Jayhawk Walk
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Send your graduate off with a membership in the Alumni Association or a special KU memento from our exclusive Jayhawk Collection. DISCOUNTED* ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP $25 for one year • $75 for three years Includes a special card to notify the graduate of the gift membership and all regular membership benefits: six issues of Kansas Alumni magazine, TV Guide to Kansas basket- ball, access to special campus events and chapter events across the nation, and more! LIMITED TIME OFFER Discounted Life Membership For only the first 60 days after graduation, all first-time grads can purchase a life membership at the greatly reduced rate of $750 single or $1,000 for joint. Regular life membership rates are $1,000 single and $1,500 joint, so act quickly to lock in the savings for your new graduate! * available to graduates for three years after completion of first KU degree BRASS JAYHAWK $25 stand-alone • $35 mounted on JAYHAWKS ON PARADE BOOK walnut base with inscription $20 • The elegant hardcover book’s This solid brass Jayhawk paperweight 104 pages include photos of the birds stands 3 1/2 inches tall on its own, from all angles, along with histories of JAYHAWK CHAIR $325* or 5 inches mounted on a walnut Lawrence and the mascot and much personalized for an additional $25 base. The mounted paperweight more. Manufactured for the Kansas Alumni comes with a velvet-finish brass plate Association by Standard Chair of that can be engraved with your per- JAYHAWKS ON PARADE POSTER Gardner, our Captain's Chair with the sonal message at no extra cost. $10 • The art print featuring the entire engraved KU seal will make the per- festive flock measures 18" by 24" and will fect addition to a new office. The solid add a welcome KU touch to any Jayhawk’s hardwood frame is finished in black dé cor. To see an image of the poster go lacquer with cherry finish arms and to www.kualumni.org. back. Also available: Swivel Desk Chair $465, Boston Rocker $465, KU Seal Lamp $195.* *$25 for shipping and handling. Please allow 6 weeks for delivery. 800-584-2957 www.kualumni.org 26 Contents Established in 1902 as The Graduate Magazine FEATURES So To Speak 26 Professor Paul Meier uses the beautiful science of accents and dialects to fashion actors who can breathe life into language. BY CHRIS LAZZARINO Forever Young 28 A career retrospective from photographer Rich Clarkson captures KU sports icons and other collegiate athletes in the glory of their times. BY CHRIS LAZZARINO COVER Large as Life 20 Scientist Cameron Currie is discovering the true com- plexity of the secret gardens of leaf-cutter ants. His research suggests that nature is even more interconnected than we thought. BY MICHAEL CAMPBELL Cover photograph by Earl Richardson; illustration by Susan Younger and Valerie Spicher 28 Volume 102, No. 3, 2004 written edit on page seven says, “With optimism one can, when faced with the Lift the Chorus necessity of making decisions, choose to do what is right—not expedient, not always popular, but right.” Thanks again for a most enjoyable Music appreciation was such an artistic and financial suc- magazine. cess that another disc consisting of the Janice Sachen, c’68 The impressive cover story (“Stage last three has been produced—to the Evanston, Ill. Presence,” No. 2, 2004) unstinting acclaim of critics. He is Editor’s note: The following passage is introducing readers to widely regarded as one of the Chancellor Wescoe’s tuneful conclusion to the remarkable person- world’s premier pianists. his 1968 Commencement address. alities, musical talents Artur is a shining star in the and achievements of KU tradition of excellence. For the very last time let me say Amir Khosrowpour and Hammond McNish something accompanied by the Melanie Hadley, cur- Professor emeritus of business Commencement band. I do this one by rent KU students of Lawrence request. piano, helps solidify You made me stand in line until you the reputation of thought you had the time to spend this Kansas Alumni as one A song in his heart evening with me/ And when we leave of the very best. this place tonight I know that there’s no When speaking of great performers I enjoy reading each issue of the mag- chance you will be leaving with me/ And who are part of the tradition of the azine, and I really chuckled at “Vigilance afterwards you’ll drift away and think School of Fine Arts, the name of Artur abroad” (Lift the Chorus, No. 1, 2004). about me less and less than now you Subtil Pizarro should be mentioned. During the recent NCAA playoffs, I hap- do/ But here I go and top it all by saying