No 6, 2015 I $5
Saturday Best Everybody’s crazy ’bout a sharp-dressed band
n BLOCH PAINTINGS n WILLMOTT FILMS
Contents | November 2015
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30 24 38 Suit Up the Band Artist’s Retreat The Big Picture With snappy new uniforms A new exhibition and book Drawing on his activist past, of KU crimson and blue, a revisit the work and life of Kevin Willmott has made lms Wichita family rm ensures Lawrence’s most famous that illuminate America’s that the Marching Jayhawks unknown artist, painter troubled racial history. Now look as good as they sound. Albert Bloch. he teams with Spike Lee to take on a painful new chapter By Chris Lazzarino By Chris Lazzarino that’s still making headlines.
Cover photograph By Steven Hill by Steve Puppe
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century, illustrate not only the quest for discovery that drives eld biologists, but more importantly the lasting signi cance of the specimens and archival eld data that reside at KU Natural History Museum and other such institutions. Together, they constitute the single most important source of informa- tion on the world’s biodiversity. ank you! Eric Rickart, c’74, g’76 Biodiversity The Wheel, 1977 treasures Salt Lake City I Steven “T D ” Hill’s article, “True Detectives” brought back old memories to I would work my way up the Wheel toast [issue No. 5], spotlighting the me. During my years at KU, building through the diorama, important research in herpe- 1952 to 1956, I worked for the past Comanche and through T tology that has had such a long electrical department of the birds to the herpetology together such a great article on tradition at KU. Buildings and Grounds and my rooms with all of the scary the history of e Wheel As a student, I had some primary function was to specimens in glass jars. Finally, [“Where Everybody Knows interesting conversations with replace burned out light bulbs. I would end up in the pent- Your Name,” issue No. 5]. As a Edward Taylor and was During the years ’54 to ’55 and house that was the private guy who worked for both Woo amazed at the incredible career ’55 to ’56, I would spend domain of Dr. Taylor, or and Knobbie, I can say this was of this remarkable man. almost every Saturday morning “Snakes” Taylor as he was done perfectly. Much later, while conducting working in the Natural History a ectionately known. I love KU, but I love e research on mammals in the Museum in Dyche Hall, For some reason, Dr. Taylor Wheel just as much. It is so mountains of northern Luzon, starting in the basement liked to tell me stories about much more than just a bar. I I had the pleasure of working watching the vertebrate his expeditions, so when I was a Beta at KU, but I have closely with Rafe Brown. paleontologist reconstruct a nished early I would listen to always said e Wheel was my e activities of these two pterodactyl one bone at a time. tales of his exploits. I was a true fraternity. men, spanning more than a It may still be on display. en business major and had no Woo had me working there idea about anything to do with the summer before my herpetology, but he liked to freshman year at KU, and my regale me with stories about last day was a er I graduated his more dangerous trips and my h year. To say I met how he escaped headhunters or some great folks along my just missed being attacked by ve-plus year run is an animals and a lot of other close understatement. calls. I miss Woo, but Knobbie has Now, 60 years later, I don’t been the perfect guy to pick up remember the details of the the torch and carry it to year stories but I remember 60. I can’t wait to send my little enjoying those interesting man Cole to work for Knobbie sessions with him. It was part in 13 years. of my KU education. Bravo, and RCJH. K. J. Laessig, b‘56 Dave Tacha, b’00 Los Angeles Denver Taylor
4 | KANSAS ALUMNI W in basement—then called Heavy obtained a lease on the our hearts for e Wagon Eddy’s— rst as a delivery premises. We changed the Wheel Café! Judy and I were driver and then as assistant name to e Stables. e rst married in 1961 and that fall manager. I got to know all the thing we did was to purchase moved into the six-plex sta upstairs (and might have our own records for the directly across 14th Street from traded pizza for beer), and had jukebox and turn up the the café. We couldn’t a ord a regular visits and conversations volume. We opened in telephone, but e Wheel with John Wooden. He was August 1960 and our allowed us to use theirs. On always checking to make sure business immediately one occasion they received a we were OK down there. took o . phone call for us, and they Just last month, while We became the largest seller shouted that we had a call. It visiting my daughter (a senior of Budweiser in the state of was family notifying us that in the School of Architecture, Kansas. Anheuser-Busch sent Judy’s grandmother had died. Design & Planning) for a their marketing people to anks to the generous spirit parents’ weekend event at KU, Lawrence to see how we Richardson of sta there we got the we made a stop at e Wheel. promoted the college market. important timely news. It felt like a trip back in time. John Wooden was one of our My great-grandmother was Jerry Niebaum, d’61 Still a wonderful place! customers and we became Nellie Colman Bigsby, ’00; my Lawrence Jim Obermeyer, j’80 close friends. He saw the type grandmother was Flora Nell Eureka, Missouri of business we were doing, and Bigsby Dickey, ’28; and my I KU from fall 1957 this was some incentive for father was David Wendell until 1961. I lived at Don C L ’ article him to purchase e Wheel Dickey, ’56. I graduated in ’86. Henry Co-op beginning in the on the 60th anniversary of e from Jim Large. And my son, Corey Joseph fall of 1958. Don Henry was Wagon Wheel Café brought We were the rst students to Goodburn, has been accepted across the street from e back lots of memories. I started open a bar in Lawrence, and, to KU and will start in fall Wheel. I met my roommate at at KU in 1956 and patronized as a result, the atmosphere 2016—the sixth generation! e Wheel. We spent a lot of e Wheel when Jim Large was changed. Students were serving ank you again for this time there, especially a er the operator. I would like to students. It was this change in wonderful article. I am proud football and basketball games. add some history because I atmosphere that allowed John of my family’s heritage at KU We knew Jim and as I recall believe my partner, Rip Wooden to greatly expand the and especially proud that so Jim remembered everyone. Hedrick, c’59, l’64, and myself business of e Wheel. many in the line were women! My brother, David Hiatt, started a trend that was He made sure you didn’t It’s truly remarkable. e’71, also went to KU and bene cial to John Wooden have to listen to Tony Bennett Sara Dickey Goodburn, j’86 spent time at e Wheel. when he became owner of e or Frank Sinatra, because on Roeland Park I hope to be able to have the Wheel. his jukebox they were playing two page picture framed and In the late 1950s the bars in the KU ght song. Rob Farha Talkin’ ’bout my keep the article. Lawrence were owned and has carried on the tradition Phillip Hiatt, d’61, g’67 operated by local businessmen. that we started and John generation Alta Loma, California Jim Large ran a tight ship, as Wooden followed. W to did the owner of the Dine-A- Larry Blickhan, c’60, l’63 read about Kent Haruf’s latest G on e Mite Inn on 23rd Street. ey Quincy, Illinois novel in the September issue of Wheel! It brought back a lot of kept the volume on their Kansas Alumni [“Old Souls, memories. In the late ’70s I jukeboxes low and preferred The first alumna New Love,” Rock Chalk worked in the pizza joint in the so music by artists such as Review, issue No. 5]. I had just Tony Bennett and Frank W article nished Our Souls at Night and Sinatra. ey preferred doing about my great-great-grand- really enjoyed reading about business with couples and not mother, Flora Richardson my generation. stags. If you got out of line you Colman [KU 150, issue No. 5]. Now I nd that he is a fellow were asked to leave or quiet I was so excited to read that Jayhawk, which made the book down. her diploma is on display at the hit even closer to home. I Your opinion counts: Please In summer 1960 Rip and I Spencer Research Library. I’ve would recommend this book email us a note at kualumni@ decided we would open our contacted my cousin and we to anyone of a “certain age.” kualumni.org to tell us what you own bar. e American Legion plan on making a trip over Thomas Foster, e’51 think of your alumni magazine. club had closed and we soon to see it! Dallas
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 5
by Jennifer Jackson Sanner First Word
take a photo for our brief Jayhawk Walk story in issue No. 4. She also returned to Lawrence
STEVE PUPPE STEVE with a bigger story to tell: For more than a century, the Fruhauf family has cra ed marching band uniforms, and the clan’s connection to KU spans more than 60 years. Today the company combines modern machines, which cut fabric with laser preci- sion, and the expert hand-sewing required for nearly every piece of each uniform. e youngest generation of trusted tailors includes two current Marching Jayhawks—trumpeters Landon, a junior, and Evan, a freshman—who helped create the uniforms they now wear. A few weeks later, Associate Editor Chris Lazzarino, j’86, and Videographer Dan Storey traveled to Wichita to further document the intricate art of uniform-making with report- ing and photos for our cover story and video for the online version of Kansas Alumni (kualumni.org). When the musicians revealed their regalia in September, Steve Puppe, j’98, n the canon of KU’s secular sacraments, the was ready with his camera to capture the IMarching Jayhawks rank among the most The task of outfitting band’s majestic pregame march from Memo- hallowed. e sight and sound of the band grab the band was a two-year rial Drive down the Hill to the stadium, a our attention and tug at our hearts. And because tradition established by the venerable Robert collaboration of the School style and substance are entwined, director Foster, who for 31 years (1971-2002) led the Matthew Smith keenly understands that new of Music, Kansas Athletics band and remains emeritus director. On uniforms for his corps are far more than a mere and KU Endowment. “It’s football Saturdays, the vibrant, joyous fashion statement. “ e band is such an impor- procession reminds countless Jayhawks of neat to do a project where tant part of college pageantry,” says Smith, who their own walks down the Hill on Com- has led the marching musicians since 2010. “ ey everybody sees it’s for the mencement Day. are a visual representation of the University and benefit of the student and Another favorite rite is the Marching its students.” Jayhawks’ rip-roaring rampage down the the image of the University. In fact, most of the band’s members are Memorial Stadium steps and onto the turf students rst and musicians second, according to That’s really powerful.” for their signature pregame show. Director Smith. Only 20 to 25 percent of the 270 players —Matt Smith Kenneth Bloomquist, who led KU bands from are music majors; the rest are pursuing 80 1968 to 1970, designed the daredevil descent, di erent majors across campus, prompting Smith another trademark. to adopt a favorite refrain: “I like to say we are one of the most e rituals, along with uniforms that in color and style recall diverse, academically speaking, student populations on campus.” those of earlier years, combine to generate pride, which runs e task of out tting the band was a two-year collaboration especially deep among band alumni—including the dozens of the School of Music, Kansas Athletics and KU Endowment. who return each fall for Homecoming to march in the Alumni “It’s neat to do a project where everybody sees it’s for the bene t Band. is year, stalwarts paraded in the pouring rain down of the student and the image of the University,” Smith says. Massachusetts Street Oct. 30 before hitting their marks and their “ at’s really powerful.” notes during the hal ime show of the football game Oct. 31. A er the announcement that the band would sport new threads ose alumni—and legions more—share a spirit that outlasts this fall, we were eager to share the news. To catch a glimpse of even the sturdiest or snazziest of uniforms. the stitches in real time, Susan Younger, f’91, our creative As Jayhawks everywhere will attest, tradition is our director, stopped by Fruhauf Uniforms in Wichita this summer to strongest suit.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 7 On the Boulevard
Despite cold, rainy conditions, the Homecoming parade cruised through downtown Lawrence on Oct. 30. Students and spectators, equipped with umbrellas and rain gear, embraced this year’s theme, “Ghosts of Jayhawks Past,“ and proved they couldn’t be spooked by bad weather—even on Halloween weekend.
Lied Center events University Theatre Murphy Hall 7 Percussion Ensemble 8 Rock Chalk Singers NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 8 KU Choirs: Bales Chorale 23 President Bill Clinton: 14-15, 19-22 “A Doll’s 19 KU Choirs: Chamber 10 Collegium Musicum 2015 Dole Leadership Prize House,” directed by Peter Singers Zazzali, Stage Too! 23 KU Symphony Orchestra 20 Helianthus Contempo- Lectures 18, 20, 22 KU Opera: rary Ensemble DECEMBER Alcina, Baustian eatre 20, 22 KU Opera: Alcina NOVEMBER 1 Cyrus Chestnut, solo piano DECEMBER 22 Lawrence Woodwind 20 KU School of Business 2 KU Symphonic Band, Quintet, Visiting Artist Anderson Chandler Lecture: 4-7, 8, 10 “Reckless,” University Band Series Steve Wozniak, Lied Center directed by Craig Lucas, 6 Holiday Vespers William Inge Memorial 23 KU Symphony Orchestra DECEMBER 11 Sweet Honey in the Rock eatre DECEMBER 2 Milton Steinhardt Lecture 16-17 Ashley Davis: e 2 Series: Colin Roust, Murphy Christmas Sessions KU Symphonic Band and University Band Hall
To see a video of KU’s Homecoming parade, visit kualumni.org/events/homecoming.
8 | KANSAS ALUMNI Photographs by Steve Puppe
Academic Calendar 28 Member Tailgate, Adams 16 Kansas City: Roundball Center with Coach Self and Coach NOVEMBER 28 KU-Kansas State watch Schneider 25-29 anksgiving break parties 17 KU Alumni online 29 KU Night with the LA networking DECEMBER Clippers 18 Topeka: Roundball with 10 Last day of classes Coach Self and Coach DECEMBER Schneider 11 Stop Day 1 Denver: Networking 22 KU-San Diego State 14-18 Finals week breakfast pregame party, San Diego JANUARY 1 KU Alumni Wichita Blood JANUARY Drive 19 First day of classes 12 4 Vespers on the Road KU Night with the cocktail reception and Chicago Blackhawks concert, Overland Park Alumni Events 9 Dallas: Jayhawks and Java 10 NOVEMBER Lawrence Network Scotch Tasting, Adams 18 St. Louis: School of Center Architecture, Design & 11 Campus TGIF, Adams Planning reception Center 19 KU Alumni online 11 KU Night with the Denver networking Nuggets 19 Denver: Networking 15 Lawrence: Roundball breakfast with Coach Schneider 21 Member Tailgate, Adams Center
Events listed here are highlights from the Association’s busy calendar. For complete listings of all events, watch for emails about programs in your area, visit kualumni.org or call 800-584-2957
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 9 Jayhawk Walk
Daisy Hill’s SimCity
With implosion scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 25,
McCollum Hall’s days might be numbered, CITY STAR KANSAS COURTESY but the dormant dormitory is going out in a blaze of glory by hosting one final round of rowdy visitors: Lawrence- Douglas County Fire Medical crews who recently used the 10-story, three-winged ‘Miss Frances,’ structure to simulate high-rise firefight- ing and rescue operations. the Royals’ No. 1 fan While no actual fires were set, floors rances Ingemann earned a doctorate in were filled with smoke and firefighters were Flinguistics from Indiana University in free to drag in hoses, spray water and knock 1956. She joined KU’s English department in down doors. Douglas County sheri’s deputies 1957, and in the early ’60s founded the similarly stormed vacant Stouer Place Apart- linguistics department, retiring in 2000 as ments for realistic raids. professor and three-time department chair. “If we do any damage,” fire department training chief Long before the proliferation of computers, Shaun Coey told the Lawrence Journal-World, “it doesn’t she was a pioneer in the creation of
LARRY LEROY PEARSON LEROY LARRY really matter. When they’re occupied, we have to be a little synthesized speech. She wrote her doctoral more careful.” thesis on a minority Russian language called McCollum Hall: an educational landmark to the bitter end. Cheremis and was the first linguist to do field work on the Ipili language of Papua New Guinea. In 1977 she was inducted in the KU Women’s Hall of Fame. The suite life campus views, o ces for advisory sta It’s safe to assume that there are few and in-house tutoring. places where Professor Ingemann is P Check. “At night all the study rooms are lit up addressed as “Miss Frances.” The exception: Big-screen TV and cozy furniture? Check. and you can see people studying every- Kauman Stadium, where she has held Fireplace and digital grand piano? Yeah, where,” says Diana Robertson, director of season tickets for a seat five rows up from it’s got those too. student housing. “When students wander the Royals’ dugout since 1985 and is adored Daisy Hill Commons, a gleaming glass by, I want them to go, ‘Hmm ... maybe I by stadium attendants and her fellow fans. expanse that links the new Self and should go study.” Ingemann, 88, who takes herself out to the Oswald freshman residence halls is We’re sure they will—right aer one ball game by driving from Lawrence to humbly named, but there’s nothing more game of pool. Kansas City for every home game, was ho-hum about the space, which has profiled Oct. 28 by the Kansas City Star everything students need to enjoy the during the Royals’ thrilling run to the World ner things in life. ere’s even a mini- Series title. mart, Jayhawk Grocer, that promises “Baseball is so interesting, you never know DAN STOREY DAN “grocery staples like milk, bread and fresh what you’ll get,” Ingemann told The Star. produce.” (What, no ramen?) “Who would’ve predicted that Game 1 would Designed to increase the connections begin with an inside-the-park home run? On among all six residence halls on Daisy the first pitch?” Hill, the commons functions as a hub of Royals fans are lately priding themselves social, recreational and, yes, academic life on enthusiasm and loyalty, but they’ll have a for students: e second oor features long way to go to surpass Professor Miss glass-walled study rooms with panoramic Frances.
10 | KANSAS ALUMNI Ahoy, mateys Johnathan Manney, Newton sophomore scored style points, spinning—and in mechanical engineering, piloted SS Ta , grinning—a circular, seven-minute path to G named a er the U.S. president famous for the nish. Right Brigade, powered by competing in the rst Potter Lake Card- getting stuck in a bathtub. Wichita freshman Adam Korte, crossed in board Boat Regatta Sept. 19 were simple: “ e idea being that it’s large,” Manney a blistering 1:53 to claim the $150 rst- ey ran the gamut from “Don’t sink” to explained, “and will probably get stuck in a place prize. ey scored another $50 “Just l i v e .” body of water.” when spectators voted the team “fan Student Union Activities invited student Indeed, Manney went into the drink, favorite.” teams to build boats using only cardboard but thanks to a strong swimming stroke Asked what they planned to do with their and duct tape; one member per team then still nished second. Catastrophe, with a winnings, a Right Brigader quipped, “Do paddled across the campus landmark in purple-painted ship modeled on the you really wanna know?” timed heats. Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, Nah. We’ve got a pretty good idea. SUSAN YOUNGER (3) YOUNGER SUSAN
Gym dandy wows online fans
ocial media’s latest knee-high stack of identify him as a college The exercise science Ssmash-hit workout weights while shoulder- football player, it is, major channeled his warrior is a soft-spoken ing 405 pounds and in fact, exactly disappointment into Stephenson Scholarship performing single-arm what Wilson an escalating Hall sophomore who planks with 270 pounds wants more series of training is happy to share his on his back—were than anything. videos that have secret to success, in touted in early A state won over part because he knows September by two online medalist in workout wizards few will match his gurus with millions of wrestling, worldwide; he’s motivation: “Not followers. Wilson says he hoping they’ll do everybody,” Devonte His sudden fame then never got much the same if they’re Wilson says, “is willing zoomed stratospheric of a chance to seen by college E PP U to lose sleep.” after a popular show what he can do P football recruiters. VE TE S
Wilson regularly posts mainstream sports site in football. By the time “I’m trying to let thrilling lifting, jumping tagged Wilson as a his pleas to join KU people know, if you’ve and tumbling videos to Kansas running back, an football’s walk-on done; Wilson had just got a dream in your instagram.com error repeated across the program as a freshman one carry for 1 yard in heart, hold onto it,” @devonte.m.wilson, and online sports spectrum. were heard and he the spring game, and Wilson says. “As long as his exhilarating exercise Fueling Wilson’s fire is cleared the required was then told he you’ve got one, you have exploits—including the irony that while it medical examinations, wouldn’t need to return a chance of making it jumping onto a was not accurate to spring practice was half for summer camp. come true.”
