No 4, 2011 I $5
Power Plants The healing promise of the prairie
I ARCTIC EXPLORER
I MOUNT OREAD MOMENTS
Contents | July 2011
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24 16 32 COVER STORY Moments in Time Age of Discovery Prescription: Prairie For students making their way Now in her 80s, renowned through college, a chance paleontologist Mary Dawson is Could prairie plants long used encounter, an encouraging still traveling the world—and for healing by American word or an inspiring class can still making important Indian tribes hold promise as mean all the difference. finds—in the name of science. new medicines and other Readers share their memories health products? By collecting of a KU connection that By Doug McInnis and analyzing native flora with changed their lives. the latest high-tech tools, scientists at KU’s Native Medicinal Plant Research Program are trying to find out.
By Steven Hill Cover photograph by Steve Puppe
Established in 1902 as The Graduate Magazine Volume 109, No. 4, 2011 ISSUE 4, 2011 | 1 Lift the Chorus
anniversaries,” Lift the Chorus, passing of Professor Dennis issue No. 3]. It brought back Quinn [In Memory, The Your many memories of the times I University Community, issue opinion counts spent in the Jayhawk Cafe. No. 3]. From 1968 to1974, Please email us a note Paul was a truly wonderful as an undergraduate and at [email protected] person and a friend to all. graduate student in the to tell us what you think of One of the amazing things English department, I took your alumni magazine. about Paul was his ability to as many classes as I could remember people and their from Mr. Quinn. names. He only had to meet In his classes, every day was James Bible class. The subject you once and you were an adventure, filled with of his lecture that day was King registered forever in his recall. wonder and excitement. David’s conflict with his Ralph rules As an example: I spent one Within the same lecture, Mr. rebellious son, Absalom, year at KU and then went into Quinn could move the class perhaps a topic not terribly It was with a great deal of the Navy for four years. The from uproarious laughter to popular with an audience of interest that I read the excellent first time I saw Paul after four thoughtful reflection to college students in the ’60s. article “The Naismith Rules” years, he immediately called heartfelt tears. But, somehow, Mr. Quinn [issue No. 3]. One of the most me by name. Since leaving KU for a drew us in to the story, and, intriguing elements of the Ben Shaw, b’63 37-year career as a college when he movingly described a presentation was the unnamed Seattle teacher and administrator, I father’s grief over the loss of basketball player pictured to have never met anyone who the son who had tried to the right of Dr. Naismith [p. Mighty Quinn electrifies a classroom like overthrow him, there was not a 25]; I searched the article at he did. dry eye in the bell-bottomed, length to see if I had somehow I read with great sorrow, in My most vivid memory of tie-dyed, long-haired house. skipped over his name. the May issue of Kansas Professor Quinn occurred in John Neibling, c’71, g’74 Having played for Ralph Alumni, the notice of the his Literary Aspects of the King Clovis, N.M. Miller, d’42, at Wichita University, I recognized him immediately. Not only was he an outstanding basketball coach, named to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988, he was an outstanding athlete in high school (Chanute) and at KU, winning three letters in both basketball and football—in what was then called the Big Six. The decision to add Ralph’s presence to this article was a special touch to a topic that has many facets. Leonard Clark, l’73 Wichita Visit us at A friend to all www.homecoming.ku.edu I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the letter from Facebook: KU Homecoming Cynthia Sinclair regarding her Twitter: KU_Homecoming dad, Paul Sinclair [“Iconic
2 | KANSAS ALUMNI July 2011
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Publisher Kevin J. Corbett, c’88 Editor Jennifer Jackson Sanner, j’81 Creative Director Susan Younger, f’91 2 Lift the Chorus Letters from our readers Associate Editors Chris Lazzarino, j’86 Steven Hill Sta Writer Terry Rombeck 5 First Word e editor’s turn Editorial Assistant Karen Goodell Photographer Steve Puppe, j’98 Graphic Designer Valerie Spicher, j’94 6 On the Boulevard KU & Alumni Association events
Advertising Sales Representative David Johnston, j’94, g’06 8 Jayhawk Walk Naked the , Joe’s in the Union and a new way to relax in the tub Editorial and Advertising Oce KU Alumni Association 10 Hilltopics 1266 Oread Avenue News and notes: Engineering wins major support; Lawrence, KS 66045-3169 KU seeks nominees for new honorary degrees. 785-864-4760 • 800-584-2957 www.kualumni.org 14 Sports [email protected] Freshman Diamond Dixon sprints to stellar start.
34 Association News KANSAS ALUMNI MAGAZINE (ISSN 0745-3345) is published by the ree Jayhawks win Ellsworth honors; Board of KU Alumni Association six times a year in January, March, May, July, Directors elects new o cers and members. September and November. $55 annual subscription includes member- ship in the Alumni Association. O¡ce of Publication: 1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045-3169. Periodicals postage paid at Lawrence, KS. 38 Class Notes Pro les of a PGA golfer, the voice of Yoda, POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kansas Alumni Magazine, 1266 a TV storyteller and more Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045-3169 © 2011 by Kansas Alumni Magazine. Non-member issue price: $7 56 In Memory Deaths in the KU family Letters to the Editor: 60 Rock Chalk Review Kansas Alumni welcomes letters to the editor. Our Toni Brou’s rising suns, Chris Ordal’s “Earthwork,” address is Kansas Alumni magazine, 1266 Oread Avenue, Reagan rethought and more Lawrence, KS 66045-3169. Email responses may be sent to the Alumni Association, [email protected]. Letters appearing in the magazine may be edited for space 64 Glorious to View and clarity. For letters published, we’ll send a free gift of Scene on campus the KU Magnet Game, a $15 value.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 3
by Jennifer Jackson Sanne r First Word
he email message arrived out of the later became city editor of the Topeka blue, from a mentor I had not seen State Journal, Flint sent him a note: T FOLLETTE in 24 years: “You’re on your way.” To this day, Born “There probably are few of my BOB L a remains thankful, touting his KU years in classmates still around to read it, but I the first line of his biography on Smash- have just published an e-book, In the words, the website that published his Prime of Death, which deals with e-book. Boomers, midlife crisis and murder. ... I will remain grateful to Born for years This is my first fiction. I trust that all is to come—and thankful to the alma mater well with you. Regards, Roscoe.” we share. If not for KU, we would never Roscoe is 90-year-old Roscoe Born, have met for that fateful lunch in 1987, ’41, former reporter and editor for The nor had the chance for a reprise this Wall Street Journal and Barron’s and a summer. Those moments, 24 years apart, founding editor of the National will linger. Observer. We met in 1987, during my As Jayhawks, we often share stories of first trip to Washington, D.C., when he treasured KU moments that endure. They agreed to an interview and invited me to occur in classrooms and dorm rooms, on lunch at the National Press Club. The Jayhawk Boulevard and, truth be told, in memory of that lunch has stayed with bars on Mass Street. Some occur long me ever since. I was a nervous, awestruck after we’ve left the Hill. They produce life wreck, and he was the gracious, patient lessons, lifelong friends and stories that veteran, full of irresistible stories and sly Roscoe Born only get better with age. humor. Through the years, I’ve kept In this issue, readers tell their KU Born’s first book, The Suspended Sen- stories in “Moments in Time,” a collec- tence: A Guide for Writers, within easy reach of my keyboard, and tion that begins on page 16. The project began more than a year I’ve exclaimed with delight every few years, when he has sent brief ago, when Sue Shields Watson, d’75, then the Alumni Associa- notes of encouragement. I share them with the staff and stow tion’s national chair, opened a meeting by asking board members them in my “keepers” file. to share their most pivotal KU moments. Chris Lazzarino, j’86, So to receive his email a few weeks ago was marvelous—espe- associate editor, suggested we take a cue from Sue and invite cially because I was leaving the next day for an alumni event in readers to tell their favorite KU tales. As you’ll see, the stories Washington. After two dozen years, could I finally repay the favor connect us across the years and across the miles. They are the and take him to lunch? Yes, he said, acknowledging the “great reason we remain loyal to our university and to one another, coincidence” of his timing and sending directions to his retire- the reason we gather at alumni events and the reason we recruit ment community in Sykesville, Md. Convinced that the “great new Jayhawks, who will add their own stories to the timeless coincidence” was truly meant to be, I rented a car. KU canon. We picked up right where we left off, laughing, catching up on families and sharing the latest KU news. Of course, I had to ask why an old-school editor decided to publish an e-book. Born answered with a story: Fifteen years ago, he wrote the first draft of a mystery novel and sent it to his agent, who rejected it. The book YOUNGER SUSAN sat on a shelf until last year, when a dear friend asked to read it and encouraged Born to give publishing another try. Born picked up the manuscript and spent a year revising the pages. In the process, he concluded that publishing an e-book “was not a dishonorable thing,” he says. “Besides, at my age, I don’t have time to fool around with agents.” As our lunch conversation turned to KU, Born asked about the journalism school. He reminded me that KU journalism’s first chair, Leon “Daddy” Flint, helped him land his first job, at the Independence Daily Reporter in southeast Kansas. When Born
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 5 On the Boulevard
Jay Howard, b’79, (far right) celebrated the
STEVE PUPPE (4) STEVE conclusion of his yearlong term as chair of the Association’s national Board of Directors by welcoming a new class of alumni to the flock at Commencement May 22. The morning ceremony didn’t dissuade School of Medicine grads from their traditional champagne toasts, and sunflowers and Jay boots helped inspire radiant smiles.
Exhibitions OCTOBER 29 Chiara String Quartet Institute of Politics film series “Jin Shan: It Came from the 15 Echo Ministries presents: FEBRUARY Sky,” Spencer Museum of David Crowder Band 11 “From Separate to Equal: Art, through Aug. 28 16 La Catrina Quartet 2 Elvis Lives The Creation of the Truman Medical Center,” Dole 13 Chamber Ensemble of “Pomp up the Jam: Splendor, 21 The National Acrobats of Institute of Politics film the Shanghai Chinese Pageantry, and Performance the People’s Republic of series in Art,” Spencer Museum of China Orchestra 18 Film discussion with Art, through Sept. 4 18 Matt Haimovitz, cello, 29 “The Intergalactic Kevin Willmott and Morgan and Christopher O’Riley, “Glorious to View: The KU Nemesis” Davis, Dole Institute of Campus Heritage Project,” piano 30 Herbie Hancock Politics Spencer Museum of Art, 23 Jin Xing Dance Theatre through Dec. 16 NOVEMBER SEPTEMBER MARCH 5 Anda Union 20 Laurence Rees, “Talking 14 SFJAZZ Collective with Nazis,” Humanities Lied Center 2011-’12 9 An Evening with David Lecture Series, Woodruff Sedaris 31 Mnozil Brass Auditorium AUGUST 12 Suzanne Farrell Ballet APRIL 27 Open House and 19 ETHEL Community Arts 10-14 Farfalle (Butterflies) Academic Calendar Celebration DECEMBER JULY SEPTEMBER 10 The Celtic Tenors Lectures 29 Summer classes end 30 Compañia Flamenca JANUARY AUGUST José Porcel AUGUST 18 Rodgers and Hammer- 4 “Brother Outside: The stein’s “South Pacific” Life of Bayard Rustin,” Dole 22 Fall classes begin
6 | KANSAS ALUMNI Special Events 11 Manhattan 21 Nashville: Happy Hour 11 Twin Cities 23 Albany: Happy Hour AUGUST 14 Chicago 23 Colorado Springs: Night 20 Ice Cream Social, Adams 14 Kansas with the Sky Sox Alumni Center City 24 Portland, Maine
SEPTEMBER 25 Hartford, Conn. 2 Hilltop Honors Banquet, Kansas 26 New York City Kansas Union Honors 27 Boston 10 Jayhawk Generations Program 27 Goodland: Twilight Golf Breakfast, Adams Alumni Colorado Springs: Tournament Center 31 SEPTEMBER Summer Barbecue 29 Syracuse, N.Y. 17 Pittsburg: Hawkstock 21 Lawrence 31 Des Moines: Beer Tasting 30 Buffalo, N.Y. 25-Oct. 1 KU Homecoming 21 Wellington AUGUST 26 Sedgwick County For details about Association 3 Moundridge: Lunch events, call 800-584-2957 or Jayhawk 28 Hutchinson 4 Hesston: Breakfast visit www.kualumni.org. Generations Picnics 28 Leavenworth 4 Halstead: Lunch 28 McPherson JULY 4 Albuquerque: Isotopes 26 Liberal Game 27 Garden City ’Hawk Days of 5 Atlanta: Happy Hour 28 Houston Summer 6 Creedmore, N.C.: Family Picnic 31 Phoenix JULY 7 Great Bend: Hawks, Zoo AUGUST 20 Junction City: Breakfast and BBQ 3 Hutchinson 20 Wamego: Lunch 7 Charlotte: Beer Tasting 4 McPherson 21 Topeka: Wine Tasting 8 Wakeeney: Lunch 7 Topeka 22 Boise: Family Picnic 11 Council Grove: Breakfast Directory 23 Portland: Beer tasting 7 Hays 11 Barnes: Luncheon n Adams Alumni 8 Dodge City 24 San Francisco: Winery 12 Milwaukee Center...... 864-4760 Tour 13 Chicago: Night with the n Athletics .....800-34-HAWKS 24 Seattle White Sox n Booth Hall 27 Hugoton: Breakfast 13 Phoenix: Day at St. of Athletics ...... 864-7050 27 Sublette: Luncheon Vincent De Paul n Dole Institue of 27 Miami: Happy Hour 16 Leavenworth: Breakfast Politics ...... 864-4900 28 Wichita: Football Rally 16 Atchison: Luncheon n Kansas Union ...... 864-4596 29 Jacksonville: Happy 16 St. Joseph, Mo.: Dinner n KU Info ...... 864-3506 Hour 19 Kansas City: Football n KU main 29 San Antonio: Dinner Kickoff number ...... 864-2700 29 Tucson: Happy Hour 19 Little Rock: Central n Lied Center ...... 864-ARTS Arkansas Chapter Kickoff 30 Las Vegas: Happy Hour n University Theatre Party Tickets...... 864-3982 30 Omaha: Beer Tasting 20 Denver: Night with the n Spencer Museum 30 Tampa: Boat Cruise Rockies of Art ...... 864-4710 31 Topeka: Football Rally 20 Memphis: Happy Hour
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 7 Jayhawk Walk .
The nose knows STEVE PUPPE (2) STEVE F KU students, the smell of freshly baked hot doughnuts wafting from Joe’s Bakery meant late-night comfort food. “Every time you meet someone who graduated 10 years ago or before, they always have a Joe’s story,” says Mike Reid, director of communica- tions for the KU Memorial Unions. Joe Smith opened the Ninth Street bakery in 1952, and the shop operated until 2007. In addition to hot glazed delica- cies, Joe’s was known for egg salad and chicken salad Bathing in the limelight sandwiches and giant cookies. The bakery had been so ill Divis Morrison sees potential in the And apparently, Martha’s mind was blown, beloved among students that Jdiscarded. Two years ago, her designer’s too. During the Earth Day broadcast of NBC’s when its neon sign went up for eye and husband’s elbow grease turned an old “Today,” Kathie Lee Giord and Hoda Kotb auction this spring, the Unions cast iron bathtub, removed from an early-19th- announced that Morrison’s bathtub couch was decided to buy it. century home and abandoned to rust, into a hip the judges’ favorite repurposed piece. “If you’re looking for an retro couch for their Lawrence abode. Praise “Since the contest, we have people contact- icon from the last 40 years, this from visitors prompted the couple to list the ing us saying, ‘I have one of these tubs in my is as good as any off-campus couch on Morrison’s online Etsy shop, and the backyard, do you want it?’” icon,” Reid says. first order arrived in less than 48 hours. We hope she gets the chance to soak in her The sign now hangs in the Cutting, painting and cushioning claw foot tubs success. Hawk’s Nest on the first floor became part of regular business. of the Kansas Union as one of When Morrison, f’05, read about the Art of several displays tied to the ReUSE contest on Twitter, she decided her kuhistory.com project. couch had a fighting chance against other Perhaps even more valuable rescued landfill fodder. The Morrisons rallied is the other auction acquisi- friends and family to cast votes on NBC’s tion—Joe’s original recipes, website and ended up in the top 10 entries to be including caked-on goo from judged by a group of eco-conscious celebrities. years of use. Reid says the “The fact that Martha Stewart was a judge Unions will add Joe’s dough- was one of the main reasons we entered,” says nuts to their catering menu Morrison, who runs a letterpress and design and offer them on special company, Ru House Art. “The thought that occasions, such as she could see something I did just blew my Homecoming. mind.” So if you’re back on campus and a familiar aroma beckons, you’ll know: Hot donuts now!
8 | KANSAS ALUMNI Naked as a Jaybird than crime. Bemoaned Chambers, on his ayhawk Walk’s latest (and long overdue) Facebook page: “A naked hobo destroyed my Jinstallment of Naked Guy Antics comes from National Championship outfi t.” Springfi eld, Mo., where a birthday-suited In a charitable mood, Chambers later added, burglar ruined a prized set of KU togs. “He [probably] just wanted to feel According to news reports in the Kansas City like a winner for Star, online outlets from Springfi eld to St. once in his Louis, and even London’s Guardian newspaper, life.” a Drury University security guard on April 19 confronted a stitchless stalker roaming the campus neighborhood. The rudest nudist then streaked into the former residence of a KU fan named Jason Chambers, who was in the process of moving to Pleasant Hill, southeast of Kansas Update your City, Mo. wall post Although he’d nearly emptied his Springfi eld home, Chambers chose to take great care with E J’ ultimate his prized possessions, including the KU gear prize—a KU diploma—has he wore while watching every game of the undergone a long-overdue Jayhawks’ championship run through the 2008 modernization. “University of NCAA basketball tournament, and saved them Kansas” and the graduate’s for his fi nal trip. So when the undressed man name are now in a cleaner invaded the unfurnished home, the only typeface, called Journalistic, cover-ups he could fi nd to aid in his getaway replacing the old-fashioned were the mementos proudly displayed on a font whose “K” and “R” were wall. indistinguishable. Other new Alas, when police dogs nabbed the clad fonts also aid readability, crusader, they took a bite out of more CHARLIE PODREBARAC especially from a distance. Except for law and doctoral diplomas, the keepsakes are now 8.5 by 11 inches, rather Spider fi nd Gulf-Hedberg distinguished their ancient relative, Nephila than 9 by 12, allowing for professor of invertebrate jurassica, today’s golden standard frames, and foil T ’ paleontology and director of orb-weavers have inch-wide stickers designating honors fossil spider roamed the earth KU’s Paleontological Institute. bodies and a leg span that have been replaced with the with dinosaurs and weaved an “The really important thing stretches 5 inches. They weave words “Distinction” or extraordinarily strong web of is it belongs in the genus some of the largest webs “Highest Distinction.” golden silk. But before you Nephila,” Selden says. “It’s so known, up to 1.5 meters wide. Although this marks the fi rst shudder at the thought of a close to modern species, yet it’s “It means we’ve got very overhaul since 1981, it’s at least huge arachnid capable of 165 million years old. People slow evolution, which is the 10th time the University snaring pterodactyls in its grim expect ancient things to be interesting,” Selden says of the has tinkered with its diploma. clutches, relax: The different. Here fi nd, which provides physical Chancellor Bernadette dimensions of this we have a living evidence confi rming scientifi c Gray-Little hails the design as spider are just like fossil.” theories about spider evolu- “an elegant combination of the those of its closest Nephila tion. And, of course, there are modern and traditional.” contemporary spiders found bragging rights that come with Alumni who’ve grown weary relative, the golden today weave being the biggest. of explaining that, no, their orb-weavers. webs of tough, “There are fossil spiders with alma mater is not the Univer- That is exactly gold-colored larger bodies, but when you sity of Ransas, can order an what makes the silk that trap take into account the long legs, updated diploma by visiting fi nd so exciting, insects and, this is the biggest,” Selden says. the University (of Kansas) says its discoverer, sometimes, bats “It’s not scientifi cally impor- Registrar’s page at ku.edu. Paul Selden, and birds. Like tant, but it’s fun.”
