- a high school teacher and active Norma Henry Sutherland, Donald Dirks, c’53, l’55, d’55, 86, Sept. 16 in Sedan, sister; and four grandchildren. Colene Slawson DeHoff, Edward Horne, l’67, 83, children; and four great-grand- in her church. Two daughters, c’45, 95, Oct. 28 in Fairway, 88, Oct. 13 in Bronxville, New where she was a teacher and d’64, g’86, 89, Oct. 2 in Law- Aug. 9 in Greenwood, Mis- children. two sons, seven grandchildren where she was a member of York. He was an attorney. A also managed Mendenhall 1960s Sherry Smith rence. She had a 36-year career souri. He lived in Manhattan Donna Holm Fisher, f ’49, and two great-grandchildren several clubs and charitable or- daughter survives. Drilling Properties with her Ashenfelter, d’65, 75, Sept. 8 as a teacher and administrator for several years, where he 91, Aug. 8 in Santa Ana, Cali- survive. ganizations. Surviving are three Murrell “Mert” Jessen, late husband, Roscoe, ’54. She in St. Johns, Florida. She lived in Tonganoxie. Survivors retired as legal counsel at fornia. She was a pianist. Sur- Clarke Henry, c’44, m’47, sons, two of whom are Dwight, e’56, 89, Sept. 19 in Dallas. is survived by a son, Roscoe in Illinois for several years, include a son, Bill, c’67; a Kansas Farm Bureau. He is vivors include four sons, two of 97, Sept. 20 in Fairway, where l’77, and Todd, assoc.; a daugh- He was retired from Rockwell III, e’81; two daughters, one of where she was a school social daughter; three stepchildren; survived by four daughters, whom are John, c’75, l’78, and he had a long career as a cardio- ter, Martha Sutherland Conrad, Collins. Surviving are his wife, whom is Melissa Mendenhall worker and was named Social three brothers; a sister; four two of whom are Angela, Mark, ’79; and a daughter. thoracic and vascular surgeon. g’79; a sister, Shirley Henry Margaret, two sons and three McGrath, s’82; two sisters, Joan Worker of the Year in 1983 grandchildren; and nine l’90, and Laura Horne Popp, Glenna Creech Galloway, A memorial has been estab- Dixon, c’44; 10 grandchildren; grandchildren. Hereford Underwood, ’57, and by the National Association great-grandchildren. c’05; two sisters; and five c’44, 97, Oct. 10 in Marysville, lished with KU Endowment. and four great-grandchildren. Emery Jones, c’52, s’56, 92, Judith Hereford Kissell, d’69; of Social Workers. Survivors Daniel Fair IV, f ’66, 78, grandchildren. where she was a secretary at He is survived by two daugh- Sept. 6 in Denver. He lived in nine grandchildren; and two include her husband, John, a Oct. 28 in Fort Collins, Colo- Ramona Lopez Hutchin- Marshall County Abstract and ters, Carolyn Henry Coulson, 1950s Patsy Gardenhire Leavenworth for many years, great-granddaughters. son and her stepmother. rado. He was an illustrator and son, c’63, 78, Nov. 4 in Rus- Title Company. d’71, and Anne Henry Ralls, Anderson, j’53, 87, Sept. 6 where he was a social worker at Frank Newby, c’54, PhD’64, Archie Bedford, e’61, 87, artist. Surviving are his wife, sell. She lived in Kennewick, Russell Handy, c’47, 94, d’72, l’75; a son, Clarke Jr., in Largo, Florida, where she the U.S. Disciplinary Bar- 86, Oct. 9 in Tunnel Hill, Sept. 19 in Baldwin City. Roshan, and two daughters. Washington, for many years Nov. 13 in Sun City Center, m’78; a sister, Shirley Henry participated in a theatre group. racks at Fort Leavenworth. In Georgia. He taught physical He worked for the Kansas Anne Garlinghouse, c’65, and was an administrative Florida. He had a 32-year ca- Dixon, c’44; 10 grandchildren; Survivors include a son and a retirement he taught classes at chemistry for 38 years at East Department of Transporta- g’78, 76, Sept. 14 in Vancou- assistant. Survivors include reer as a pilot with Trans World and 