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 11 Hilltopics
A jawbone (right), with teeth intact, is part of
STEVE PUPPE STEVE a KU Natural History Museum exhibition that showcases a selection of the extensive T. rex remains that paleontologist David Burnham and his team discovered this summer in Montana.
“Even at 15 percent it’s mountable. If we got up to 30 or 40 percent, it would be quite a showpiece.” e rst KU T. rex specimen, a single toe bone, was collected in 1895. By comparison, the T. rex specimen at e Field Museum in Chicago, nicknamed Sue and billed as the most complete specimen ever discovered, is 90 percent complete. Of even greater interest to Burnham and other vertebrate paleontologists is the research potential the specimen presents. First, the dinosaur was thought to be about 15 years old—sexually mature, but Fossil find e site, near Jordan, Montana, on not fully grown. Less than a handful of T. federal land overseen by the Bureau of rex specimens that age have been found, T. rex discovery marks important Land Management, was originally Burnham says. addition to KU collection explored by the St. Louis Science Center. “ ey had a fast, short life. e growth A er the center decided to stop function- curve is really steep, which means they Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ing as a BLM repository, Burnham stepped had to get big really fast.” Because there’s Aunearthed this summer by KU in to claim the site for KU. Based on what high mortality right a er sexual maturity paleontologist David Burnham already he’s seen there, he thinks it’s reasonable to in dinosaurs, and because of the relatively ranks among the nest specimens ever believe that future digs could recover few specimens in this age range, the new found of the iconic dinosaur. And more enough bones to complete 30 percent of specimen can help researchers more bones await discovery. the skeleton. precisely calibrate that growth curve. Located in the Hell Creek Formation, It’s a major addition to KU’s dinosaur “You don’t only want the biggest and where more than half of the world’s collection, which includes some 250 best, but if you’ve got something that’s T. rex specimens were found, the catalogued specimens ranging from really rare because of the age group it’s in, fossilized bones undergoing cleaning isolated teeth to entire skeletons. that’s important,” Burnham says. “We’re now at the Natural History Museum in “It’s not our rst T. rex, but it is our adding another valuable data point to the Dyche Hall represent about 15 percent biggest and best T. rex,” Burnham says. life and times of T. rex.” of a complete skeleton. “ ere have been about 50 T. rex specimens discovered to date,” says Burnham, PhD’07, associate researcher “I’ve always wanted to be on a T. rex project, and it and preparator in the Biodiversity Insti- means the world to me. I’ve published on these tute’s division of vertebrate paleontology. “If you arrange those by percentage, [a things for years, and to be able to actually have one 15-percent complete skeleton] puts us in in my basement is a thrill.” —David Burnham the top 20.” { }
12 | KANSAS ALUMNI While cleaning some of the bones in infection or a cancerous tumor: All many more await discovery in Montana. preparation for an exhibition that is now scenarios are of potential interest to “It’s a feather in our cap, for the museum open at the museum, Burnham also made researchers. to say we have a T. rex n ow,” Burnham a curious nd: e insides of the normally e site also holds promise for more says, noting the buzz that’s already hollow bones were lled in with an as-yet nds. Mixed in among the T. rex were attracting students, researchers and unidenti ed material. bones from another tyrannosaur species, volunteers to the vertebrate paleontology More testing is needed, but Burnham fossil plants, and a large chunk of amber division’s basement lab, where fossilized hypothesizes that it could be medullary that will be examined for potential animal bones wrapped in tinfoil or encased in bone, which is produced by female birds as or insect discoveries. Most of all, Burnham plaster jackets are arrayed on shelves and a way to store calcium that can be used hopes to nd a juvenile T. rex arm to tables. later to create shells for their eggs. If that compare to the few adult arms that have “I’ve always wanted to be on a T. rex hypothesis is con rmed, it would prove been discovered. project, and it means the world to m e ,” that the specimen was an egg-laying e exhibition, “CSI: Cretaceous Burnham says. “I’ve published on these female. Pathologies in other bones suggest Skeleton Investigated,” is now open on the things for years, and to be able to actually the dinosaur may have had an injury, an third oor of the Natural History Museum have one in my basement is a thrill.” and features select On Oct. 30, the journal Paleontological parts of the skull Contributions featured another exciting (including a portion nd with connections to KU. A research
STEVE PUPPE STEVE of the massive jaw team led by alumnus Robert DePalma, with teeth), ribs, g’10, curator of vertebrate paleontology at vertebrae, an entire the Palm Beach Museum of Natural foot and portions of History, discovered a new dinosaur species two legs. e bones in South Dakota. Named Dakotaraptor, on display are only a the 17-foot-long creature is the largest select portion of specimen ever found with wing feathers. those that have been e new species lls a gap between smaller brought back to theropods like velociraptors and large campus, many of tyrannosaurs that lived at the same time, which are still being according to Burnham, who was a cleaned and co-author on the paper. identi ed. And —Steven Hill
UPDATE
STEVE PUPPE STEVE century of herpetology Felllowship in Herpetol- research collection of frogs, at KU [“True ogy will advance research snakes, and lizards, their Detectives,” issue No. and education in the field, skeletons, and their tissues 5], also attracted a laboratory, collections and for DNA analyses,” says major challenge grant classroom. institute director Leonard honoring retired “The fellowship would Krishtalka. “I envision professors William complete herpetology’s each fellow as a ‘rover’ on Duellman and Linda distinguished team of our research teams in the he 2015 conference of Trueb, c’62, PhD’68. faculty, students and sta laboratory and expedition Tthe Society for the An anonymous donor across research, research sites, working with faculty Study of Amphibians and pledged $600,000 to be training and mentoring, in and students to discover, Reptiles, which brought matched by the Biodiversity biotic survey expeditions document and sustain 400 herpetologists Institute; the $1.2 million to the Americas, Asia and the wondrous diversity of (including 50 alumni) to William Duellman and Australia, and in the growth herpetological species and campus in celebration of a Linda Trueb Postdoctoral of a world-class anatomical their habitats.”
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 13 Hilltopics
and the Oce of Institutional Opportunity & Access (IOA), allowing them to focus on Degree distinction: Photographer core functions. “While the University already provides Terry Evans, f’68, and Google Earth strong sexual assault prevention and co-creator Brian McClendon, e’86, education programming, we recognize our programs could be improved if they were will receive honorary KU degrees at better coordinated and centralized under Commencement May 15. Evans, one roof,” Tuttle said. “e result will be a better, more coherent sexual assault subject of a 2013 career retrospective at prevention and education e ort that the Nelson-Atkins Museum, earns a bene ts the KU community.” Recommendations not approved Doctor of Arts for outstanding contributions in photo- included mandatory campus residency for graphy and visual arts. McClendon, an executive at Uber, all rst-year students (the University cited a lack of available housing space); require- earns a Doctor of Science for outstanding contributions ments that faculty and sta report in electrical engineering and computer science. allegations or concerns not just to Univer- sity investigators, as currently required, but also to third parties (KU cited poten- tial victim privacy violations and confu- sion in the reporting process); mandatory “e Sexual Assault Task Force under- hearing for all cases (logistics and stang Task force heard went a long process of critically examining make this impractical, ocials answered, KU’s policies, practices and prevention while also stating that “not all o enses in Sex assault prevention, education e orts to identify a path for creating a the university system necessitate penalties recommendations approved safer campus and emerging as a national and/or hearing”); and shi ing fraternity leader on the issue,” said co-chair Alesha and sorority recruitments to spring our months a er receiving the nal Doan, associate professor of political semesters. Freport of the Chancellor’s Task Force science and chair of women, gender & As for the recommendation to delay on Sexual Assault, the University in equity studies. “e task force is extremely Greek recruitment of incoming freshmen, September announced its approval of 22 of proud to have been a part of the process the University replied that it has long 27 recommendations. Some are in the that will ultimately result in a safer discussed the topic with fraternity and process of implementation and others have environment for our students.” sorority leaders, but those requests have already been launched. Approved recommendations include been rebu ed because early recruitment is “Our desire has always been to position clearer information about how to report viewed as a central aspect of the KU Greek KU as a leader in how universities address assaults, creating a sexual-assault response experience. this national problem, and the task force’s team in coordination with housing and e task force’s nal report and the e orts have helped make that aspiration a law enforcement, new and broader University’s detailed responses to all reality,” Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little educational programs for all rst-year recommendations are available at said. “Of course, we continue to call on the students, improved data collection and the sataskforce.ku.edu. entire campus community to join us in establishment of a Sexual Assault Preven- e University in October also nding new ways to improve how we tion and Education Center. announced the immediate resignation of prevent and respond to sexual assault.” at center, ocially announced Oct. IOA director Jane McQueeny, who le for Convened amid a sexual assault 14, is a centralized coordinating oce for a position as general counsel with a Kansas controversy that ared across campus in all sexual assault prevention and education City nonpro t agency. McQueeny had September 2014, the chancellor’s task programming. e director, still to be supervised IOA’s investigations into all force, which was directed to examine how named, will report to Jane Tuttle, assistant sexual assault harassment allegations and the University prevents and responds to vice provost for student a airs. Among their possible violations of federal equal- sexual assault, met 13 times during the other duties, the center allows KU to shi access guidelines established by Title IX. academic year and on May 1 delivered its education and prevention responsibilities Investigator Joshua Jones is serving as nal report to the chancellor and away from units such as public safety, interim director. Provost Je rey Vitter. student a airs, Watkins Health Services —Chris Lazzarino
14 | KANSAS ALUMNI founded the Folds of Honor Foundation, a Milestones, money nonpro t organization established to support spouses and children of soldiers and other matters killed or disabled in combat. Since its inception in 2007, the foundation has raised more than $70 million and provided COURTESY BRAD GARLINGHOUSE COURTESY
nearly 8,000 education scholarships. STOREY DAN Rooney also wrote A Patriot’s Calling: Living Life Between Fear and Faith. He has been named People magazine’s “Hero of the Year” and ABC World News’ “Person of Garlinghouse the Year.” Garlinghouse, c’94, is chief operating n The freshman class grew for the o cer and president of Ripple, a global fourth straight year, to 4,187, a 2.5 Top honors nancial settlement rm. He was previ- percent increase from last year. The ously CEO of Hightail, a le-sharing class of 2019 has the highest average College of Arts & Sciences service, and has held management posi- high school GPA, the second-highest names distinguished alumni tions at AOL, SBC Communications and average ACT score (25.2) and the Yahoo!, where second-highest percentage of minority hree outstanding Jayhawks have been he managed students (22.3 percent) in KU history. Tselected as recipients of the College of one of the Overall enrollment grew to 28,091, the Liberal Arts & Sciences’ Distinguished Internet’s highest since 2011. Alumni Award, the highest honor the largest e-mail
College bestows on its graduates. e systems. He ANNE LEVINSON COURTESY n A $4 million grant from the National award is given to select individuals who currently serves Science Foundation will enable have made signi cant contributions to the on the board of researchers from KU’s Center for Envi- University, their professions or their directors of ronmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC) communities. e 2015-’16 honorees are Animoto and to work with the University of South retired judge Anne Levinson, Maj. Dan MC Industries. Carolina to address what CEBC director Levinson Rooney and Brad Garlinghouse. e College’s Bala Subramaniam calls a “grand Levinson, c’80, has had a longstanding alumni advisory board selects the recipi- challenge problem.” The team is career in public service. A er ghting for ents, who are recognized at individual studying how to use lignin, a naturally women’s equality in athletics at KU, she receptions throughout the year. Past occurring polymer found in plants and a helped Seattle acquire its rst women’s honorees include Juan Manuel Santos, b’73, major byproduct of agricultural pro- sports franchise and later became owner of president of Colombia; Vernon Smith, g’52, cessing, to replace petrochemicals used a WNBA team. She served as a municipal a Nobel Prize winner; and Steve Hawley, in the manufacture of plastics. The four- judge and deputy mayor, founded one of c’73, an astronaut and KU professor. year grant, part of NSF’s Experimental the nation’s rst mental-health courts, “With an education as broad as a liberal Program to Stimulate Competitive chaired Washington’s Utilities and arts and sciences degree provides, our Research (EPSCoR), also includes Transportation Com- graduates’ accomplish- mentoring opportunities for early mission, and helped ments are endlessly career researchers. pass S.B. 5688, which surprising and fascinat- allowed equal rights for ing,” says Jessica Beeson, n KU Endowment received $258.8 same-sex partnerships director of alumni and million in private gifts in fiscal 2015, in Washington state. ROONEY DAN COURTESY community engagement bringing the total raised during Far She currently serves as for the College. “ eir Above: The Campaign for Kansas to $1.45 civilian police auditor remarkable careers billion. Scheduled to conclude on June on the board that showcase the diverse and 30, 2016, the campaign has launched oversees the Seattle extraordinary paths one 652 new scholarships, fellowships Police Department. can take with a liberal and awards for students, created 46 Rooney, c’96, g’97, a arts and sciences endowed professorships and funded retired ghter pilot and degree.” several new buildings currently under professional golfer, —Heather Biele construction.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 15 Hilltopics
and spearheaded administrative reorgani- Appeals a er hearing arguments devel- zation through the Changing for Excel- oped by Abby West, c’04, l’15, who spent lence initiative. Under his leadership, KU summer 2014 researching Sharp’s case launched the Foundation Professor while enrolled in KU’s Paul E. Wilson initiative, which added nine top-level Project for Innocence and Post-Convic- researchers to the faculty. tion Relief Remedies [“Price of justice,” Vitter will step down in December. Sara Rock Chalk Review, issue No. 2, 2015]. Rosen, senior vice provost for academic Sharp and three co-defendants were
COURTESY KU MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS KU COURTESY a airs and professor of linguistics, will convicted in Shawnee County District serve as interim provost beginning Jan. 1. Court of murder and kidnapping. Her “While this is a loss for the University of attorney argued that Sharp’s statements to Kansas, I am delighted for Je , who has police should not be admissible; the judge’s served this university with passion for the ruling was upheld by the Kansas Supreme past ve years and will undoubtedly do Court and the U.S. District Court denied Vitter great work in his new role,” said Chancel- Sharp’s petition. ADMINISTRATION lor Bernadette Gray-Little. Jean Phillips, l’90, clinical professor of law, delivered oral arguments to the 10th KU provost named chancellor LAW Circuit, based on constitutional issues of at Ole Miss due process and equal protection that had Law student’s brief helps reverse been raised in the brief researched and J V , who as provost and Topeka murder conviction written by West. executive vice chancellor led formulation “I’m the safety net to make sure that of KU’s Bold Aspirations strategic plan, in W promised Kimberly nothing gets missed and everything gets October was named the chancellor of the Sharp she would receive no jail time if she argued, but Abby took ownership,” Phillips University of Mississippi. told them about the events that led to the says. “She did a great job with that brief.” Since joining the University in 2010, 2006 slaying of Topekan David Owen, her Says West, “As a law student, I see it as a Vitter also directed implementation of the statements should not have later been used privilege to get this education. I think we KU Core curriculum, oversaw expansion against her at trial. have a duty to the public to give back.” of the engineering and business schools, So ruled the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of —Chris Lazzarino
VISITOR
CRIME BEAT BACKGROUND: bureau chief of ABC Mankiewicz’s interest in News’ Washington “Dateline NBC” reporter Josh journalism and politics was Bureau. “It was Carl’s Mankiewicz discussed politics, kindled by his father, a idea that I be on crime, entertainment and the newspaperman who was press television, which I wasn’t changing media landscape in a secretary for Robert F. Kennedy at all sure I wanted to OF POLITICS DOLE INSTITUTE COURTESY lecture co-sponsored by the during the 1968 presidential do,” Mankiewicz Dole Institute and the campaign. Mankiewicz started recalled, noting that the William Allen White School at NBC News in 1975, working Pulitzer Prize-winning politics “are unfortunately of Journalism and Mass part time o camera on Capitol investigative reporter was behind me,” he says. But he Communications. Hill before going on to cover ill-suited for a television job. insists that murder cases have several national elections, “Every time I see Carl, he points a place on television too. “I love WHEN: September 22 including Bob Dole’s 1996 run at me and says, ‘This is the only these stories. To the families of for president. thing I did in TV that worked.’” the crime victims, who WHERE: Robert J. Dole frequently feel ignored by the Institute of Politics ANECDOTE: Mankiewicz QUOTES: The “Dateline” world, these stories are got his big break after Roone focus on true crime means that incredibly important.” Arledge hired Carl Bernstein as Mankiewicz’s days of covering —Steven Hill {
16 | KANSAS ALUMNI Milestones, money and other matters
n Former president Bill Clinton returns to campus Nov. 23 to accept the Dole Leadership Prize from the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics. “I speak with the COURTESY KU MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS KU COURTESY MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS KU COURTESY COURTESY COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES OF LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE COURTESY president now and then, and we have become friends over the years,” said former Sen. Bob Dole, ‘45. “If I could be Maliski Akinwuntan Lejuez there, we could have a lively debate.” Clinton delivered the first Dole Lecture ADMINISTRATION ogy and neurology. Akinwuntan served as Series speech at Allen Field House in a senior lecturer at the University of East 2004. New deans hired for College, London and a doctoral research assistant Nursing and Health Professions at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in n Professorships honoring two Belgium, where he earned a PhD in distinguished former faculty members T N Y will bring new leader- neuromotor rehabilitation. He also holds a were awarded this fall. Brian Blagg, ship for the School of Nursing, the School bachelor of science in physiotherapy from department of medicinal chemistry, of Health Professions and the College of the University of Lagos in Nigeria and a received the Lester and Betty Mitscher Liberal Arts and Sciences. master of public health from Georgia Professorship, named for the late Nursing will welcome new dean Sally Regents University. University Distinguished Professor Maliski in January. She is currently e College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Lester Mitscher. David Volkin, depart- associate dean for academic and student will welcome new dean Carl Lejuez in ment of pharmaceutical chemistry, a airs at the University of California-Los February. Now associate dean of research received the Ronald T. Borchardt Angeles School of Nursing, She joined and professor of psychology with the Professorship, which honors Professor UCLA in 1999 as a postdoctoral fellow College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Emeritus Ron Borchardt. a er teaching and research stints at the at the University of Maryland, Lejuez (who University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers pronounces his name LeSHWAY) will lead n Chancellors Club honorees for 2015 University, the University of North KU’s largest academic unit, with more are James Carothers and Kenneth Carolina at Greensboro and Columbia than 600 faculty members and 13,500 Peterson. A William Faulkner scholar Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in students. He joined Maryland in 2001 and who has taught English at KU since Hudson, New York. Before taking an has been associate dean since 2013, 1970, Carothers received the Chancel- administrative role at UCLA, she was an leading the research mission of a college lors Club Career Teaching Award. associate professor in the School of with more than 200 faculty members. He Peterson, a biochemistry researcher at Nursing and an assistant researcher for the founded the university’s Center for KU Medical Center whose discoveries department of urology at UCLA’s David Addictions, Personality and Emotion help patients with sickle cell disease Ge en School of Medicine. Research, and he is administrative director and other genetic blood disorders, won Also in January, Abiodun Akinwuntan of the Maryland Neuroimaging Center. the Chancellors Club Research Award. will join Health Professions from Georgia Lejuez previously taught at the Yale Child Each received $10,000 and was hon- Regents University, where he currently Study Center and the REAP Program of ored at KU Endowment’s Chancellors serves as associate dean for research and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Club reception in October. professor of physical therapy, ophthalmol- in South Carolina. n Tom Skrtic, professor of special education, is the Williamson Family Distinguished Professor of Special Education. He succeeds Don Deshler, “Most people start out on the police beat and if professor emeritus of special education, they’re lucky they end up covering Congress. I’ve who originally held the post created in 2004 by Delbert, ’60, and Barbara {}done it exactly the opposite.” —Josh Mankiewicz Ossian Williamson, d’63, of Atlanta.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 17 Sports by Chris Lazzarino STEVE PUPPE (4) STEVE