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 9 Hilltopics by Steven Hill
“To do this we have to have STEVE PUPPE STEVE some real heroes step up and make a major di erence.” —Dean Stuart Bell
come out of the economic tough times, it’s going to take a lot of employment; it’s going to take new ideas and pushing up the productivity of the state, of which engineering companies are such a large part.” The planned 100,000-square-foot classroom building will stand adjacent to Feed the need the 43,000-square-foot, $24 million engineering research building now under Support from Legislature and Spahr family positions KU construction on 15th Street. A $12 million to address Kansas engineering shortage grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and private ngineering dean Stuart Bell was School of Engineering’s plan to increase donations are funding that structure, Ealready awake when his PDA lit up at the number of bachelor’s degrees from 255 which will contain research space for 4:30 a.m. with news that long-sought to 410 annually in response to industry faculty and graduate students working on legislation to help boost KU’s engineering concerns about a shortage of engineers in biofuels, sustainable building materials degrees by 60 percent had finally passed. the state. Kansas State and Wichita State and advanced materials testing. “It was Friday the 13th,” Bell recalls. also will receive $3.5 million as part of the Bell hopes to start construction on the “That’s not always a bad day.” initiative, which seeks to raise the number second building immediately after In fact, it was a very good day in what of engineering graduates statewide from construction on the first wraps up in was a very good May for the School of 850 to 1,300 annually. The schools will June 2012. Engineering. have to match state dollars with More space is only part of the equation, Two bills won statehouse approval May fundraising. Bell notes. To hit graduation targets, the 13. One provides $3.5 million in state “Our ability to feed the need of our school will increase undergraduate casino gaming revenue annually to companies is very important, because the students from 1,700 to 2,300 by 2019. That KU engineering programs for 10 years; companies are going to grow,” Bell says. creates a need for more scholarships and one gives the school bonding authority to “The question is, will they grow in Kansas, fellowships, and more faculty and staff, build a $65 million classroom building. or in Texas or North Carolina or Missouri, which the Spahr gift can address. Later that afternoon the school or wherever they can get graduates?” A longtime supporter of the school, announced it had received the largest Bell credits industry leadership for Charles Spahr once held a job as chauffeur estate gift ever at KU, $32 million from drawing state support in a tough budget for the chancellor as he worked his way Charles, e’34, and Mary Jane Bruckmiller year. through KU during the Great Depression. Spahr, ’38. The money will create an “It wasn’t the University as a lone voice He became president and CEO of Stan- endowed fund to benefit the school in saying we need more engineers,” he says. dard Oil and was a permanent member of perpetuity. “Many companies were involved, basically the school’s advisory board. He and Mary Both developments are a boon to the relaying the fact that if Kansas is going to Jane donated a total of $45 million,
10 | KANSAS ALUMNI ranking them among the most generous or service to humanity” Milestones, money donors in KU history. • “must be deeply grounded in a career “To do this we have to have some real of scholarship, research, creative activity, and other matters heroes step up and make a major differ- service to humanity, or other profession ence,” Bell says. “Clearly Charlie is one of consistent with the academic endeavors of those heroes. The state stepping up to the University” n A $5.6 million grant from the U.S. make an investment was also a require- • “shall not be awarded for philanthropic Department of Agriculture will fund a ment. Those two things were critical to activity or service to the University or the KU-led research project to develop clean the overall plan.” State of Kansas.” technologies that convert plant matter Regents guidelines also stipulate a into chemicals that could replace the five-year separation from University or petroleum-based chemicals currently state service before a faculty member, used in many household products. The Honor, by degrees administrator or officeholder is eligible for research, conducted by the Center for an honorary degree. Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis in In a break with tradition, KU The chancellor’s committee on honor- partnership with Archer Daniels embraces honorary doctorate ary degrees will screen nominees and Midland, will try to develop methods forward a list of finalists to the chancellor that would enable biorefineries to turn he University will award honorary by late fall. Nominations should be kept biomass from nonfood crops and Tdegrees starting next year, and is confidential, and no announcements will agricultural leftovers into sustainable seeking nominees through Aug. 15. In be made until recipients have been substitutes for the petrochemicals now June 2010 the Kansas Board of Regents contacted. Visit the chancellor’s website found in laundry detergent, bathroom changed its policy to allow the degrees, (chancellor.ku.edu) for a nomination cleaners and beauty products. with certain restrictions. form that can be submitted online or “It’s very clear, from the Regents printed and mailed. n The Kansas Board of Regents elected guidelines, that these are not donor Alumni will be considered for honorary a new chair and vice chair in June awards,” says Susan Kemper, Roy A. degrees, but a connection to the University following the Roberts distinguished professor of or the state is not essential. Instead, the early resigna- psychology and chair of the committee focus will be on outstanding achievements tion of former appointed by Chancellor Bernadette that have fundamentally changed a field, chairman Gary Gray-Little to set guidelines for how KU Kemper says, or have benefited humanity. Sherrer. Former should identify, screen and select recipi- “Honorees might have a tie, they might vice chair Ed KANSAS BOARD OF REGENTS BOARD KANSAS ents. “I think that was a concern of many be alumni, but that’s not why they would McKechnie, of faculty when this change was first talked be recognized. It’s really going to be on Arcadia, was about—that we’re going to sell honorary significant, notable achievement, a body of elected chair, degrees. It’s very clear from the Regents’ work or contribution.” and Tim Emert, policy that we’re not.” Degrees can be awarded for contribu- j’62, l’65, of According to the Regents’ guidelines, tions to three academic fields (the arts, Independence, honorary degrees: humanities, and sciences); a fourth is the new vice McKechnie • “may be conferred only upon persons category will recognize service to human- chair. Sherrer of notable intellectual, scholarly, ity or the professions or contributions to resigned during a Regents meeting in professional or creative achievement, the welfare of the state, nation or world. May, citing conflicts with other board Continued on page 12 members.
n An anonymous $4 million gift will
STEVE PUPPE STEVE fund spinal cord research at the KU Medical Center’s Institute for Neuro- logical Disorders. The gift will support the research of teams led by Peter Smith, director of the institute and the Spinal Cord Injuries Repair Program, and by Randolph Nudo, director of the Landon Center on Aging. Both are seeking successful treatments for spinal cord injuries.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 11 Hilltopics
Continued from page 11 “Commencement recognizes the achievement of all those men and women PUPPE STEVE who walk down the Hill,” Kemper says. “Honorary degrees are a way for the University to cap this process of recogni- tion. We have the opportunity to bring some truly inspirational people to campus, to hold them up to our graduates and say, ‘Yeah, you’ve come a long way, but there’s still a lot to aspire to.’” The degrees mark a departure for KU. In 1941, the Alumni Association created the Distinguished Service Citation largely because KU could not confer honorary degrees. In January, the Association’s national Board of Directors, in response to TUITION undergraduates covered under tuition the University’s decision to award honor- compacts from previous years will see no ary doctorates, voted unanimously to Four-year tuition to rise tuition increase this fall. retire the DSC, which had long been 5 percent this fall First-time freshmen will pay $4,182 for considered the University’s highest honor. tuition per semester (a 5.6-percent In a letter to DSC recipients, Association I increase over last fall’s four-year rate) if president Kevin Corbett, c’88, called the will see a 5-percent increase in their they are Kansas residents, or $10,875 (a conferring of honorary degrees “a historic four-year tuition rate under a proposal 5-percent increase) for nonresidents. and exciting change for KU.” The Associa- approved in June by the Kansas Board of That rate will not increase if they remain tion will continue to award the Fred Regents. enrolled and graduate in four years. Ellsworth Medallion for “unique and The Four-Year Tuition Compact sets a Kansas students who pay the standard significant service to the University of fixed tuition rate for four years and sets in rate (not covered by the compact) will Kansas.” This year’s Fred Ellsworth advance the course fees for each of the see an increase of 5.5 percent for under- recipients are featured on page 34. four years. The 65 percent of returning graduate and graduate tuition and fees.
VISITOR
Storied reporter American journalism, investigative journalism. He Woodward helped break the took advantage of his after- Watergate story with fellow hours access to snoop through Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter Carl legal files. “Everyone has a CHUCK FRANCE journalist and Washington Bernstein, for which both won secret,” Woodward said. “It’s Post Associate Editor Bob the 1973 Pulitzer Prize. He has usually in the lawyer’s files.” Woodward delivered the 2011 since gone on to write 16 Dole Lecture. best-selling nonfiction books on QUOTE: Commenting on the politics. He was awarded the namesake of the lecture series, WHEN: May 15 William Allen White former Sen. Bob Dole, ’45, Foundation National Citation Woodward expressed WHERE: Robert J. Dole from KU in 2000. admiration for his honesty and Institute of Politics decency. “I always thought the ANECDOTE: Woodward missing quality in American BACKGROUND: Widely credited a childhood job as politics was straight talk,” regarded as one of the foremost janitor at his father’s law firm Woodward said. investigative reporters in for igniting his interest in Woodward
12 | KANSAS ALUMNI Nonresidents will pay 7.1 percent more Milestones, money for undergraduate and 5.9 percent more for graduate tuition and fees. and other matters Students now pay more than half the cost of their education through tuition PEARSON LEROY LARRY and fees, and state funding for resident n Christian Schöneich has been named KU students has dropped by 40 percent the Takeru Higuchi Distinguished since 1999. Professor of Bioanalytical Chemistry in A full listing of tuition rates as well as the KU School of Pharmacy. Schöenich, course fees for individual schools is who joined the faculty in 1992 and was available at tuition.ku.edu. named chair of the department of pharmaceutical chemistry in 2005, is internationally known for his SCHOLARSHIP research on protein oxidation and its role in human aging and degenerative Faculty and students earn diseases. The professorship was Fulbrights at near-record pace established in 1984 by the late pro- fessor Takeru Higuchi to honor a T Fulbright faculty member for accomplishments fellowships to teach and research abroad in bioanalytical chemistry. in 2011-’12, the second highest number in a single year since the program started in AWARDS n A $1.5 million grant from the 1946. National Institutes of Health will allow Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little Law and engineering honor medicinal chemistry researchers at KU hailed the news as “an outstanding distinguished alumni to develop new chemical compounds to recognition of the world-class teaching help people overcome drug addiction. and research that happens every day at the T U ’ profes- The five-year grant will fund further University of Kansas. These faculty sional schools recently bestowed their work on five classes of molecules members will share their expertise with highest honors for graduates, handing out developed and improved by research the international community and return distinguished alumni awards to five teams at the Specialized Chemistry to KU with an even greater knowledge Jayhawks in May. Center and the Center of Excellence in base in their respective disciplines.” The School of Engineering recognized Chemical Methodologies and Library Eleven KU students won Fulbrights to Frank Gordon, Allyn Risley and Scott Development led by Je Aubé, profes- conduct academic work abroad during the Smith for outstanding contributions to sor of medicinal chemistry. The coming academic year. That’s the most the engineering profession and society. molecules show promise for treating selected for the prestigious program since Gordon, e’67, DE’71, spent 38 years in the addiction to drugs such as cocaine and 1975. civilian ranks of the Navy as a mechanical heroin. The Fulbright program, sponsored by engineer. Risley, e’72, worked for 32 years the U.S. Department of State, funds at ConocoPhillips as a petroleum engi- teaching and scholarship exchanges to neer. Smith, g’81, is director of strategic encourage mutual understanding between initiatives for HNTB, which he joined n Emily Mangus, a third-year doctoral the United States and other countries. after earning his master’s in civil engineer- student in bioengineering, won a KU will welcome 13 new international ing at KU. three-year, $90,000 graduate research Fulbright scholars to campus this The School of Law honored James fellowship from the National Science fall: eight degree-seeking students, two Concannon and Jack Dalton for exem- Foundation to conduct research on liver graduate student researchers, two faculty plary service to the legal profession and regeneration. Mangus is looking at scholars and one foreign language their communities. Concannon, c’68, l’71, ways to use an injectable colloidal gel teaching assistant. About 20 Fulbrights is distinguished professor of law at the that helps a damaged liver regenerate from last year will return for their second Washburn University School of Law and itself. The flexible gel is thought to be year at KU. served as law dean for 13 years. Dalton, superior to current sti regenerative “We send and we receive,” says c’51, l’53, has practiced law in western materials, and it could develop into an Hodgie Bricke, g’72, assistant vice provost Kansas for 40 years and was twice honored important bridge treatment for people for international programs. “It’s all about for outstanding service by the Kansas Bar awaiting a liver transplant. mutual understanding.” Association.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 13 Sports by Chris Lazzarino
at Drake University, overtaking front-run- Junior team that will compete in late July Diamond shines ning Dixon, who finished third. “My plan at the Pan American Junior Games in Freshman Dixon sports was to get out fast, and if anyone caught me south Florida. I wanted to react fast and move with them,” While hoping to also qualify for the a bejeweled name, but Dixon said. “I kind of freaked myself out World University Games, Aug. 11-23 in on the track she’s all about gold when Jessica got in front of me and didn’t China, Dixon can still find time to react the way I was supposed to do, but in consider the treasure chest of precious rack fans yearning to identify KU’s the end I still had a good result, so I am medals won in her first collegiate season: Tnext breakout star need to remember pleased.” Big 12 and USA Junior champion, indoor the name, but the task isn’t all that Two weeks after the NCAA meet, Dixon and outdoor All-American, and third at difficult. The sparklingly alliterative won the 400 at the USA Junior Champion- the NCAA. “Diamond Dixon” is memorable on its ships at Oregon’s legendary Hayward Field. “I really do have my sights set on some own merits; add in the headlines she’s sure The victory landed Dixon on the U.S. records,” Dixon says. “I didn’t think I to garner in coming years, and would run this fast my first year, so I am it seems certain the freshman really proud of myself. I still have a lot to sprinter from El Paso, Texas, improve on so I am looking forward to will be impossible to forget. the future.” JEFF JACOBSEN After winning the 400-meter sprint at the Kansas Relays, Dixon out-dueled Texas A&M’s three-time conference The long road champion Jessica Beard to win the event at the Big 12 Out- Football, hoops schedules get door Championships May 19 tougher in new Big 12 alignment in Irving, Texas. Beard, a senior who already had won three erennial powerhouse Nebraska and NCAA silver medals and Pusually good Colorado are gone from would go on to win 400-meter the Big 12, but don’t think for a second gold at the NCAA Outdoor that football schedules got any lighter. Championships, held the lead Everybody now plays everybody in the with 100 meters remaining; new, 10-team Big 12, so nobody gets to that’s when Dixon flew past to avoid the likes of Oklahoma and Texas, as win in 51.55 seconds, a KU was the case when schools played all five record and, to that point in the opponents in their division but only three season, the NCAA’s best. from the other division. For beating Beard to win Commissioner Dan Beebe dismissed conference gold, Dixon was critics, including a league coach or two, named Big 12 track and field’s who griped that nine-game conference Outstanding Freshman of the schedules meant fewer Big 12 teams would Year, an honor won last year by be bowl eligible, telling ESPN.com that the KU thrower Mason Finley. nine-game league schedule is here to stay. “There are a lot of really “It is going to be tough,” Beebe said. “It’s great freshmen in the Big 12 going to be a real challenge for the coaches this season so she should feel to get through this kind of gauntlet.” extremely honored,” coach Men’s basketball also moves to a true Stanley Redwine said. “We are round robin schedule, with all 10 confer- very proud of her.” ence teams playing each other twice. That Beard won revenge three means every team will play 18 league weeks later at the NCAA meet Dixon games, up from 16. While the change
14 | KANSAS ALUMNI might sound subtle, coaches are nervous about its consequences. “I don’t think any coach is excited about it,” says KU’s Bill Self. “We’d much rather “I really do have my sights set on some records.” play 16 and play two more non-league games, but the reality is, we’re going to —Diamond Dixon crown a true champion.” Self argues that the best thing about the {}
18-game, round robin schedule is that fans country where you have such big crowds STEVE PUPPE STEVE across the league will see every Big 12 team in so many different places. It’s exciting for every year, adding electricity to rivalries the fans, and very exciting for the student- that never quite sparked as had been athletes. It’s going to keep us coaches up a hoped. little bit longer at night, but overall “Playing Texas every other year in our definitely a positive. We’re going to get a field house or in Austin, I don’t think that true champion, which is great.” created the rivalry that should exist Says Texas Tech’s Billy Gillispie, “It’s got between us two schools, to be honest,” Self to be the toughest conference in the said. “That’s what it’s going to do the most country, no question, because of the round for, the fans. As far as our league, we’ll robin. That’s going to make it a bear. It have records similar to the Big East already was a bear, and that’s going to because we’re going to beat up on each make it even tougher.” other more. Nine road games as opposed KU football opens its Big 12 season with Men’s basketball coach Bill Self anticipates a to eight ... people may not think it’s a big Homecoming, Oct. 1 vs. Texas Tech, after tougher brand of basketball this season, with difference, but it is.” three—rather than the usual four—non- every Big 12 team playing all conference Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford also conference games: McNeese State Sept. 3, opponents at home and away. pointed to the difficulties of Big 12 travel: Northern Illinois Sept. 10, and at Georgia “I don’t know if there’s any league in the Tech Sept. 17.
UPDATES
Guard Danielle McCray lost her senior KU season when she tore a knee our program back to where we need to be,” said ligament during practice Feb. 4, 2010. Associate Athletics Director Sean Lester. ... The Her college career could not have ended second-annual “Dr. Bob Run,” benefiting the any worse, but McCray’s WNBA career scholarship established in memory of former could hardly have started any better. athletics director Bob Frederick, d’62, g’64, EdD’84, After more than year of rehabilitation and is set for Sept. 17 at Rim Rock Farm. Register at playing in Israel, McCray on June 4 IMAGES SUN/NBAE/GETTY CONNECTICUT COURTESY sportkc.org/drbobrun. ... Defensive coordinator Carl debuted with 14 points, two assists and a Torbush, one of coach Turner Gill’s first hires at KU, steal in 14 minutes for the Connecticut resigned in May after being diagnosed with prostate Sun, which in 2010 drafted McCray, c’10, cancer. Gill promoted cornerbacks coach Vic Shealy No. 7 overall despite her injury. “It was a to coordinator and defensive line coach Buddy blessing to still get drafted while being Wyatt to co-defensive coordinator. When the news McCray hurt,” she says. “I did take a longer route, was announced May 31, it was reported that Torbush but it has taught me to not take anything for granted.”... would soon undergo surgery and that he expects a full recovery. ... Former shortstop Ritchie Price, c’08, a starter from 2003-’06 Former guard Greg Gurley, b’96, is the new director of and two-year captain, was named an assistant coach by his father, development for the Williams Education Fund. ... Sophomore coach Ritch Price. The younger Price was 102-71 in three years as Meghan Potee on June 28 won the Indiana Women’s Golf Open, head coach at South Dakota State. “We expect him to help us get topping a pair of pros by two shots.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 15 Moments in Time
Deeply personal memories unify the KU experience
n February 2010, Sue Watson, then chair of our chem, we wondered national Board of Directors, opened a meeting by if we’d meet that asking others to share a story about something of certain special some- importance from their student days: a teacher who one, we endured the inspired,I a stranger who became a friend, a fl eeting biannual crucible of fi nals, choice that altered destinies. we celebrated with juvenile I was instantly riveted, and I couldn’t have been more enthusiasm after walking down the Hill, we treasured surprised. Personal anecdotes, while invariably charm- that majestic professor who thundered wisdom. ing, almost always lack the hook that catches a journal- I left that meeting thankful for Sue Watson’s insight ist’s ear. Not only are the facts fuzzy—at best—but bland into the power of story, and suggested to Editor Jennifer stories about the good old days, my own included, tend Sanner that we invite readers to share exactly as had the to run together and quickly become a bore. Board of Directors. Or so I thought. We did, and this is the result. Nobody spoke on the record, and I wasn’t listening on The stories we heard that day and have read since are the record, so I won’t share details, but details aren’t all the evidence we need to know with certainty that the what matter right now. The stories were important heart of the college experience—our college experi- because of the dominant theme: Everybody had made ence—is that fl ash of clarity, a tweak of the soul, a their way to KU, KU had changed their lives, and they moment in time that made all the difference. were thankful. —Chris Lazzarino When you hear or read a string of KU stories, a certain pattern emerges. We begin to see that the spokes Editor’s note: Our call for submissions exceeded our eventually form a wheel. Our wheel. A unity arises, and hopes—and plans. Every letter was received with heartfelt thanks, but not all could be published; most that do appear we’re reminded that we’re all in this together because we were edited for length. If these personal passages inspire have been from the start. others to share their own stories, we’ll gladly continue to We were all scared freshmen wondering whether our collect submissions and consider creating an online, and new roommate would be someone to trust or avoid. We ongoing, “Moments in Time.” Our postal and email were all stressed about English or calculus or organic addresses are in the masthead box on p. 3.