Artur studied at KU as a special student pened to show the letter to a friend here something stupid like I’ll miss you/ I can for four years with Distinguished in Chicago, who commented, “You see it in your eyes that you despise the Professor Sequeira Costa. should see what it’s like to be in Kansas same old lies that others said before/ Artur made his first public appear- City in the middle of KU and K-State And though it’s just a line to you, for me ance when he was three years old at the fans!” And of course, I have sent a copy it’s true and never seemed so right Conservatory of Music in Lisbon, to both my brother and nephew, gradu- before/ I practiced every day to find Portugal, and commenced study with ates of the other institution. some clever line to say to make my Professor Costa at age five. At KU he was I also enjoyed reading the article on meaning come through/ But then I a member of the accomplished trio that Dr. Clarke Wescoe (“Fond farewell,” thought I’d wait until this evening got represented KU in many concerts, Hilltopics, No. 2). I knew him when I late and I’m alone with you/ The time is including appearances in Costa Rica. was a student and always thought he now, your presence fills old Clarke, the Artur has since gone on to a highly was the best. When I read his obituary night gets dark, and, oh, I feel so blue/ successful career which has included in the Kansas City Star, I felt that I had So here I go and spoil it all by saying winning the prestigious Vianna da Motta lost a good friend. something stupid like I love you. International Piano competition and the Your review of his Commencement That really isn’t stupid. I mean it. We Palm Beach competition (open only to addresses really brought back memories, all mean it. winners of other competitions). In 1990 so I dug into my treasure-trove of Hill he ascended to fame and fortune by win- memorabilia. I thought you might like to ning the Leeds International competi- see an example of his wit and style: The WRITE US! tion, conceded to be the top, by unani- enclosed speech is one he delivered at Kansas Alumni welcomes letters to the mous decision. He is now engaged in an my Commencement. Although it was editor. Our address is Kansas Alumni maga- active career in Europe, including pro- written in 1968, much of the speech zine, 1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS ducing numerous compact discs, each applies to today’s world, its conflicts and 66045-3169. E-mail responses may be sent receiving highly commendatory reviews. its leaders. to the Alumni Association, kualumni@ His latest project was the performance of A good description of Dr. Wescoe can kualumni.org, or Associate Editor Chris all 32 Beethoven sonatas for broadcast be found on page two when he says, “I Lazzarino, [email protected]. Letters over the BBC. The response was so prefer to meet the serious as often as appearing in the magazine may be edited enthusiastic that a CD of the four most possible with a smile.” That is how I for space and clarity. popular sonatas was made. This gem remember him, always smiling. A hand- 2 | KANSAS ALUMNI May 2004 Publisher Fred B.Williams 18 Editor Jennifer Jackson Sanner, j’81 Art Director DEPARTMENTS Susan Younger, f’91 Associate Editors Chris Lazzarino, j’86 2 LIFT THE CHORUS Steven Hill Letters from readers Editorial Assistant Karen Goodell 4 ON THE BOULEVARD KU & Alumni Association events Photographer Earl Richardson, j’83 7 FIRST WORD Graphic Designer The editor’s turn Valerie Spicher, j’94 Advertising Sales 8 JAYHAWK WALK Representative Dorm darling, station static, bug buzz and Katie Glatz, j’03 more Editorial and Advertising Office Kansas Alumni Association 10 HILLTOPICS 1266 Oread Ave., Lawrence, KS 66045-3169 News and notes: Graduate fellowships for 785-864-4760 • 800-584-2957 scholars, a new dean for pharmacy and more www.kualumni.org e-mail: [email protected] 16 SPORTS Men’s basketball finishes strong and women’s KANSAS ALUMNI MAGAZINE (ISSN 0745-3345) is published basketball lands a new coach by the Alumni Association of the University of Kansas six times a year in January, March, May, July, September and November. $50 annual subscription includes membership in the Alumni 36 ASSOCIATION NEWS Association. Office of Publication: 1266 Oread Avenue, The 2004 Distinguished Service Citations Lawrence, KS 66045-3169. Periodicals postage paid at Lawrence, KS. 40 CLASS NOTES POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kansas Profiles of animal rescuers, a Seuss collector Alumni Magazine, 1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS and a college president 66045-3169 © 2004 by Kansas Alumni Magazine.