16 great-grandchildren. daughter. the military base’s arts and craft Tennessee State University. A tion and the Federal Highway ver, Washington, where she a son, Marc Bauman, b’86; a Airlines and was recognized John Meyer, e’49, 94, Oct. Lewis Theil Bloom, m’57, center. He is survived by his memorial has been established Administration before starting was an attorney and also sold stepdaughter; two stepsons; by Lockheed Martin for flying 5 in Topeka, where he was an 87, Sept. 19 in Wichita, where wife, Ruth Fevurly Jones, c’49; with KU Endowment. Survi- his own business as a sur- real estate. She is survived her mother; a brother; two more than 10,000 hours in engineer at the Kansas De- he was a retired radiologist. He and a daughter, Melissa, h’84. vors include four sons and seven veyor. He is survived by two by two sons, one of whom is grandchildren; 10 step-grand- its L-1011 TriStar aircraft. partment of Transportation. is survived by his wife, Olive Wayne Kohman, e’51, 92, grandchildren. daughters, Danita, ’80, and Todd Reamon, ’88; and four children; and several Surviving are his wife, Mar- Surviving are his wife, Marilyn; Selfridge Bloom, ’54; three Oct. 17 in Lynchburg, Virginia, Robert Perusich, e’58, 84, Brenda Beford Sampson, d’81, grandsons. step-great-grandchildren. gery Stubbs Handy, j’47; two two sons, one of whom is John sons, Barry, c’78, m’81, Lam- where he was a retired mechan- Nov. 10 in Lee’s Summit, Mis- ’92; three sons, one of whom Mary Karen Smith Gos- Harry Knoche, c’65, 82, daughters; a sister; eight grand- Jr., e’80; a daughter; a step- ont, m’79, and Jim, j’80, g’83, ical engineer who contributed souri. His career as a mechanical is Doug, ’88; three sisters; a selink, f ’60, 81, Oct. 17 in Oct. 26 in Overland Park, children; and 17 great-grand- daughter, Jane Kaesler McCall, g’08; 11 grandchildren; and 19 to the designs of Sky Lab and engineer spanned 60 years. Sur- brother; 13 grandchildren; Kitchener, Ontario. She was where he had a long career in children. ’89; a stepson; two sisters; great-grandchildren. the Hubble Space Telescope. vivors include his wife, Patricia and six great-grandchildren. an occupational therapist at data processing at Hallmark John Harbaugh, c’48, g’50, five grandchildren; three Betty Park Chronister, Surviving are his wife, Nancy; Phillips Perusich, g’79; a son, Richard Burke, b’65, 76, the Waterloo Regional Home Cards and Western Auto. A 92, July 28 in Santa Barbara, step-grandchildren; and four j’51, 94, Oct. 27 in Kansas two sons, one of whom is Don- Michael, ’84; two brothers; and July 26 in Dodge City. He Care Program. Survivors in- memorial has been established California. He was professor great-grandchildren. City, where she was a home- ald, e’83; a daughter; a brother; a granddaughter. lived in Manhattan for several clude her husband, Bob, c’56; at KU Endowment. His emeritus of geological and Jeannette Perkins Olin, maker and volunteered at and four grandchildren. James “Dick” Pratt, b’50, years, where he owned Burke’s and three sons. wife, Kathy, two sons, two environmental sciences at Stan- f ’47, 93, Aug. 4 in Lawrence, Children’s Mercy Hospital. Bill LaRue, c’57, 84, Oct. 3 90, Oct. 23 in Topeka, where he Shoes and the Shoe Center Carolyn Bradley Harvey, daughters, six grandchildren ford University. A memorial where she was a retired occupa- Survivors include her husband, in Leawood. He was a prac- owned Super D Drug stores. He and also was professor of d’60, 80, Nov. 27 in Colorado and two great-grandchildren has been established with KU tional therapist. She is sur- Irvin, g’58; a daughter; a son; ticing attorney for 35 years in is survived by two sons, Gary, management and marketing Springs, Colorado. She was an survive.