16 | KANSAS ALUMNI Moments in Time
graduated from KU’s School of last year with two children while my and said the words I will never forget: IEducation in June of 1962—only 10 husband was stationed in Korea. “About time you got here!” years after I enrolled in the fall of 1952, a My faculty adviser, Dr. Oscar Haugh, He knew that 95 percent of the class were very scared freshman from Liberal. In the was wonderful when I returned after returning veterans, electronic technicians spring of that year I had said, with a having told him I was fed up with college from the Korean War who could design an bravado I didn’t feel, to my high-school and was never coming back! amplifier with their eyes closed. He spent locker mate, a KU legacy and already I received my diploma by mail while the next few days one-on-one with me, enrolled, “Oh, I might just go to KU.” living at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, with three helping me to catch up with the veterans. Her response was, “Oh Mona, you children. After 20 years as an Army wife He later steered me to Bell Telephone wouldn’t last a week at KU.” and traveling all over the world, the best Laboratories, where he had spent a summer No one in my immediate family had thing I ever did was go to KU. and I enjoyed a 33-year career. ever gone to college but her response By the way, my high school locker mate simply galvanized me. I went home and dropped out the first semester and never Richard Hinderliter, e’58 told my mother, “I’m going to go to KU.” returned. Gladstone, Mo. She was stunned but explained that we Mona Sealey McCoy, d’62 couldn’t afford it. I told her not to worry; Woodward, Okla. I’d take care of all the details. eing not too interested in physics That day I wrote a letter to KU telling Bbut needing it to apply for medical them I wanted to go to school there but s I started at KU in 1954, my high school, my hopes were not high for needed to work. Could they help me? They Aschool courses allowed me to quiz out the experience. did. They got me a job as a waitress in of college algebra and trigonometry and I That said, Professor Dan Ling exceeded Corbin Hall that paid for my board. I began with Calculus I. An unexpected my wildest hopes. My favorite memory of worked all summer and used money I had benefit was that this gave me the prerequi- the class is Dr. Ling drawing balls all over earned from 4-H projects raising and sites to start my electrical engineering the blackboard and showing them striking selling beef cattle. courses a semester early. each other while losing energy and gaining I worked for two years in Corbin, the When I entered “Electronics 101,” we from another strike. second year as a head waitress. I was also were immediately given an RCA tube He got more and more excited with each an agent for collections for the Indepen- manual and told to design a three-stage hit and finally turned exuberantly to the dent Dry Cleaners. I never had a student amplifier with some specified characteris- class and exclaimed triumphantly, “And the loan. My third year I lived in a private tics. Having never seen a vacuum tube, I beauty of it is, ENERGY IS CONSERVED!” home and did babysitting, housekeeping was more than completely lost. Even my I wanted to stand up and clap and cheer. and typing. Theta Tau engineering brothers could not What a teacher! I got a little off track and married in the rescue me. spring of 1955 to another KU grad, Guy After two or three days, I went to see the Nancy Holmes, c’72, St. Louis McCoy, who graduated that year. I never instructor, Ed Jordan. gave up on my education and finished my As I walked into his office, Ed grinned
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 17 U Professor of Oriental Languages I was nervous ov. 22, 1984. I lay bleeding in Kand Literature Grace Wan was my about accom- Nthe middle of the highway on fi rst-grade teacher. Not actually, but plishing everything the north shore of O’ahu; my wife lay walking into her elementary Mandarin I hoped because while nearly unconscious 60 feet away in the class in Wescoe Hall in 1975 was just like I loved the play, it was ditch. I called out for my 7-year-old son going back to grade school. I was a complex and stylistically and two daughters. Someone leaned over 21-year-old sophomore who thought challenging. me and told me they were all right. I studying Mandarin would be cool. We all had a great time creating the strained to look back over my shoulder at Professor Wan introduced herself as show, and audiences seemed to enjoy it. my wife. I called to her and she weakly “Wan Syaujye,” or Miss Wan. Immediately But I was feeling unsure about how waved a hand to acknowledge. we found preconceived notions about successful I had been. Then, after one At least we were all alive. Chinese women being meek and mild performance, I was stopped by Dr. William November 22nd was not only my were wrong. Miss Wan was like a Marine Kuhlke, one of the most respected theatre birthday, but that year also happened to be drill sergeant. We cowered in fear of being faculty members. His regard for the show, Thanksgiving Day. We had stayed the personally interrogated on the daily lesson. and for my work, was intensely enthusias- previous night in a hotel on the north And it was daily. tic and unmistakably genuine. shore and were driving back home to Miss Wan’s attention to detail, persis- He told me, “It was marvelous—and so Kailua on the windward side. We decided tence and rigorous instruction are values hard to do! How in the world did you to stop at an area called Chun’s Reef. that have stayed with me over the years manage it? What techniques did you use?” We parked on the mountain side of the even as my rarely used Mandarin skills I stammered out an answer or two, but highway. Our two daughters remained in have faded. mostly I left the exchange overwhelmed the car while my wife and I and our son that a professor who knew so much more started across the highway to the beach Doug Hill, c’77 than I did was asking me about how I had side. One car stopped to let us cross, and Norman, Okla. accomplished something successful our son darted to the other side. We artistically. started to follow when a second car In that moment, I began truly regarding decided to pass the stopped car, striking n the fall of 1981, I was selected to myself as a director, and that moment of both of us. Idirect the 1929 American comedy confi dence—created by a generous My wife sustained severe internal “Holiday” to open the KU Theatre season professor—has resonated with me often, injuries: broken pelvis, burst colon and in the William Inge Theatre; it would be especially now when I am praising spleen, and several facial lacerations. I my master’s thesis production in theatre. excellent theatre work by my own students incurred heavy orthopedic damage to the I had an excellent cast of student actors [at Texas Christian University]. left leg. The right foot was badly crushed. and a talented team of designers, but a My wife recovered fully within several short rehearsal period—only three-and- Harry B. Parker, g’83, PhD’92 months. a-half weeks from fi rst read-through to Fort Worth, Texas I have to admit there was a point when I opening night. didn’t know whether I would ever walk
18 | KANSAS ALUMNI again. I spent months in the hospital thought it was going to be. I realized that I students waiting to enter. Hoch was followed by several years of surgeries and was spared being turned into a paraplegic packed; I was lucky to be inside. Hundreds rehabilitation. I had been a daily runner, or, worse, a quadriplegic. lingered outside, listening. but the accident put an end to that Most important, over time Dr. Wright’s Hoch was charged. Signs for black pride endeavor. words made me realize what was possible were complemented by Catholic unity and At first, I rejected my foot. I refused to with a disability, that if I could not world-peace banners. A gospel choir sang look at it or acknowledge it. I was bitter conquer it, I could at least deal with it and hymns. I had never experienced anything and relived the moment of the impact overcome whatever disadvantages it like it. time and again, mostly during what I call presents. I still cannot run, but I walk I’d always believed that the Klan was “day flashes.” I longed to turn back time without any semblance of a limp. horribly wrong, but had never seen or and reverse the damage. I became severely [Dr. Wright was] a KU professor who I listened to a Klansman. And here was the clinically depressed and was placed on can honestly say, without hyperbole, great KU lesson before me: Expose various medications. played a major role in saving my life—a yourself and ponder. Listen to your One day, months after the accident, brilliant, kind woman of eminent grace opponents and give them fair trial. You while laying in a hospital bed in my lanai who was such a tremendous asset to KU, will either be persuaded or you will fully at home, I reached over to the bookcase and whom I was blessed and honored to understand who they are. next to my bed and pulled out a copy of have a part of my life. For the first time in my life I was witness one of my undergraduate texts. The title of I am a better person in to ignorance, shallowness and spite. the book was Physical Disability: A countless ways. Afterward, we exited the auditorium to Psychosocial Approach, by Professor Wescoe Beach, which was filled with Beatrice A. Wright. James W. Tharp, c’65, l’68 Over the years I had carried this Kaneohe, Hawaii textbook and a number of others all the way from Kansas to Hawai’i via points between, but I hadn’t opened it once since crystal-clear hinge taking Dr. Wright’s class. Something drew Apoint for me was me to it that day as I lay there feeling when I attended a Ku Klux deeply sorry for myself. Klan panel at Hoch Audito- I began to read through it, focusing on rium in 1986. Originally designed the portions dealing with coping. Reading as an assignment to interview those particular passages again and again controversial figures for a journalism class, made me finally realize many things, the event was being protested by many including that mine was not the first nor campus and community organizations. In the worst case of disability ever suffered, the end, it was opened to the entire nor would it be the last. I realized that I student body. was lucky to have my life, as restricted as I I arrived early to find hundreds of those who did not get in. “Man in the the real world. He pushed me out the of the semester, Professor McNair cap- Mirror” by Michael Jackson was blaring. door, and the experience helped build the tured my interest and enthusiasm by the There was no violence. backbone that I needed. clarity of her presentation and the depth Rather, knowing glances were This was how I learned the skill and of knowledge she imparted. exchanged. We’d gotten the lesson. gathered the nerve to ask questions of a She did not display the fabled charisma mother whose son had drowned. Or the or eccentricity for which some professors Jodi Breckenridge Petit, d’90, g’93, PhD’98 persistence required to pry information were renowned; rather, she simply and Fort Leavenworth from a police chief or public offi cial who understandably explained the elaborate told me to get lost. Telfel brought me as processes of nature. In lucid terms she close to real-time reporting as could be traced the structures and functions of hen I entered KU in 1954 my goal done in a classroom environment. mammalian systems, revealing how they Wabove all others was to work full In terms of lasting images of the Telfel are interdependent and adjust to compen- time on a newspaper. Once in the journal- infl uence, I remember that everyone in the sate for defects or disabilities in each other. ism school, I learned the painful truth: I newsroom worked in view of a posted Because of what I was learning from knew next to nothing about that calling. sign: “Accuracy, Brevity, Clarity.” Those Professor McNair, I found myself, outside It was not until I took Reporting II, the were words for a lifetime. of class or studies, marveling at the advanced reporting class, that my interest, To this day, long after my time on “engineering” of biology, and wondering energy and naiveté met up with the man newspapers, I thank my lucky stars for about the complexity of nature. During who made me a reporter: Emil Telfel, Emil Telfel. private periods of thought I began professor of journalism, University Daily questioning myself about the intricacy and Kansan adviser, and resident taskmaster. Bob Hartley, j’58 wonder of it. Telfel had all the right credentials to Westminster, Colo. I was profoundly infl uenced, then and teach reporting. He had worked on since in my life, by more than just the facts newspapers as reporter and editor, so he of biology. I discovered and have main- knew what it took and how it should be ducation in public schools in eight tained factual, philosophic and analytic done. A wiry little guy with a crooked Ecities, plus seven years at KU, pro- curiosity about many matters, for which I pixie grin, something of an evil eye, and a vided me the benefi ts of a multitude of have always recognized the inspiration commanding voice, he left his mark on fi ne educators. Among them all, Professor from her teaching. It has surfaced repeat- news copy in red ink from a pen he Ruth McNair at KU was the teacher who, edly in my private life and in my practice wielded like a scepter. His comments on in the fall of 1953, provided my most of law. copy could carry a bite, but rarely failed to memorable and life-changing academic Ruth McNair exemplifi ed the purpose point out how the work could be experience. The means was basic biology and value of a liberal arts education. improved. class. Teaching biology was her vehicle to instill To put students on the street for Although I had enjoyed the subject in a quest for understanding of life. reporting experience, Telfel assigned high school, I had no expectation of any stories in Lawrence, where I encountered particular impact. Yet from the beginning Terry N. Fiske, c’55, l’60 Castle Rock, Colo.
20 | KANSAS ALUMNI When I was class session, Professor Price excused 16 years old I left. everyone else, but asked me to stay behind. Alone. For Kansas. He had a beautiful male voice, and the n the 1940s when the power plant My fi rst airplane trip. From LaGuardia most gentle manner. Iwhistle blew, I and other students to Kansas City, on a huge TWA Constella- He said there is an unfairness in this crowded the sidewalks, changing classes. I tion. It was 1959. It was my freshman course, in that it is based on middle- was by the statue of Uncle Jimmy Green year at KU. American speech. For me, it was like when I became aware that one student, After some false starts in my educa- taking a French course in France, where unknown to me, had his eyes fi xed on me tion—calculus and analytical geometry everyone else spoke French fl uently. as we approached one another. and chemistry—I found my niche at KU. He apologized for the unfairness, but He stopped and asked, “Do I look I began to pursue a major in Radio-TV- emphasized there was nothing he could strange to you?” I replied, “No.” Film. One of my fi rst courses was Radio do about it. He was wearing a mix of GI and civilian Announcing, with Professor Glenn Price. He did all he could to persuade me to clothing, like the student with Uncle I can still see the fi rst day of class in my drop the course. And then, in the voice of Jimmy Green—like half of us students mind’s eye. It was held in the basement of KANU-FM radio, that voice of calm and receiving a government check. With tears Hoch Auditorium. At the end of the fi rst reason, the upscale voice of the University, in his eyes he said that he had just come he offered an alternative. from a class in which the instructor He said if I insisted on sticking with the had told him he was “a disgrace to the announcing course, he would give me all University. You should wear appropriate his time, not just his spare time, and all his campus clothing.” attention. He would work with me as I replied, “Forget the comment.” much as I wanted. He would do whatever Obviously the instructor had not he could for me, on a one-on-one basis. experienced the diffi culty of buying a new There was something in Professor wardrobe on the limited income of a basic Price’s manner. Something Kansan. government program. Something very not Brooklyn. Boy, did I work! And, boy did I eat up Paul C. Redmond, c’50 Price’s time. His time, his expertise, his Oakhurst, Calif. energy. But he never wavered. And the more he gave me, the harder I tried. I listened carefully to everything I said was born in Brooklyn. I was raised in and how I said it. The tempo of my speech Ithe Coney Island section. No, not in the changed. I slowed down. My speech amusement park. In fact, over a mile away, became rounder, smoother. in a small, gated, almost totally Jewish I started to feel really good about myself. neighborhood called Sea Gate. I started to feel really good about Professor
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 21 Price. This was so much more than enrolled at KU in the fall of 1939. I complete charge of the class. For many, announcing. This was caring. This was a Iwas 17 years old with an ambition to economics has a reputation as a dull, form of pedagogical love. This was giving. become a lawyer. I planned to major in hard-to-understand subject. This proved history. My assigned pre-law adviser to be false. I decided I could fi t in with the Marty Dick, j’63 promptly ordered me to plan on taking 10 upperclass business students and pass Key Largo, Fla. hours of Latin. I was shocked but felt that the course. I must take his advice. I reluctantly Near the end of the semester, Dr. continued the Latin for the second Robertson arranged a class fi eld trip to [an n alcoholic counselor who locked semester. I was anxious to fi nd an interest- automobile] assembly plant in Kansas Ahimself in his offi ce every afternoon. ing history course for the beginning of my City. I had never before observed men and No help there. An engineering professor history major. Without much thought or women working on an assembly line. The who used students to do survey work, advice from my adviser I chose a course work is hard, dull, repetitive and noisy. unpaid, for his sideline engineering titled “Economic History.” The building was huge, hot and business while he taught “Professional The fi rst day of my history class was unattractive. Ethics.” almost as scary as the fi rst day of Latin. I But fi nally a political science teacher quickly realized that almost all of the who took a fi fth-year senior and taught students were either juniors or seniors. I more about the University and the world was the only freshman. Furthermore, there than I got anyplace else. were only a few history majors; most of As a freshman I had mono and was in the students were from the School of the hospital the week the class learned Business, majoring in fi nance, marketing about the library. I used the engineering or management. I was ready to walk out of library in Marvin Hall, never the “Big the class. Library.” That fi nal year, when I was to When Professor Ross Robertson arrived, research and write a paper, that caring I immediately changed my mind. Dr. teacher taught me. Robertson was young, tall and handsome. To him: Thank you. Somehow I He was intelligent, witty and fun. He took survived the fi rst two, was a successful engineer for 40 years, and married a librarian.
Alan F. Deaver, e’61 Cape Coral, Fla.
22 | KANSAS ALUMNI Photographs: Steve Puppe, Earl Richardson, Jamie Roper, University Relations and Spencer Research Library
During our visit, an elderly line worker By 8 Monday morning I I learn with him had a sudden need to visit a restroom. He was at my job typing for the and from other rang a bell, asking for help. Help was slow department of sociology. While students’ questions in arriving. We were told that shutting I went to my classes in the and insights. A living down the line was a no-no, except for an afternoon, news broke that the war dialogue grows, rich and extreme emergency. This event remained had really ended. That is how I missed dynamic. In class, I’m on my on my mind for the rest of the day. Factory one of the great scoops of our time. tiptoes, but some days I need pitons and workers were paid well for their work, but Men were back on the campus for the climbing ropes to reach the panorama he I went back to the campus realizing that I spring semester 1946, and the era of the GI clearly sees. should work hard and forget about Bill had begun. Alone, I work on the stories, reading dropping out of school. them, lining my paperback with notes. I was almost through with my 10 hours Alamada Bollier Barrett, c’47 Writing essays, I discover the freedom I’ve of Latin. My future looked good. Little Van Nuys, Calif. needed—I’m not forced to echo a frozen did I realize that Pearl Harbor was not interpretation. Developing ideas, I scaffold far away. them with reasons, using incidents from utumn light pours through Summer- the text. Finally, I get closer—like coming Dwayne L. Oglesby, c’47, g’51, l’53 Afi eld’s glass walls, warming the air. I’m home—to ideas and feelings I recognize Wichita dreading the English 3 class—a sopho- and can understand, so it feels good to more requirement. The classroom waits write about them. on the fourth fl oor; I take the stairs. All this surprises me. I never knew I ne Saturday night in November 1945 I enter, fi nding a hard plastic desk in the could think this way—within the bounds Ojournalism Professor Elmer Beth middle. He writes on the board with chalk: of others’ narratives—but using my own picked up Billie Hamilton and me, “James Hoggard.” An instructor, he is tall, ideas, too. We read together Frank University Daily Kansan staff members, young, and speaks with a Southern accent. O’Connor, Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzger- and took us to the newsroom in The After introductions, he vividly describes ald’s The Great Gatsby. Shack, east of Watson Library. Ireland—its topography, climate, a rich It becomes vital to understand what The teletype was chattering about peace and complex culture. I imagine a stony we’re reading. Sometimes, I stay after class being declared in World War II. Type from green island, with rising wind and rain to talk. Then we walk south on Naismith the latest edition was still standing on the and crashing seas against high cliffs. An in the slanting light. He turns to Stouffer press in the basement. I would take down occupied country, too. This is the back- Place, then I walk on. He loves writing and President Truman’s speech in shorthand ground for the fi rst exploration. is a strong creative writer. He thinks and we would get out an extra. His probing questions about the Kansas is medieval and I smile, then laugh. But by bedtime it had become evident Irish short story draw me in quickly. We’re getting to know each other. that the historic news was premature. We He wants us to participate, expects us to listened to our radios all Sunday without engage. Good, it won’t be just another Stephen P. Foster, d’71, l’74, Ozawkie further news of a victory. lecture course.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 23 [C - Kelly Kindscher and Barbara Timmermann of KU’s Native Medicinal Plant Research Program ]
Prescription: Prairie
24 | KANSAS ALUMNI Searching for new drugs and health supplements, KU researchers take a fresh look at old medicine—the native plants of the Great Plains.
he 80-odd souls huddled under a canopy at KU’s Native Medicinal Plant Research Garden are looking for something that’s in short supply on this patch of prime TKansas River bottomland: shade. Open fi elds separate the river from the rumpled hills north of Lawrence, and the rich topsoil deposited by centu- ries of fl ooding is what soil scientists call Class I. This was Kansa Indian land, and the riparian bands of forest that once shadowed the riverbanks two miles south and west may have extended this far into the prairie at one time, but the cropland swells that roll toward every horizon now grow mostly corn and beans. Hours earlier, a thunderstorm packing 70-mile-per-hour winds strafed the county, felling trees and cutting power. But as a Saturday tour gets underway, skies are clear and the June sun already, at 10 in the morning, burns black-skillet hot. “Around 3 a.m. I thought we might not be doing this,” Kelly Kindscher tells the crowd, who’ve come to learn about the 25 species of native plants that Kindscher, senior scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey, and his colleagues are growing here on KU Field Station land near the Lawrence airport. “I thought we might get out here and fi nd everything fl attened. But prairie plants are tough.” Tough indeed. Blazing sun and bitter cold; too much rain and too little; high winds; grazing herbivores and nibbling insects; microbes, bacteria, fungi; wildfi res and ice storms—these are but a few of the threats prairie plants must cope with. It’s not easy being green. Plants survive these hardships, Kindscher explains, without the benefi t of a strategy employed by nearly all other life forms—mobility. “Plants can’t run,” he says. Tall boneset and purple conefl ower and butterfl y milkweed can’t dodge bison or bugs, can’t Prescription: Prairie move to shade or seek high ground in a fl ood. They BY STEVEN HILL have to stand and fi ght.
| STEVE PUPPE STEVE ISSUE 4, 2011 25 QUINN LONG
To cope, they arm themselves with weapons of their own from the Kansas Bioscience making, which vary from plant to plant. Some species develop “People have been Authority and Heartland Plant structural defenses, spines or burrs or prickles that dissuade using these plants for Innovations, the program targets attackers, or thick skins that store and conserve water. But many plants of the Great Plains region certain ailments, so fight back with a chemical defense of sorts, manufacturing potent used by Native American tribes organic compounds—individual molecules made up of carbon, it’s not at all surprising for medicinal purposes. In hydrogen, oxygen and sometimes nitrogen—that help the plant that we find, chemistry- addition to the labs of the two cope with stresses. principal investigators, the wise, that almost all the “Plants produce hundreds of chemical compounds,” says program enlists researchers at the Barbara Timmermann, University Distinguished Professor and plants Native Americans KU Medical Center in Kansas chair of medicinal chemistry. Primary compounds, which enable historically used for City and the High Throughput the plant to grow and reproduce, are present in large quantities. Screening Lab on West Campus. medicine do have active “But plants also make chemicals in very small amounts that have It is using modern science to peer biological activity,” Timmermann says. These are secondary medicinal constituents.” deep into the chemical structures compounds—so called because scientists once believed they had of plants to discover the com- no function or were of secondary importance. “Today we know pounds responsible for their healing properties and determine they have a very important role in the plant for defense against which might have wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant herbivores and protection against stress.” and even anti-cancer powers that could benefit human health. Some screen out harmful ultraviolet rays, some aid in drought survival and others act as natural pesticides that ward off insects. “They are very biologically active,” Timmermann explains, “and indscher, c’79, PhD’92, grew up in Newton and on his some act pharmacologically.” Which is to say these potent Kfamily’s homestead farm near Guide Rock, Neb., and it was chemical compounds, so valuable as defense mechanisms for the there he first experienced the power of the prairie and the plants plant, can also be powerful weapons for human health. In fact, that would become the core of his academic career. Working on secondary compounds from plants or synthetic compounds his master’s thesis at KU, he spent time on the Rosebud Indian modeled on plant molecules are the source of 25 percent of the Reservation in South Dakota, learning from the Lakota Sioux prescription medication dispensed in the U.S. today, Timmer- about their medicinal use of prairie plants; that work developed mann says. into his second book, Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie—An Understanding these health benefits and working to develop Ethnobotanical Guide, in 1992. An earlier book, Edible Wild Plants products such as herbal remedies, food additives, pet foods and of the Prairie—An Ethnobotanical Guide, appeared in 1987. pharmaceutical drugs are the focus of the Native Medicinal Plant Ethnobotany—the study of a people’s traditional knowledge Research Program, a collaboration between Timmermann’s and customs in the use of plants—offers a kind of head start for Natural Products Chemistry Laboratory and Kindscher’s botany Kindscher and Timmermann in their hunt for medicinally useful lab. Launched two years ago with a five-year, $5-million grant species. By focusing on plants traditionally used by American
26 | KANSAS ALUMNI [ E , purple coneflower ] STEVE PUPPE STEVE HILLARY LORING HILLARY
Kirsten Bosnak, Hillary Loring and Maria Pontes Ferriera collect Fremont’s goosefoot (Chenopodium fremontii) in Nebraska’s Oglala National Grassland. Quinn Long hoists a bush morning glory (Ipomoea leptophylla) at the end of an hourlong dig.