Hands o summer, regarding defenders’ use of hands The Jayhawks feature flashy guards Frank when playing perimeter defense, “particu- Mason (0) and Devonte’ Graham (4) and Self hopes new rules emphasis larly on the dribbler.” When limitations on senior leadership inside with Perry Ellis (34) defense were rst put in place, before the and Jamari Traylor (31). motivates guards to drive hard 2013-’14 season, games became choppy foul fests as players, coaches and referees hen Bill Self met with reporters two all struggled to navigate unknown Wdays before the Nov. 4 exhibition territory; not surprisingly, calls loosened will—eventually—bring more fans to opener against Pittsburg State, the up as the season wore on. A er witnessing games and TV broadcasts. 13th-year men’s basketball coach had more of the same in 2014-’15, the NCAA What Self sees, however, is an opportu- plenty on his mind. Much of his concerns this year renewed its emphasis: no more nity not just to energize fans in the were, if not mundane, then certainly hand-checking, among other illegal stands—hardly a concern for a coach typical worries heading into a season. defensive tactics. whose home court is already the most Would his Jayhawks establish a more Any chance the old status quo might energized arena in the country—but to set formidable inside scoring presence than return, as it did twice before? free the triumvirate of starting guards that last season? When will they muster more “Not this time. Not this time,” Self says. he views as a keystone of the 2015-’16 energy and consistent play than they’d “I think they’re going to stay the course Jayhawks: sophomore Devonte’ Graham, displayed to that point during preseason and I think the players and the coaches ready now to assume primary ball-han- practice? Which players might be poised have to understand that it’s going to stay dling duties on the point; junior Frank to make a “big jump” in on-court perfor- the way it is. I think we also need to Mason III, nally in his natural position as mance? Less mundane was Self’s concern understand that it’s going to be a much the o -guard; and junior Wayne Selden Jr., about the eligibility of 6-foot-9 freshman better game two or three years from now, now freed on the wing to unleash his sensation Cheick Diallo, whose status had but we’re going to go through some athleticism and shooting skills without yet to be clari ed by the NCAA as of growing pains early.” worrying about duties as the secondary Kansas Alumni press time. Limiting defenders’ ability to impede ball handler, as he was forced to do when Also on the agenda: the NCAA’s ball handlers out on the perimeter is he and Mason ran the show without renewed insistence that referees are intended to increase scoring and allow another e ective small guard. “strictly enforcing directives,” in the words players’ athleticism to shine, with the hope “I would like for us to be able to play of an NCAA memo issued over the that higher scores and ashier action within the way the game is going to be
18 | KANSAS ALUMNI ociated and not lose the identity of who are,” Self says. “To me, we have as good a guard in the country to take advantage of “I would like for us to be able to play within the way how the game’s going to be called, because the game is going to be ociated and not lose the nobody can drive it better than Frank. “If there’s no touch, you’ve got to drive identity of who we are.” —Bill Self, on aggressive guard play it. at’s our advantage, and those guys { } can do that.” Another advantage that Self intends to capitalize on is the unexpected presence of and he has gained con dence and mental seasons at KU to call upon the perspective Aaron Miles, the career assists leader for toughness. While it’s already assured that that allowed for constructive guidance both KU and the Big 12, who joined Self’s he’ll be able to look back on his career a er a 3-0 loss Oct. 23 at second-ranked sta as assistant director of student-athlete with pride, there will be a big hole in his Texas. development a er tearing cartilage in his basketball resume if the Jayhawks don’t “If this motivates the team to create shoulder, an injury that required surgery fare better in March. more opportunities to improve in practice, and put a temporary hiatus on his success- When Ellis was a freshman, in 2013, KU then it would be a learning opportunity,” ful pro career in Russia. lost to Michigan in the Sweet 16. e Bechard said a er the match. “Simply to Although Miles—who led KU to Final Jayhawks followed that overtime heart- come in and experience this and not Four appearances in 2002 and ’03 and was breaker with second-round losses to change the way we are going about our named three times to the Big 12’s All- Stanford in 2014 and Wichita State last business wouldn’t be productive, so we are Defensive Team—can’t coach players in season. hoping that’s not the case.” practice, Self sees his return as a huge “I have a goal to go to the Final Four,” Apparently it wasn’t, as KU rebounded boost for the development of his guards. Ellis says. “We’ve been playing together for with a 3-1 victory at Iowa State and a 3-0 “Aaron’s presence, just from a leadership a long time now. We have a lot of pieces sweep at home of Baylor. standpoint, is going to be good for back and we’ve been through tough times. Sophomore right-side hitter Kelsie Devonte’, and it’s going to be really good We’ve faced adversity together, played a lot Payne was named Big 12 O ensive Player for Frank,” Self says. “I know that our of tough games and we know what to do.” of the Week a er those two victories, players certainly respect him, and he’ll be e only Jayhawk with more tenure than leading the league during that stretch with nothing but a huge asset for us.” Ellis is h-year senior Jamari Traylor, a 37 kills and 5.64 points per set. Her 26 As for improving his team’s performance high-energy role player who has experi- kills at Iowa State was a career high and in and around the post, Self hopes Diallo enced the Final Four only remotely: He the best in a conference match by any Big can join fellow freshman standout Carlton was not allowed to travel with the team as 12 player this season. She is the only Bragg Jr. in buoying the Jayhawks’ interior a redshirt in 2012, the year KU played athleticism. Yet regardless of the young Kentucky for the NCAA championship in stars’ status or development, KU will again New Orleans.
rely on senior forward Perry Ellis, who has “We are a deep team. We have guys at JEFF JACOBSEN a chance to become the program’s h- every position,” Traylor says. “We have leading all-time scorer. juniors, we have seniors. We’re an old Ellis, two-time All-Big 12 First Team team. We are a force to be reckoned with. and reigning Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the We are going to do great things.” Year, is both leaner and stronger heading into his nal season, and it’s all but assured he’ll again be the leading scorer as KU seeks its 12th-consecutive Big 12 Win and win again championship. “I expect him to be as good or better Volleyball’s 19-match streak than any player in the league,” Self says. inspires players, fans “I expect him to play at an All-American- type level. I think he’s capable of doing e’d never before seen his KU volley- that. He seems to be in the best shape of Hball team win 19 consecutive his life; you can tell by the way he carries matches or rise to No. 7 in the national himself, he’s stronger and more con dent.” rankings, yet Ray Bechard, Big 12 Coach Ellis says he spent the o season working of the Year in 2012 and ’13, had weathered on his shooting and ball-handling skills, enough highs and lows in his 17-plus Havili
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 19 Sports NCAA player to rank in the top 50 in kills O and running (41st) and hitting percentage (24th). Sophomore setter Ainise Havili, second Schneider and young ‘Hawks JEFF JACOBSEN nationally in assists per set (12.5), was twice named Big 12 O ensive Player of the open with high-scoring win Week and on Oct. 13 was named National Player of the Week ven in victory, it’s o en di cult, if not “Our o ensive success is a result of good Eimpossible, to get much from an balance, good passing from our back row exhibition game. An exception: women’s and good decision-making from Ainise,” basketball’s 80-54 triumph Nov. 1 over Bechard says. “It is a complete team e ort, Pittsburg State. Not only was it a successful but her role is important in giving our Allen Field House debut for coach Coach Schneider’s advice to newcomers: “Strive hitters quality balls and making tactical Brandon Schneider, but several players to work like Lauren Aldridge (3) does every day.” decisions in the heat of competition.” also turned in notable performances. Along with team success and individual Sophomore guard Lauren Aldridge awards, perhaps the Jayhawks’ highest scored 21 points in Schneider’s fast-paced “Until someone disproves this state- honor has been fan response: With an o ense and added a pair of assists and ment, I think we are the youngest team in announced capacity of 1,300, Horejsi steals. Junior forward Caelynn Manning- the country,” Schneider said. Looking Family Athletics Center has regularly Allen posted a double-double, with 12 ahead to tougher games to come, he featured packed crowds of more than points and 11 rebounds. Freshman guards added, “ ere will be times that we make 1,500 fans, and every night and weekend Aisia Robertson (ve assists, four blocks, some mistakes. e lack of experience will match of the season has drawn capacity two steals) and Kylee Kopatich (eight show, but hopefully we are intelligent crowds. points) also shined. enough to learn from that.”
Allison Schaaf, Katherine lowered her Robinson UPDATES Young, Maddie Irelan, Natatorium record in the BriAnna Dittberner, Kaelyn 400-yard individual medley to Seniors Ben Welle and JEFF JACOBSEN Thierolf and coxswain Mary 4:18.37. ... Freshman Yupaporn “Mook” Slattery—surged to a Anastasiya Rychagova, of Kawinpakorn were both named half-second victory over Tulsa Moscow, was one of 32 tennis Big 12 Golfer of the Month for in the final strokes. “We have players chosen for the September, launching big made a big advancement in prestigious National Indoor seasons for the men’s and our program, in how we train Intercollegiate Championships women’s golf teams. Heading and how we are competing,” Nov. 15-17 at the Billie Jean into the final fall tournament, says 21st-year coach Rob King Tennis Center in Flushing, Welle had three top-five Catloth, f’85. ... New York. “These are the things finishes, including one With victories over Texas we are working toward to help individual title. As a team, and Baylor, soccer advanced put Kansas tennis back on the men’s golf won two titles, Welle to its first Big 12 Champion- national scene,” says third-year including an 11-stroke victory at well,” said coach Erin O’Neil. ship title match, a 1-0 loss to coach Todd Chapman. ... the Oct. 23-25 Texas-El Paso “She has learned how to be Texas Tech Nov. 8 in Kansas Freshman runner Sharon tournament. Kawinpakorn comfortable with being City. Sophomore goalkeeper Lokedi placed fourth at the Oct. overcame a four-stroke deficit uncomfortable.” ... Maddie Dobyns and senior 17 Pre-National Invitational in in stormy conditions at Kiawah Rowing ended its fall season midfielder Liana Salazar were Louisville, Kentucky. The Island, South Carolina, to win with victories in the Varsity 8 both named to the All- Kenyan won her first collegiate the Oct. 25-27 Palmetto and Novice 4 races at the Tournament team. ... Senior race, the Oct. 3 Rim Rock Intercollegiate for her third- Nov. 7 Tulsa Invitational. The All-American Chelsie Miller, Classic, in 20:42.4. Senior Evan consecutive title. “Today was a Varsity 8 boat—crewed by who won six of her first eight Landes won the men’s race at tough day and she managed it Maggie Duncan, Tessa Scott, races of the season, on Oct. 24 Rim Rock Farm in 23:55.6.
20 | KANSAS ALUMNI JEFF JACOBSEN Photographs by Steve Puppe Photographs 42 Hunter Mickelson 15 Carlton Bragg Jr. 33 LandenLucas 2 Lagerald Vick rock chalk 2015-16 Men’s Basketball 14 Brannen Greene 4 Devonte’ Graham 31 JamariTraylor 13 CheickDiallo 1 Wayne Selden Jr. 0 Frank MasonIII 34 Perry Ellis
Sports Photographs by Steve Puppe
Hot hoops and happy ‘Hawks were again the center of attention at the Oct. 9 Late Night in the Phog, but fan favorites also included new women’s coach Brandon Schneider (above), 13th-year men’s coach Bill Self (right), and sophomore Jerrod Martin Castro (below right), of Topeka, who scored a $10,000 personal check from Self by winning a half-court shooting contest. As rules allowed, Castro asked Brennan Bechard, d’09, director of basketball operations, to take his two shots. When Bechard connected with his second attempt, players swarmed their fellow Jayhawk. Said Self: “I thought it was the highlight of the night.”
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 23 Above: Variations on a Theme (Design for a Tapestry), 1946, watercolor on paper Right: Portrait, 1911, oil on canvas
24 | KANSAS ALUMNI Artist’s Retreat New exhibition reveals dazzling variety of painting Albert Bloch explored after he rejected his lofty status as the American Blue Rider and found refuge at KU
By Chris Lazzarino weathered the entirety of World War I in Germany, where he had to register as an ainter and professor Albert Bloch “I think he was Lawrence’s most famous enemy alien a er the United States entered joined the University in 1923, as unknown artist, in a w ay,” says Ben the war, he eventually returned home and Phead of the department of drawing Ahlvers, the arts center’s exhibition le others to the daunting pursuit of and painting, and remained on the KU program director and collaborator with worldwide in uence and adoration. faculty until a heart attack forced his Cateforis on the Bloch show, which runs He sought neither fame nor fortune. retirement in 1947. All the while, until his through Jan. 2. What Albert Bloch wanted from his art death in 1961, he lived in the same home, As a member of Der Blaue Reiter, Bloch, was, above all else, freedom. To explore at 1015 Alabama St., and, from his arrival a St. Louis native who lived and worked in and expand, to grow and change, and to in Lawrence until he stopped painting in Munich from 1909 to 1919, both wit- paint however his heart saw t. 1958, Bloch made all of his art in the nessed and participated in the rise of the modest home’s third- oor studio. European modernist movement. His many lbert Bloch was born in 1882 in St. And apparently it was perfectly ne with collaborators included Russian Wassily A Louis. His father, Cateforis notes in him that his renown as the only American Kandinsky, Munich native Franz Marc, the exhibition’s companion book, was a member of the Munich-based group of and the Swiss-German virtuoso Paul Klee, Bohemian-Jewish immigrant and his in uential modernist painters called e all of whom, like their American friend, mother was German-Jewish, but he was Blue Rider remained unknown, or at were searching for new ways to use their not brought up in the Jewish faith and least unremarkable, to neighbors and art to re ect on mysterious notions of later found himself drawn to “a personal colleagues. Until the Lawrence Arts Center spirituality and the human condition. form of Christian belief.” unveiled its expansive exhibition “A l b e r t “ e Blue Rider is an important group He studied for two years at the St. Louis Bloch: emes & Variations,” along with a in the history of modern ar t ,” Cateforis School of Fine Arts, then began his career richly illustrated book by Bloch scholar says, “and Bloch’s association with that as a magazine and newspaper illustrator, David Cateforis, professor and chair of art group accounts for his status in the general in St. Louis and New York City. In 1905 history, the visions Bloch explored within history of ar t .” Bloch began contributing freelance work the con nes of his garret retreat remained, Bloch, though, was “a Midwestern g u y,” to e St. Louis Mirror, which Cateforis to a large extent, a private matter. as Ahlvers notes, and, although he describes as a “lively political and literary
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 25 Art photography by Aaron Paden, courtesy Lawrence Arts Center and Albert Bloch Foundation
weekly,” and it was the Mirror’s editor and publisher, William Marion Reedy, who encouraged and supported Bloch’s move, with his wife and young son, to Munich in 1909. Spurning the formal art education that apparently was Reedy’s intent in helping to nance the sojourn, Bloch instead threw himself into a deep study of southern Germany’s vibrant art scene, both in museums and the lively new work that was then emerging. In Munich, Cateforis writes, Bloch found “modern French and German painters whose simpli cations of form and attening of space ... congenial due to his own background as a caricaturist.” He met Kandinsky and Marc two years a er his arrival, and they invited the young American to join their landmark Blue Rider exhibitions of 1911 and ’12. Bloch was said to be especially close with Marc, who, a er enlisting in the German army in 1914, was killed in 1916 at the Battle of Verdun. “ at really devastated Bloch,” Cateforis says. “I think that the kind of tragic vision that underlines some of Bloch’s work certainly grows out of that experience of the tragedy of the war. He paints these shrouded mourning gures over and over again in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. He paints images of cemeteries. ere is a kind of vein in Bloch’s work that is mournful and acknowledges the tragic and the dark side of 20th-century history. “Of course, he was very aware of the rise of fascism in Germany during the ’30s, and he was very aware of World War II. So I think that he absolutely was aected by these wars and these losses.” A er exhibiting his work in solo shows in numerous German cities, as well as in Chicago and St. Louis, Bloch and his family came home in 1919 and lived for a year with relatives in St. Louis. He returned to Europe in August 1920 to retrieve paintings he had le behind and
Above: Hillside with Firs, 1932, watercolor on paper Left: Im Walde (In the Woods), 1914, oil on canvas
26 | KANSAS ALUMNI also to visit friends in Switzerland, Austria and Germany; a er sailing home for good
in April 1921, Bloch’s stature was acknowl- PUPPE STEVE edged with a retrospective exhibition that opened in November 1921 at New York City’s Daniel Gallery. “By this time, however,” Cateforis writes, “the idealistic Bloch had developed a strong aversion to the commercialization of art and was determined to gain his independence from the marketplace.” Bloch taught for one year at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, then reached out to KU, with which he’d had no previous a liation. In his application letter to Dean Harold Butler, which is still held in KU archives, Bloch did not name-drop. ere Art historian David Cateforis revisted his Bloch scholarship from the 1990s as he began the were no references to Kandinsky, Marc or long process of curating the Lawrence Arts Center show and writing the companion book. Klee. He failed to mention even in passing “It functions not only as an exhibition catalog,” Cateforis says, “but illustrates many more that he was that guy, the only American Blue Rider. pictures by Bloch than are in the exhibition. It was an opportunity to provide a broader view.”
elishing his refuge within academia, emes & Variations, as “a highly personal English edition of a collection of poems by RProfessor Bloch served for 24 years as artistic style of great expressive intensity,” the Viennese poet and satirist Karl Kraus, chair of drawing and painting—nomencla- as seen in the works on display at the whose work Bloch had rst encountered in ture that re ected the era’s insistence, Lawrence Arts Center—Bloch was also a 1914. Kraus, in Bloch’s estimation, stood Cateforis notes, on rst advancing through prolic poet, essayist and translator. In tall as a moralist “crying in the wilderness the fundamentals of drawing before 1930 he translated and published the rst of our foul corruption.” attempting painting—and taught KU’s rst art history classes. His notes for that course survive, and Cateforis describes them as “very well cra ed.” “I understand that he was a very devoted and demanding instructor,” Cateforis says. “He expected a lot of his students. ey found him formidable. He was committed to the work here and wasn’t a kind of celebrity artist who was sort of pursuing his own career at the expense of his devotion to his job at KU. On the contrary. “At the same time, he did pursue his own painting. Anna Bloch emphasized that that was what mattered to him the most, of anything.” Along with his painting—which evolved from his early modernist work into what Cateforis describes in the exhibition book,
At Sundown, 1938, watercolor on paper
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 27 Once ensconced in Lawrence, Bloch nothing happening at that time in the tion, led by Scott He ey, the Nelson- remained, choosing to exhibit his new context of the art world. So how far Atkins’ senior conservator of paintings. works rarely and only by invitation. His away can you get from that stu ?” He ey regularly visited Anna Bloch on reluctance to self-identify as a Blue Rider Bloch’s rst wife, Hortense, died in Alabama Street—where the works she had was, by all evidence, not an act of insincere 1951. Two years later he married a former given to the foundation remained modesty. student, Anna Francis Bloch, c’32, who untouched in Bloch’s third- oor studio, “When people became aware of the Blue had lived with the Blochs since the 1930s, until her death in 2014 at the age of the Riders, they became the cool kids and and it was Anna Bloch who later helped 101—and was frequently joined by everybody in the art world wanted a part restore her late husband’s stature in the Ahlvers for long Sundays of weeding, of it,” Ahlvers says. “My understanding is art world. cooking, house maintenance, and, of that he was kind of burned out on that Buoyed by Cateforis’ research and course, reminiscing. scene and the demands of others in uenc- writing in the 1990s and a 1997 exhibition “We would sit down and chat for a ing how and what he was going to make. at Kansas City’s Nelson-Atkins Museum of while,” Ahlvers recalls, “and she would say Kandinsky and those guys really took o , Art, Anna Bloch in 2001 transferred the something like, ‘You need to go see the while Bloch moves to the dead center of paintings and watercolors still in her watercolors.’ It was neat to be in that space. the country, where there’s probably possession to the Albert Bloch Founda- ere’s nothing remarkable about the house itself, but everything [in the arts center exhibition] that’s dated aer 1923, they were all painted up in that third- oor space on Alabama Street. I think that’s kind of cool.” “emes & Variations” was originally envisioned as part of a collaboration with the Spencer Museum of Art, but the KU museum’s extensive renovation, which began last summer, forced the Spencer to move its exhibition of 37 prints that Bloch made in Germany, acquired on loan from the Bloch Foundation, up to spring 2014. Also of note to Bloch fans is an exhibition of Bloch’s Christian images, “Albert Bloch: Scenes from the Life of Christ,” at Wash- burn University’s Mulvane Art Museum through Jan. 23. Quips Cateforis, “It’s Bloch aer Bloch aer Bloch.”