KANSAS ALUMNI 78 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 79 IN MEMORY

Bill Lloyd, c’63, m’67, 78, and six grandchildren. at Boeing. Survivors include his son; a sister; and a granddaugh- is survived by a brother, John Albert “Sandy” Cook, 88, c’76, g’79; a son; two daugh- ASSOCIATES Sept. 27 in Corvallis, Oregon. Ronald Carter, j’71, g’72, wife, Patricia Brack Henderson, ter. Metzler, e’74, g’79. Oct. 17 in Lawrence, where he ters; a stepson; a sister; 10 Elaine Adkins, assoc., 88, He was a U.S. Air Force flight 71, Oct. 11 in Greenwood Vil- d’71; two daughters; a brother; Peter Suess, c’72, 73, Sept. was associate professor of En- grandchildren; and Sept. 18 in Haysville. She was surgeon and later became a ra- lage, Colorado, where he had a two sisters; and two grandsons. 26 in San Antonio, where he 1990s Theodore Scott glish. He is survived by a son, a great-grandson. a high school teacher and diologist. Survivors include his 50-year career in marketing and Leslie McCulley, e’72, 77, worked in sales and volun- Lowder, j’98, 46, Sept. 23 in David, ’79; three daughters, Patricia Nicholas, 75, proofreader for the Emporia wife, Gerry Thorp Lloyd, c’64; advertising. His wife, Shannon, Oct. 11 in McKinney, Texas. teered in his community. He Yates Center, where he was an one of whom is Ann, c’86, Nov. 11 in Starkville, Missis- Times newspaper. Two sons, a son; a daughter; a brother; a a daughter, a brother and two He was an engineer at ONE- is survived by his wife, Martha editor at the Yates Center News. g’93; eight grandchildren; and sippi, where she retired after David, c’83, l’86, and William, sister; and three grandsons. sisters survive. OK, Inc. He is survived by Ziegelmeyer Suess, f ’69; a son; Survivors include two nephews. four great-grandchildren. working for the KU Center ’85; and a granddaughter Reed Smalley, a’60, 86, Oct. Paul Faucher, c’73, 69, Oct. a daughter, Pam McCulley two daughters; a brother; and Barbara Etzel, 93, Oct. 22 for Research. She is survived survive. 22 in Overland Park, where he 8 in Leawood. He had a long Clark, ’85; two sons; a sister; seven grandchildren. UNIVERSITY in Lawrence, where she was by her husband, Charles, ’80; Treva Haden, assoc., 80, had a 26-year career as a pilot career in sales and later started two brothers; four grandchil- COMMUNITY professor emeritus of human and two brothers. Oct. 25 in Wichita. She is with Trans World Airlines. a consulting firm. Surviving are dren; and two great-grand- 1980s Henry Clark, c’84, Malcolm Applegate, j’59, development and family life. Bill Reed, m’56, 92, survived by her husband, Surviving are a son, Scott, c’88; his wife, Karen; two daughters; children. 70, Oct. 15 in Warri, Nigeria, 83, Oct. 20 in Carmel, Indiana. In 1975 she was inducted in Oct. 1 in Kansas City. He Richard, e’62; three children, two daughters; four grandchil- a sister, Carol Faucher Kowals- Pat Gray Oakson, d’74, 67, where he had a distinguished He was assistant dean for the the KU Women’s Hall was a cardiovascular surgeon one of whom is Marc, s’97; a dren; and a step-grandchild. ki, j’75; and a grandson. Nov. 1 in Carlsbad, California. career as major general in the School of Journalism from of Fame. and chaired the department sister; a brother; five grand- David Stinson, c’64, 77, Tom Hansen, j’78, 63, Nov. She lived in Overland Park for Nigerian army. His wife and 1965 to ’69 and later became Mary Hawkins, 78, Oct. of cardiovascular diseases at children; and five great- Sept. 13 in Duluth, Minnesota. 17 in Dallas, where he was chief several years, where she worked several children and grandchil- president and general manager 6 in Lawrence, where she KU Medical Center. He also grandchildren. He taught geology at several commercial officer at Vital- for the Blue Valley School Dis- dren survive. of Indianapolis Newspapers Inc. worked for nearly 40 years helped develop the hospital’s Beth Klein, assoc., 67, Oct. universities and later sold office Tech Innovations. A memorial trict. Surviving are a daughter, Alan Hagman, j’87, 55, Nov. and publisher of the India- at KU Libraries. She also Center for Advanced Heart 3 in Prairie Village, where she equipment. He is survived has been established with KU Jennifer Oakson Silver, j’00; 11 in Long Beach, California. napolis Star. He served on the served as president of Faculty Care. A memorial has been was a homemaker. A memorial by his wife, Carole; a son; his Endowment. Survivors include and a brother, Bob Gray, j’73. An award-winning photogra- Alumni Association’s national Senate during the 1999-’00 established with KU has been established with KU mother; a sister, Deborah his wife, Patty; two daughters; Harris Rayl, c’75, g’78, 66, pher, he had a 32-year career at Board of Directors and the Wil- academic year. A memorial Endowment. Survivors Endowment. Surviving are Stinson Russell, ’72; a brother; and a brother, Chris, c’82. Sept. 26 in Kansas City. He the Los Angeles Times and be- liam Allen White Foundation has been established with KU include three sons, one of her husband, Robert, assoc.; a stepbrother; and two Clement Hanson, c’72, 69, had a long career as a newspa- came the paper’s deputy direc- board. Surviving are his wife, Endowment. She is survived whom is Bryan, f ’89; and five a daughter, Melanie, c’03, grandsons. June 24 in Denver. He was a per executive and worked for tor of photography. A memo- Connie, two daughters and four by a sister. grandchildren. ’06; two sons, one of whom Claude Werth, m’64, 82, colonel in the U.S. Army and his family’s company, Harris rial has been established with grandchildren. Robert Hoyt, j’62, g’63, Tom Stidham, 78, Oct. 1 is Jeffrey, m’10; two brothers; Oct. 28 in Ocala, Florida. He later was a physician in occu- Enterprises, which owned sev- KU Endowment. Surviving are Jon Blubaugh, g’63, 88, Nov. 29, 2018, in Cross- in Lawrence, where