Indians for healing, they are essentially drawing on results honed mapping and other high-tech tools inform their searches, they by centuries of trial and error. still rely on a plant press, newspapers and stiff herbarium sheets “You already have human tests, in a way, just not quantifiable,” to preserve samples, a traditional technique akin to pressing Kindscher says. “People have been using these plants for certain flowers between the pages of a book. ailments, so it’s not at all surprising that we find, chemistry-wise, Results from High Throughput Screening generate what that almost all the plants Native Americans historically used for Timmermann calls “heat maps,” which point to specific areas of medicine do have active medicinal constituents.” biological activity—antioxidant capability, say, or cancer-fighting Kindscher and his botany team are compiling an ethnobotani- potential—that demand further study. As the chemists drill cal database that catalogs more than 1,000 plants used medici- deeper and deeper into the plant, hoping to isolate at the molecu- nally by 256 tribes, and they spend their summers crisscrossing lar level a single chemical compound responsible for its health the Great Plains, searching for plants in that database that show benefit, the botanists begin scrutinizing the plant’s taxonomy—its promise for human health. During the first year alone, field family tree—to see what other close relatives might be sources of collections gathered more than 200 plants native to Kansas and the coveted compound, adding these plants to their target list. the Great Plains. Roots, stems, leaves and fruits are dried in the And with that, the biological treasure hunt, the search for a field or back at Kansas Biological Survey on West Campus, an native-plant source of healing balm, begins anew. exacting process that must be carefully controlled to preserve specimens and maintain accurate data. Samples of each species are carefully archived in KU’s McGregor Herbarium, but the bulk o get the necessary kilo of biomass to present to the chemists, of the dried plant material is ground (to a coarse consistency Tbotanists must gather about 20 pounds of plant material. similar to the dried oregano in your spice rack) and bagged. A Each trip collects as many plants as possible, which creates “a lot 1-kilo sample is sent to Timmermann’s lab, and there chemists of volume,” Kindscher notes—and some interesting situations on apply solvents to this biomass to get a crude extract, a “goop” of the road. hundreds of chemicals that can be separated further using various “We’ll be drying plants in some hotel room, with the Do Not other solvents to break the chemical soup into smaller samples. Disturb sign up, and a maid comes in and then we have to talk to These smaller samples, each with a different chemical makeup, someone about that ‘herb’ we’re drying,” Kindscher grins. “It are called fractions, and those showing promise are sent to High hasn’t happened, but I can imagine being pulled over on I-70 and Throughput Screening to undergo more specialized tests. having to admit there’s several kilos of herb in the back of the “Some of the assays they use are very novel; they’ve just been truck. Clearly it’s not illegal, but it’s unusual.” invented,” says Rob Gallagher, a research technician in Timmer- Volume is also a problem for the chemists. As in, too little. mann’s lab who coordinates the testing at High Throughput “Many secondary compounds are produced in very, very small Screening. “They have some absolutely amazing instrumentation, quantities,” Barbara Timmermann explains. “Some as low as robotics and such. It’s like science fiction.” Techniques employed .0004 percent in the plant.” by Kindscher, botanist Quinn Long, PhD’11, and other collectors To get a significant amount of such a compound would require in the field, on the other hand, are old-school. Though GIS consuming huge quantities of a plant—an impractical and
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 27 KINNEY,-UNIVERSITY RELATIONS (2) RELATIONS KINNEY,-UNIVERSITY DAVID M c DAVID
potentially dangerous gambit because secondary compounds QUINN LONG beneficial to humans sometimes coexist with toxic compounds that aren’t so nice. Thus the importance of isolating the single molecule that delivers health benefits. Single compounds are what pharmaceuti- cal drugs are made of. “When you get down to the single com- pound you can determine the proper dosage and how to deliver it,” Timmermann says. “When you have the compound in a mixture with other compounds, as in dietary supplements, they are very much diluted. They can’t be used to treat a condition, but are more to prevent.” Combinatorial chemistry, a form of synthetic chemistry in which molecules can be created in a short time in the lab, at one time seemed a promising source of secondary compounds, Timmermann notes. “In the 1980s that became the big thing,” she says. “We were going to find new drugs by combinatorial chemis- try, by creating artificial molecules. Pharmaceutical companies stopped working with natural products because combinatorial chemistry was going to solve all the problems. Millions of compounds were produced, but because they didn’t interact with biological systems, they weren’t useful as medicines.” Greg Beverlin, c’11, and Jason Plants, it turns out, are more effective chemists than people are. Hering, c’11, use a high-tech KIM SCHERMAN So effective that even the most state-of-the-art tests can fail to grinder to transform plants unravel the riddles of healing compounds. Researchers still dried at Kansas Biological haven’t figured out which compound generates echinacea’s Survey labs into 1-kilo immune system boost. samples for chemists. Peter “Plants can do things that a chemist just can’t,” Rob Gallagher McDonald at KU’s High says. “Sometimes it’s just a simple thing, a simple change done by Throughput Screening Lab an enzyme, but we look at it and say, ‘Really? How does it do examines plant extracts from that?’” Barbara Timmermann’s lab, And, Gallagher adds, “the compounds that are the most and uses a signal detection interesting are also extremely difficult to synthesize.” So when instrument to measure the chemists succeed in isolating a promising compound, they can’t e¬ect of each plant extract always synthesize it in the lab. (Morphine, for example, cannot be on human cells. synthesized but must be derived from the opium poppy.) When
28 | KANSAS ALUMNI STEVE PUPPE STEVE
[ Monarda fistulosa, beebalm, horsemint or wild bergamot ]
“The ultimate goal of this program for me is to demonstrate that Kansas biodiversity—even Kansas, even the prairie— has great value, historically and today.” —Kelly Kindscher
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 29 KIM SCHERMAN chemists do manage to synthesize compounds, they often get impractically small yields (the volume problem again) that makes the process prohibitively expensive. “Sometimes,” Timmermann says, “it’s much simpler to get what you need directly from the plant.”
The Native Medicinal Plant Research Garden welcomes visitors during o study a plant, you must first find ample populations of daylight hours, hosts open house events and arranges special tours by it—often a difficult task, as Timmermann knows well. T request. Recent tour groups have included KU Mini College participants, Before she came to KU, in 2005, she spent 25 years at the Douglas County master gardeners and (above) KU Continuing Education University of Arizona, where she was a Regents professor and Osher Institute lifelong learners. studied plants in the rainforests and deserts of Latin America and Asia. She built an international reputation as a natural products chemist and worked with the United Nations to foster access to biological resources under the Convention on Biological Diver- found things much faster and more interesting perhaps than in sity. Signed by 150 governments at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the rainforest.” the treaty recognizes the value that biological diversity holds for Early results have been promising indeed. Timmermann’s lab people as a source of medicines, food security and a healthy discovered more than a dozen new molecules, and at least one environment. plant shows promise as a potential cancer fighter. A large food “I’ve had many cases in South America where I would go to company is interested in a plant with antioxidant properties that collect something, and I’d get to the site after traveling half the could be an ingredient in cereal. With academic papers underway, world around and the whole place is chopped down. You can’t invitations to present findings at conferences, and a patent find the plant, can’t complete the work.” application pending, Timmermann and Kindscher won’t discuss Pondering the move to KU, she looked at the academic specifics, but they agree that the pace of discovery has been literature and felt the prairie was under-studied. After meeting unusually rapid. with Kindscher and examining the ethnobotanical history, she Rainforests are routinely touted as great stores of future realized the grasslands of the Great Plains might be a research pharmaceuticals and herbal remedies, but the prairie holds great “gold mine.” promise too. Yet like the rainforest, the prairie is a finite resource “After working for years in exotic places,” Timmermann says, that’s shrinking daily. “I’m working in the prairie, which seems so innocent and Tallgrass prairie once covered 140 million acres in North pretty—little flowers, little plants. And in such a short time I’ve America, but today only 4 percent remains. In the 1850s Douglas
outreach goals for the Native in KU chemistry labs, providing How their gardens grow Medicinal Plant Research comparative data to wild Program, drawing people plants; others produce seeds. he five-acre Native garden, which is part of the KU interested in gardening, the As research progresses, TMedicinal Plant Research Field Station. prairie, land conservation, investigators can grow larger Garden site, at 1865 E. 1600 Open to visitors from dawn herbal medicine and more. quantities of species that Road in Douglas County, hosts to dusk, the site meets “All those people can talk to show particular promise for several gardens, each with a research, education and one another,” Bosnak says. medicinal uses. dierent purpose but a “I see this as a place where common theme. “All are conversations get started.” Demonstration garden: Native projects that honor the land and European medicinal plants one way or another,” says Research plot: 25 native plant (like sweetflag, dogbane, Kirstin Bosnak, g’93, g’11, species, including blue wild rattlesnake master and communications and outreach indigo, butterfly milkweed, mad-dog skullcap) historically director for the Native yarrow, field mint, beebalm included in the U.S. Pharmaco-
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E Medicinal Plant Research V and purple coneflower. Some peia and National Formulary. E
P U Program and manager of the P end up under the microscope Similar species also grow in a P E
[ A , butterfly milkweed ] 30 | KANSAS ALUMNI County alone included 285,000 acres of prairie; by 2005 about Kindscher says. The state’s western reaches seem inhospitable, 1,400 acres were left, mostly in scattered remnants. Secondary barren. But for producing secondary compounds, he notes, you compounds were of course no defense against the steel plows of could hardly ask for a better scenario. settlers, who viewed grasslands much as they viewed the forests Secondary compounds are defense mechanisms, remember, they’d conquered back east: barriers to be removed to make way weapons that plants use to fight for survival. When the environ- for cash-crops. Some of that attitude persists today. mental stress is high—as it is across much of Kansas—plants need “We’re still seeing prairies plowed or houses built on them,” to fight harder, and they produce more of these weapons. The Kindscher says. “I get greatly concerned seeing land use changes. basil in your garden is a tasty example of this concept. And who knows what’s coming down the pike with global “Basil is tender in June, but it will pack more flavor in August,” warming, but that doesn’t sound good, especially for keeping Kindscher says. “It’s secondary compounds that provide that bite, plants where they are on the landscape.” and it takes the stress of summer heat to bring that out.” So while researchers work to find chemical compounds that In fact, plants coddled too much can lose their potency. can improve human health, they also hope to improve the health Farmers growing echinacea for European markets, which value of the region’s native plant communities, by educating the public the coneflower root as an herbal supplement, learned a tough on the true value of the plants around them. They tout the lesson about stress and secondary compounds when they tried potential for healthier lives and a healthier economy these cultivating it on an irrigated, fertilized center-pivot field in discoveries could bring. And they are taking additional work and Kansas. Wild harvest echinacea has been a leading export crop for seeking other funding for the Native Plant Research Program, the state, but the cultivated root failed to meet Europe’s standards. which, as Kansas Alumni went to press, awaited word on a “They were used to wild-harvest,” Kindscher says. “The cultivated possible 50-percent or more cut in its annual grant from the crop had a higher yield but the actual content [of secondary Kansas Bioscience Authority, which researchers attribute to a shift compounds] was lower.” in research priorities at the KBA. Adds Kindscher, “With our climate—a drought-prone land- “The ultimate goal of this program for me is to demonstrate scape that still has great soil and some rain—I think there are that Kansas biodiversity—even Kansas, even the prairie—has more discoveries to be made here.” great value, historically and today,” Kindscher says. Not only do Those discoveries could lead to growth for Kansas companies native grasslands hold important aesthetic and cultural appeal, and jobs for Kansas people, research breakthroughs and spinoff but there’s also economic value in the potential for medicines and technologies for KU, and better health for all. herbal products. “This is an opportunity to look at nature and It may yet turn out that the prairie’s most valuable crop has say, ‘Nature does indeed have value, including the nature right been here all along. around us.’” People driving across Kansas see a flat, dry, boring landscape, For more information visit nativeplants.ku.edu
garden planted by the program independent study project. at the pharmacy building on West Campus. Prairie Moon herb garden: Students at neighboring Prairie KU student farm: Students, Moon Waldorf School get a sta and faculty members sign garden corner to grow culinary up for one of 25 plots in this and medicinal herbs. “It’s vegetable-and-flower garden, educational outreach to the conceived by students for a youngest shoolkids,” Bosnak class project in 2010 and says, “who are right next door launched this spring. and interested and curious.” Natural dye garden: Textiles —S.H. student Neil Goss researches traditional dyes made of coreopsis, sunflower, indigo and other native plants in an
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 31 At 80, renowned fossil hunter is still drawn to Arctic exploration
By Doug McInnis
hen paleontologist Mary Dawson was 70, she paleontology and associate director at the Carnegie Museum. “It’s declared herself done with arduous field trips to a measure of how tough she is. It’s by the sheer force of her the Canadian Arctic. Even so, over the next 10 character, and the force of her intellectual leadership that she years she pulled herself together for five more makes all these great discoveries.” ArcticW ventures. During one of those trips, Dawson and her Leonard Krishtalka, director of KU’s Natural History Museum teammates hit the paleontology jackpot: They discovered an and Biodiversity Institute, says, “Even with a physical condition unknown species. that many would consider incapacitating, she continues her Now 80 and one of America’s premier paleontologists, Dawson, intrepid treks across badlands and rocks in some of the world’s PhD’57, still hasn’t called an end to her most remote places. She has marched across adventures. She is curator emeritus of verte- geologic time—physically and brate paleontology at Pittsburgh’s famed intellectually.” Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and still She keeps in shape by walking her dogs goes into work each day. The job often requires around a 5-acre compound at her home field work in remote and rugged locations that near Pittsburgh. Even so, the Canadian Dawson finds increasingly difficult to negotiate. Arctic is a challenge—particularly sites like “Old paleontologists never die,” says Dawson, Haughton Crater, which was formed by a who is planning to return to the Arctic in 2012. meteorite impact about 20 million years “Their knees just give out.” ago. NASA uses the crater’s rugged rim to Dawson’s knee problems began in 1987 while simulate the Martian surface in training walking a friend’s dog. The dog collided with PA PITTSBURGH, GINA SCANLON, OF ARTIST COURTESTY exercises. her left knee, shattering a bone. When the cast If Dawson’s ATV hadn’t run out of gas on was removed, the joint was stiff and Dawson the 2007 Haughton Crater expedition, she underwent treatments to loosen it up. In the might have missed one of the most impor- process, her femur was broken. tant fossil discoveries of her career. She She underwent knee replacement in 1991. stayed behind with her colleague Liz Ross The operation failed. Today, she can’t bend the while another team member walked to get leg, but manages to walk by swinging it Mary Dawson fuel. As the two killed time, the colleague forward. For a while, she didn’t think she would ever maneuver scuffed the crater floor with her foot and kicked loose a bone well enough for the rugged Canadian Arctic. Then in 2001, she buried just below the surface. had the chance to go again. “I couldn’t resist it,” she says. Four Dawson had studied fossils for more than five decades and is a more trips followed. “If my colleagues are tolerant of the fact that living catalog of things that had already been found. This bone I walk slowly, it works out well,” she says. wasn’t in her catalog. The pair began digging through loose sand, Her perseverance draws high praise from colleagues. “Her work and before long, they had retrieved almost a complete skeleton. in the polar region is heroic,” says Zhe-Xi, curator of vertebrate “By that time, we were pretty close to figuring out what it was,”
32 | KANSAS ALUMNI COURTESTY MARY DAWSON (2) DAWSON MARY COURTESTY
says Dawson. “The animal had been a good swimmer, but also lightly inhabited by Eskimos and The intrepid Mary had the capability to walk on land.” scientific personnel, while Devon Long ago, paleontologists had documented the development of is uninhabited, yet Dawson says Dawson on a recent land-based organisms whose predecessors came from the sea. But fossil records on both islands are expedition to Devon this creature represented the reverse: a mammal species that was threatened by development— Island (above), where shifting from land back to sea. It was a predecessor of today’s seals Haughton Crater by NASA’s and sea lions, which swim very well but maneuver on land only presence and Ellesmere Island by in 2007 she and a with great difficulty using their flippers. The creature constituted lignite mining. colleague discovered both a new species and a new genus, a finding that made interna- The islands’ climate, topogra- the skeleton (opposite, tional news when Dawson and her colleagues reported it in the phy, plants and animals were once prestigious science journal Nature. They named the creature far different. Despite being only a top) of an ancient Puijila darwini in honor of Charles Darwin, the British scientist few hundred miles from the sea-and-land species. who had predicted the existence of these animals more than a North Pole, Ellesmere Island century before. sported a tropical climate 48 to 50 “We might have run across the bones if we hadn’t run out of million years ago. Its plant and wildlife populations included gas,” Dawson says. “But you never know. Paleontology is one of ginkgo trees, alligators, turtles, salamanders and warm-weather things where luck is a component. You have to walk the right mammals, Dawson says. She and her colleagues made news in the place at the right time.” 1970s, when they reported that several of those mammals were But it took more than luck. A paleontologist who hadn’t been strikingly similar to those found in Western Europe during the in the game as long as Dawson might have missed the significance same time period. One was a new species of plant-eating of a single bone in the dirt. “That’s called experience,” she says. mammal, called Coryphodon, which was about the size of a small Dawson was raised in Michigan’s rugged Upper Peninsula, and hippopotamus. Such discoveries suggest that the Canadian North at first planned a career in veterinary medicine. But after gaining and Western Europe were once connected by a land mass that was admission to Michigan State University’s vet school, she had wrenched apart by tectonic forces over millions of years. second thoughts. She loved animals and didn’t want to spend her Piecing together the fossil record of these earlier times has been career treating sick ones. After a yearlong Fulbright Scholarship at Mary Dawson’s life for more than 50 years. At an age when most the University of Edinburgh, she chose Kansas for her doctoral people are long retired, she is still driven by the urge for one more program in paleontology, a specialty that uncovers the past northern trip and the chance for one more big find. through the study of plant and animal fossils. KU had long been “It’s the lure of discovery, the chance to find something that’s prominent in the field, and it offered Dawson the best stipend. never been found before,” she says. “You lean down and you pick Paleontology thrust Dawson into the Arctic. Her primary fossil something up and you realize that no one else has had any idea hunting grounds were Devon Island, site of Haughton Crater, and that it ever existed. That’s something that’s hard to top.” the adjacent Ellesmere Island, best known as the departure point —McInnis is a science and business for Robert Peary’s 1909 North Pole expedition. Today Ellesmere is writer based in Casper, Wyo.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 33 Association
Member and a member of the Presidents Club. For KU Endowment, he is a member STEVE PUPPE STEVE of the Chancellors Club. He has provided scholarship funds and other suppport to the journalism school as a member of the Dean’s Club. He has served as a trustee of the William Allen White Foundation. Sims manages U.S. third party basestock sales for the ExxonMobil Corp. She began her career with Exxon in Houston, where she was a longtime KU volunteer, leading the Association’s Houston Chapter. She served on the national Board of Directors from 1991 to 1993. She is a Life Member and a member of the Presidents Club. Her involvement also continues through KU Endowment as a trustee and a member of the Executive, Development and Campaign Steering committees. She has served as a member of the advisory Major League Baseball team and the board for Women Philanthropists for KU, Dedicated trio NCAA. Clarkson began covering sports as and she is a member of the Chancellors a KU student and went on to a distin- Club. Alumni excel in KU service, guished career that included the Topeka She has helped guide KU through recent continuing the Ellsworth tradition Capital-Journal, The Denver Post, Sports pivotal transitions as a member of the Illustrated and National Geographic. search committees for athletics director hree stalwart Jayhawks will receive American Photo Magazine named him and chancellor. As a student, she was a Tthe Fred Ellsworth Medallion Sept. 9. one of the 50 most influential people in varsity swimmer, and she is a K-Club They are Rich Clarkson, j’55, Denver; American photography. He received the member and donor to the Williams Linda Ellis Sims, e’79, Independence, Mo.; 2007 William Allen White National Educational Fund. and Kurt Watson, d’75, Wichita. Citation from the KU School of Journal- For the School of Engineering, she is Since 1975, the Association has pre- ism; that year he also was inducted into immediate past chair of the School of sented medallions each year to KU the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. Engineering advisory board; she also volunteers who have displayed outstand- For the Association, Clarkson is a Life served on the Chemical and Petroleum ing service, following the example set by the Association’s longest-serving chief executive, Fred Ellsworth, c’22. Each year’s recipients are honored in the fall during a meeting of the Association’s national Board of Directors. Clarkson, a nationally acclaimed photographer, owns Rich Clarkson & Associates, a multimedia firm that produces original photography, books and exhibitions. Major clients include the Colorado Rockies Rich Clarkson Linda Ellis Sims Kurt Watson
34 | KANSAS ALUMNI Engineering advisory board. Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. b’79, Leawood; Brad Korell, l’97, Austin, Watson is president and chief operating He has served on the College of Liberal Texas; Curtis McClinton Jr., d’62, Kansas offi cer of The IMA Financial Group Inc. Arts and Sciences advisory board and has City, Mo.; and Winifred Pinet, c’80, g’82, He is a former Wichita chapter leader and volunteered for the Seattle alumni chapter. Plymouth, Mich. volunteer for the Kansas Honors Program. John Jeter, c’77, m’81, Hays, is president The board meets three times annually in He was part of the Wichita team that and CEO of Hays Medical Center. and has Lawrence. Each year the Association created the Jayhawk Roundup, an annual participated in activities with the Smoky invites nominations for new directors fall event. He and his wife, Sue Shields Hill alumni chapter. through March 1, and the Nominating Watson, d’75, are Life Members and Shelle Hook McCoy, d’73, Topeka, is a Committee meets in April to review all members of the Presidents Club. member of the advisory board for KU nominees and submit a slate to the entire In 2010, he concluded a four-year term Endowment’s Women Philanthropists for board for consideration at the May as chair of KU Endowment, where he KU and a community volunteer. meeting. remains a trustee and member of the Lori Anderson Piening, b’92, Austin, Executive Committee. He and Sue co-chair Texas, owns Cadence Marketing. She the Campaign Steering Committee. They serves on the Chancellor’s Advisory are members of the Chancellors Club and Committee to Athletics and has volun- the Williams Educational Fund for KU teered with the Austin Chapter. Athletics, where Kurt served on the Mark Randall, j’03, Englewood, Colo., is Chancellor’s Advisory Committee to the community ambassador for the Athletics. He also served on the School of Denver Nuggets of the NBA. He has Business Board of Advisors and the search participated in many KU events in the committees to hire the chancellor and the Denver and Kansas City areas. dean of the KU Medical Jay Howard, b’79, Austin, Texas, Center-Wichita. concluded his one-year term as national chair and will remain on the board as immediate past chair. He began serving on the board in 2003. Board transition Sue Shields Watson, d’75, Wichita, Jayhawk Roundup national chair from 2009 to 2010, retired O cers, directors begin terms after seven years of service. Wichita tradition continues July 1 on national board Four directors retired after completing Oct. 29 with Halloween theme fi ve-year terms. They are Howard Cohen, embers of the Association’s national he picturesque Murfi n Stables on the MBoard of Directors met May 13-14 Teastern edge of Wichita will trans- and elected offi cers and new directors. form into a haunted “Hawk Hollow” for
Jeff Briley, Overland Park, will lead the PUPPE STEVE this year’s Jayhawk Roundup Oct. 29. Association as national chair. An executive David, b’75, e’75, and Janet Lusk Murfi n, at CBIZ, Briley, d’74, served as chair-elect d’75, and the Wichita Chapter will host this year and became a board member in the eighth-annual event to raise funds for 2005. He has volunteered for many years the Alumni Association’s student recruit- in Kansas City as a member of the chapter ment and alumni outreach programs. board. Each year local volunteers and Lynn Ray Evans, Leawood, is the new chair- Loveland, ’76, the Association’s assistant elect. Evans, b’82, g’84, is managing director of Kansas programs-Wichita, partner of Pegasus Capital Management in organize more than 30 events, including Overland Park. He was elected to the academic lectures, KU student presenta- national board in 2007. He has served on tions, ’Hawk Talks and other programs for the School of Business Board of Advisors. prospective KU students, the Jayhawk The board also elected fi ve alumni to Generations Picnic for KU freshmen and begin fi ve-year terms July 1, succeeding Kansas Citians Je¬ Briley (r) and Ray Evans, families, and celebrations for football, members who retired June 30 after volunteer stalwarts and tireless advocates for basketball and baseball. completing their terms: KU and the Association, were elected chair and Roundup invitations will be mailed in James Bredfeldt, c’70, m’74, Bellevue, chair-elect by their fellow members of the August; for details, visit kualumni.org/ Wash., is a gastroenterologist at the Association’s national board. jayhawkroundup.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 35 TERRY ROMBECK (5) ROMBECK TERRY
More than 150 KU alumni and friends gathered at the Wilson Ranch north of Salina for the 2011 Salina Steak Out. The evening included a silent auction, premium steaks provided by Butch Billips of America’s Best Steaks, music and lots of KU pride.