Above: Frieze for a Music Room, 1915, oil on canvas Left: Red Mountain, 1945, oil on canvas
28 | KANSAS ALUMNI aced with the monumental task of “Layering watercolor is Forganizing a half-century of work quite a complicated thing to spanning a single artist’s entire career, d o,” Ahlvers says. “It’s really a Cateforis and Ahlvers resisted the obvious gesture, and it’s layers of chronological solution and instead chose gestures that give you this CHRIS LAZZARINO to group the varied works in themed sort of rich, very con dent bundles, including portraits, landscapes, tone. It takes a great deal of Christian subjects and still lifes. con dence to lay that much Of the 16 watercolors included in the information into a piece of exhibition, 13 have never before been seen p ap e r.” outside of Bloch’s studio. How might visitors best Standing near one of Bloch’s early approach such a large show, watercolors, Ahlvers points out what he with 30 oil paintings and 16 sees as evidence of the artist’s training as watercolors, representing an illustrator, with sharp outlines that decades of variation in resemble pen-and-ink. Later works feature technique, tone and subject mere hints of the graphic-artist’s sharp matter? Other than suggest- lines, horizon lines have vanished, and ing they consult the exhibi- there can be seen in many of the works a tion’s sumptuous companion deep layering that reveals mature tech- book—which includes more nique and vision. than 80 images with explana- tory text, nearly twice as many works as could be displayed at the arts center— Cateforis is reluctant to be Ben Ahlvers says that with 2,000 weekly visitors, “from too de nitive a guide. preschool kids to folks in academia,” the art center’s show “Whenever anybody would took on a unique tone. “If we had sales influencing what ask Bloch about what a we’re doing here, it’s a dierent kind of show. If I were picture meant, he would say, working in a museum, it’s a dierent kind of show.” ‘Don’t ask me; ask the picture. I only painted it ,’”
COVER DESIGN CHRISTOPHER RALSTON DESIGN CHRISTOPHER COVER Cateforis says. “Another thing he wrote somewhere is that the artist “In other words—and this is true of is giving us a gi , and it’s up to us to take it visual art generally—don’t just look at or leave it .” what he’s painted, but try to be open to Acknowledging, however, that “art how he’s painted it .” “Albert Bloch: Themes & Varia- historians do have a role in this process, Standing in the Lawrence Art Center’s tions,” paintings and watercolors o ering visitors some observations or airy main gallery, Ahlvers delights in ideas that might provide them a way into contemplating Albert Bloch’s richly diverse from the Albert Bloch Founda- appreciating or understanding the art. A ceramic artist himself, Ahlvers tion, on view through Jan. 2 at the picture,” Cateforis suggests exhibition knows that such a career portfolio would Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New patrons might take note of the “great range not have been possible had Bloch not Hampshire St. of expression of di erent emotional sought and found sanctuary at KU. Companion book by David qualities,” as evidenced by not only the “He’s proli c. He works a lot. But he Cateforis, professor and chair of art varied subjects but also the swaying does it because he loves to do it and he history, published by the Lawrence moods that Bloch conveyed in his art. makes what he wants to m a ke ,” Ahlvers Arts Center, with assistance from “Be open to the di erent ways that he says. “ at’s where you end up with this Allen Press, design sponsor uses color, the di erent ways that he diverse range of works. If Bloch had a Callahan Creek and exhibition constructs space, the di erent ways that he dealer, he would be driving him crazy, sponsor Emprise Bank. constructs light and shade, the di erent because it’s unpredictable. And when it’s For more information, visit ways he invests his paintings either with unpredictable it’s sometimes unsellable, at shimmering light that seems to be kind of least consistently. lawrenceartscenter.org. a spiritual emanation or darkness that “To me, I think it would be liberating.” seems to be more moody or withdrawn. Art for art’s sake. Glorious.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 29 30 | KANSAS ALUMNI Marching Jayhawks step lively in spirited new uniforms handmade by venerable Wichita firm
by Chris Lazzarino Photograph by Steve Puppe
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 31 ahead because we do want to show our appreciation.’” STEVE PUPPE STEVE A month later, in his o ce on the rst- oor of Murphy Hall, he grimaces at the memory. It was a day Smith had dreamed about virtually since his arrival here from Indiana in 2011. e Marching Jayhawks’ uniforms at the time, which had arrived to much fanfare in 2004 aer a $150,000 fundraising drive, never really clicked with fans, mostly because the out ts were predominantly black. (Although the new uniforms are trum- peted as a return to tradition, black uniforms with crimson-and-blue capes had once been the norm at KU, and in 2004 black with accents in school colors was seen as a popular trend.) “I heard back when I was teaching at Iowa State, even, about the backlash over the amount of black in the uniform when that rst came out,” Smith says. “ at made news outside of Lawrence. Plus, we were just reaching the end of their cycle.” Among other issues, replacement uniforms assembled aer the University switched to the Trajan typeface featured a dierent “KU” on their Jayhawk patches. Marching bands take pride in looking sharp and uniform, and by the time Smith took over in 2011, sentiment was surging to make a switch. “ ey had been hemmed and re- hemmed and they were faded,” recalls hen David Beaty jogged onto temperature was announced as 86 degrees; junior baritone player Erin Boni eld, a the turf before the Sept. 5 anybody baking in the sun on the alumi- music education major from Overland game against South Dakota num bleachers can testify that it was surely Park. “ ey were just old and worn out.” State, fans eagerly cheered the soon over 90, and by late in the game, aer In his second year at KU, Smith began arrival of a new coach, sharing a couple more hours of intense September assessing the chances of acquiring new Wtheir enthusiasm despite the long sun, on- eld thermometers pushed past uniforms, and in fall 2013—aer consulta- rebuilding process facing the football 100. tions among the School of Music, KU Jayhawks. eir cheers for Beaty, however, Aer 20 minutes of pregame perform- Endowment and Kansas Athletics—a fund weren’t the rst to li up Memorial ing, the Marching Jayhawks struggled to drive was launched. With the goal of Stadium that sultry morning. their seats in the north bowl, exhausted. $300,000 reached last year, Fruhauf At 10:46 a.m., the drum line marched About a dozen sought refuge at the Uniforms, a family-owned manufacturer out to a snappy rat-a-tat that heralded the stadium’s rst-aid station. in Wichita that has made KU’s marching day’s rst debut: new blue uniforms for “Kids were dropping like ies,” says band uniforms at least since the 1950s, 270 Marching Jayhawks. ree years of Matthew Smith, Marching Jayhawks began the laborious process of stitching planning and two years of fundraising director and the School of Music’s together 385 out ts almost entirely by culminated moments later as the rest of associate director of bands. “So at halime hand. the band sprinted down the stadium steps. we had to make the painful decision to not Even though scorching heat and ey looked great and sounded great, wear the coats. We had planned to spell humidity threatened to spoil the uniforms’ but pregame pageantry, longer at KU than out ‘ ank You,’ which we did, but without Sept. 5 debut, Smith took solace in a small at many schools, took its toll. Game-time the coats. It was, ‘Let’s just keep going moment, a eeting and reassuring vision.
32 | KANSAS ALUMNI As is their pregame tradition, the “We can see the band lined up, and what was really neat was that in Marching Jayhawks arrived that morning at Memorial Stadium with a promenade the plume—the feathers for the top of the shakos, for those who need that info— down the Hill, then clustered outside the there’s tinges of silver strands that brighten everything up. stadium gates for a bit of light-hearted, energy-inducing revelry, a “little concert” “It just brought a smile to my face. ‘Wow, we look so bright! We pop!’” during which band members take turns on the conductor’s folding ladder. —Matt Smith “And while we’re huddled around the ladder there,” Smith recalls, “we can see here 25-plus years: 30, 40, some even 50. “KU’s is an older, more traditional design, the band lined up, and what was really We like to say, ‘From our family to your and they’re going back to a more traditional neat was that in the plume—the feathers family,’ because a band is a big family, too.” design from what they had before,” Richard for the top of the shakos, for those who One of only four full-service marching Fruhauf says during a July factory tour, need that info—there’s tinges of silver band uniform companies in the country, explaining that KU’s previous look incorpo- strands that brighten everything up. Fruhauf’s reach is national, yet it focuses rated aspects of drum-and-bugle corps “It just brought a smile to my face. much of its business in the Midwest and designs that gave the black uniforms a ‘Wow, we look so bright! We pop!’” South. Customers peruse an online catalog modern are. “One of my favorite things about the with more than 870 images of uniform One of the elements KU returned to with new uniforms,” Boni eld says, “is the options, ranging from traditional to its current order is embroidered “West white plumes instead of the black plumes. decidedly modern looks of ashy color Point bars” on the front of the blue jackets. It’s a lot brighter. I think we look happier.” panels with little ornamentation, as Also featured are tubular braided piping, favored now by many high schools; shoulder straps, standing military collars, show-band styles popular with high- reversible breastplates (or overlays) and he origins of those sparkling plumes energy bands across the South; and mixes capes; striped pants (technically called Tand luxuriant new KU-blue uniforms of genres, as with University of Oklahoma “bibbers,” the chest-high overalls maintain a can be traced back to about 1898, when uniforms manufactured this summer, clean look at the waist when musicians raise tailor Herman Fruhauf le his native alongside KU’s order, that incorporate their arms); and shakos (a term well known Vienna, Austria, and sailed for New York such traditional aspects as spats while to crossword a cionados when hunting for City, where he continued his trade. spurning reversible capes and breastplates a ve-letter word for “military cap”) Sometime around 1910 the young man in favor of multiple jacket options. sporting dyed ostrich-feather plumes. who would become the Fruhauf family patriarch accepted an o er to continue his journey to Wichita and become the in-house tailor for the Innes department PUPPE STEVE store. As a sideline Herman sewed ceremonial out ts for lodges and fraternal organiza- tions, and during a trip to Marion he agreed to manufacture uniforms for the city band. Fruhauf Uniforms was born. Herman’s son Ludwig and grandson Fred maintained the family’s legacy in Fruhauf Uniforms, as are Fred’s sons, Richard and Kenny, ’82, who today oversee a sprawling factory on East Gilbert Street in central Wichita. Richard’s sons— Landon, a KU junior, and Evan, a fresh- man—both work summers in the factory, as did their father and uncle, and are trumpeters and uniform caretakers with the Marching Jayhawks. “I want to carry on the tradition,” Landon Fruhauf says. “It’s a family atmosphere. A lot of people have worked Smith
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 33 CHRIS LAZZARINO CHRIS LAZZARINO SUSAN YOUNGER SUSAN
Kenny (l-r), Landon (also at a sewing machine, p. 35), Evan and Richard Fruhauf continue the family legacy that began in 1910, and Kenny’s daughter, Liv Grant (below), is expanding it with her own line of custom textiles, liv + work.
Although the Marching Jayhawks precisely cuts individualized patterns of currently have about 270 members, KU cloth for every uniform in the order.
ordered 385 complete kits, both to create a Various sewing, embroidery and other CHRIS LAZZARINO stock of various sizes and to allow for skilled-cra stations occupy much of the growth in the roster. It’s a large order for Fruhauf factory; among the more fascinat- Fruhauf, but not particularly unusual; a ing is a bank of striping machines, each high school in Allen, Texas, once ordered rigged to accommodate a speci c width 800 for a band of 600. of pant stripes in half-inch increments up Once the details are set, production to 3 inches and simultaneously sew both begins in the factory’s design room, where sides of the striping on each pant leg. In technicians seated before large computer the case of KU’s inch-wide white-on-red screens drag and drop images of each striping, the two colors of cloth are sewn individual element of each uniform’s together at the same time they are a xed pattern in order to t as many pieces as to the 12-ounce Dacron-and-wool pants. possible onto a stretch of cloth. Although “It’s fascinating to see the sta they have, the process is now entirely digitized, the the machinery and the attention to detail,”
design room also contains a crowded says Smith, who toured the factory before CHRIS LAZZARINO archive of paper patterns. production got underway. “ere’s a high “Uniforms are a puzzle,” Richard level of detail in every piece, and almost Fruhauf says. “We want to try to be around everything is made by hand.” 80 percent material utilization.” e pace on the factory oor is method- Next comes the cutting machine, where ical, not frantic, and that’s intentional. bolts of cloth are stretched down the Fruhauf employees are paid hourly wages, lengths of two enormous tables; a comput- not by the piece, so they are encouraged to erized cutting head, working from take their time and make sure every item directions created in the design room, that passes through their station is exactly
34 | KANSAS ALUMNI right before proceeding down the line. At 2 p.m. sharp, Landon and Evan “We couldn’t do any of it without them,” Fruhauf quietly and without fanfare broke
SUSAN YOUNGER SUSAN Kenny Fruhauf says. “All the technology in open a couple of boxes; not for a ceremo- the world is not going to build what’s nial unveiling, but rather a preliminary going on here.” inspection to make sure there were no e family atmosphere inside the obvious signs of damage in transit. Fruhauf factory is both gurative and very Satis ed that all was well, Smith nally real. Families are employed there across suggested that somebody open one of the generations, future bosses push brooms hat boxes. When the rst crimson shako long before they’ll sign any paychecks, emerged and was held alo , gleeful gasps and even Kenny Fruhauf’s daughter, textile were quickly followed by an exclamation: artist Liv Grant, c’11, takes advantage of “ ey’re beautiful!” the long cutting tables to work on designs Collegiate marching bands trace their for her business, liv + work. heritage to military bands popular at the “It’s really fascinating to see a bolt of turn of the 20th century. Many public fabric come in and a completely nished, universities required ROTC participation
SUSAN YOUNGER SUSAN four-piece uniform come out the other by male students, and those men formed end,” Grant said in a Kansas Alumni campus military bands that played pro le in issue No. 1, 2015. “It’s kind of standard repertoires of marches and like an Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and popular tunes. School bands formed the Chocolate Factory type of place to natural alliances with football, a sport me still.” surging in popularity, and soon the two Hallways outside the o ces and became inextricably linked. conference rooms are lined with historic “A lot of people don’t know, especially uniforms, large posters honoring earlier the younger generation, that our touch- generations of Fruhaufs, and photos and down song is ‘Hot Time in the Old Town memorabilia of uniforms donned by Tonight,’” Smith says. “Gradually schools famous Americans (including President developed their own identity through their Eisenhower) and used in Hollywood and ght songs.” Broadway productions. Past clients even Given their military heritage, American
CHRIS LAZZARINO include the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s collegiate marching bands, regardless of famed precision ying team. performance style, have always taken pride “Our employees here de nitely take a lot in a sharp appearance. of pride in what they’re doing,” Landon “Marching band is such a visual thing,” Fruhauf says, “because they know it brings Erin Boni eld says. “It’s easier to be proud a lot of happiness to kids across the of what we are doing if we look good.” country.” Looking good comes at a steep price. When last out tted, the Marching Jayhawks had about 140 members and, hortly a er noon on Aug. 13, a yellow eager for growth, in 2004 ordered 300 Sand white truck arrived at the loading complete sets from Fruhauf for $150,000. dock on the east side of Murphy Hall. e current order of 385 for a band of Band leaders and members of the uniform about 270 required $300,000. committee began hauling out dozens of e uniforms must endure more than a cardboard boxes and stacking them inside decade of hard use, and students are the nearby band practice room. expected to treat the uniforms they are Racks lining a long wall were draped issued each August with great care. ey with old uniforms to be stored in the aren’t as comfortable as street clothes, but, boxes as the new arrivals took their places as Erin Boni eld notes, they are the most on the hangers. Despite summer heat, the expensive clothes in any student’s closet. room hummed with a Christmas morning ey must be carefully hung, with tension as students awaited the word to shakos stored in their boxes, and prefer- attack their packages and begin removing ably dry cleaned, at students’ expense, a er the crisp, colorful contents. the hot game days of early fall. (When the
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 35 DAN STOREY (3) STOREY DAN
Band members Rachel Frish (l-r, center photo) and Alyssa Vasquez—with Evan (blue shirt) and Landon (red) Fruhauf watching nearby—were thrilled to unveil their new shakos when uniforms arrived Aug. 13. The Marching Jayhawks (below) concluded the Sept. 5 halftime show by spelling out their appreciation for fans’ donations. uniforms are collected in December, the Fruhauf suspects “it goes back much Most important, Smith stresses, “We are School of Music pays to have them cleaned further than that. Nobody knows for sure, here to entertain the crowd, support the en masse.) but as far as I know, we’ve always made team, and have a good time.” “I teach the rest of the girls in our K U.” Band members take pride in more than section not to spill stu on it or crumple it e Fruhaufs enjoy attending games in their rituals of running down the stadium up in your car,” says senior piccolo player Memorial Stadium, and, while Richard steps, the complex pregame ceremony and Hannah Stevens, a music education major Fruhauf says he’s hopeful coach Beaty can innovative hal ime displays. For them, from Wichita. “ ey feel like quality turn football’s fortunes around quickly, game days begin when they suit up, bask uniforms, every part of it feels like quality, even with a winning program their fall in cheers from roommates, and take their and it makes us want to take good care of Saturdays in Lawrence would still be about rst steps on campus. Pageantry feels them and keep them in good shape as long cheering on the band. good, feels right, whether they are strolling as we can.” “To me and my family,” he says, “it’s on Jayhawk Boulevard in clusters of three Old uniforms are kept in storage. always about the hal ime. To us, that’s or four or booming down the Hill by the Because they are property of the Univer- what it’s all about.” hundreds. sity permission must be granted for their When Matthew Smith discusses the And feeling jazzy in new crimson-and- dispersal, but Smith hopes some will band’s role in the life of the University, the blue threads—that’s the ultimate feather in eventually be cut up and sewn into director explains to prospective members the shako. draw-string backpacks, tote bags and that they will become “an important part “It’s a symbol of pride in our organiza- pillows, as was done with the previous set of college pageantry, particularly football tion as well as the school,” Hannah Stevens of expired out ts. pageantry. ey’re a visual representation says. “It goes much deeper than the actual It’s hardly surprising that band alumni of the University and its students.” uniform.” would be eager to purchase repurposed uniforms. Pride in the Marching Jay- hawks—winners of the prestigious Sudler Trophy, honoring the country’s best band, in 1989—runs deep, and uniforms remain CHRIS LAZZARINO an integral aspect of the band’s heritage. “I wish I could have had the experience of the new uniforms,” says former band member Shaina Goodson, ’16, now a student teacher in Olathe. “ ese are sharp. ey represent KU well and they make the band members feel good about themselves. It de nitely sends a message.” Fruhauf Uniforms has worked with KU at least since the 1950s, but Richard
36 | KANSAS ALUMNI STEVE PUPPE STEVE
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 37 tthe big ipicture
38 | KANSAS ALUMNI For fi lmmaker Kevin Willmott, the action that matters most takes place far from the set
by Steven Hill | Photograph by Steve Puppe