he was and four grandchildren. lived in Kansas City for several pational medicine. Survivors eral Kansas newspapers. Most his parents, William, c’57, and PhD’66, 80, Oct. 22 in Law- ville, Tennessee. He directed professor emeritus of music Cherrie Koehn, assoc., 89, years, where he was a neuro- include his wife, Mary Stromer recently he served as publisher Frances Smoley Hagman, d’57; rence. He was professor of communications for nearly 30 and associate director of Oct. 16 in Topeka, where she psychiatrist. Survivors include Hanson, d’73; a son; a daugh- of the Salina Journal. Survivors and a sister, Jennifer, m’86. communications and directed years at the Life Span Insti- University bands. He also was an administrative assistant his wife, Linda Ross, s’86; ter; and granddaughter. include his wife, Elizabeth; two Ron Heape, l’83, g’83, ’01, the undergraduate program in tute. Survivors include his was longtime director of the and bookkeeper at her hus- four children, two of whom Cynthia Artman Hartman, daughters, Alex Rayl Metzler, 71, Nov. 4 in Lawrence, where the communications studies wife, Ragene Jones Hoyt, ’66; men’s basketball band and band’s business, Medical Arts are Geoffrey, c’93, and Stacey d’71, 69, June 3 in Omaha, h’11, and Sydney, c’14; three he volunteered at the Spencer department. A memorial has two daughters, Vicki Hoyt organized KU Band Day. A Pharmacy. Survivors include Werth Jones, c’99; a brother; a Nebraska, where she was a vol- stepsons, two of whom are Museum of Art and Ecumen- been established with KU Bars, ’77, and Michelle, c’82; memorial has been established a son, Brad, b’80; and three sister; and six grandchildren. unteer at local schools and civic Scott McCroskey, c’04, and ical Campus Ministries. He Endowment. He is survived and a sister. with KU Endowment. He is grandchildren. James Williams, b’60, 82, organizations. She is survived Spencer McCroskey, ’04; his is survived by his wife, Rose by three daughters, Katherine, Jan Hurt Jess, s’82, 81, survived by his wife, Linda, Joan McClure, assoc., Aug. 15 in Riverside, Califor- by her husband, Herbert, c’69, mother, Virginia Harris Rayl, Mulally-Heape, ’85; a son, ’84, Karen Blubaugh Evans, Nov. 8 in Lawrence. She had ’01; two sons, Mark, ’89, and 98, Sept. 29 in Kansas City. nia, where he retired as lieu- m’73; a son; a daughter; two c’49; two brothers, David, Ryan, c’01; two daughters; his j’85, g’88, and Carol Blubaugh a 20-year career as assistant Scott, ’89; a daughter, Marci She retired after working for tenant colonel after nearly 25 sisters, Pamela Artman, j’73, b’78, and Steven, b’80; and five mother; and a granddaughter. Zoellner, b’86; a son Michael, director of field practicum at Stidham Ebberts, d’96; and nearly three decades at the years of service in the U.S. Air and Christine Artman Law- grandchildren. Michael Johnson, e’86, d’90, g’92; a stepdaughter; four the School of Social Welfare. seven grandchildren. U.S. Disciplinary Barracks Force. Surviving are his wife, rence, s’75, s’76; a brother; and Matthew Sheets, ’79, 62, 62, Oct. 1 in Kansas City. He stepsons; nine grandchildren; Surviving are two sons, Jim, Allen Wiechert, assoc., 81, at Fort Leavenworth. She is Kathleen, two sons, a daughter, three grandchildren. Sept. 21 in Wichita, where he had a 26-year career as presi- and four great-grandchildren. ’83, and David, c’89; a daugh- Oct. 29 in Overland Park. He survived by a son, Scott, j’80; a stepson, three stepdaughters, Louis “Bill” Heist, e’70, 71, co-owned Mort’s Cigar and dent of Excel Constructors in Helen Bodkin Connors, ter, Jill, j’90; a brother; a sister; joined the Office of Facilities two grandchildren; and a 10 grandchildren and three Oct. 4 in Sugar Land, Texas. Martini Bar in Old Town. He Overland Park. Surviving are PhD’87, 76, Sept. 23 in Lee’s and three grandchildren. Planning in 1968 and later great-grandson. great-grandchildren. He was a retired engineer. is survived by his wife, Sharon; his wife, Debra, assoc.; a son; Summit, Missouri, where she John Mullens, b’73, 70, became University architect. Harris Webber, assoc., 79, Surviving are a son; a daughter; and two brothers, Mark, c’78, a daughter; a brother; a sister; retired after 35 years as associate Sept. 24 in Lawrence, where In retirement, he ushered and Sept. 11 in Vero Beach, Flor- 1970s Alan Braun, c’73, two sisters, one of whom is and Morrie, c’82. and two grandsons. dean of integrated technologies for 33 years he was a campus coordinated audience services ida. He founded a company m’76, 68, Oct. 23 in Norwalk, Georgianne Heist Kleiss, c’72; Argie Koons Staples, d’76, Elizabeth “Betsy” Metzler, at the School of Nursing and police officer and retired as at the Lied Center. Surviving that built and managed retire- Iowa. He was a rheumatolo- and six grandchildren. 69, Sept. 18 in Boston, where c’81, 78, July 17 in Kansas City, executive director of the KU assistant director of public are his wife, Sandra Swanson ment communities. Surviving gist and an active member of Terry Henderson, e’76, she was a photographer and where she was president of an Center for Health Informatics. safety. A memorial has been Wiechert, ’80; a daughter, are his wife, Myra Anderson Boy Scouts. Survivors include g’78; 70, Jan. 19, 2019, in Fed- participated in the Boston event-planning company. A Surviving are two sons, one of established with KU Endow- Kirstin Wiechert Novak, ’89; Webber, d’62; three daugh- his wife, Penny, six sons, two eral Way, Washington, where Camera Club. Surviving are her memorial has been established whom is Mike, c’92; a sister; a ment. He is survived by his a son, Brendan, b’91, c’92; and ters; and six grandchildren. daughters, a brother, a sister he was an aeronautical engineer husband, Mark, c’75, PhD’79; a with KU Endowment. She brother; and six grandchildren. wife, Linda Nichols Mullens, six grandchildren.