Legends of KU Golf Tournament Life Members
The Association thanks these Jayhawks, who began their Life memberships May 1 through June 30. For information, visit TERRY ROMBECK TERRY kualumni.org or call 800-584-2957.
Elaine A. Almquist Alison Gilman Aquino Kenneth W. & Gwendolyn R. Arnett Valerie Baker Mitch Battese Robert E. & Susan M. Burns John H. Bennett Simone Cahoj Brian J. Berkley Courtney M. Carabello Randall J. & Nancy Stinson Stacy M. Carter Blue Evan T. Cloar Eighty-five KU alumni and friends participated in the Kansas City Mary C. Boyce Lucille A. Conklin Chapter’s Legends of KU Golf Tournament June 6 at Falcon Ridge James M. Breitenstein Jake Cornett & Ramsey Cox Golf Club in Lenexa. Tournament champions, shooting a 55, were Joel M. Broxterman William D. Cross Doug Elstun, Je¬ Levy, James Malicoat and Mike Stanley. Charles C. Bu¡ngton Jennifer L. Daly
36 | KANSAS ALUMNI Meghan L. Daniels Matthew B. Mullender Everything we do strengthens KU. Your membership Justin D. Dechant Colby B. Nelson in the KU Alumni Association is the single most powerful way to Lee Ann R. Smith Desper Jennifer V. Nemnich make all of KU stronger, including the value of your own degree. Kaleigh N. & Jared T. Doke Cali B. Nossaman-Shufelt Shelle Hook McCoy, d’73, Topeka Ryan A. Dreher Elizabeth W. Olson Board of Directors Lori Anderson Piening, b’92, Austin, Christopher R. Dunagan Austin M. O’Neal CHAIR Texas Andrew T. Elliott & Jessica M. Dennis J. Ortiz Jerey P. Briley, d’74, Overland Park Mark Randall, j’03, Englewood, Dunn David D. Osborne Colorado Alex Earles Ann Mills Parker CHAIR-ELECT Michael R. Fee Nancy Olson Pascale Ray D. Evans, b’82, g’84, Leawood Administrative Sta Je¬rey A. Fickas Victoria C. Putnam Kevin J. Corbett, c’88, President Norman P. Fisher Thomas A Pelegrin EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ALUMNI CENTER Michael S. French Raymond G. Remp Jr. Jerey P. Briley, d’74, Overland Park Ray D. Evans, b’82, g’84, Leawood Timothy E. Brandt, b’74, Director of Lauren E. Gasparovich Taylor C. Romick Adams Alumni Center Aly Wright Glunt Steven M. Schebler Sheri Welter Hauck, b’81, Arroyo Grande, California Travis R. & Brittany E. Gonser Monique R. Schrader ALUMNI, STUDENT & Jay E. Gordon Bryan L. Schuessler Karen M. Humphreys, c’70, l’73, Wichita MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS Harrison E. Green Kegan L. Scrivner Michael Davis, d’84, g’91, Senior Jay Howard, b’79, Austin, Texas Juri C. Groenland Emily R. Sheldon Vice President for Alumni, Student Je Kennedy, j’81, Wichita Fouzia Haq Rebecca V. Sheldon-Sherman and Membership Programs James A. Trower, b’77, Salina Daniel L. & Tricia Milsap Hare Lonnie R. Slapar Nikki Epley, Director of Reunion Marc D. Harrell Shelby W. & Elizabeth S. DIRECTORS TO 2012 Programs Brandon L. Haverkamp Smith Paul “Bud” Burke, b’56, Lawrence Heath Peterson, d’04, g’09, Michael W. Herbert Michael L. Spero Ray D. Evans, b’82, g’84, Leawood Assistant Vice President for Joshua J. Houtz Lee Ann R. Stone Karen M. Humphreys, c’70, l’73, Alumni and Student Programs Larry D. & Deborah J. Humes Robyn Nordin Stowell Wichita James A. Trower, b’77, Salina COMMUNICATIONS Yong-Yeon Ji Darrell D. Stuckey II & Lacie David Johnston, j’94, g’06, Director Michael E. Johnson Stuckey DIRECTORS TO 2013 of Internet Services and Marketing Vicki S. Johnson Tucker J. Swanson Chris Lazzarino, j’86, Associate Kyle S. Kimura Deborah J. Synhorst Sheri Welter Hauck, b’81, Arroyo Grande, California Editor, Kansas Alumni magazine J. Brett Klausman Kylie G. Taiclet Je Kennedy, j’81, Wichita Jennifer Sanner, j’81, Senior Vice Leigh A. T. Knight Benjamin M. Tatum Henry Menghini, c’87, Pittsburg President for Communications and Spencer W. Knoll Peter M. Toth & Megan N. Corporate Secretary Rachel M. Kraig McGinley DIRECTORS TO 2014 Susan Younger, f’91, Creative Director Paul J. Kuhn Nobuyuki Tsuchiya Douglas C. Miller, b’71, l’74, Bridget C. LaFollette Alason R. Vecchie Mission Hills DEVELOPMENT Jessica M. Landry Brian W. Villers Debbie Foltz Nordling, d’79, Hugoton Angela Storey, b’04, g’07, Kale D. Langley Travis A. Walters Camille Bribiesca Platz, c’96, g’98, Associate Development Director Kelsie J. Langley Stefany A. Williams Dallas, Texas Richard E. Putnam, c’77, l’80, FINANCE Abigail P. Leeper David D. & Julie D. Wilmoth Jodi Nachtigal, Controller Omaha, Nebraska Andy Li Brian J. Wilson Dwight Parman, Senior Vice Larry D. Stoppel, c’73, Washington Gene K. & Sofia G. Liu Leah Wilson President for Finance and Human Elizabeth P. Lovell Whitney L. Worthington Resources and Treasurer Brennen L. Lucas Joseph P. & Corey J. Ziegler DIRECTORS TO 2015 Paul L. Carttar, c’76, Lawrence Ashley M. Martinez Scott R. Seyfarth, b’83, Hinsdale, RECORDS Kevin M. & Joy Larson Bill Green, Senior Vice President for Illinois Information Services Maxwell Brenda Marzett Vann, c’71, g’72, Stefanie Shackelford, Vice President Jason W. McGlynn Kansas City Mark A. & Stacy for Alumni Records Je L. Wolfe, b’83, Meridian, Ohio M. Mears David W. & Susan R. HOSPITALITY SERVICES DIRECTORS TO 2016 Bryan Greve, Senior Vice President Merryfield for Hospitality Steven J. & Sarah Hill Miles James Bredfeldt, c’70, m’74. Bellevue, Andrew J. Moore Washington John Jeter, c’77, m’81, Hays
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 37 Class Notes by Karen Goodell honoring his leadership at Ford Motor Co., where he is president and CEO. Alan and Jane Connell Mulally, d’69, live in Dearborn, Mich. Laurence Smith, c’35, l’37, leads James, d’56, g’66, EdD ’75, and 35 a philosophy class at Kingswood 56 Sandra Muntzel Foster, d’76, make Jacqulyn Andrews Ashcraft, d’69, Retirement Center in Kansas City. their home in Olathe. 69 retired earlier this year a er 41 years of teaching Spanish and English in Lester Tint, e’41, does research MARRIED Kansas schools. She and her husband, 41 at the Getty Research Institute in Mary Griswold, d’58, to James Stephen, p’69, live in Hutchinson. Brentwood, Calif., on the markets for 58 Keefer, March 12 in Lawrence, Michael Hay, c’69, serves as interim Venetian painting collections in Europe where they live. president of Mount Hood Community in the 18th and 19th centuries. He lives in College in Gresham, Ore. Downey, Calif. Alan Forker, c’60, m’64, was Lee Horney, e’69, is president of LFH 60 elected governor of the Mis- Associates in Fair Haven, N.J. J. Rex Watkins, b’49, was deco- souri chapter of the American College David Mourning, a’69, is one of 25 49 rated Chevalier of the Legion of of Physicians. He directs outpatient lipid California architects featured in the book Honor last year at the French Embassy in and diabetes research at the Mid-America Success by Design. He’s president and chief Washington, D.C. He and his wife, Mari- Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Hospital and is executive o cer of IA, Interior Architects anne, live in Reston, Va. a professor of medicine at UMKC. in San Francisco.
Glenn Anschutz, e’50, was named Charles Cho, m’62, is chief medical Kenneth Dietz, e’70, is retired from 50 to the Boy Scouts of America 62 o cer for the Gold Coast Health 70 Phillips Petroleum Co. He lives in National Hall of Leadership. He’s a retired Plan in Oxnard, Calif. He lives in Somis. Bartlesville, Okla. civil engineer with the Kansas Department Rebecca Myers Thomas, d’62, g’65, Eugene Garcia, g’70, PhD’72, is vice of Transporation, and he lives in Topeka. directs early childhood development at the president of education partnerships at Center for Comprehensive Health Care in Arizona State University in Phoenix. William Adams Jr., c’51, g’54, New York City, where she and her hus- Robert Graham, m’70, directs the 51 teaches ballroom dancing in Liberty, band, Robert, c’62, live. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Mo. Marilyn Zarter Wallace, d’62, is a sales Aligning Forces for Quality program associate for Prudential Dinning-Beard at the George Washington University Ray Lawrence, b’53, was appointed Real Estate in Wichita. school of public health and health 53 director of market research and services. He and his wife, Jane, economic development for HawesHill- Floyd Anderson, g’63, a professor live in Cincinnati. Calderon in Houston. 63 of communications at SUNY Col- Thomas Hyde, c’70, g’82, recently lege-Brockport, was honored last spring by retired as executive vice president at Wal- Frank Newby, c’54, PhD’64, the Eastern Communication Association. Mart. He and Vina Conklin Hyde, d’70, live 54 received a medal earlier this year He lives in Brockport, N.Y. in Kansas City. from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston Walter Riker III, c’70, g’78, has retired for living with diabetes for the past 75 Richard Babcock, c’64, is a human- as vice president of corporate communic- years. He and his wife, Julie, live in John- 64 services administrator for Special- tions at the McDonald’s Corp. He and son City, Tenn. ized Administrative Services. He lives in Christine Davis Riker, c’72, d’73, make Glenn Opie, l’54, recently was inducted Colorado Springs. their home in Aurora, Ill. in the Great Bend Senior High School Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Sandra, live in Bryan Shewmake, c’65, e’70, g’71, Daryl Mellard, c’72, g’75, PhD’82, Great Bend, where Glenn practices law. 65 and his wife, Cheryl, recently 72 received KU’s 2011 Research completed their second around-the- Achievement Award earlier this year. He’s world trip. an associate research professor in the KU School of Education and director of the Stanley Metzger, ’68, owns Center for Research on Learning’s Divi- 68 Metzger Gallery and StanMetzger. sion of Adult Studies. He lives in Perry. com in Topeka. Stephen Pieschl, e’72, is vice president Alan Mulally, e’68, g’69, received the of Black & Veatch in Leawood. He lives in Edison Achievement Award last spring Stilwell.
38 | KANSAS ALUMNI
40 | KANSAS ALUMNI Francie Firner Stoner, c’72, c’73, direc- Ellen Parenteau Burd, d’74, retired tor of marketing at the Cerner Corp., 74 and moved from Overland Park to recently received the 2011 Distinguished Wichita. Allied Health Alumna Award. She lives in Kenneth Fearn, b’74, is president of Weston, Mo. Advanced Battery Technologies, and his wife, Sarah Higdon Fearn, b’88, helps Mike Parks, d’73, is chairman of manage the business, which won an 73 Alliance Data Systems in Dallas. award as one of the fastest growing busi- Susan Krehbiel William, c’73, b’81, l’90, nesses in Greensboro, N.C. ey live in lives in Guilford, Conn. received the Warren W. Shaw Distin- Winston-Salem. Barbara Murphy-Warrington, c’74, guished Service Award from the Topeka Kelley Kapfer, f’74, teaches art at has been named CEO of the Girl Scouts Bar Association last spring. She practices Creative Arts Workshop, is art director of Greater New York. She will lead scouts law with Coman, DeFries & Nothern in at the Leslie Dumke Studio and teaches and volunteers in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Topeka. swimming at the YMCA Soundview. She Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island.
PROFILE By Steven Hill STEVE PUPPE STEVE Oldest black alumna still was born in Lawrence and a Yankee doodle dandy graduated from Lawrence High. “I knew nothing about orn in 1909 on the Fourth of July, college, but I just decided to go BThelma NeView Hollowell has seen a to KU. I was the first in my lot of fireworks in her 102 years. family to do that.” “One hundred and two,” says Hollowell, After completing her degree, c’29. “It’s been a wonderful life!” Hollowell studied at the With her husband, Harry, a U.S. Army University of Chicago bandmaster stationed at Fort Leaven- and Columbia University, both worth, she traveled the world, spending times returning home because Thought to be KU’s oldest African-American alumna, Thelma time in Germany, Japan and Liberia, where of family crises. “Finally I Hollowell attended the KU Black Congratulatory in May. “After Harry concluded his career with a posting decided, ‘Well, I’ll just go with she came in and was receiving everyone, including the at the U.S. embassy in Monrovia. Family what I have.’” chancellor, it was like a big family reunion,” says Tom Vaughn, vacations with daughters Louise Hollowell She taught third grade at president of the Black Alumni Chapter. “She set the tone.” Jones, c’65, and Janice, d’68, crossed the Lincoln School in Leavenworth (l.) Her senior portrait from the 1929 Jayhawker. United States to both coasts. “They saw until 1941, when she married about everything in America Harry, a young Buffalo “Especially the little boys,” Hollowell worth seeing,” Hollowell says. Soldier attached to the 9th laughs. “They fall in love with the teacher. In the Leavenworth home and 10th Calvary at Fort But that’s all right. We got along pretty she shares with Janice, family Leavenworth. After that, well.” mementos bespeak a long Hollowell says, “I lived an Sharing a birthday with the nation has entanglement with history: A Army wife’s life; I went its rewards. In 1999, she was one of a sword presented her husband wherever my husband had hundred Americans born on Indepen- by the Liberian president, a assignments.” dence Day who were chosen to pose for photograph of a godson After Harry retired and Kodak’s Photograph of the Century in receiving a medal from Bill they moved back to Leaven- Philadelphia. She was selected after Clinton, a 100th birthday worth, Janice says, former writing in an essay that she’s “proud to be card from Barack Obama. students often stopped by to a Yankee doodle dandy born on the Fourth Also carefully preserved is the program ask for Miss NeView. of July.” from her 1929 KU graduation. “She must have had some kind of The sentiment still applies. “She’s quite a “My grandmother was a cook in a impact on those folks, all those years ago,” character in her own right,” Janice says. fraternity house,” recalls Hollowell, who her daughter says. “We call her our live firecracker.”
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 41 Lewis Gregory, c’75, is senior vice versity of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he’s a Pew Charitable Trust in Washington, D.C. 75 president for U.S. Trust Bank of professor of journalism. She and her husband, Gerald Seib, j’78, America Private Wealth Management in Robert Berglund, a’77, has been named live in Chevy Case, Md. He’s a bureau chief Kansas City. He and Laura Davis Gregory, vice president of international marketing with the Wall Street Journal. j’75, live in Leawood. at Merrick & Co. in Aurora, Colo. He and Ann Northup Simms, b’78, is chief Melvin Gregory, l’75, works as special Sharon Lonergan Berglund, c’78, live in operating o cer for the American Plan- counsel for the law rm of Render Kamas. Parker. ning Association in Chicago. He lives in Wichita. James Mason, c’75, wrote Wichita’s Carla Edwards, f’78, a professor Franklin Friedman, b’79, has been Riverside Parks, which was published last 78 of music at DePauw University, 79 named chief nancial o cer and spring by Arcadia Publications. He lives recently released a CD, “Homage.” She managing partner of nance and adminis- in Wichita, where he’s a naturalist at Great lives in Greencastle, Ind. tration at Deloitte LLP in Kansas City. Plains Nature Center. Thomas Flanagan, s’78, s’79, directs Donna Roths Sweet, m’79, a professor Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein, j’75, is executive clinical social work at Denver Health in of medicine at the KU School of Medicine- director of the Peter Kiewit Foundation in Denver, where he and his wife, Julie, make Wichita, recently received the KU Medical Omaha, Neb. She recently was inducted their home. Center Alumni Association’s 2011 Dis- into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame. Craig Jones, c’78, works as a ware- tinguished Medical Alumna Award. She house clerk at Aramark Uniform & Career makes her home in Wichita. John Bender, g’77, received the Apparel. He lives in Blue Ridge, Va. Reeves Wiedeman, a’79, a’82, was 77 James A. Lake Academic Freedom Craig Kaufman, b’78, was named co- named to the American Institute of Archi- Award from the faculty senate of the Uni- managing partner of the national law rm tects’ College of Fellows earlier this year. of Quarles & Brady in Phoenix. He and He’s founding principal of Helix Architec- his wife, Jane, live in Tucson. He also was ture + Design in Kansas City. featured in the 2011 issue of Southwest Super Lawyers. Thomas Dykes, c’80, m’84, has Barbara Rosewicz, j’78, is project direc- 80 been inducted as a Fellow in the tor of research and information for the American College of Radiology. He’s divi-
42 | KANSAS ALUMNI
Class Notes sion chief of abdominal imaging at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa. Tom and his wife, Pam, live in Hummelstown, Pa. Stuart Green, g’80, is a principal in Aprisent Financial Group in Edwards, Colo., where he lives with his wife, Rebecca. Ruben Murillo Jr., ’80, is president of the Clark County Education Association in Las Vegas. Rick Taylor, b’80, was promoted to president and chief operating o cer of Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA in Ramsey, N.J. He lives in Mission Viejo, Calif.