evin Willmott has shown two of his lms at the glimpses of a contemporary society where slaveholders are prestigious Sundance Film Festival in Utah, urged to buy e Shackle (a GPS chattel tracker), invest in winning applause from critics and viewers. He insurance to protect their life and property (including servants) has written screenplays for Oliver Stone and and tune in to “Runaways,” a “Cops” knocko featuring the collaborated with screenwriter Mitch Brian on pursuit and capture of fugitive slaves. TVk mini-series for NBC. He had a play produced at Kennedy e Blockbuster response is not hugely surprising. To Center in Washington, D.C., and he earned a Governor’s Arts paraphrase Jonathan Swi , “Satire is a mirror in which we see Award for his lm work in Kansas. But the highest praise he has everyone’s face but our own.” More interesting is Willmott’s ever won might have come from a Blockbuster Video customer. reaction to it. A er renting Willmott’s “CSA: e Confederate States of “I thought to myself, ‘ at may be the best compliment I’ve America,” the customer marched back to the store with an ever received for a lm,’” he said, during a 2010 lecture that was empty DVD case, explaining to a Blockbuster employee (who part of the Humanities Lecture Series sponsored by KU’s Hall later relayed the tale to Willmott) that he destroyed the disc Center for the Humanities. “It disturbed him to the point that because “it was the most racist lm ever made and he didn’t he had to destroy the lm.” want anyone else to see it.” Provoking viewers to face some of the most disturbing e second of six independent lms the associate professor of chapters of American history is what Willmott’s lms are all lm has directed since 1999, “CSA” is a brilliantly conceived about (see sidebar, p.40). Confronting hard truths is a key satire that poses a singularly provocative question: What would element also in his latest project, “Chi-Raq,” a lm co-written America be like today if the South had won the Civil War? with and directed by lmmaker Spike Lee. Framed as a controversial British Broadcasting Service Scheduled to premiere in Chicago Nov. 22 and to open documentary making its American television debut, the nationwide in theatres Dec. 4, the movie starring Samuel L. lm-within-a- lm depicts an alternate history in which the Jackson, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Hudson, Angela Bassett, John South prevailed, slavery spread to the entire country, and the Cusack, Nick Cannon and Dave Chappelle updates Aristo- United States renamed itself the Confederate States of America. phanes’ Greek comedy, “Lysistrata,” in which the title character As the story gradually unfolds with Ken Burns touches—sage leads a sex strike by the wives of Greek and Spartan soldiers to historians opining, actors reading from period letters and end the Peloponnesian War. Willmott and Lee’s version is set diaries—commercials interrupt the broadcast with jarring amid the present-day gang violence of Chicago’s South Side,
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 39 where Chi-Raq—a term coined by local rappers—is what some New York City street named for it. “But those people ended up residents have taken to calling their hometown, where gun being on the wrong side of history, and the same thing is going to violence annually claims hundreds of lives and neighborhoods happen in Chicago. ey’re going to look stupid and end up on feel like war zones. the wrong side of history. We’re here for peace. We have to stop Not surprisingly, the title did not sit well with many Chicago- this.” ans. Before lming even began, Mayor Rahm Emanuel sum- A er lming wrapped in July, Lee posted to his Instagram feed moned Lee to express his displeasure. Aldermen threatened to a photo of a production slate scrawled with a message: withhold tax credits that encourage lmmakers to shoot in the “To e Misinformed Critics Of CHI-RAQ During e city. Community activists accused the movie of pro ting from Principle Photography June 1st-July 9th ere Were 331 People murder and forcing families to relive the pain of losing children Shot And Wounded Plus 69 MURDERED. May God Bless em, to random gun re. eir Families And Friends.” In May, Lee stood before reporters with Willmott, native e following weekend, the Chicago Tribune reported, six Chicagoan Cusack, and outspoken local Catholic priest Michael people were killed and 26 wounded in shootings. On each of the P eger (the inspiration for Cusack’s “Chi-Raq” character) and nal two weekends of September more than 50 people were shot, urged people to reserve judgment until seeing the movie. including an 11-month-old wounded in a drive-by shooting that “Way back when I made ‘Do e Right ing,’ there were killed his grandmother and his pregnant mother. Violence people who said the lm would cause riots all across America, touched the lm production, too, when a crew member’s brother that black people were going to run am o k ,” Lee said, recalling his was murdered. 1989 classic, which this summer became the rst lm to have a “Just i n s an e ,” says Willmott, who along with Lee met with families who lost children to gun violence before lming began. Film Timeline “You talk to people from the neighborhood, and they would refer
“Jayhawkers,” 2014: Former “Destination: Planet Negro,” “The Only Good Indian,” “The Battle for Bunker Hill,” KU basketball player Justin 2013: “A smart satire that 2009: Willmott’s direction of a 2008: After a mysterious Wesley, c’14, stars as Wilt sports a wicked streak of script by Tom Carmody, b’80, disaster isolates an idyllic Chamberlain, ’59, and goofball humor,” Willmott’s g’82, reclaims the iconic Kansas town, racial tensions Willmott’s screenplay explores fifth film adopts the look and imagery of “The Searchers,” the rise and the town’s past how the KU basketball star and feel of a low-budget sci-fi movie classic John Ford western about connections to right-wing hate Chancellor Franklin Murphy, for a story of black leaders who the kidnapping of white groups reawaken as residents c’36, helped open many decide to escape 1939 Jim children by Comanches, to descend into violence, torn by a segregated Lawrence Crow America by colonizing portray the history of Indian choice between freedom and businesses to the black Mars. When a time warp lands boarding schools that took fear. Screenplay by Willmott community in the late 1950s. the crew instead in present-day Native American children from and Greg Hurd, c’76. Kansas City, the film becomes a their families in a bid to erase commentary on history and their native culture and “kill the contemporary culture, about Indian to save the man.” how far the country has come and how far it has to go.
40 | KANSAS ALUMNI ISSUE 6, 2015 | 41 to their husband being killed or their child being killed or their He was also rmly devoted to speaking his mind, recalls the cousin or their brother, and there was such a normality about all Rev. Frank Coady, who met Willmott when he came to St. Xavier of it that was really shocking.” Catholic High School in Junction City a er being expelled from Sitting behind his desk in Oldfather Studios, amber October the public high school. sun backlighting an idyllic campus scene, Willmott notes a college “He was not a troubled k i d ,” says Coady, now pastor at St. shooting—the second of the week—that led the morning news- omas More Catholic Church in Manhattan. “He was from a casts. e implication: Not even our ivory towers are safe from loving, two-parent family, a stable, working-class home. But he gun violence, and frequency has created a sense of normalcy was very vocal about some of the injustices that black people felt about these horrors, too. in the school system t h e re .” “But it’s not normal; people aren’t supposed to live this w ay,” he Long-simmering racial tensions had erupted a er a ght says. “A n d you kind of want to shake people and tell them, ‘ is is between a black student and a white football player ended with not how it’s always been.’” the black teen’s expulsion. A riot ensued, and a dozen kids—many of them Willmott’s friends—were expelled. “I just saw how unfair all that was,” he recalls. Lacking any place evin Willmott grew up in Junction City fascinated with to turn for help, he began acting out. “Me and some other guys, lm. He went to the movies nearly every weekend; for w e’d throw recrackers in the lunch room, pull re alarms, just khis 10th birthday he asked for the soundtrack from “ e creating total mischief and mayhem.” One day, he took a Molotov Good, e Bad and e Ug l y.” Blaxploitation lms like “Sha ,” by cocktail to school. When his buddies were caught, they identi ed Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, were big in uences. So were the him as their leader, and administrators discovered the homemade movies of Hal Ashby, whose “Harold and Maude” is one of bomb in his locker. Willmott’s favorite lms. “I was in this new class t h e y ’d created, African-American history, and I was just breaking the stu down in the middle of class to the teacher,” Willmott recalls. “In the middle of my speech, I’m called to the principal’s o c e .” He was thrown out and told not to come back. Shocked, he turned to St. Xavier. “We were not inclined to take students w h o’d been expelled from public s c h o o l s ,” Coady says, “but a couple of teachers came to us and said, ‘You should take this k i d .’ ere were teachers at the public high school who recognized something special in him.” Coady saw it too, and he wasn’t alone. A er Willmott gradu- ated, the priest steered him to Marymount College, in Salina, run by Sisters of St. Joseph, the order that also served St. Xavier. He wrote and staged plays, including “Ninth Street,” which later became his rst lm. “I was the only black guy in the theatre department, so I’d have to go back to Junction City and get guys to be in plays,” Willmott recalls. “I’d have to go back and get them, “CSA: The Confederate States “Ninth Street,” 1999: Set in like o the street: ‘Hey, man, I need you to get in the car; we gotta of America,” 2004: As much a 1968 Junction City, Willmott’s go now!’” satire about racial issues in fi rst fi lm explores the history of While at Marymount he and Coady attended a speech by the contemporary American life as the town’s black cultural hub, Rev. Daniel Berrigan, the radical Roman Catholic priest. “Kevin a spoof on the Civil War, the home to a thriving jazz scene in asked a question, and from that one question Berrigan saw mockumentary earned its 1940s heyday but by 1968 a something in him,” Coady recalls. “ e two of them started to Willmott his fi rst invitation to dive-bar destination for dialog, and it was like the other hundred people in the room Sundance, attracted the Vietnam-bound soldiers at disappeared. Everyone just watched them talk.” support of Spike Lee as nearby Fort Riley. When Willmott turned to community activism in Junction City executive producer, and won —S.H. a er college, Berrigan, who served prison time for burning dra nationwide distribution from les during the Vietnam War and for other acts of nonviolent civil IFC fi lms. disobedience, advised him. He started two homeless shelters and staged a sit-in to defend two low-income mothers w h o’d been evicted from public housing. He led a campaign to integrate the Junction City Fire Department; organizing took place at the rectory with Coady’s full support.
40 | KANSAS ALUMNI ISSUE 6, 2015 | 41 SET PHOTOS COURTESY KEVIN WILLMOTT (4) KEVIN WILLMOTT COURTESY SET PHOTOS
Willmott’s collaboration with director and co-writer Spike Lee (left) continued on the “Chi-Raq” set, where he also worked closely with members of the star-studded cast (which included John Cusack, Angela Bassett, Gina Breedlove and Val Warner) and enjoyed a cameo appearance as a Chicago alderman.
By then Willmott had been hired to teach religion at St. Xavier, Introducing Willmott at his Hall Center lecture, lm professor and he was good at his job. Tamara Falicov noted his willingness to engage the “hard ques- “He videotaped nightly news shows that covered current events tions” America has faced. in depth, and he replayed the shows in class and discussed with “In ‘CSA,’ for example, he broaches a di cult topic: How has the kids how these issues related to God,” Coady says. “ ey went slavery been remembered?” Falicov said. “Willmott’s lms grapple home talking about religion, so their parents became big fans of with this unfortunate history, this wound of our country’s past, Kevin—because their kids had never come home talking religion but they are scripted in such a way that these histories meld with b e fore .” the present and thus make it possible—in some cases in a A er a three-year campaign won several changes in Junction humorous, albeit caustic way—to relate to and engage with that City, including the hiring of the rst black re ghters, Willmott past and critically ponder it.” e movies aren’t simply tour de went to New York University to earn an MFA in dramatic writing. forces of storytelling or exemplary models of community-based He studied with playwright Terrence McNally and screenwriter independent lmmaking, Falicov concluded. ey are also about Lorenzo Semple, and his scripts were selected for the program’s “the community dialog the lms foster in dealing with a historical screenplay showcase both years. Having worked in the trenches, past that is not o en depicted on the silver screen and which rallying a community to redress injustice at a local level, he’d Hollywood has generally shied away from.” decided that the best way to ght these battles was by telling Willmott noted that “CSA” didn’t give viewers the “Archie stories through lm. Bunker/Norman Lear-style satire” many expected. at would be His own voice, he’d discovered, could be louder than bombs. the liberal, safe Hollywood choice, he explained. “But it’s not very “ at was a tough one for me, to be honest,” Willmott says of funny, and more importantly it would not have challenged the his decision to shine a light on injustice with movies rather than audience ... to examine the racism in their own lives.” His stirring movements. “ ere’s certain guilt feelings you have when you hour-long speech, “Revolution, History and the Power of Inde- leave that work, that you’re not doing the real work anymore. But pendent Film to Change the World,” outlined a manifesto for I think everybody does the thing that hopefully they’re best at. I himself, his students and other independent lmmakers: Embrace hope lmmaking is what I do best.” your history. Tell the stories you want to tell, not the stories Coady believes it is. Hollywood demands. “A lot of people can be activists, but Kevin’s exceptional talent is Make your audience laugh. Make them think. But above all, his ability to write about these issues, and not everyone can do make them feel. that.” He adds, “I don’t think the two things have ever been “‘CSA’ challenges us all to embrace the history and feel the divorced in his mind: He’s always been an activist, and he’s always pain,” Willmott said. “I call it taking ownership of the history.” been artistic. Both have always been important to him.” Images of slavery and other painful moments in America’s
42 | KANSAS ALUMNI make your audience laugh. make them think. troubled racial past have been exploited and reduced to cliché, by Hollywood lms or by the evening news, he argued. “Black but above all, make pain is a huge problem to connect to an audience today, primarily because Americans watch African-Americans in major cities die them feel. each night on television in random acts of violence,” he said. “We all have become immune to black pain; even black folks release, it has been widely noted, positions “Chi-Raq” for themselves are immune to their own pain.” Oscar consideration. But at its core, “Chi-Raq” ts securely into the arc of Willmott’s career: It’s an independently nanced lm that tells a story “ hi-Raq” will shake people, but those who decry the focus Hollywood is loath to tell. Only this time, the stage is a little on Chicago’s gang violence, Willmott believes, are bigger and the story itself is not obscured by history but is cmissing the point. unfolding right before our eyes. “ e way I describe the movie is that it’s not about the prob- “If this thing improves,” Willmott says of the grim body count lem,” he says. “It’s about the solution.” playing out night by night on the local news in Chicago, Kansas In “Lysistrata,” the women of Athens and Sparta refuse to have City, Detroit and other U.S. cities, “years from now we will look sex with their husbands until the men agree to end the Pelopon- back at how insane this period was. nesian War. e classical play brims with bawdy references to “ e question is, will we be able to look back, or will it just male and female desire, even as it deals with the deadly serious continue to climb and become worse?” topic of war. Willmott and Lee borrowed a page from that Willmott started writing a modern retelling of “Lysistrata” 13 playbook. “I think that’s the element we’re interested in, laughing years ago and showed the script to Lee in 2004, a er Spike signed at the absurdity of the problem to some degree,” Willmott told on as executive producer of “CSA.” ey rewrote it together and e Chicago Defender, noting that several Spike Lee movies held readings “for every studio in Hollywood,” Willmott says, (particularly “Do e Right ing”) have done so. “We spent a lot but eventually had to set the project aside. e turning point of time trying to structure a script that could walk that line.” came when Lee called Willmott a year ago to ask if he’d heard the In “Chi-Raq,” neighborhood women tired of the ravages of term Chi-Raq. Spike suggested they adopt the grim moniker and gangs and guns command the attention of their men with a set the story in Chicago. profane but bracing rallying cry. “Embracing Chi-Raq for the title, and embracing the reality To paraphrase: No peace, no passion. of the struggle that’s happening in Chicago speci cally, that just “What the sex strike in the lm means more than anything is, makes it very urgent,” Willmott says. “In that sense, this lm is ‘Take matters into your own hands,’” Willmott says. “We are made di erent for me. Because the link to my other lms, probably, to feel helpless so much of the time with these problems. What would be that it’s about black pain and about the legacy and Lysistrata does in the lm is she’s able to nd a way into the horror and violence in various ways. But this movie, Spike has problem, to organize others to do something that directly attacks made it really about today.” the problem. at’s the message of the lm for me. Not for a minute did Lee consider changing the title to defuse “It all starts with some action, and usually that action seems criticism—and Willmott was right there with him. inconsequential in the big picture. Rosa Parks had to not give up “ e city of course was upset with the title, and I think that is that seat on the bus.” kind of why you had to call it ‘Chi-Raq.’ at term is the embodi- “Lysistrata” ends with the women of Athens bringing the men ment of everything that is wrong with what’s going on there, but to their knees. Does the newest Spike Lee Joint have an upbeat it’s beyond Chicago. It’s a national problem. It’s happening in ending? Kansas City. How many dozens of shootings of children this last “I don’t want to give too much away,” Willmott says, “but let’s year? It’s just tragic and horri c. You want to grab the essence of just say that we don’t stray too far from the original.” the problem, and I think in a lot of ways the title does that. In fact, much of Willmott and Lee’s script is written in rhyming ere’ve been more deaths in Chicago than in Afghanistan and verse, a choice that not only harks back to Aristophanes’ original Iraq. at’s where that term comes from; we didn’t create it, it was lyric poetry, but also connects with rap, spoken word and created by people who live in Chicago.” African-American folk tradition, Willmott notes. Gun violence is an American epidemic, and the real question, At rst glance, “Chi-Raq” seems an outlier compared to Willmott says, is are we going to address it? Willmott’s earlier lms. He’s not directing, for one thing. en “In that sense, it’s like CSA and my other movies. Can we take there’s the star-studded ensemble cast, the distribution deal— ownership of it? Or are we just going to turn our heads away? with Internet giant Amazon, a newcomer to the movie Are we gonna nally take this on and address the core root of business—already signed, sealed and delivered. Gone is the the violence?” pressure of running a set on a shoestring budget with no Rosa in Montgomery. Lysistrata in Chicago. Change has to guarantee the nished lm will show on more than a handful start somewhere. of screens. Amazon Studio’s commitment to a December With lights and camera, maybe. But above all with action.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 43 Association STEVE PUPPE STEVE
communities. While living in Wichita, he the Association identify and solicit Natural leader served on the network board and led the new Presidents Club members and also Alumnus earns “Millie” young alumni group, where he organized serves on the Association’s Audit several events, including watch parties and Committee. for reviving young Jayhawk wine tastings. He attended the Jayhawk networks Roundup and recruited other young Jayhawks to participate in the annual or his longtime service as a KU tradition. Volunteer victors Fambassador, Brandon Petz received In Oklahoma City, he served as network the 2015 Mildred Clodfelter Alumni leader and built a strong and well-orga- Wintermote honorees pave Award. e “Millie” recognizes Jayhawks nized volunteer board. He continued to the way for Association success who have volunteered in their local enlist young alumni to participate in communities for 10 years or more and programs and events. hree individuals are the 2015 winners honors the memory of Clodfelter, b’41, Now a Lawrence resident and controller Tof the Dick Wintermote Volunteer for her 47 years of service to the Univer- at Grandstand Glassware & Apparel, he of the Year Award. ey are Jim Trower, sity, including 42 years working at the leads the local network and has recruited b’77; omas Schroeder, b’78; and Jim Association. an energetic board of volunteers. rough Brown, j’92. Petz, b’06, g’07, a Kansas native and a his e orts, the group holds regular Dick Wintermote, c’51, served as Presidents Club and Life Member, has meetings and has launched a series of executive director of the Association from reached out to young alumni in three quarterly networking luncheons. He helps 1963 to 1983. He organized a strong
Petz Trower Schroeder Brown
44 | KANSAS ALUMNI volunteer network of Jayhawks through Directors from 2007 to 2012 and received Presidents Club Member, has served the years and led the e ort to raise funds the Mildred Clodfelter Community on the Kansas City Network board for and plan construction of the Adams Service Award in 2002. He is a certi ed four years, including the past year as Alumni Center, which opened in 1983. public accountant at Woods and Durham president. He challenged board members e award, named in his honor, annually Chartered in Salina. to identify goals, and he developed recognizes alumni who have exhibited Schroeder, a Presidents Club and Life sponsorship packages to support several outstanding leadership of their local Member, has been instrumental in Kansas City events, including the Rock Jayhawk networks. building the new Southeast Kansas Chalk Ball, the Jayhawk Open golf Trower, a Presidents Club and Life Network and has organized events and tournament, and ’Hawks, Helmets and Member, is president of the North Central programs for alumni in the area. He also Handlebars. He also helped launch the Kansas Network. He works tirelessly to has helped re-establish the recruiting new Jayhawk Career Networking Series ensure that network events, which include connection between the University and and secured sponsors, speakers and the annual Salina Steak Out, garner plenty Phillips 66, where he worked for more venues for the events. He is chief of alumni support each year. He served on than 37 years before retiring in August. operating o cer of Muller Bressler the Association’s National Board of Brown, a native of Kansas City and a Brown in Leawood.