KANSAS ALUMNI 80 ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2020 81 PHOTO FINISH

Baker University officials recently moved “Prairie Spirit,” by legendary KU sculptor and professor emeritus Elden Tefft, f ’49, g’50, from the school’s Baldwin City campus to Baker Wetlands, just south of Lawrence. From its new perch near the wetlands’ Discovery Center, “Prairie Spirit,” in the estimation of an Instagram commentator, looks as if it “emerged from the earth.” Tefft, who died in 2015, sculpted KU’s iconic “Moses,” in front of Smith Hall, and Strong Hall’s “Academic Jay.”

Photograph by Steve Puppe

KANSAS ALUMNI 82 ISSUEISSUE 11 || WINTERWINTER 20202020 83 HAIL TO OLD KU Spencer Research Library (3) Spencer

HISTORY A walk to remember

Dedicated in 1951, the KU Memorial Campanile honors the 278 KU men and women who gave their lives during World War II. In one of KU’s most cherished traditions, members of the Class of 2020 will walk through the 70-year-old carillon bell tower and down the Hill May 17 at Commencement, a tradition that began with the Class of 1950. Class of 1970 have been invited to walk Through seven decades, the walk down down the Hill during Commencement, the Hill has become a rite of passage for joining this year’s graduates in cap in KU graduates, except on rare occasions gown, as part of the Alumni Association’s when rain forced the proceedings into Gold Medal Club reunion weekend. Allen Field House. During the tumultuous For details, see the story on p. 50 or visit spring of 1970, rain sent the ceremony kualumni.org/reunion. indoors, so graduates could not share in We hope the classes of 1970 and 2020 the timeless tradition—until now. savor their moments in the sun. For their 50th reunion, members of the –David Johnston

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