Marie Joetta Landis Lewis, c’81, 81 is a nurse at CT Hospice. She and her husband, Christopher, live in Oxford, Conn.
Mark Downey, b’82, lives in Albu- 82 querque, N.M., where he’s area vice president of Gentiva Health Services. Mary Murguia, c’82, j’82, l’85, was
44 | KANSAS ALUMNI invested last spring as judge of the U.S. Mark Zieman, j’84, recently became husband, Eric, e’96, live in Denver, where Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, based vice president of operations at McClatchy he manages corporate lease audits at Pay- in San Francisco. She makes her home in Publishing. He lives in Kansas City with less ShoeSource. Phoenix. his wife, Rhonda. Gregg Binkley, j’86, will play 86 Barney Hughes on “Raising Hope” Deborah Dennington, j’83, is vice Lindalyn Hutter, j’85, recently when the Fox situation comedy begins 83 president of Safety-Kleen Sys- 85 became global head of change its second season in September. Gregg, tems in Plano, Texas. She lives in Flower and internal communications at Hill & who lives in Sherman Oaks, Calif., also Mound. Knowlton in Washington, D.C. She lives in appeared in two episodes of the show’s Alexandria, Va. rst season. Albert Rettenmaier, e’84, is presi- Barbara Stovall Torgerson, b’85, s’07, Anthony D’Agostino, c’86, managing 84 dent and CEO of New Generation works as an adult outpatient therapist for director and chief operating o cer for Biomass in Overland Park. He lives in the Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health UBS Investment Bank, was nominated by Prairie Village. Network in Littleton, Colo. She and her President Barack Obama to the board of
PROFILE By Chris Lazzarino
realized that the voice talent that had won
Site matters not, as Kane KANE TOM COURTESY them over during a brief telephone continues voice gigs in KC audition belonged to a 15-year-old boy, they went through the predictably comic om Kane’s talented voice debuted screaming and gesturing—all of which Twith a spot-on imitation of his Kane watched through the studio’s immigrant grandfather. “My mom tells me soundproof window—and finally offered a I had a damn good German accent,” Kane challenge: If he could voice an old New says from his Overland Park home studio, England fisherman, they’d hire him. where he runs his busy career as an A-list “I read it through,” Kane says, “and I announcer. “I was 3.” looked up and saw three faces, mouths Kane, c’85, who this spring announced open.” his third Academy Awards and is the voice That gig was for free; the next, which of Yoda in the popular “Star Wars: The came less than a week later, paid $1,200. A Clone Wars” franchise, kept himself career was born. entertained after school by watching Kane headed to Chicago after KU, but After establishing himself in Los Angeles, cartoons and reruns. A natural mimic soon made his way to Los Angeles. Kane recently moved his growing family back enthralled by “silly voices,” Kane effort- Although he “couldn’t get arrested in the to Kansas City, where he built a home with a lessly verbalized what he heard. cartoon world,” he found work on sound studio that dispatches his recordings “It’s either in my head or not,” he says. commercials, movie trailers and promo- over specialized data lines. Now his clients are “I’ve never practiced anything. Everything tional pieces. A regular client was as distant as Hong Kong and India. is a character voice to me. I just recycle LucasArts’ game division, where one day things I heard growing up.” he cracked the room up while showing off If he never had to put in much work on his spot-on Yoda. Another big step came in 2006, when he his voice, Kane makes up for it when it One of the guys laughing along with the landed his first Oscars gig, for which he comes to finding work. “Horrible sound- others was the director of the then-nascent was hired again in 2008 and this year. It’s ing commercials” have always made him animated “Star Wars” series. one of the few jobs that requires Kane to cringe, and Kane was only 15 when he “He said, ‘Do that again.’ I asked why, be in L.A. From his custom-built home tracked down the ad agency responsible and he said, ‘I just want to record it. I’ll tell studio, Kane can record voice work for for a notably awful public service you later.’” clients all over the world. announcement. Kane has been Yoda’s voice ever since, “No more driving all over town in L.A. After a few phone calls, Kane landed an helping to win over a whole new world- traffic. I do as many voiceovers in a day as audition. When the advertising execs wide fan base for the Star Wars franchise. I used to do in a week or two.”
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 45 directors of the Securities Investor Protec- Hickam Public Aairs in Topeka. Mark Ick, e’91, directs licensing and tion Corp. He lives in Owings Mills, Md. John McNitt, g’89, is senior program business development for Nokia Siemens Jack Fields, b’86, works as a grain manager for Critigen in San Antonio. Networks in Arlington Heights, Ill. merchandiser for DeBruce Grain. He and Lillie Pardo, c’89, j’89, teaches kinder- Heather Best Salerno, c’91, works at Lyn Hambley Fields, b’86, live in Shawnee. garten at the Larchmont Charter School- FactSet Research Systems. She lives in She’s a subsitute teacher. West Hollywood. She lives in Los Angeles. Stamford, Conn. Sarah Harding Laidlaw, g’86, owns Peak Stan Roth, ’89, recently was inducted Nutrition Consultants in Mesquite, Nev. into the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame. Buy Brown Brummett, d’92, Stan taught biology at Lawrence and Free 92 chairs the foreign-language depart- Kirklin Bateman, c’88, is a profes- State high schools for 40 years. He and ment at Cypress Ranch High School in 88 sor at the U.S. Army National Janet Beckner Roth, ’77, live in Lawrence. Cypress, Texas. Defense University in Washington, D.C. Jay Wiegman, c’89, is assistant appel- Jane Wood, g’92, PhD’99, recently He and Amber Lauderdale Bateman, ’90, late defender for the State Appellate became dean of liberal arts and sciences at live in Nokesville, Va. She’s a middle- Defender in Ottawa, Ill. Park University in Kansas City. school teacher. Trent Hogan, c’93, is president of Robert Pyatt, b’88, g’92, is corporate Anna Hite, c’90, is an immunology 93 Project 3 Technologies in Dallas. controller for LifeLine Foods in St. Joseph, 90 sales representative at UCB Bio Andy Kwang, g’93, works as managing Mo. He lives in Faucett. Pharmaceuticals in Charlotte, N.C. director at Everbright Stone Marble Trad- Paul White, c’90, is vice president and Erik Bergrud, c’89, senior direc- senior consultant at Swiss Reinsurance in 89 tor of community and govern- Mission. He and Sandra Nieman White, ment relations at Park University, recently c’89, g’91, live in Shawnee. became president of the American Society for Public Administration. He lives in Lisa Bailey, c’91, lectures at the Uni- Kansas City. 91 versity of South Carolina’s Moore Matthew Hickam, c’89, is president of School of Business. She lives in Columbia.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 47 Class Notes ing Co. in Shanghai, People’s Republic of Hunter Lochmann, d’95, is chief mar- Puhooi Tan, b’96, directs investment China, where he lives. keting o cer at the University of Michi- banking for oCTillion Management & Darin Stephens, c’93, is head of e gan’s athletics department. He and his Services in Selangor, Malaysia. Gap stores in Athleta. He lives in Novato, wife, Kristin, live in Ann Arbor. Francis Yang, g’96, is an assistant Calif. professor of music at Northwestern State Mark Wilson, b’93, directs product MARRIED University in Natchitoches, La. development for Square Two Financial. He Holly Boharadt, d’95, g’02, to Patrick lives in Parker, Colo. Reanier, March 12 in KU’s Danforth Brian Kruse, j’97, is senior ana- Chapel. ey live in Lawrence, and Holly 97 lyst of sales communications and Marianela Herrera Walters, c’94, teaches h grade at Eudora Elementary marketing for Delta Air Lines. He lives in 94 is category manager at O ce Max. School. Smyrna, Ga. She and her husband, Terry, b’94, live in Plain eld, Ill., where he’s a dierentiation Michael Bell, e’96, has joined Hunt BORN TO: specialist for the Plain eld school district. 96 Midwest Real Estate Development Teresa Veazey, j’97, daughter, Helen Angela Wennihan Zambrano, b’94, a as general manager. He and Meredith Elizabeth, Sept. 2, 2010, in Wichita. partner in the Dallas law rm of Weil, Bayles Bell, c’86, n’99, make their home in Teresa is public relations manager for the Gotshal & Manges, was included among Leawood. Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State Texas Monthly’s Texas Rising Star lawyers, Richard Cook, c’96, is a supervisor at University. an honor she has earned each year since Kindred Hospital Delaware County in 2005. Darby, Pa. He lives in Bridgeport. Brian O’Mara, c’98, is a partner in Tanya Rose Hart, j’96, l’99, is editor of 98 Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd in Derek Bridges, b’95, is president the Pleasanton Patch in Pleasanton, Calif., San Diego. 95 of Exam FX in Stilwell. He and his where she and her husband, Brad, c’96, Travis Tollefson, m’98, assistant profes- wife, Carmen, live in Overland Park. make their home. sor of otolaryngology at the University Christopher Gannett, j’95, is chief Craig Stewart, b’96, has been pro- of California-Davis, was named 2011 Ely marketing o cer of CKX Inc. in New York moted to president of aerospace at Butler Career Achievement in Medicine Alum- City. National Corp. in Olathe. nus. He lives in Sacramento.
48 | KANSAS ALUMNI BORN TO: Colo. She and her husband, Scott, live in Jimmy Wordsworth, c’01, is a planning Amy Leiszler Weishaar, d’98, g’02, and Longmont. support specialist for Ford Motor Co. in Craig, d’98, son, Justin Matthew, Dec. 17 Dearborn, Mich. in Lawrence, where he joins a sister, Molly BORN TO: Jo, 7, and a brother, Ryan, 5. Jill Twogood Christian, b’99, g’02, and MARRIED David, daughter, Genevieve Margaret, Feb. Christopher Stoppel, b’01, g’02, to Sarah Bower Miller, c’99, works as 10 in Chicago, where she joins two broth- Meghan Barnds, Aug. 28, 2010, in Law- 99 a business systems consultant at ers, John, 6, and omas, 4. rence, where they live. He’s associate direc- Wells Fargo. She lives in Des Moines, Iowa. tor for new-student orientation at KU, and John Nguyen, c’99, m’07, practices Molly Motley Morris, j’01, is she’s an assistant Kansas attorney general. medicine at the University of California- 01 publisher of WebMD. She lives in San Diego. Marietta, Ga. BORN TO: Kathleen McGee Silva, j’99, owns A Matthew Rehder, c’01, works as city Scott, e’01, g’03, and Shelley Prier Retailer’s Supply Warehouse in Loveland, planner for the city of El Dorado. Bideau, n’01, daughter, Chloe, Dec. 2 in
PROFILE By Seth Jones SETH JONES Woodland learns Augusta “It exceeded all expectations,” Wood- with an all-time Master land says. “It was very special, something I’ll laying a college basketball game in remember forever. PAllen Field House was great. Hoisting Growing up in Kansas, his first trophy on the PGA Tour—and it was a dream come depositing the $1 million winner’s true to play with check—was pretty special, too. But golfer [Watson], let alone to Gary Woodland, c’07, knew in April that play with him at he was truly living a fairy tale when he Augusta.” stroked his first drive at Augusta National. It’s been a dream- Playing the course was good; playing it come-true season for After finishing 24th at his first Masters (above), Gary Woodland shot first alongside golf legend and fellow Woodland. In January a final-round 68 to tie for 23rd at the U.S. Open. That secured a Kansan Tom Watson was fantastic. he finished second in ranking among the world’s top 50 and entry into the British Open. Woodland, one of the tour’s long-hitting the Bob Hope Classic, young stars, had reached out to a mutual his second tournament friend to ask about playing a practice of the year, losing in a round with Watson, a two-time Masters dramatic playoff. He won the Transitions He turned pro in 2007 and earned his champion. Championship in March, and had two tour card for the 2009 season. Slowed by “He made a phone call and Mr. Watson other top-10 finishes before heading to injuries, he didn’t return to the tour full called me right back,” Woodland says. “It Augusta. time until this year, and success has come was an amazing experience.” The athletic Topekan was a two-time at a price: His driver cover, which used to Woodland practiced the back nine with all-state basketball player at Shawnee sport a Jayhawk, now has a sponsor. Watson, and wishes he’d played the front Heights High School. He chose to play “The good news is that I’ve played well nine as well. “He gave me so much basketball at Washburn University, and his enough that people know I’m from knowledge of the course, I played the back first game was an exhibition against the Kansas. Just about every hole, I hear nine really well. I think I also needed that Jayhawks. As a sophomore he accepted a someone shout ‘Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!’ knowledge on the front.” KU golf scholarship. “The support is amazing. My caddie Woodland still played well at Augusta, “It was always a dream to play in Allen jokes all the time, ‘There can’t be this where he finished at 2-under for 24th Field House,” he says. “The only bad thing many Kansas people in the world!’” place, earning a check for $70,000. Not is, the dream was to play for KU, not —Jones, j’01, is editor-in-chief of bad for his first trip to Augusta. against them.” Golfdom magazine and lives in Eudora.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 49 Class Notes
Overland Park, where she joins a brother, Jeremy Krashin, j’04, is senior Bradley works for Ernst & Young in Los Ethan, 2. 04 marketing manager at Mather Angeles, and Julie manages merchandising David, e’01, and Jessica Bankston Lifeways in Evanston, Ill. He lives in for Guess Handbags. ey live in Venice White, c’03, l’05, daughter, Reagan, Sept. 2 Chicago. Beach. in Leawood. Justin Roth, c’04, works for Texas Com- Ashley Bechard, j’06, to Erik Henkel- munity Bank in Houston. man, April 29 in Kansas City, where they Thomas Moreland, d’02, g’04, is live. She plans special events for Sporting 02 CEO of St. Jude HealthCare in MARRIED Kansas City, and he’s a neurology research Clive, Iowa. Katherine Olson, h’04, g’06, and Alex- assistant at the KU Medical Center. Sara Rosasco Nitcher, c’02, works as a ander Mestdagh, e’04, Oct. 16 in Denver. Elaina Cascone, ’06, and Evan Riesman, research scientist at Battelle. She lives in She’s an occupational therapist, and he’s b’07, g’08, Oct. 2 in Kansas City. ey live Charlottesville, Va. a civil engineer. ey live in Greenwood in Prairie Village. Erin Reid, h’02, is a clinical team lead Village, Colo. Ashleigh Dyck, c’06, j’06, and Ryan occupational therapist for ChildServe in Richard Stephens, c’04, to Danielle Bauer, c’06, April 30 in Lawrence. ey Johnston, Iowa. She lives in Waukee. Price, March 18 in Baldwin City. ey live make their home in Overland Park. in Lawrence. Tai Bo James Vokins, c’06, to Krystal MARRIED Baer, Oct. 16 in Topeka, where they live. Paula Spreitzer, c’02, j’02, to Paul Scott Carlson, b’05, works as Oxler, Oct. 9 in Kansas City, where they 05 a controller for Koch & Co. in Jennifer Dwan, c’07, manages proj- live. She’s a public-relations specialist at Seneca. 07 ects for Cedar Network in Denver. Kansas City Hospice. Elizabeth Hickey, d’05, teaches science Carrie Jones, c’07, is a child-support at Wembley High Technology College in specialist for the State of Oklahoma. She BORN TO: London. lives in Oklahoma City. Ryan, b’02, and E. Kay Gerstner, assoc., Joel Kammeyer, b’05, coordinates Lauren Jones, c’07, g’09, is an assistant daughter, Addison Elizabeth, Dec. 17. corporate meetings and events for the at Helman & Neustadt in Newton Center, Ryan is an account executive with the Cerner Corp. in Kansas City. He lives Mass. She lives in Brookline. Blue Valley Insurance Agency in Overland in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Amy Linnen, c’07, will be inducted this Park. ey live in Kansas City, Mo. fall into the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame MARRIED at KU’s Booth Family Hall of Athletics. Jacob Hecker, c’03, j’06, recently Nicholas Mosher, f’05, and Emily Laut, She was an All-American pole vaulter at 03 became an associate at the Phoe- c’06, Oct. 8 in Lawrence, where they live. KU in 2005 and was the national indoor nix law rm of Brownstein Hyatt Farber He is customer experience manager at pole vault champion in 2006. Amy teaches Schreck. First National Bank of Olathe, and she is a physical education and coaches at Mount grant writer for the American Academy of Sinai Middle School in Mount Sinai, N.Y. MARRIED Family Physicians and chief communica- Tess McConnell, c’07, works as a school Misti Boland, c’03, and Jeremy Osbern, tions o cer of Solar System Express. psychologist for USD 501. She lives in c’04, Jan. 8 in Lawrence, where they live. Topeka. She is a production designer for lm and Billy Abando, b’06, is a nancial Samuel Siegal, b’07, is an associate at television, and he co-owns rough A 06 specialist at M&T Bank. He makes Roberts & Ryan in Chicago. Glass Productions. his home in Waldorf, Md. Benjamin, s’07, and Carrie Held Snyder, Rebecca Breithaupt, c’06, works as a s’08, s’09, celebrated their rst anniversary development associate for Corner Stone June 6. ey are both family therapists Entertainment in Los Angeles. at ASAP Expert Counseling in Overland Amy Dammann, c’06, coordinates Park, and they live in Olathe. human resources for Stara Technologies in Brandon Trice, c’07, works in transpor- Gilbert, Ariz. She lives in Phoenix. tation sales for CH Robinson in Overland BORN TO: Stefany Samp, b’06, g’08, supervises Park. He lives in Leawood. William Salyers, m’03, g’09, and Van- corporate accounting for INVISTA. She essa, daughter, Camden Rose, March 15 in lives in Wichita. Jennifer Anson, g’08, a nurse Jacksonville, Fla. Matthew Stern, c’06, coordinates pro- 08 anesthetist at Creighton University Kristy Straub, c’03, daughter, Baze grams at Rush University in Chicago. Medical Center, was honored by the KU Kensley Hogan, Jan. 19 in Great Bend. MARRIED Medical Center Alumni Association as the Kristy manages customer relations at Bradley Bailey, b’06, g’07, and Julie 2011 Early Career Achievement in Allied Straub International. Kessinger, f’08, Aug. 28 in Leawood. Health Alumna. She lives in Elkhorn, Neb.