Jayhawk Roundup DAN STOREY (4) STOREY DAN
ichita Jayhawks celebrated KU’s 150th Wbirthday Oct. 3 at Murfin Stables, where the giant mascot welcomed alumni and friends to the annual Jayhawk Roundup. Event chairs Glenn and Camille Bribiesca Nyberg joined Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, hosts Janet Lusk Murfin and David Murfin, and coach Bill Self in greeting nearly 500 guests. Alumni Association chair Rick Putnam and national board member Greg Ek shared stories and laughed with former longtime men’s basketball coach Ted Owens. To start the dancing, Baby Jay burst out of a giant birthday gift box with the help of Danielle Laerty Hoover, the Association’s assistant director of Wichita programs.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 45 Looking for a unique holiday gift idea? The KU Alumni Association has membership packages for all ages! Recent Grad Half-Price Life Membership* For 2010-2015 graduates • $500 single/$750 joint A 12-month installment plan is available. There’s no better way to stay connected to the Hill and fellow Jayhawks. Recent Grad Annual Membership* For 2010-2015 graduates • $25 single/$30 joint Take advantage of great networking opportunities through events and activities that put you in touch Give a with fellow Jayhawks. gift membership Future Jayhawks Annual Membership and receive a For ages 0-18 • $15 per child for members, $20 per child for non-members ceramic KU holiday Your Jayhawk-in-training will receive a special birthday card from Baby Jay and a gift from the Alumni Association with each annual renewal. Start a true blue tradition today! ornament! KU Student Alumni Association Membership (Second in a series of seven) For current KU students • $25 for one year/$75 for four years It’s never too early for your student to build personal and professional networks. Other Gift Ideas To purchase a gift membership, visit Annual Membership • $55 single/$65 joint www.kualumni.org/giftornament Jayhawk Society • $100 single/$150 joint or call Premium level of annual membership and serves as your “Path to Life” membership Life Membership • $1,000 single/$1,500 joint 800-584-2957 Strengthen your alma mater and receive communications about happenings on the Hill. A 12-month installment plan is available for a Life Membership.
*Recent grad rates are available for the first five years after completion of the most recent KU degree. To review all membership levels and benefits, please visit www.kualumni.org/join 46 | KANSAS ALUMNI ISSUE 4, 2011 | 1 Life Members
DAN STOREY (4) STOREY DAN he Association thanks these Jayhawks, who began their Life Tmemberships Sept. 1 through Oct. 31. For information, visit kualumni.org or call 800-584-2957.
Andrew D. Adams Stacy Seglem Pence Susan Anderson & Tyler K. Pence Richard C. Arnspiger II Andrew T. Pickens & Susan D. Arnspiger Carol L. Pitchlyn Evan A. Bargnesi Cassandra E. Post Brandon M. Beck Garry R. Pottruck Joshua A. & Sally Campbell The Hon. Michael F. Powers Bender Bailie D. Redenbaugh Looking for a unique Susan M. Bjorn Joseph R. Roach Tausha L. Brooks Jackie Caldwell Rogers Anthony D. Burgin Robert M. Salyer holiday gift idea? Elna Ballard Cox Kathryn B. Saunders & Christopher W. Cox Kristi L. Schmitt The KU Alumni Association has membership packages for all ages! Donald A. & Judy S. Culp James Schneider Russell R. Cutright Arlen C. Schroeder Sally A. Davis Jay B. & Barbra Simpson Recent Grad Half-Price Life Membership* Raymond E. Dick Janice Whitaker Sisney For 2010-2015 graduates • $500 single/$750 joint Jamie Bernard Drakey Stanford J. Smith Jr. A 12-month installment plan is available. There’s no better way to stay connected to the Hill Mary E. Edwards Kyle T. Spikes and fellow Jayhawks. Carol A. Foster & Gary A. Timothy M. Stacey Waldron Paul W. & Kathryn S. Staley Recent Grad Annual Membership* Christopher M. Colleen Moran Stones For 2010-2015 graduates • $25 single/$30 joint Friedl-Buckland Michael L. Stucky Take advantage of great networking opportunities through events and activities that put you in touch Give a David P. Fritz & Jamie E. Fritz Gordon B. & Carol J. Stull with fellow Jayhawks. Majid T. Ghavani Bharathi P. Sudarsanam gift membership Connie D. Stuart Grimes Whitney R. Tabares Future Jayhawks Annual Membership and receive a & Ryan M. Grimes Steani K. & Michael E. For ages 0-18 • $15 per child for members, $20 per child for non-members Jane E. Heeney Tomson-DeGree ceramic KU holiday Kristi Stanley Heyka Stephen L. Twaddell Your Jayhawk-in-training will receive a special birthday card from Baby Jay and a gift from the Alumni Levi L. Keach Brandon P. Volz Association with each annual renewal. Start a true blue tradition today! ornament! Christopher W. Long Larry M. Vujnovich (Second in a series of seven) Lindsay K. Lundholm Tiany Walker KU Student Alumni Association Membership James E. Malicoat M. Elizabeth Welch For current KU students • $25 for one year/$75 for four years Charles P. Margarit Kathryn Slater Alcantara It’s never too early for your student to build personal and professional networks. Black Alumni Network reunion Katharine Hundley Marshall & Jesus R. Alcantara To purchase a Jerey S. Martin Wesbster Other Gift Ideas Jennifer D. McAllaster L. Christopher Wittman gift membership, visit ayhawks gathered Sept. 25 for a reunion that began with a Annual Membership • $55 single/$65 joint Jcelebration of Black Alumni Network leader Michael Shinn, Leslie Ain McClure Matthew J. Woolley www.kualumni.org/giftornament who died in March. His son, Stephen, and wife, Joyce, assoc., William P. & Marilyn McCourt Evan C. Wooton Jayhawk Society • $100 single/$150 joint or call accepted a tribute from Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little. Mike Laurie Stumbo McPike Grant E. Worden Premium level of annual membership and serves as your “Path to Life” membership Shinn won the Alumni Association’s Fred Ellsworth Medallion and Hank Miller Rob G. Yohe Life Membership • $1,000 single/$1,500 joint 800-584-2957 Distinguished Service Citation and created the African-American Kenneth B. & Jennifer L. Miller Leaders & Innovators program, which this year honored 12 alumni. Kenneth E. Nevius Strengthen your alma mater and receive communications about happenings on the Hill. Adrian Boldridge and Ronald Brown were among more than 200 R. Lance & Tamara L. Niles A 12-month installment plan is available for a Life Membership. alumni who attended the reunion. Audrey Lee, one of the Richard R. Patton II honorees, accepted congratulations at the dinner, which also Elisabeth L. Peacock included Leo Harris and Bonita Benson. *Recent grad rates are available for the first five years after completion of the most recent KU degree. To review all membership levels and benefits, please visit www.kualumni.org/join ISSUE 4, 2011 | 1 ISSUE 6, 2015 | 47
Class Notes by Heather Biele colonel and is now regional manager of federal health services at Coram. He lives in Plano, Texas. Karen Kittrell Mazzola, d’70, g’78, is a Virginia Rodriguez Radford, c’40, is Rich Clarkson, j’55, renowned marketing consultant at United Associa- 40 retired from a 23-year career as a 55 photographer and owner of Clark- tion Manufacturers’ Representatives in columnist for the Horton Headlight son Creative in Denver, received the Curt Dana Point, California. newspaper. She lives in Seneca. Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his David Duckers, b’71, an attorney at U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, ’45, has been outstanding contributions to the sport. 71 Horner and Duckers Chartered in 45 appointed nance chairman of the Kansas City, was appointed to the Ethics Campaign for the National Eisenhower Allan Hurst, b’57, is retired CEO of Commission of Wyandotte County and Memorial. He will lead the campaign’s 57 Quorum Ltd. in Palm Desert, will serve a four-year term. private fundraising e ort. California, where he makes his home. Eunice Macy Ruttinger, s’73, s’74, Richard Rogers, l’47, is a consultant Delano Lewis, c’60, wrote It All 73 has retired as adult services director 47 and inactive senior U.S. District 60 Begins With Self: How to Discover at Bert Nash Community Mental Health judge a er serving more than 40 years on Your Passion, Connect With People, and Center in Lawrence, where she lives. the bench. Succeed in Life, which was published earlier this year. He and Gayle Jones Lydia Beebe, j’74, l’77, is senior of Gerald Petersen, d’51, m’60, and his Lewis, ’58, live in Las Cruces, New Mexico. 74 counsel at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich 51 wife, Alice, celebrated their 60th & Rosati in San Francisco. wedding anniversary in June in Overland Dale Taylor, d’62, g’71, PhD’84, has Jim Doepke, d’74, known to many Park, where they make their home. 62 been appointed to a third term on baseball fans as “Mr. Trumpet,” continues the Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long his quest to play the National Anthem in Term Care. every major league ball park across the country. He will return to Lawrence Jan. 4 School Codes Letters that follow names John Butler, PhD’66, professor to play the National Anthem at the KU vs. indicate the school from which alumni earned 66 emeritus of microbiology, retired Oklahoma men’s basketball game. degrees. Numbers show their class years. a er 42 years at the University of Iowa David Murfin, a School of Architecture, Carver College of Medicine. He has been b’75, e’75, CEO of Design and Planning recognized as a distinguished veterinary 75 Mur n Inc. in Wichita, has been b School of Business immunologist by national and interna- appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents. c College of Liberal Arts tional societies, and in May was honored He and Janet Lusk Murfin, d’75, live in and Sciences as a distinguished alumnus of the Univer- Wichita. d School of Education sity of Wisconsin-River Falls. e School of Engineering Scott McBride, f’77, is a CAD tech f School of Fine Arts Norma Norman, d’67, l’89, is a 77 and GIS analyst for the City of g Master’s Degree 67 human resources counselor and Dallas. h School of Health Professions employee relations manager at the Texas j School of Journalism James Campbell, l School of Law Workforce Commission in Austin, Texas. b’79, is an m School of Medicine 79 enterprise account executive at n School of Nursing Mary Beck Briscoe, c’69, l’73, Lucid Design Group. He lives in Dallas. p School of Pharmacy 69 stepped down as chief judge of the Ann Hamilton, f’79, a professor of art at PharmD School of Pharmacy 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. She will e Ohio State University, was awarded s School of Social Welfare remain an active judge on the circuit. the National Medal of Art. She was one of u School of Music Joseph “Jo Jo” White, ’69, a seven-time 11 artists to receive the award. DE Doctor of Engineering NBA All-Star and current director of Robert Kaplan, b’79, a former Goldman DMA Doctor of Musical Arts special projects for the Boston Celtics, was Sachs executive, has been named president DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy inducted in the Naismith Memorial of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. EdD Doctor of Education Basketball Hall of Fame. PhD Doctor of Philosophy Anne Levinson, (no letter) Former student c’80, is one of assoc Associate member of the Arthur “Jack” Aenchbacher, b’70, 80 KU’s 2015-’16 College of Liberal Alumni Association 70 retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumni
50 | KANSAS ALUMNI
Class Notes
honorees. She is a retired judge in Seattle. tion of Housing and Rural Development director at Avai Mobile Solutions. Steven Sloan, c’80, an attorney at O cials. Brian McClendon, e’86, vice president of ompson & Knight in Dallas, was named advanced technology at Uber, was recently one of the 2015 Texas Super Lawyers by Andres Carvallo, e’86, is co-founder inducted in the National Academy of omson Reuters. 86 and CEO of Westlake Energy Corp. Engineering at the 2015 NAE annual in Austin, Texas, where he makes his meeting in Washington, D.C. Glenn Oland, c’81, manages national home. Thomas McKenzie, g’86, works as a 81 accounts at Vets Plus Inc. in Meno- Lisa Stormes Hawker, j’86, is president project manager at Black & Veatch in monie, Wisconsin. of Brain Stormes Unlimited Inc. in Columbia, Maryland. Brian Torres, e’81, is managing partner Littleton, Colorado. Her rst novel, e Judith Batson Sadler, l’86, is an attorney at Rise Manufacturing in Broken Arrow, Drowning Game, was recently published and shareholder at Holmes Diggs & Eames Oklahoma, where he makes his home. by Witness Impulse. in Houston. Janeane Grantham Houchin, n’86, is a Erin O’Shea Sneller, j’86, is the market- Mark Petersen, m’84, is a physician registered nurse and an assistant professor ing and communications manager for the 84 at the VA Medical Center in of nursing at Kansas Wesleyan University School of Arts and Communications at Leavenworth. in Salina. Oregon State University in Corvallis, Marilyn Hamilton Jenkins, c’86, retired where she and her husband, Steve, c’83, Stephen Hopkins, l’85, an attorney from the U.S. Air Force as a colonel. She is g’85, a so ware engineer at Natural Point 85 and partner at Hopkins Law O ce a postulant with the Episcopal Diocese of So ware, live with their two children. in Phoenix, has been appointed to the Washington, D.C., and attends the Maricopa County Superior Court. Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University Barbara Kerr, EdD’85, was selected as in New Haven, Connecticut. 2015 Commissioner of the Year by the Peter Lange, e’86, lives in Austin, Texas, Southwest Conference National Associa- where he is an account management
52 | KANSAS ALUMNI Paul Wolf, c’86, is director of Key Kevin Fitzgerald, e’87, is principal and collegiate sales and marketing at WinCra Technology Inc. in Walla Walla, Washing- vice president of CFM Projects in Millers- Inc. in Winona, Minnesota. ton. He also founded Deer Creek Hold- ville, Maryland. He and his wife, Nancy, Kristi Stephenson Miller, e’88, owns ings, a private equity rm based in El live in Severna Park with their three boys. Miller Design Management Inc. in Segundo, California. Richard Hayes Jr., c’87, is adjutant Lombard, Illinois, where she makes her general of the Illinois National Guard. He home. James Berglund, b’87, l’92, an lives in Spring eld, Illinois. 87 attorney at ompson & Knight in Jerey Fugitt, c’89, j’91, is the CEO Dallas, has been named one of the 2015 Richard Archer, s’88, is a clinical 89 and co-founder of AuthorityForce Texas Super Lawyers by omson Reuters. 88 social worker and clinical addiction in Austin, Texas. Eric Boldt, c’87, is a warning coordina- counselor at Beaufort Memorial Sea Island Janice Weddle Gales, n’89, is an tion meteorologist for the National Psychiatry in Beaufort, South Carolina, institutional review board administrator at Weather Service. He lives in Ventura, where he lives. Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation California. Eric Johnson, c’88, is vice president of in Oklahoma City.
PROFILE by Heather Biele STEVE PUPPE STEVE
Personal experience teaching style to mirror that of his propels teacher’s success professors at KU, he avoids old-school methods that focus on memorization and hen Patrick Flynn was a student at instead encourages open discussion and WKU he took a mathematics course collaborative learning. As a result, he’s from Professor Judith Roitman and failed. seen great improvement in his students’ He took the course again and walked away performance. with much more than a passing grade: He “I tell the kids, ‘You’ve got to help your learned what it takes to be a good teacher. fellow neighbors,’” says Flynn. “By “Her class gave me empathy for students explaining it, they’re communicating who have a hard time understanding mathematically, and that forces them to things,” Flynn says, recalling the extra understand the material even better.” help Roitman gave him. “I know what Despite his students’ success—close to that feels l i ke .” 90 percent have passed the AP calculus Flynn, d’92, g’00, who teaches Advanced exam since he implemented this teaching Placement calculus and algebra I at Olathe style—Flynn still faces the challenge of “He is always up to the task of pushing his East High School, has come a long way motivating them to appreciate and students to reach their full potential,” says Bill since his struggles at KU. In July, the understand a di cult subject. veteran teacher joined 107 fellow educa- “Some students ask when they’re going Weber, principal of Olathe East High School, of tors in Washington, D.C., to receive the to use this,” he explains. “A s soon as they award-winning teacher Patrick Flynn. 2015 Presidential Award for Excellence in ask that question, they’ve decided it’s not Mathematics and Science Teaching from that important.” the National Science Foundation. He Flynn has no qualms about convincing work. I focus a lot on their process.” received $10,000 and participated in an them otherwise. e key isn’t to make at process is working. e celebrated awards ceremony with the president at the math exciting, he says, but to make it teacher received several letters of support White House. interesting. By emphasizing problem- from parents and students who recom- “Everyone we met in D.C. really values solving and teaching students to think mended him for the award. And to top it teachers,” Flynn says. “It was powerful to analytically when faced with a tough o, he even received praise from his hear that. A lot of times you just don’t get question, he can turn a routine math mentor. that message.” exercise into a skills-building opportunity. “I met someone in D.C. who is friends Flynn deserves to stand in the company “I like having students ask lots of with Professor Roitman,” Flynn says. “He of those esteemed educators. A er questions,” Flynn says. “I try really hard to texted her and she wrote back, ‘Tell Pat spending the past 20 years honing his explain the reason behind why things congratulations.’ It was g re at .”
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 53 Class Notes
Thank you for celebrating 2015 Homecoming!
Congratulations and a special thank you to the following individuals and groups who helped make the week a success: Mark Heinrich, g’89, is president and GableGotwals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was Brinkman Moeser, j’92, live in Oakton. CEO of Associated Aircra Manufacturing named to the 2016 Best Lawyers in Jennifer Myers Wasinger, c’93, is an Homecoming Supporters Camille Douglas Alpha Tau Omega/Alpha Delta Pi Overall Winners and Sales Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. America list. account director at Freese and Nichols in Richard and Judy Billings—Billings Spirit Hannah Reinhart (winner) Uncle Noah’s Ark—Ed Everitt Living Trust Greek Life: Alpha Chi Omega and He is retired from the U.S. Navy. Tammee McVey, l’91, joined SouthLaw Oklahoma City. of 1912 Award, 2015 Award Recipients Madeline Sniezek KU Marching Jayhawks Alumni Band Sigma Alpha Epsilon Frank Maggiorotto, g’89, is president as an associate attorney. She works in the Joe and Susan Morris Elliott Brady Omega Phi Alpha/Beta Upsilon Chi Student Life: Omega Phi Alpha and Beta and CEO of Tower Wealth Managers in rm’s corporate o ce in Overland Park. Brad Garlinghouse, c’94, chief Jennifer Alderdice—Jennifer Alderdice Alex Kong Indian Youth of Lawrence Upsilon Chi Kansas City. David Schnase, l’91, g’98, is vice operating o cer at Ripple Labs in Award Winner Ashley Maska Michael Schugart Pi Kappa Phi/Chi Omega 94 Alvaro Papa Silva All Scholarship Hall Council A special thanks to: Milton Newton, d’89, g’93, general president of academic and membership San Francisco, is one of KU’s 2015-’16 Evan Traylor (winner) Alpha Gamma Delta/Zeta Beta Tau Richard and Judy Billings manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves, a airs for the NCAA in Indianapolis. College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Homecoming Steering Committee Jacey Krehbiel, Co-Advisor Theta Chi/Kappa Delta Jayhawk Jingles Judges—Don and Kay was recently honored in his native St. Gri n Weyforth, a’91, is an architect Distinguished Alumni honorees. Paige Hofer, Co-Advisor Parade Participants The Big Event at KU Brada, Shelle McCoy Laura Settich Greene, omas, Virgin Islands. A park was and principal at Gri n Design in Over- c’94, joined Caleb Johnson, Director Grand Marshal—Catherine Carmichael Rock Chalk Revue Scott Simpson renamed “e Milton M. Newton Recre- land Park. FutureSense Inc. in Mission Viejo, Nicole McCrosky KU Marching Jayhawks School of Engineering Parade Judges—Dr. Cindy and Craig ation Par k ,” and the governor declared California, as a compensation and human Jordan Hildenbrand KU Spirit Squad Delta Sigma Pi Penzler, Becky Thomas, Sarah Thomas Aug. 7, 2015, “Milt Newton D ay.” Smith Holland, b’92, is president resources specialist. Julie Ferrell International Student Services Delta Gamma/Alpha Kappa Lambda Event Judges 92 and CEO of Crayola in Easton, Howard High, g’94, is a technology Hallie Holton Kappa Alpha Theta/Sigma Nu Gateway Highsteppers Drill Team Emcees—Kevin Romary, Curtis Marsh Leigh Borden Knubley, c’90, is Pennsylvania. protection o cer in the U.S. Army. He’s Caragh Considine Army ROTC Phi Gamma Delta/Kappa Kappa Gamma (parade) and David Lawrence (pep rally) 90 senior employee relations adviser at Ann Lucas, m’92, is a family medicine stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Bailee Myers Sigma Alpha Epsilon/Alpha Chi Omega KU Dance Marathon Downtown Lawrence, Inc. Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. specialist at Southwest Health Center in Maryland. Melanie Edwards Stepping Stones Preschool University Daily Kansan Bob Sanner Beakers Sigma Kappa/Delta Chi The Lawrence Police Department She lives in League City, Texas, with her Platteville, Wisconsin. Christopher Locke, c’94, is chief Katie Gerard Delta Delta Delta/Pi Kappa Alpha Homecoming Steering Committee Lawrence and Topeka Corvette Clubs Rick, Autrin Naderi husband, c’90, who manages sales at executive o cer of Saint Francis Hospital- Highland Park Rhythmic Belles Dance Jayhawk Motor Sports Halftime Presentation—Dr. Tammara Univar. Jerey Lapin, c’93, is an attorney Bartlett in Tennessee. ExC.E.L. Finalists Team KU Alumni Association Durham 93 and owner of Lapin Law O ces in Penny Reiss Truttmann, j’94, is vice Lauren Arney Hilltop Child Development Center Lawrence Police William Colgan, c’91, is regional Lincoln, Nebraska, where he lives. president of Caesars Entertainment in Las Angie Bass Environmental Studies Ambassadors 91 manager at Billy Casper Golf in Chris Moeser, c’93, j’93, is associate Vegas, where she makes her home. Reston, Virginia. general counsel at TEGNA Inc. in Corine Wegener, g’94, g’01, is a cultural Homecoming Sponsors Chad Hinrichs, e’91, an attorney at McLean, Virginia. He and his wife, Susan heritage preservation o cer at the
54 | KANSAS ALUMNI Thank you for celebrating 2015 Homecoming!
Congratulations and a special thank you to the following individuals and groups who helped make the week a success:
Homecoming Supporters Camille Douglas Alpha Tau Omega/Alpha Delta Pi Overall Winners Richard and Judy Billings—Billings Spirit Hannah Reinhart (winner) Uncle Noah’s Ark—Ed Everitt Living Trust Greek Life: Alpha Chi Omega and of 1912 Award, 2015 Award Recipients Madeline Sniezek KU Marching Jayhawks Alumni Band Sigma Alpha Epsilon Joe and Susan Morris Elliott Brady Omega Phi Alpha/Beta Upsilon Chi Student Life: Omega Phi Alpha and Beta Jennifer Alderdice—Jennifer Alderdice Alex Kong Indian Youth of Lawrence Upsilon Chi Award Winner Ashley Maska Michael Schugart Pi Kappa Phi/Chi Omega Alvaro Papa Silva All Scholarship Hall Council A special thanks to: Homecoming Steering Committee Evan Traylor (winner) Alpha Gamma Delta/Zeta Beta Tau Richard and Judy Billings Jacey Krehbiel, Co-Advisor Theta Chi/Kappa Delta Jayhawk Jingles Judges—Don and Kay Paige Hofer, Co-Advisor Parade Participants The Big Event at KU Brada, Shelle McCoy Caleb Johnson, Director Grand Marshal—Catherine Carmichael Rock Chalk Revue Scott Simpson Nicole McCrosky KU Marching Jayhawks School of Engineering Parade Judges—Dr. Cindy and Craig Jordan Hildenbrand KU Spirit Squad Delta Sigma Pi Penzler, Becky Thomas, Sarah Thomas Julie Ferrell International Student Services Delta Gamma/Alpha Kappa Lambda Event Judges Hallie Holton Kappa Alpha Theta/Sigma Nu Gateway Highsteppers Drill Team Emcees—Kevin Romary, Curtis Marsh Caragh Considine Army ROTC Phi Gamma Delta/Kappa Kappa Gamma (parade) and David Lawrence (pep rally) Bailee Myers Sigma Alpha Epsilon/Alpha Chi Omega KU Dance Marathon Downtown Lawrence, Inc. Melanie Edwards Stepping Stones Preschool University Daily Kansan Bob Sanner Katie Gerard Beakers Sigma Kappa/Delta Chi The Lawrence Police Department Autrin Naderi Delta Delta Delta/Pi Kappa Alpha Homecoming Steering Committee Lawrence and Topeka Corvette Clubs Highland Park Rhythmic Belles Dance Jayhawk Motor Sports Halftime Presentation—Dr. Tammara ExC.E.L. Finalists Team KU Alumni Association Durham Lauren Arney Hilltop Child Development Center Lawrence Police Angie Bass Environmental Studies Ambassadors
Homecoming Sponsors Class Notes
Smithsonian Institution in Washington, regional vice president at Interstate Billing eatre Restaurant in Overland Park. D.C. She is a retired major with 21 years of Service in Bakers eld, California, where service in the U.S. Army Reserve. she lives. Laura Harrison Fischer, b’98, is a 98 paralegal at Rasmussen, Willis, Darrell Allen, g’95, PhD’04, is an Michelle Bicknell, b’96, is an Dickey & Moore in Kansas City. She lives 95 associate professor at DigiPen 96 assistant election systems specialist in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Institute of Technology in Redmond, at the Shawnee County Election O ce in James Hunter, b’98, is a property and Washington. He lives in Everett. Topeka. casualty producer at Lockton Companies Elizabeth Erickson, c’95, is an attorney Maj. Dan Rooney, c’96, g’97, a retired in Denver. and shareholder at Jackson Lewis in ghter pilot and founder of the nonpro t Grey Montgomery, c’98, j’98, is chief Madison, Wisconsin. organization Folds of Honor, is one of content o cer at Winsight Media in Robert Leeman, c’95, g’98, has been KU’s 2015-’16 College of Liberal Arts & Chicago, where he makes his home. named deputy director by the Nashville Sciences Distinguished Alumni honorees. Metro Planning Department. Yao Yihong, PhD’96, is chief scienti c Samuel Pratt, e’99, g’02, is engi- Christopher Lowe, c’95, is town man- o cer at Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. 99 neering manager at SunEdison ager of Monument, Colorado. He was in Palo Alto, California. Semiconductor in St. Peters, Missouri. He previously city administrator for Baldwin lives in Creve Coeur. City. Marjory Eisenman, c’97, is assistant Dustin Shaer, c’99, directs theatre at Mark Mallouk, c’95, is a screenwriter 97 dean of student a airs at the School Neosho County Community College in and producer in Hollywood, California. of Computing and Engineering at the Chanute. He co-wrote “Black Mass,” which was University of Missouri-Kansas City. recently released in theatres nationwide. Charles Moore, ’97, lives in Lawrence, BORN TO: Leslie Johnson Nielsen, l’95, is Western where he is a scenic artist and designer. He Tierney Veatch Micheletti, c’99, and her recently created the sets for the production husband, Kenny, daughter, Sophia Marie, of “ e Addams Family” at the New Aug. 5 in Kansas City, where they live.
56 | KANSAS ALUMNI Stacy Abernethy, j’00, g’10, is a and daughter, Luciana Lynnde Conceição, sciences at the 00 business development specialist at July 13 in Indianapolis, where they live. University of Texas at American Greetings, Papyrus and Recy- Andrea Doden Soules, j’00, and her Austin. cled Paper Greetings in Chicago. husband, Jay, daughter, Anna Caroline, Ryann Waller, c’01, Christopher Willits, c’00, is a scientist at Aug. 5 in Allen, Texas, where she joins a is the human resources MyoKardia in San Francisco. brother, Reed, 4. director at Bert Nash Heather Yates, c’00, PhD’13, is a visiting Community Mental Health Center in assistant professor at the University of Deirdre Pilch, EdD’01, is superinten- Lawrence, where she lives. Central Arkansas in Conway, where she 01 dent of Greeley-Evans School makes her home. District 6 in Greeley, Colorado. She has BORN TO: worked in public education for more than Gina Leo Stingley, j’01, and her hus- BORN TO: 30 years. band, Je , daughter, Blaire Camille, Sept. 3 Jobrina Perez-Marques, c’00, l’04, and Kyle Spikes, c’01, g’02, is associate in Kansas City, where she joins a brother, her husband, Ryan, son, Julian Sebastião, professor in the department of geological Jack, 2.
PROFILE by Brian Whepley
‘Health Hero’ helps dents can gain patients, students abroad international experience. OF MEDICINE-WICHITA SCHOOL KU eborah Kroeker got hooked on “When I travel Dtraveling and serving overseas during overseas, I get to help a trip to Mexico as a college freshman. people who otherwise More than a decade later in Ecuador, the wouldn’t receive c are ,” pieces of what she does today—educating she says. “It’s a very doctors here and abroad—came together. tangible way to help “We went to this little village along the people who are Napo R i v e r,” says Kroeker, m’07, assistant underserved. And I professor of pediatrics at the School of really like the added Health education is key to Kroeker’s overseas missions. “Through Medicine-Wichita. “On that trip, I was the element of education, education I can help people in a very respectful manner to improve only physician, and I remember being whether that’s health care long after my team is gone.” surprised as I realized that I was not seeing through teaching my own patients; instead the medical students to care for students were coming to me with ques- people, or through working with indig- Brown asked if she was interested in tions about their patients, and I was enous people so their own health care taking students to Bolivia. She has since supervising them as we worked together. practices can i mprov e .” taken three student groups there for “It was at that moment that I realized I For her work overseas and her commit- multiweek trips o ering “intense but great love supervising students, and helping ment to sharing what she’s gained, Kroeker experiences.” them provide care to patients who was honored this year as a Wichita Kroeker is a good role model for otherwise would not receive it. I took a Business Journal Health Care Hero. volunteerism and service, whether its picture in the jungle that day to commem- “It’s rea rming that the work I’ve been halfway around the world or at the school’s orate my awareness of what I wanted my involved with is seen as worthwhile,” she JayDoc Community Clinic in Wichita, future to be. I knew I had found a niche in said of the honor. says Brian Pate, m’95, chair of pediatrics at which I could thrive.” Soon a er joining the faculty in 2010, the School of Medicine-Wichita. Kroeker has done missions to Jordan Kroeker attended a missionary medicine “She has a broad impact. She’s not just and Tanzania, taken physician assistant conference, seeking an outlet for her contributing her time and expertise; she’s students to Bolivia three times, and served interests. She made a contact that led her also inspiring the next generation of on Medical Education International teams back to Wichita and Gina Brown, an Deborah Kroekers.” in Zambia and Mongolia. She organized a assistant professor in Wichita State —Whepley, c’85, j’87, is a Wichita global health rotation so pediatric resi- University’s physician’s assistant program. freelance writer.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 57 Class Notes 2016 Travel the world with the Flying Jayhawks
Bridge of the Americas Waterways and Canals of Southwest National Parks JAN. 20-FEB. 7 Holland and Belgium Cruising the OCT. 5-14 APRIL 28-MAY 6 Baltic Sea JUNE 15-24 Captivating Mediterranean Tanzania Flavors of Spain Hosted by Chancellor OCT. 8-16 Migration Safari MAY 7-15 Bernadette Gray-Little JAN. 27-FEB. 7 and Shade Little Trade Routes of Hosted by Dale and Sorrento, Italy Coastal Iberia Marianne Seuferling MAY 11-19 OCT. 25-NOV. 2 Cruise the Face of Europe JUNE 23-JULY 8 Provence to Normandy New York Theatre James Brauer, d’02, g’04, g’07, is the MARRIED Mary-Katherine Price, c’04, is special Passage through the MAY 19-30 NOV. 22-26 02 principal of Iowa Connections Courtney Hartmann, c’03, to Michael counsel at Jenner & Block in Chicago. Ireland Panama Canal and Costa Rica JULY 17-27 Academy in Anita, Iowa. Tisa, Aug. 8 at Mission Bay in San Diego, Kathryn Kieer Richardson, j’04, JAN. 29-FEB. 6 Mediterranean Serenade Jennifer McKenzie Knudtson, b’02, is where they make their home. teaches and coaches volleyball at St. MAY 20-JUNE 2 Coastal Alaska assortment planning manager at Hallmark Ryan Schulze, c’03, PhD’09, and Joseph’s Academy in St. Louis, where she Radiant Rhythms Autumn Ruiz, AUG. 4-11 Cards Inc. in Kansas City. She lives in PhD’11, Sept. 12 in Roches- makes her home. FEB. 27-MARCH 11 London Overland Park. ter, Minnesota, where they live. Paul Rudolph, c’04, b’04, is a managing MAY 29-JUNE 9 Grand Danube Passage partner at Sano Capital Group. He lives in European Coastal MARRIED BORN TO: AUG. 11-25 Cincinnati, and his family includes Civilizations Celtic Lands Karlin Kampschroeder, Brooke Palmer Grothe, s’02, s’05, to b’03, and her daughter, Charlotte, and son, Nicholas. APRIL 16-24 MAY 31-JUNE 9 Glenna Glasgow, Aug. 22 in Baldwin City. husband, eodore, son, Graham, July 30 The Magnificent Great Lakes MARRIED AUG. 22-31 Karlin works for KU Athletics. ey live in in Olathe, where he joins a sister, Grand Cuban Voyage Southern Culture and Civil War Jason Staord, Abi Bloxham, Lawrence. Gwendolyn. c’04, to APRIL 23-MAY 2 JUNE 4-13 For the latest dates and s’05, Aug. 1 in Wichita, where they live. Italian Lakes and Venice detailed trip descriptions, BORN TO: Karen Benzel, c’04, is director of Jason is a so ware support specialist at SEPT. 15-23 Chandler, b’02, and Reina Rodriguez 04 the United Way of Western Pulse Systems, and Abi is a social worker visit Poore, c’05, ’08, son, Charles Roch, July 31 Nebraska in Scottsblu . at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center. Canada and New England www.kualumni.org/travel in Overland Park, where he joins sisters Andrew Marso, j’04, was inducted in the SEPT. 30-OCT. 12 or call Elliot, 3, and Gabriella, 2. University of Kansas Hospital’s Rehab Hall BORN TO: 800-584-2957. of Fame. Andy is a writer and editor for Erick, g’04, and Natalia Aguinaga Angela Higgins Bonner, c’03, is a the Kansas Health Institute. Garzon, g’04, daughter, Catherine Isabella, 03 corporate recruiter for HomeAdvi- James Owen, l’04, is a contract manage- March 13 in Doral, Florida, where she sor in Lenexa. She lives in Olathe. ment specialist for the state of Missouri’s joins a brother, Erick Jr., 7. Erick is general Erika Zimmerman, ’03, is executive O ce of Administration in Je erson City. manager for Latin America and Caribbean director of Habitat for Humanity in He recently joined the alumni council at at Firestone Building Products in Fort Lawrence. Drury University. Lauderdale.