50 | KANSAS ALUMNI
Jersey Institute of Technology. She lives in o ce at Wisler & Trevino in Lawrence. New York City. James West, e’08, founded and is CEO Jonathan Lore, c’08, is a senior reg- of West Device Innovations in Kansas City. istered client service associate with UBS Jon Zager, c’08, is a territory manager Financial Services. He lives in Marina Del for Carlson Systems in Kansas City. Rey. Christopher Mehta, c’08, is treasurer MARRIED Jaime Karnes, c’08, received a fel- of Rainbow Chemicals Co. He lives in Samantha Jackson, c’08, to Shane Sum- lowship from the MacDowell Colony in Chicago. mers, Oct. 9 in Kansas City. She’s a speech Peterborough, N.H., to work on a histori- Amber Homan Nutt, d’08, works as an pathologist at St. Luke’s Hospial, and he cal novel this summer. Jaime teaches c- educational support technologist at KU’s works at 810 WHB Union Broadcasting. tion writing at Gotham Writers’ Workshop Center for Research and Learning. She ey live in Overland Park. in Manhattan and humanities courses at commutes to Lawrence from Shawnee. Mandy Marling, c’08, and Elijah Hub- Rutgers-Newark University and the New Cassie Weatherwax, c’08, manages the bard, j’08, c’08, Dec. 11 in Kansas City. She
PROFILE By Julie Mettenburg
Story editor captures life graduation, he moved to New York and landed his first job in Beverly Hills, for real in the business, as a produc- t sounds like a set-up for a joke: What tion coordinator on the soap BRETT STANEART COURTESY Ihappens when a billionairess, an aging opera “Guiding Light.” starlet and a celebrity divorcee throw a “I was low man on the dinner party with a psychic who’s had too totem pole, literally, but that’s much to drink? where most people get their Bravo TV would say, “Watch what start in TV,” he says. “You happens,” and in this particular instance have to prove yourself before —an episode of “The Real Housewives of you can move up.” He then Beverly Hills”—not even the hit show’s worked as a writer’s assistant producers could predict the answer. and eventually as a writer on Since breaking into television on daytime soap operas, Brett “The night started out well; what ended the show. Staneart has won an Emmy and moved into prime time as a up happening at that dinner table, He earned a Daytime story editor on Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise. however, was truly bizarre,” says Brett Emmy and Writers Guild Staneart, a story editor on the show. Award as part of the “Guiding “There it was, right in front of us: a Light” writing team, then drunken psychic who couldn’t censor moved to “The Young & the Restless” and and be able to multitask.” herself and who’ll probably go down as eventually to Los Angeles, where a friend Staneart can’t say where the show will go one of the most memorable reality TV at “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” in its second season. He can, however, show villains ever.” brought Staneart in for an interview. answer a burning question: Reality shows Debauchery and devilish behavior are As a story editor, he watches hours of are scripted, right? normal for Bravo’s “Real Housewives” film footage to find the story; for one Not a chance, he says. Take the psychic franchise. The Beverly Hills edition gained episode he helped pare six and a half dinner party: “If I’d have written that into notoriety for taking the contentious cat hours of party footage to three or four a script, I’d have been told it was com- fights and outrageously wealthy lifestyles scenes totaling fewer than 10 minutes of pletely unbelievable, that it would never up a notch. air time. happen in real life.” Staneart, j’93, is exactly where he always Other than a strong Kansas work ethic, What’s next for Staneart? In Hollywood, wanted to be. He studied TV scripts as a for which he credits his mom, Staneart it’s hard to say. “My passion is telling teenager and majored in broadcast says organizational skills, honed by stories, so if that’s in reality or scripted TV, promotion at KU, choosing a degree he working as proctor at Grace Pearson that’s where I’ll be, I hope.” thought would get him closest to his Scholarship Hall, helped him get where he —Mettenburg, j’91, is a frequent dream of working in television. After is: “You have to be on top of your game contributor to Kansas Alumni.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 53 Class Notes works at Kornitzer Capital in Mission, and fall into the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame for Arden Shore Child & Family Services he works at First Watch in Westport. eir at KU’s Booth Family Hall of Athletics. in Vernon Hills, Ill. home is in Roeland Park. While playing baseball at KU, he was a Lee Weidenbacher, c’09, works as an First Team All-American and was named orthopedic sales consultant for Medwest/ the 2006 NCBWA Stopper of the Year. Arthrex. He lives in Naperville, Ill. Don later pitched three seasons in the MARRIED Florida Marlins’ organization. He’s a cost Melanie McGinley, c’09, and Edward technician at Kansas City Power & Light in Dickerson, e’09, Dec. 31 in Kansas City. Kansas City, where he lives. ey live in Toledo, Ohio. Brittaniee Frazee, c’09, works as a Angela Mullis, n’09, and Phillip Kilmer, regional manager at e screen. She lives in g’10, Sept. 4. Angee is a nurse at KU Medi- BORN TO: Mission. cal Center, and Phil is a physical therapist Whitney Bachamp, j’08, son, Holden David Hawley, f’09, manages projects with the Kansas City school district. ey Eugene Schroeder, May 7 in Lawrence. for Architectural Titanium. He and Nora live in Shawnee. Whitney is an o ce claims representative Nemchock Hawley, f’06, live in Lawrence. at Farmers Insurance Group. She’s a buyer for Payless ShoeSource. BORN TO: Matthew McGinley, c’08, and Andrea, Kellyn Moncada, c’09, coordinates Matthew, PharmD’09, and Krista Brock daughter, Maggie Amelia, Feb. 21 in projects for NETSYNC Network Solutions. Morrison, PharmD’10, son, Landon James, Olathe, where Matt is a senior property She lives in Katy, Texas. Sept. 7 in Dodge City, where Matt is a claims representative at Farmers Insurance Robert Rielly, e’09, works as a material pharmacist at Gibson’s Pharmacy. Group. engineer for OneOk in Topeka. He and his wife, Anne, live in Lawrence. Michael Brock, j’10, produces Curry Curtis, j’09, coordinates Michael Rivera, c’09, plays football 10 videos for Free State Studios in 09 products for Fred Pryor Seminars for the Miami Dolphins. His home is in Lawrence. in Mission. Shawnee. Gregory Cantwell, PhD’10, directs the Donald Czyz, c’09, will be inducted this Diana Spathis, s’09, is a case manager joint forces land component commander
54 | KANSAS ALUMNI course at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. Katherine Mason Yost, g’10, and her husband, John, ’11, celebrated their rst anniversary July 3. ey live in Prairie Summer Fun Village.
BORN TO: Dry-aged, Black Angus beef steaks from Superior Jamie Black Schwartz, c’10, and Jerey, KU Style! Steaks son, Jackson, March 9. ey live in Bald- win City, and Jamie is an environmental KU Ardent C400 high- scientist for the Kansas Department of performance baitcasting reel Health & Environment. KU Alumni T-shirt sports the Jayhawk and lets Becky Austin-Morris, ’11, is associate everyone know you’re a KU 11 director of nursing at Kids TLC in alumnus. Olathe. Multi-sport helmet in a Anne Halloran, c’11, works as assistant neutral pewter color with the event coordinator for Parasole Restaurant Jayhawk in crimson and blue Holdings. She lives in Bloomington, Minn. KU Playing Cards feature campus buildings, icons and sculptures. $86-135 Spirit Kit adds a KU touch School Codes Letters that follow names to any party. Comes with indicate the school from which alumni earned balloons, stand-up Jayhawks, degrees. Numbers show their class years. coasters, pompoms, stickers and tattoos. a School of Architecture, Design and Planning b School of Business $171-190 c College of Liberal Arts and Sciences d School of Education e School of Engineering f School of Fine Arts g Master’s Degree h School of Allied Health j School of Journalism $12-15 l School of Law $20-25 m School of Medicine n School of Nursing p School of Pharmacy PharmD School of Pharmacy s School of Social Welfare u School of Music $3-5 DE Doctor of Engineering DMA Doctor of Musical Arts $15-19 EdD Doctor of Education To order, visit PhD Doctor of Philosophy www.kualumni.org (no letter) Former student or call assoc Associate member of the 1-800-584-2957 Alumni Association
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 55 In Memory James Dudley, e’49, 86, April 14 in Overland Park, where he was a retired engineer with J.F. Pritchard. Surviving are his wife, Waneta, a son, a daughter and three grandchildren. Oscar Brewer, c’35, 95, April 14 in c’74, and Harlan C., a’73, a’76; four grand- Robert Ellsworth, e’45, 84, May 9 in 30 Prairie Village, where he was man- children; and a great-grandchild. Encinitas, Calif. He was an attorney, a U.S. aging partner of the law rm of Brewer & Howard Babcock Jr., f’42, 90, March ambassador to NATO, assistant secretary Myers. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, 26 in Wichita, where he was a retired of defense for international security aairs three sons and two grandchildren. graphic designer and the last surviving and U.S. deputy secretary of defense. Thelma Hart Garrett Brueck, ’31, 102, member of e Last Man’s Club, a group Surviving are his wife, Eleanor; a son; April 20 in Olathe. She is survived by of 14 friends who formed the club 70 years a daughter; two stepsons; a stepdaugh- her son, Earl Norb Garrett III, c’60; three ago. He is survived by a son, Kent, g’94, ter; a brother, Stephen, b’49; and four grandsons; and four great-grandchildren. PhD’95; two grandchildren; and three grandchildren. Max Moxley, c’35, 98, Feb. 24 in Ster- great-grandchildren. Elsie “Rae” Lemon Howe, d’49, 83, ling, where he was longtime editor of the Pat Barelli, c’41, m’44, 92, April 20 in April 22 in Overland Park. She is survived Sterling Bulletin. Overland Park, where he was a retired by a daughter, a son, two grandchildren J. Clyde Nichols Jr., c’36, 95, April 3 otorhinolaryngologist. He also had been a and a great-grandson. in Mission Hills, where he co-founded clinical professor at UMKC. Surviving are Anita Landrum Isaac, c’46, m’49, 86, Truog-Nichols Heating and Air Condi- his wife, Sarah Paulk Barelli, ’45; four sons; April 23 in Spring eld, Mo., where she tioning. He owned Nichols Industries and a daughter, Janet, n’08; 13 grandchildren; ran a rehabilitation program. She later was was active in civic aairs in Kansas City. and 15 great-grandchildren. chief of physical medicine and rehabilita- He is survived by his wife, Martha Dodge Dean Batt, c’48, l’49, 87, Feb. 25 in tion at the Topeka Veterans Administra- Nichols, c’36; two daughters, one of whom Marion, where he was a partner in the tion Hospital. Survivors include a son, is Laura Nichols Richardson, g’87; three law rm of Morse and Batt. He is sur- James, c’76, m’83; a daughter, Carol, d’81; sons, one of whom is J. Clyde III, ’62; 10 vived by his wife, Bettie, d’48; a daughter, and three grandchildren. grandsons; and nine great-grandchildren. Shelley Batt West, g’83, PhD’84; and two Barbara Burns Johnson, ’49, 83, April Claude Trotter Sr., e’37, 95, Feb. 25 grandchildren. 28 in Dallas. She was a homemaker and in Austin, Texas. He was retired vice Donna Heck Beebee, c’44, 88, March 3 community volunteer in Wichita for president of human resources at Phillips in Topeka. She is survived by her part- most of her life. She is survived by three Petroleum. Surviving are two sons, Claude ner, Matt Tomlinson, a daughter and two daughters, one of whom is Polly Johnson Jr., b’64, and David, b’66, g’67; six grand- grandchildren. Senseman, h’81; and ve grandchildren. children; and 11 great-grandchildren. William Casteen, e’49, c’54, m’55, 86, Dan Merriott, b’43, 90, March 2 in Imogene High Walters, ’35, 97, April March 26 in Bakers eld, Calif., where he Overland Park, where he was a retired 14 in Lincoln. She is survived by two was a retired ophthalmologist. Among accountant. Four nieces and nephews daughters, one of whom is Jean Walters survivors are his wife, Virginia Roesler survive. Whitney, ’62; four grandchildren; and six Casteen, c’49; two daughters, one of whom Edward Moorman, e’42, 92, April 1 in great-grandchildren. is Carole, c’77, m’82; and three sons, Cincinnati, where he was retired senior William Jr., c’78, Richard, ’82, and John, development engineer at Globe Motors/ Marjorie Darby Alford, c’49, 83, c’83, m’88. TRW. Two sons, a daughter, a sister and six 40 March 24 in Overland Park, where Cecil Cooper Jr., b’48, 87, Feb. 10 in grandchildren survive. she was active in civic aairs. A memorial Georgetown, Texas, where he owned Virginia Cannon Murphy, c’47, 89, July has been established with the KU Endow- the CPA rm of Cooper, Stolberg & 25 in Oroville, Calif. She was active in ment Association. She is survived by a Willey. He is survived by ve daugh- community and church aairs and served son, David, ’73; three daughters, Diane ters, three stepdaughters, a stepson, a 12 years on the California State Scholar- Alford Munksgaard, c’75, Mary Alford brother and numerous grandchildren and ship & Loan Commission. Survivors Rester, c’84, and Jean Alford Petrick, a’93; great-grandchildren. include her husband, Franklin, c’42, m’44; three sisters, Edith Darby Evans, d’47, Joan William Degen, Jr., c’49, 82, March 10 two daughters; a son; seven grandchildren; Darby Edwards, ’42, and Harriet Darby in Lenexa, where he was retired partner and two great-grandchildren. Gibson, ’40; and ve grandchildren. in the insurance rm of King, Fellenstein Bentley Nelson, m’49, 88, March 25 in Virginia Phipps Altman, ’45, 87, April & Degen. Survivors include his wife, Bev- Shawnee. He was an otolaryngologist with 22 in Dallas. She was a former resident of erely King Degen, c’49; two daughters, one the Old Westport Medical Association. Wellington. Survivors include her hus- of whom is Stephanie Degen Monroe, a’75; Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Allen band, Harlan, b’43, l’49; two sons, Harry, a son; a sister; and seven grandchildren. Nelson, ’43; a son, Bryan, m’75; a stepson;
56 | KANSAS ALUMNI a stepdaughter; a sister, Charlotte Nelson daughter; three grandchildren; and a Wilbur Evans, e’50, 87, April 8 in Madi- Goland, c’45; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchild. son, Conn. He was retired vice president great-grandchildren. Roland Brown, e’50, 84, Oct. 23 in of H.B. Ivens in New Haven. Surviving Ray North, e’42, 91, April 26 in Kansas City, where he was retired chief are his wife, Geneva, two sons, a daugh- Issaquah, Wash., where he was retired. engineer and vice president of engineering ter, a brother, four grandchildren and a He is survived by two sons, one of whom services at Power Flame. Among survivors great-granddaughter. is Edward, c’67, m’71; two daughters, are his wife, Barbara; a son; four daugh- Paula Cross Gaskins, c’59, 71, March 10 one of whom is Judith North Wright, ters, three of whom are Valerie Brown in La Crescenta, Calif. She retired in 1999 c’65; seven grandchildren; and six Davis, b’78, s’89, Debora Brown Farnam, from a career in advertising at Gaskins great-grandchildren. h’81, and Mary Brown Bonacci, g’98; a Creative Communications. Two daughters, J.A. “Art” Nussbaum Jr., ’49, 85, Feb. brother; and a sister. a son and six grandchildren survive. 28 in Kansas City, where he was an insur- Annette Smith Casey, d’53, 79, April 8 Ronald Gott, l’57, 81, May 14 in ance broker. A daughter, Anita, survives. in College Station, Texas, where she was Andover. He practiced law in Wichita for Sherman Olsen, ’49, 88, Nov. 2 in a former kindergarten teacher. She is sur- 51 years. Surviving are a son, a daugh- Key Largo, Fla., where he was retired vived by her husband, Albert, c’53, g’56, ter, a brother, 14 grandchildren and two from Piedmont Metal. He is survived PhD’62; two sons; a daughter; and four great-grandchildren. by his wife, Betty, three sons and eight grandchildren. Arthur Green, p’50, 86, Sept. 17 in grandchildren. Max Cunningham, b’50, 85, March Bakers eld, Calif., where he ran Green’s Lucile York Paden, c’43, g’65, PhD’73, 11 in Conroe, Texas. He is survived by Pharmacy for 59 years before retiring at 89, April 13 in Lawrence, where she was his wife, Ruth; a daughter; a son, Jerry, age 82. He is survived by his wife, Johnnie, retired coordinator of early childhood ’80; a sister; a grandson; and three two daughters, two grandchildren and two education programs for the Kansas State great-grandchildren. great-grandchildren. Department of Education. She is survived John Davis, b’59, 73, March 22 in Luther A.R. Hall, PhD’50, 75, March 15 by two sons, Philip, c’70, and David, d’70; Naperville, Ill. He competed in 26 mara- in Gainesville, Ga., where he was a retired two daughters, one of whom is Rebecca thons and had been a member of KU’s patent agent. Two daughters and four Paden Lipnick, h’80; three sisters, Alita track team that won a national cham- grandchildren survive. York Cooper, c’51, g’72, Frances York pionship in 1959. He is survived by his William Horton, e’50, 86, April 5 in Abbett, f’42, and Mildred York Cooper, wife, Kathryn Prothman Davis, ’60; two Salina. He was an electrical engineer ’46; a brother; seven grandchildren; and daughters; a son, Paul, ’89; two brothers; and had owned and operated Mid-States eight great-grandchildren. and three grandchildren. Armature Works for 47 years. He also had Marita Lenski Scimeca, c’46, m’51, C. Stewart Doty, g’55, 82, March 4 a 30-year career in the U.S. Naval Reserve. 86, April 5 in Olathe, where she was a in Albuquerque, N.M. He was a profes- Surviving are his wife, Wanda; a son, Bill, retired physician. She is survived by four sor emeritus of history at the University ’76; a daughter, Michele, b’79; and two sons; a daughter, Karla Scimeca Filo, of Maine, where he taught for 31 years. grandchildren. ’79; a sister; 11 grandchildren; and ve Surviving are his wife, Jean, three sons and Douglas Jost, ’55, 77, Jan. 24 in Okla- great-grandchildren. ve grandchildren. homa City. He had lived in Lawrence for Wallace Sturm, b’42, 91, Feb. 28 in Harold England, d’51, April 6 in many years. He is survived by his wife, Derby, where he was retired cost man- Parsons. He taught school and coached Marianne; two daughters; a son; a stepson; ager for Beech Aircra . Two sons, six for many years in Altamont, and he a stepdaughter; a sister, Julianne Jost Zajic, grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren was inducted last year into the Halstead ’59; and 10 grandchildren. survive. Athletic Hall of Fame and the Kansas Douglas Kay, c’54, 87, Jan. 23 in Napa, Milton Wallace, b’42, 89, Feb. 3 in State High School Activities Association Calif. He had owned and operated an Tulsa. He was former director of adminis- Hall of Fame. Surviving are his wife, Jane aircra leasing business. Surviving are his trative services at Skelgas and is survived Cunningham England, ’52; three sons, wife, Jane; two sons, one of whom is Fred, by his wife, Margueritte. Kerry, ’80, Eric, ’81, and Brent, ’74; two b’77; and a daughter. Charles “Chuck” Winslow, ’49, 83, Feb. daughters, Brenda England Patton, ’75, Jack Kellison, p’54, 78, Dec. 12 in 28 in Scottsdale, Ariz. He founded Win- and Cheryl, d’80; six grandchildren; and a Wichita, where he was a retired pharma- slow Enterprises and is survived by two great-grandson. cist. A brother survives. daughters, three grandchildren and two Marian Jenkins Epp, c’53, 79, May 3 John Kennedy, b’50, 85, Oct. 30 in Jupi- great-grandchildren. in Pratt, where she gave piano and organ ter, Fla. He was a retired plant manager at lessons for many years. A memorial has Stanley Tools in Sha sbury, Vt. Surviving Paul Beisel, c’51, 89, April 3 been established with the KU Endowment are his wife, Naomi, two sons, a daughter, 50 in Hillsboro. He is survived by Association. A son, a daughter and ve two stepdaughters, a stepson, a grand- two sons, one of whom is David, ’73; a grandchildren survive. daughter and 14 stepgrandchildren.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 57 In Memory
Kerwin “Win” Koerper, c’52, 79, March to 1992. She is survived by her husband, Commission for more than 20 years before 22 in Phoenix. He worked for Hallmark Jim; a son; two daughters; a brother, Jim retiring in 1982. He is survived by his wife, and later had his own advertising rm in Salyer, p’58, l’73; and ve granddaughters. Erdis McCarty Turkington, d’51, g’54; two Phoenix. He is survived by three daugh- John Perry, c’55, 78, May 9 in Tucson, daughters, one of whom is Susan, m’91; a ters, one of whom is Kristina Koerper Ariz., where he was a retired colonel sister; and a brother. Fulton, ’80; three sons, two of whom are in the U.S. Air Force. He is survived Harry White, c’55, m’58, 77, April 21 Karl, m’89, and Philip, m’92; 26 grandchil- by a son, two daughters, two sisters, a in Columbia, Mo., where he was retired dren; and ve great-grandchildren. brother, eight grandchildren and four a er practicing neurology for 48 years. Merle Lesher, g’57, 84, March 16 in great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Serena; two Maryville, Mo., where he was a retired Roderick Phillips, c’53, 83, March 11 in daughters, one of whom is Rebecca White professor of education administration at Hiawatha, where he was a hospital sales Freyre, ’82; a son; and six grandchildren. Northwest Missouri State University. He representative for Proctor and Gamble Barbara Fletcher Wintermote, f’51, is survived by his wife, Barbara, two sons Pharmaceuticals for 35 years before retir- 80, May 8 in Lawrence, where she was a and two grandchildren. ing. He is survived by his wife, Eva Mae, a homemaker. A memorial has been estab- Phyllis Walsten Mann, n’51, 83, daughter, a son, three grandchildren and lished with the KU Endowment Asso- Jan. 18 in Manhattan, where she was three great-grandchildren. ciation. She is survived by her husband, a retired nurse. She is survived by Robert Rebein, b’52, l’54, 80, Jan. 9 in Dick, c’51; a daughter, Terry Wintermote her husband, John, a stepson, a sister Scottsville, Va. He had been assistant com- Preston, ’78; a son, Mark, ’77; four grand- and several stepgrandchildren and missioner of the Internal Revenue Service. children; and a great-grandson. stepgreat-grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Grace; two Leo Meysing, c’51, l’53, 81, April 24 in daughters; two sons, one of whom is Mark, Lynn Greever Allen, c’64, 68, Portland, Ore., where he was a taxation l’89, g’89; a sister; and 13 grandchildren. 60 March 28 while vacationing in attorney for many years. He is survived by Ellis Reida, c’51, g’55, 84, Aug. 3 Mexico. She lived in Boise, Idaho, and two sons, two brothers and a sister. in Flushing, N.Y. His wife, Elizabeth, had worked at Idaho Public Television for William Miller, e’50, 86, March 19 in survives. more than 30 years. She is survived by her Oklahoma City. He lived in Ponca City, Loretta Vorse Shepek, c’54, 79, May 13 husband, Dick, two daughters, a brother Okla., where he was an international in Topeka, where she was a chemist for the and three grandchildren. patent lawyer and co-founder of Miller state of Kansas. Ralph Behnke, PhD’66, 79, May 7 in Law O ce. ree daughters, a brother, Peggy Shinn, b’50, 84, March 8 in Fort Worth, Texas. He was a professor of two grandchildren and two great-grand- Topeka, where she was a retired personnel communication studies at Texas Christian children survive. administrator for the Kansas Department University and was ranked h nationally James Millikan, c’59, 75, March 29 in of Social and Rehabilitation Services. A in research productivity in communica- Forestville, Calif., where he was retired nephew survives. tion studies. Two daughters, a sister and head of the Private Industry Council. He is Joan McClure Smith, c’54, 78, March two grandchildren survive. survived by his wife, Carroll, four daugh- 8 in Greenville, S.C., where she was a Karen Natkowski Boulware, d’69, 65, ters, two sons and two sisters. retired English and drama teacher at May 10 in Kansas City, where she spent 35 Earnest Nelson, b’50, 94, May 10 in Wade Hampton High School. Two sons, a years as a physical education teacher and Roeland Park, where he was retired vice daughter, a sister and two grandchildren coordinator at Pembroke Hill School. president of the Panhandle Eastern credit survive. She is survived by two daughters and union. He is survived by his wife, Dar- Patricia Aylward Thompson, c’54, 78, two sisters. lene; a daughter; Linda Nelson Atha, f’83; Oct. 27 in Boulder, where she had taught Sidney Harrison, a’61, 74, April 22 a son, Kent, f’87; two brothers; and two American and British literature at the Uni- in Lawrence, where he was a partner in granddaughters. versity of Colorado for more than 20 years. Peters Harrison Williams Architecture. C. Robert Nysmith, e’58, g’59, 75, Aug. Earlier she had taught English literature at He earlier had started Harrison Construc- 11 in Reston, Va. He worked for NASA in Washburn University in Topeka and had tion and worked for Hall-Kimbrell and Washington, D.C., and had received the served as president of the Topeka Board of Stephens Real Estate. He is survived by his NASA Leadership Medal. He also founded Education. She is survived by her husband, wife, Glenda; three daughters, Lisa Har- and owned the Nysmith School for the Allen; three sons, one of whom is Kris, rison McLoon, ’83, Lynn Harrison Ollila, Gi ed in Herndon. Surviving are his wife, l’82; two brothers, Paul Aylward Jr., b’52, ’83, and Leslie Harrison Hazlett, c’96; a Carole Rawlings Nysmith, d’58; two sons; and Peter Aylward, b’63; seven grandchil- son, Je, ’84; a stepdaughter, Amy Reid and three grandchildren. dren; and a great-grandchild. Fischer, ’87; seven grandchildren; and Patricia “Patsy” Salyer Onken, d’52, Robert Turkington, c’50, l’55, 81, July three stepgrandchildren. g’55, 80, Jan. 3 in McPherson, where she 12, 2010, in Rockville, Md. He had been Karen Johnson, c’61, 72, April 25 in had been a school psychologist from 1967 a lawyer with the Interstate Commerce Battle Creek, Mich. She worked for Com-
58 | KANSAS ALUMNI pass Inc. from 1961 until 1999, when she realty specialist and warranted contract- Lynn Arroyo Terlemezian, h’81, 51, became test kitchen director for Reiman ing o cer for the Eastern region of the Feb. 23 in Reno, Nev. She is survived by Publications in Chicago. A memorial has National Oceanic and Atmospheric her husband, Paul; a daughter; her mother, been established with the KU Endowment Administration’s real property manage- Gilda Arroyo, assoc.; two brothers; and Association. A sister, ve nieces and a ment division. A son, a daughter and three a sister. nephew survive. grandchildren survive. Elizabeth Clark, n’95, g’99, 50, Norman Johnson Jr., b’68, 71, April 25 Jerrold Lieb, j’71, 62, Jan. 22 in Over- 90 March 9 in Bellingham, Wash. She in Kansas City, where he was retired. He is land Park, where he founded Lieb Graph- had been nursing director of cardiovas- survived by his wife, Linda. ics and worked in the property business cular services at the KU Medical Center Richard Johnson, b’64, 72, March 22 in for many years. He is survived by his wife, before moving to Bellingham, where she Westminster, Colo. He lived in Shawnee Catherine, two daughters, his father, a was executive director of cardiovascular for many years, where he founded and sister and a granddaughter. services at Saint Joseph Hospital. She is owned Pronto Systems/Trans Oil, Archi- Glenice Matthews, f’77, g’79, 67, April survived by her partner, Dana Cunning- tectural Openings and R.J. Associates. He 28 in Perth, Australia, where she lived. She ham; three sons; a daughter, Jaime Meyers, is survived by his wife, Shanon Athy John- was retired director of the Wichita Center d’07, g’10; her mother; and a sister. son, c’64; a son, Reed, b’93; a daughter, for the Arts. Survivors are her husband, Deborah Johnson Gilbert, n’96; a brother; Paul Kern, and two sisters. Sharon Forrest Petrie, c’11, 52, and two grandchildren. Thomas Moorman, c’74, j’75, 58, 00 Jan. 1 in Overland Park. She is Sin Shong Lin, PhD’67, 77, Aug. 1 in April 7 in Arvada, Colo. He was associate survived by her husband, William; two Westwood, Mass. He is survived by his comments editor for the Washburn Law daughters; two sons, one of whom is Wil- wife, Juey-Shin, two daughters, a son and Journal and had a private law practice in liam, c’08; her parents; and a sister. three grandchildren. Denver. He is survived by a son; a sister; Sarah Prochaska-Carpenter, e’03, C.J. Morgan II, g’64, 74, May 9 in Nancy Moorman Silverforb, d’71, g’78; m’10, 30, March 30 in Bliss eld, Mich. Topeka, where he was retired a er 32 years and a brother. She is survived by her husband, Matt, her at Topeka State Hospital. He earlier had James Swartzel, c’79, 78, Feb. 24 in parents, two sisters, a brother and her worked for the Menninger Foundation Lawrence. He worked for Goodyear Tire grandmother. and for the Community Addiction Treat- and Rubber and was an avid sailor and ment Center. Suviving are his wife, Donna, traveler. He is survived by his wife, Geneva THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY a daughter and two grandchildren. James Swartzel, d’58, g’99; four daughters, Gloria Bradshaw McShann Blue, h’60, Kathryn, c’86, Susan Swartzel Wunder, 81, June 11 in Lee’s Summit, Mo. She lived Robert Eastman, l’72, 71, March c’95, Patricia Swartzel Boresow, c’82, and in Independence and had been a supervi- 70 29 in Coeyville, where he owned Stefanie Swartzel Woolverton, c’87; a son, sor and instructor of surgical and portable a law practice and had established Cof- James, j’96; and six grandchildren. radiology at the KU Medical Center for feyville Title & Abstract Co. He is survived more than 30 years. Surviving are her hus- by his wife, Donna Jean, two daughters, a Donna Human Ferrell, g’80, 66, band, Lester; a daughter, Virginia Kissam stepdaughter, a sister, four brothers, four 80 May 16 in Tulsa, Okla., where she Henderson, ’65; a stepson; and a grandson. grandchildren and two stepgrandchildren. retired a er 12 years as principal of Peary Edwyna Condon Gilbert, 74, April 27 Candace Gambrell Flanigan, ’70, 63, Elementary School. She is survived by a in Lawrence, where she was an associate April 26 in Fairway. She is survived by her daughter, a brother and a grandson. professor emerita of English at KU and husband, Dan, j’69; a daughter, Meghan Marsha Darden Lantz, s’88, 55, former associate dean of liberal arts and Flanigan Parrott, c’99; her mother, May 3 in Kansas City, where she had sciences. ree nieces and a great-niece Peggy Gambrell, assoc.; a sister; and two been involved in hospice work. A sister survive. grandchildren. survives. Robert Hosty, c’76, 57, May 6 in Blue Linda Warhola Monson, g’86, 49, April ASSOCIATES Bell, Pa., where he was an insurance 2 in Centennial, Colo. She taught Spanish Harold “Hal” Hollister, 87, March 12 underwriter with Montgomery Manage- in Denver and is survived by her husband, on Sanibel Island, Fla., where he lived ment. He is survived by his father, James, Paul, c’85, c’86, g’88; two daughters; a son; during the winter. He also had a home in three brothers and four sisters. her mother; and two sisters. Leawood, where he was semiretired from Ruth Groom Kamm, c’75, 57, March 2 Eileen Matsusaka Skillen, g’82, 54, United Missouri Bank. He is survived by in Kansas City, where she had been a risk March 31 in Wichita, where she was an his wife, Jeanne Haycock Hollister, d’44; manager at the KU Medical Center. A son audiologist at the Wichita Ear Clinic. two daughters, Marty Hollister omas, survives. She is survived by her husband, Brad, a n’74, m’79, and Sidney Kay Hollister- Catherine Kennett, c’73, 63, March son, a daughter, her mother, two brothers Booker, j’75; a son; four grandsons; and a 27 in Kansas City. She had been a senior and a sister. great-granddaughter.
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 59 Rock Chalk Review
images, “Dabs of Mercy,” aired on the CBS News show “Sunday Morning.” “Toni’s
STEVE PUPPE (2) STEVE hubcap suns really stood out for me when she sent them,” says Jessica Frank, the show’s associate director, who knew immediately that she would use several for upcoming broadcasts. Making it through the difficult years following the loss of both her father and husband, who passed away in 2000, taught Brou many lessons about gratitude and perspective. She is quick to acknowledge that her three sons are her “greatest pieces of work.” Because she is so thankful for the blessings in her life, recently she decided to start giving back. Every time she sells a piece with a bird on it, she makes a donation to Midland Care. The Lawrence hospice’s living-room aviary served as a welcome distraction for Brou her young sons when their father moved there. Brou also makes silk scarves, and those Suns shine designs. “But after my dad died, I knew with a wheat motif benefit Meals on that they had to get bigger.” Wheels in recognition of a Personal loss, found objects She began crafting the pieces friend who died in 2008 inform visual artist’s work from found objects and of pneumonia. The two adopted the mantra, “The grew up together in uy a piece of art from Lawrence artist sun always rises.” Dodge City, and as BToni Thennes Brou, and you buy a Brou molds her suns an adult the friend story—about the work and about her life. from a clay-like com- drove a Meals on Brou, f’91, grew up in Dodge City, the pound and affixes them to Wheels route in daughter of a man who loved to tinker in different bases. Hubcaps Topeka during her his workshop sculpting “junk art” out of are a favorite. The suns lunch hour. discarded objects. “I got my creativity represent not only the Another design, from him,” she says, holding a metal pig he healing power of time, but “Flowers for June,” fabricated from a caulk gun. also the transformative power of benefits the Red Cross and When her father died in 1999, life hit art. “Working with the clay was honors Brou’s late mother, who hard from several directions. A flood had therapy for me,” she says. “I found it very donated blood throughout her life. “My destroyed the contents of her home soothing to just mold it in my hands.” mom was named June ... and she had a studio, and her husband, Marcel Kouadio Brou often attaches a meditation to each clipping on our fridge about how it is Brou, g’94, was losing his battle with liver piece describing the inspiration for the customary to send flowers for a funeral, cancer. Because she was nine months work. “I like it when people know the but that actually we should give people pregnant with her third son and unable stories,” she says. “My art started as flowers while they are alive to make them to attend her father’s funeral, she decided therapy for me as I worked through loss, know they are appreciated.” to honor him the best way she could: so I hope that knowing the story will help For Brou, a grateful heart is part of the by creating. others.” story, too. “I had been making smaller images of Now some of her suns are finding a —Margie Carr, d’84, g’89, PhD’03, is a suns,” Brou says of her ornament-sized national audience. In May, the first of her Lawrence freelance writer.
60 | KANSAS ALUMNI wonkish strengths while forcing Reagan redux the charming former actor into shaky territory beyond his PUPPE STEVE ‘Great Communicator’ more than prepared lines. But Rowland— style, research shows and the nation—witnessed a trouncing, and Rowland imme- he world began to change on June 8, diately began a close analysis of T1982, but the world didn’t notice or Reagan’s rhetorical skills. seem to care. After President Ronald “I’d bought into the stereo- Reagan delivered the speech that defined a type, but it was hard to watch foreign policy that would help collapse the that debate and not realize the Soviet Union, applause from members of stereotypes were wrong,” he says. the British Parliament was hardly “I don’t care how prepped you enthusiastic. are; in that circumstance, with The subdued reaction at Westminster two rebuttals, you’ve got to be Rowland Palace still confounds Robert (Robin) thinking on your own about Rowland, professor of communication what to say, and he was just plain good. on style, but also on substance. That flew studies, who contends Reagan’s “Great He was gifted with humor, he was good on in the face of conventional wisdom.” Communicator” legacy should be more the spur of the moment, and I think the At Westminster, Rowland says, Reagan about substance than style. Last year acting stuff helps, but he really had “essentially predicts the end of the Cold Rowland published a book, Reagan at something to say.” War. People thought he was delusional, Westminster, and this spring he delivered a Reagan included in his Westminster and then nine years later it happened featured presentation at a University of speech a nod to the U.K.’s then-ongoing pretty much like he said it was going to Southern California symposium honoring war in the Falkland Islands, arguing that it happen. Being right about the Soviets, the 100th anniversary of Reagan’s birth. was being waged not for “lumps of rock” well, that’s not a small thing. It freed half a Rowland, c’77, PhD’83, and collaborator in the South Atlantic but “for a cause—for billion people without a shot being fired.” and co-author John Jones, g’97, PhD’99, the belief that armed aggression must not And another two decades after the fall of associate professor of communications at be allowed to succeed.” That was met with communism, Reagan’s passionate, Pepperdine University, studied handwrit- vigorous applause, the event’s only real eloquent defense of democracy lives on. ten notes in Reagan’s original papers to enthusiasm, while truly memorable “One of his arguments is that history gauge how much influence he had in the lines—“Democracy is not a fragile flower. moves toward democracy, that all people construction of his speeches. They found Still, it needs cultivating,” and, “It is the want to be free,” Rowland says. “In the the president had edited or written 60 Soviet Union that runs against the tide of Arab Spring we hear the echoes of percent of the paragraphs in the 4,500- history by denying human freedom and Westminster, and when we hear the echoes word Westminster speech; that percentage dignity to its citizens”—met uncomfort- of Westminster, we know that Reagan was does not include passages Reagan excised able silence. right. The ideas still resonate.” entirely. They also found other examples “The praise for it at the time was tepid, —Chris Lazzarino of the president’s attention to detail. at most,” Rowland says. “And yet in “The papers all show that on the major retrospect it looks like a really, really speeches, especially in the first term and important speech.” especially on the Soviets, he was a fine Jones, who had Rowland for his Just say yes writer and a better editor,” Rowland says. graduate-school adviser before becoming “When Reagan wrote, first drafts tended to his colleague, says their defense of Reagan’s Medical school tops be final drafts. As an academic I find that intellect is finally gaining acceptance, but for enrolling its applicants kind of humbling. That’s better than I am.” not without years of struggle. Rowland, who proudly proclaims “The popular conception of Ronald he country’s most popular medical himself a lifelong liberal Democrat, says Reagan among a lot of scholars was that he Tschool? That’s how U.S. News & Reagan first caught his attention during was an intellectual lightweight, a good World Report describes the KU School of the October 1980 debate with President speaker to be sure, but certainly not a Medicine after its nationwide study of the Jimmy Carter. Rowland, a national-cham- person of substance,” Jones says. “Dr. percentage of applicants who enroll after pion debater, says he was “shocked” by Rowland led the way on this years ago being accepted by medical schools. Reagan’s performance. with his analysis of the Reagan-Carter According to the magazine, 176 of 214 The debate’s format, with two rebuttals, debate in 1980. He showed that Reagan applicants accepted in 2010, or 82.2 seemingly would have played to Carter’s supplied more evidence, and not only won percent, elected to attend KU. That was the
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 61 Rock Chalk Review best percentage among the 121 U.S. report whether they had been victims of medical schools included in the study. bullying, and he also asked them to “Over the past several years, we have “nominate” classmates who displayed SIMON CORDOVA developed a reputation as one of the best hostile behavior toward others. medical schools in the country for For victims, Vernberg says, the visits to educating primary care doctors,” says the nurse might not be the direct result of Heidi Chumley, senior associate dean for a particular bullying incident. medical education. “I know many of our “It might not be a scrape on their applicants are interested in pursuing a arm—it’s somatic complaints,” he says. “I career in primary and rural medicine, and think people can relate to having two or they are very aware that this is the place to three weeks or a month of stressful events, get the best training for those areas.” and starting to develop stomachaches, To offer even more opportunities for headaches or neck aches.” instruction in primary care and rural Vernberg says aggressors can feel the medicine, KU this summer has expanded stress of a situation even if they instigated the Wichita campus program to a full, it. They may have been punished for the four-year program and has begun a incident or felt guilt because of it. four-year program in Salina. “It’s still an aggressive social exchange,” Roots take hold Top-ranked schools in the U.S. News he says. report were all public universities. Others The study is part of a larger body of Short-lived crop art endures in the top 10 included medical schools at research on bullying for Vernberg and in young filmmaker’s work Washington, North Carolina, Oklahoma colleagues. Last year, he co-authored the and Michigan State. book Preventing and Treating Bullying and or his first film, “Earthwork,” Chris —Chris Lazzarino Victimization. FOrdal set out to preserve a particular Vernberg says he hopes nurses, teachers art form that is inherently temporary. and parents use the study to ask questions His subject, Stan Herd, is a Southwest of their students if they are making Kansas native who creates large-scale art in Aches and pains frequent visits to the nurse’s office. open patches of land. Each spectacular “It doesn’t mean because a kid goes to earthwork is photographed from the air Kids’ complaints to nurses the school nurse, he’s the target of bullying before it eventually falls victim to natural could be symptoms of bullying or is bullying other kids,” he says. “But it’s predators or human destruction. To Ordal, worth looking at.” Herd’s art represents a universal theme: child’s frequent visits to the school —Terry Rombeck the artist’s essential struggle to create and Anurse may be a sign of more than just survive. a weak immune system. They might be a “One of the beautiful things about the sign of bullying. cinema is that it’s a permanent art form,” That’s the conclusion of research led by says Ordal, ’05, who as a student worked Eric Vernberg, professor of clinical child PUPPE STEVE on films with Professor Kevin Willmott psychology and director of the Child and and now lives in Los Angeles. “To tell Family Services Clinic at KU. His findings Stan’s story and show his art in a perma- were published this spring in the journal nent way is the only art that will survive Pediatrics. after he is gone.” Vernberg found that children in grades Ordal became fascinated with Herd’s three through five were more likely to visit story after learning that the crop artist the school nurse repeatedly if they were spent most of 1994 in New York City involved in bullying incidents—both as producing an image of Kansas landscape the aggressor and as the victim. on two acres set to house Donald Trump’s “It’s been suggested before,” Vernberg newest building. Herd, ’86, worked on the says of the connection, “but this is the first land for nine months, hoping for media time we were able to make the comparison coverage before his art ultimately was between a school nursing log and data on leveled. bullying.” In 2006 Ordal worked for six months In addition to the log of visits to the alongside Herd on field projects, asking nurse, Vernberg asked 590 students to Vernberg countless questions.
62 | KANSAS ALUMNI In New York, Herd had Hawkes, who was since enlisted the help of people nominated for an Academy “One of the beautiful things living in tunnels near his Award for his role in SIMON CORDOVA site. One man, a young “Winter’s Bone,” portrays about the cinema is that it’s A
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graffiti artist, caught D Herd as gentle, unassum- R
O a permanent art form. To tell C
Ordal’s attention and ing and diligent—a quiet
N
O M
became the reason for I Kansan who works harder Stan’s story and show his art S telling the story. “Stan through obstacles. in a permanent way is the told me that Ryan had For the real Stan Herd, really connected with him,” reliving 1994 and seeing the only art that will survive Ordal says. “When he saw how film for the first time was after he is gone.” powerful his art was to Ryan, that’s Ordal uncomfortable. “But the heart of the when Stan knew why he should keep story held true,” Herd says. “In the end, I —Chris Ordal, ’05 creating his art no matter what.” could relax and embrace the serendipity of Ordal went home and wrote the story in the whole experience.” 18 pages. The parallel between Herd’s “Earthwork” played in more than 50 temporary rural art and that of the urban film festivals in 2009, winning awards and graffiti artist won over his producing a distribution deal. Working and traveling
partners and investors. with Ordal, Herd witnessed the director’s (3) JON BLUMB Most of the movie is set in New York, own work ethic. “When Chris first showed but the crew spent just one day filming up with the money to actually begin there. The rest was shot in 28 days in and shooting, it surprised me,” he admits. around Lawrence. “Knowing him now, I should never have The cast and crew featured other questioned his resolve.” KU names in film, including Laura Kirk, After a strong start, Ordal will continue c’89, and Ordal rejoiced when his first to create and to prove himself. “I wanted choice for the male lead came on board. to do something big and bold and come “I was on cloud nine, telling everyone out of the gate with one that said some- ‘John Hawkes is going to be in the movie,’” thing important about life,” he says. “One Iowa Countryside Ordal recalls. “And everyone said, ‘Who that showed I’ve got chops.” the hell is John Hawkes?’ because he wasn’t —Whitney Eriksen a name back then.” SIMON CORDOVA
Liberty
Actor John Hawkes was nominated for an Academy Award for his haunting performance in “Winter’s Bone,” a film based on a novel by Daniel Woodrell, c’80. For first-time director Chris Ordal, ’05, Hawkes (in cowboy hat) portrays Kansas crop artist Stan Herd, ’86, in Ordal’s dramatization of Herd’s 1994 sojourn to New York City. Saginaw
ISSUE 4, 2011 | 63 Glorious to View Photographs by Steve Puppe
A spur-of-the-moment belly slide during the walk into Memorial Stadium and not-very-high-fives after exiting the Campanile were graduates’ exuberant odes to joy during KU’s 139th Commencement, May 22.
64 | KANSAS ALUMNI Don’t miss your chance to be included in
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Alumni Today
This official KU alumni directory will be the first to feature photos and notes submitted by alumni and members, along with the traditional directory listings. Watch your mailbox this summer for an invitation to confirm your listing by phone and purchase this one-of-a-kind directory.
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