58 | KANSAS ALUMNI 2016 Travel the world with the Flying Jayhawks
Bridge of the Americas Waterways and Canals of Southwest National Parks JAN. 20-FEB. 7 Holland and Belgium Cruising the OCT. 5-14 APRIL 28-MAY 6 Baltic Sea JUNE 15-24 Captivating Mediterranean Tanzania Flavors of Spain Hosted by Chancellor OCT. 8-16 Migration Safari MAY 7-15 Bernadette Gray-Little JAN. 27-FEB. 7 and Shade Little Trade Routes of Hosted by Dale and Sorrento, Italy Coastal Iberia Marianne Seuferling MAY 11-19 OCT. 25-NOV. 2 Cruise the Face of Europe JUNE 23-JULY 8 Provence to Normandy New York Theatre Passage through the MAY 19-30 NOV. 22-26 Ireland Panama Canal and Costa Rica JULY 17-27 JAN. 29-FEB. 6 Mediterranean Serenade MAY 20-JUNE 2 Coastal Alaska Radiant Rhythms AUG. 4-11 FEB. 27-MARCH 11 London MAY 29-JUNE 9 Grand Danube Passage European Coastal AUG. 11-25 Civilizations Celtic Lands APRIL 16-24 MAY 31-JUNE 9 The Magnificent Great Lakes AUG. 22-31 Grand Cuban Voyage Southern Culture and Civil War APRIL 23-MAY 2 JUNE 4-13 Italian Lakes and Venice For the latest dates and SEPT. 15-23 detailed trip descriptions, visit Canada and New England www.kualumni.org/travel SEPT. 30-OCT. 12 or call 800-584-2957.
Brooke Hansen Maynard, c’04, and Michelle Castor, c’05, a licensed 2015 Pan American men’s basketball team, Christian, ’04, son, Cassius Christian, Sept. massage therapist and herbal educator, which competed in July in Toronto. He 8 in Lawrence, where he joins sister, owns Agua y Sangre Healing in Denver. currently plays for BC Unics, a profes- Isabelle, 4. Michael Flynn, a’05, is an associate and sional team in Kazan, Russia. registered architect at Lawrence Group in Aaron Miles, c’05, is assistant director of Michael Barnicle, c’05, is an St. Louis, where he lives. student-athlete development for KU men’s 05 associate attorney at Duane Morris Andrea Herrera, m’05, is a physician at basketball. He and his wife, Mikki, live in in Chicago. He also co-founded the John Great Plains Family Medical in McPher- Lawrence with their four sons. Marshall Law School Veterans Legal son, where she makes her home. Diane Wells Peterson, m’05, is medical Support Center and Clinic and serves on Janel Ikeda, s’05, is social services examiner of Jackson County in Kansas its board. Mike lives in Chicago. manager at 15 Craigside, a retirement City. Chris Brink, b’05, is vice president and and assisted living community in Lisa Schmitz, g’05, supervises public claims counsel at North American Title Honolulu. relations at Two Rivers Marketing in Des Insurance Company in Miami. Keith Langford, ’05, was selected for the Moines, Iowa.
PROFILE by KIM GRONNIGER STEVE PUPPE STEVE
Event manager thrives Austin, Texas, home, plus plenty of “black co ee and when pressure is greatest Red Bull” and scrupulous attention to detail. n route from the Lied Center to “ e main point of ELollapalooza, Tim Smith’s interna- everything we do is the fan tional event production career has experience and the musicians encompassed cruise ship and camping are part of that, but it’s also festival gigs as well as iconic musical the subtle stu —clean extravaganzas like Austin City Limits. restrooms, the cost of the A former KU band member who ticket, the ease of getting into accompanied the basketball team to two the venue, the convenience of Final Four appearances, Smith, c’04, [radio-frequency identi ca- After detouring from optometry to event management, Tim initially wanted to be an optometrist like tion] chips in a wristband— Smith now oversees production of many of the country’s his older brother, but a fortunate stint as a that correlate to both pro t- biggest music and culture festivals. Lied Center stagehand led him to theatre ability and popularity,” Smith and lm studies. says. “It’s all of those things He worked for StagePro and learned together that are the reason Some weren’t happy, but ve minutes a er technical aspects of the industry. A er Lollapalooza sells out 100,000 tickets every the last ones cleared the gate, that storm working for a Boulder, Colorado, event year even before the lineup is re l e a s e d .” came through.” company, he started Tuba Productions, Meeting deadlines under dicult Smith strives to maintain “a cool head” where he cultivated industry contacts, circumstances is “the fun p ar t ,” he says. as he ensures that artist relations, opera- including C3 Presents. “When things go awry, everyone just steps tions, guest services and other event In 2013, the Clay Center native joined back and then doubles down to put it considerations sync seamlessly. C3 Presents, the third-largest promoter in together. ere’s no other choice.” As soon as a show concludes, Smith is North America. As production manager, Being the point person means not only already thinking ahead. he’s responsible for managing the com- grappling with bad weather’s a ermath but “I’m never satis ed,” he says. “With this pany’s top-tier team that handles the “nuts also making dicult cancellation calls that profession, it’s hard to unplug, but I love and bolts” of C3 Presents events, including frustrate tfans ye keep them safe. “In 2012, the chaos of doing something di erent food and wine festivals and the Landmark we had 70,000 people at Lollapalooza and every day and guring out how to make Music Festival, a new Washington, D.C., it was a beautiful d ay,” he says. “ e things better.” bene t for the National Mall. forecast predicted a storm and we knew —Gronniger, g’83, is a Topeka e job entails extensive travel from his we were responsible for all those people. freelance writer.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 61 Class Notes
BORN TO: Christopher Duensing, c’05, and his wife, Brittany, daughter, Ava Marie, Sept. 17 in Las Vegas. Christopher is an instruc- tor sensor operator at CAE. Ryan McAtee, d’05, and his wife, Kathryn, son, Reid Spencer, Aug. 22 in Wichita.
Andrew Coleman, b’06, g’08, is an 06 internal auditor at Swedbank in Tallinn, Estonia. Kalpana Miriyala, ’06, is a psychiatrist at Marshall Psychiatry in Huntington, West Virginia, where she makes her home. Shane Stecklein, c’06, PhD’12, m’14, is completing his residency in radiation oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
MARRIED Kerri Davis, d’06, g’11, to John Wetzel, June 20 in Kansas City. She is a rst-grade teacher for Olathe public schools. Paige Wilson, c’06, to Josh Gu ey, Sept. 26 in Kansas City. She is associate director of human resources at Cretcher Heartland in Overland Park. ey live in Mission.
BORN TO: Kristen Van Saun Toner, l’06, and Ryan, assoc., son, Lucas Ryan, in Lawrence, where he joins a sister, Grace, 4, and a brother, Max, 2.
Lindsay Barnett, j’07, directs 07 marketing at Westwood College in Denver, where she makes her home. Colin Brainard, c’07, is director of government a airs at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores in Arlington, Virginia. Ashley Chitwood, j’07, is vice president of marketing at Arist Education System in Littleton, Colorado. Henry Fortunato, g’07, retired as director of public a airs at Kansas City Public Library. He is a consultant at Sun ower Republic. Lacie Gregory, m’07, was honored with the Fort Hays State University Young Alumni Award. She practices family medicine at the Sumner County Family Care Center in Wellington.
62 | KANSAS ALUMNI Michael Kopit, c’07, l’12, an attorney at Rachel Smith Karwas, j’08, is assistant MARRIED Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice in Kansas director of alumni regional outreach at the Cassie Weatherwax, c’08, to Codi City, lives in Lenexa. Association of Rice Alumni in Houston, Brack, Sept. 5 in Lawrence. She is a supply Daniel Schwaller, b’07, is an associate where she lives with Alex, e’10, PhD’15, a chain coordinator at Nitto Denko Auto- attorney at Shook, Hardy & Bacon in senior aerospace engineer at motive in Kansas City. Kansas City DARcorporation. Alexander “Sasha” Kaun, e’08, signed a BORN TO: MARRIED two-year commitment to play basketball Matthew, j’08, and Sarah Strathman Kenneth Ryan Scott, b’07, and Lindsey with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lindberg, c’09, daughter, Riley Ann, June White, c’08, May 30 in Kansas City, where Marsha “Kit” Leer, f’08, is an artist in 16 in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, they make their home. residence at Ban ll-Locke Center for the where she joins a brother, David, 4. Arts in Fridley, Minnesota. She also is Matthew is editor of the Daily Herald. BORN TO: founder of M-PAC, a plein air coterie in Matthew Benge, j’07, and his wife, Minneapolis, where she makes her home. Rebecca Badwey, c’09, is an Katie, daughter, Rose Elizabeth, July 10 in Matt Nyquist, c’08, ’14, is CEO of 09 associate at JPMorgan Chase in Prairie Village. Matthew is a consultant at NYQuist INDustries Inc. in Leawood. He New York City. She lives in Brooklyn. Schifman Remley Associates in Mission. and his wife, Tara Blomberg Nyquist, n’06, Jason Bentley, b’09, a supply o cer in James, ’07, and Bettina Casas Sparkes, live in Topeka. the U.S. Navy, received the Vice Admiral g’10, daughter, Lila Rose, Aug. 5 in Holly Perkins, l’08, is a member of the Robert F. Batchelder award from the Navy Lawrence. Joseph, Hollander & Cra law o ce in League of the United States. Topeka. Emily Bannwarth, b’08, is the Laura Ternes, b’08, is a rail eet analyst 08 director of meetings and events at at Flint Hills Resources in Wichita, where the Houston Apartment Association. she makes her home.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 63 Class Notes
Brendan Reilly, d’09, is the CEO and home. Whitney and Zach are personal University of Iowa in Iowa City. co-founder of EON Sports VR. trainers at Schneider Fitness. Justin Sailer, j’10, works in sales at Patrick Resby, c’09, is an assistant Abby Stockstill Snell, d’09, and Dale, Komatsu America Corp. in Rolling football coach at Navarro College in b’09, g’10, son, Camden, Jan. 23, 2015, in Meadows, Illinois. He lives in Chicago. Corsicana, Texas. He was a defensive back Hutchinson, where he joins a brother, Sindra Schueler, d’10, is assistant at KU. Aiden, 2. athletic trainer at Ottawa University. She Aqib Talib, ’09, is a starting cornerback lives in Lawrence. for the Denver Broncos. Kelly Underwood Blackburn, c’10, Kegan Scrivner, b’10, is an HRMS 10 manages research at KU’s Education, analyst at Prologis in Denver, where she BORN TO: Social and Biobehavioral Shared Service lives. Haley Trezise Gandy, c’09, g’12, and her Center. Jill Aspleaf Shannon, c’10, teaches at husband, Robert, son, Robert Wul , Emelia “Emma” Brooke, c’10, b’10, lives East High School in Kansas City, where March 9 in Lawrence. in Kansas City, where she is a senior she lives with her husband, Tyler, j’11, a Brian, l’09, and Kimberly Duensing account manager at Global Prairie. layout specialist at Uhlig in Overland Park. Hardouin, d’07, g’10, daughter, Emma Grant Harse, l’10, is an associate at Rose, Sept. 9, 2014, in Loveland, Colorado, Lathrop & Gage in Overland Park. He MARRIED where they live with son, Stephen, 3. joins the rm’s environmental practice. Alison Lungstrum, l’10, and Brandon Whitney Samuelson Schneider, d’09, Benjamin Kalinkowitz, DPT’10, is a Macneill, assoc., July 11 in Estes Park, and Zachary, c’10, son, Ezra Zachary, Aug. physical therapist at Kessler Rehabilitation Colorado. She is an attorney at Ogletree, 7 in Lawrence, where they make their Center. He lives in New York City. Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart in New Elizabeth Keever, c’10, is the interim Orleans, where they make their home. executive director at Just Food in Lawrence. Tiany Brown, e’11, is director of Jeremy Mims, c’10, coordinates 11 aviation for the Kansas Department of recruitment and admissions at the Transportation in Topeka.
64 | KANSAS ALUMNI Kody Carter, b’11, manages partner Country Club in Frisco, Texas. Jennifer Kirmer, c’11, to Mary Douglas, accounts at Cisco Systems Inc. in Morris- Brittany Belford Roper, c’11, ’13, Sept. 12 in Topeka. Jennifer is a digital ville, North Carolina. She lives in Raleigh. received the 2015 Kansas Horizon Award archivist at Washington University in St. Jamie Epstein, c’11, is an attorney at from the Kansas State Department of Louis. ey live in St. Peters, Missouri. Lagmann Inc. in Milwaukee. She lives in Education. She teaches biology at Shawnee Lindsay Thurlow, g’11, to Brett Jones, Shorewood, Wisconsin. Heights High School in Topeka. June 27 in Breckenridge, Colorado. She is Dustin Glessner, b’11, is a so ware a registered dietician at St. Anthony con guration analyst at Visa. He lives in MARRIED Hospital in Denver. ey live in Golden. Lone Tree, Colorado. Rachel Kaegi, b’11, g’12, and Daniel Kristin Hinkin, a’11, is an assistant Green, c’12, May 9 in Lawrence. She BORN TO: gallery director at Dean Day Gallery in manages campus recruiting at KPMG, and Hannah, PharmD’11, and Kyle Eichel- Houston, where she makes her home. he is an account executive at Command berger, PharmD’12, daughter, Hazel Ann, Lindsey Hughes, d’11, works as an Transportation. ey make their home in Aug. 7 in Lawrence, where they live. Kyle assistant golf professional at Stonebriar Prairie Village. is a clinical pharmacist at Lawrence
PROFILE by Chris Lazzarino STEVE PUPPE STEVE
attached to a beam 20 feet in the air, she Designer embraces passion executed a series of drops, ips and rolls in for athletic acrobatics a thrilling spectacle as artistic as it was athletic. oon a er her 2012 engagement, Amy “It’s so much fun, because it’s artistic SMihalevich Schweppe decided to lose and creative and everybody is exploring,” some weight to look her best in her Schweppe says of her acrobatics training, wedding gown. Her solution? Weight which has since expanded to include the li ing—which Schweppe quickly discov- two-person balance and li ing discipline ered she loved, both for the intense of “acroyoga,” as well as trapeze and the exercise and the camaraderie she found in Chinese pole. “If I’m going to be exercis- her workout group. ing, I might as well be doing the most fun When a friend suggested about a year thing ever, up in the air, with all these later that Schweppe might put her amazing p e op l e .” newfound strength to use in the acrobatic A er spending more than four years as a discipline known as “aerial silks,” the “user experience designer” with Garmin’s process repeated itself: love at rst sweat. automotive team, Schweppe last March “Because I’d been doing so much began designing mobile apps for Garmin’s Acrobatic aerialist Amy Schweppe concedes strength training prior to that, once I was “ tness wearables,” including the Forerun- that she tends to “take things a little too introduced to the silks I was able to pick it ner watch and the growing line of Vivo seriously. But if I’m doing it right, then it’s play up really quickly,” says Schweppe, a’10, a activity trackers. time. And who doesn’t want that?” Lawrence resident who works at Garmin She says her now-daily routine of world headquarters in Olathe as a designer training a er work has helped her at the on the company’s popular suite of wear- oce, both because it gets her “in the enthusiasm by nding a passion outside of able devices for athletes. “So I was quickly tness head space in general”—especially work that makes you both sweat and going from a few beginner moves to more valuable at a company that makes tness smile. of the intermediate things.” products—and for her own well-being. “I’m just the type of person who seeks Schweppe gave her rst aerial silks Although Schweppe found her outlet in out the things that I love, and I don’t settle. performance last July in downtown an acrobatic performance genre unfamiliar I think that’s helped cultivate better Lawrence’s Granada theatre, on a festive to most tness seekers, she says the basics experiences in my personal life. evening featuring students from the local can be repeated by all of us who spend too “I don’t deal with things that will drag circus school called e Last Carnival. many hours tending to keyboards and me down. I instead turn around and nd Climbing a folded blue silk securely computer screens: amp up the energy and something that’s a better experience.”
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 65 Class Notes
Memorial Hospital, and Hannah is a specialist at Kansas Air National Guard in MARRIED clinical pharmacist at St. Francis Hospital Topeka, where he lives. Ross Miller, c’12, and Nikki Boggess, in Topeka. Maureen Lahey, d’12, manages events c’13, May 22 in Leawood. ey are for KC Running Company. currently students at KU’s School of Susan Allison, g’12, was named 2015 Jami Goodwin Medina, g’12, is planning Medicine and reside in Overland Park. 12 Physics Teacher of the Year by the administrator at the University of Califor- Elias Underwood, b’12, and Andrea American Association of Physics Teachers. nia, San Francisco. She and her husband, Black, c’13, h’15, Sept. 5 in Kansas City. Eli She works at Benton High School in Nicholas, assoc., make their home in is a CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Benton, Arkansas. Dublin, California. Kansas City, and Andrea is a registered Dylan Bryant, PharmD’12, is a pharma- Brenton Miller, c’12, is a mental-health diagnostic cardiac sonographer. ey live cist at Walgreens in Hays. specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical in Prairie Village. Samantha Clark, l’12, is majority Center in Nashville. Hunter Williams, c’12, to Sarah Turner, counsel for the Senate Armed Services Mya Orr, b’12, is a TEAM mentor Aug. 15 in Austin, Texas. He directs Committee in Washington, D.C. program specialist for the Memphis marketing at Aspen Dental of Cherry Christopher Harris, c’12, is a starting Grizzlies. Creek. ey live in Denver. cornerback for the Denver Broncos. Stephanie Payne Raney, j’12, manages Tarang Jain, DPT’12, PhD’15, is an Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Wichita. She Matthew Crabtree, b’13, is assistant assistant professor of physical therapy at and her husband, Joshua, live in Derby. 13 vice president at Markit in Dallas, Northern Arizona University in Flagsta . Ami Rughani, m’12, is a physician at where he makes his home. Katie James, j’12, an assistant content Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Grin “Tanner” Hawkinson, e’13, has specialist at UBM Life Sciences in Lenexa, Center. She joins the adult and family signed with the San Francisco 49ers. was honored as a 2015 Young Leader medicine department. Steven McCaskill, g’13, manages human Scholar by the American Society of Keith Yackle, b’12, is a learning consul- resources at Georgia Paci c. He and his Business Publication Editors. tant at Cerner in Kansas City, where he wife, Taran, live in Texarkana, Texas. James Kuntzsch, c’12, is a ight services lives. Sarah Lutz Mester, PharmD’13, g’15, is pharmacy manager at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. She lives in Coralville. Sara Wenzel Riley, g’13, is a senior associate at Martin Hood Friese & Associates in Champaign, Illinois. She and Andrew, PhD’15, live in Savoy. Brandon Rogers, c’13, works as a consultant at Cerner in Kansas City, where he makes his home. Valerie White, d’13, is senior recruiting assistant for Indiana University football in Bloomington.
MARRIED Dylan Mochal, e’13, and Audrey Moylan, d’13, June 12 in Lenexa, where they live. She teaches at Mill Creek Middle School. Meghan Oeding, d’13, to Caleb Cha n, Sept. 19 in Lawrence. She is an athletic trainer at Free State High School in Lawrence, where they make their home.
Caleb Hays, g’14, is a law clerk at the 14 National Republican Congressional Committee in Washington, D.C. Tyler Jaspan, c’14, is a sta assistant at the Nickles Group in Washington, D.C. He
66 | KANSAS ALUMNI lives in Edgewater, Maryland. Megan Ryan Klaassen, j’14, works as a client services coordinator at Laurel & Wolf in Los Angeles. Tamara Gaynes Lemieux, e’14, is an avionics and electrical engineer at Textron Aviation in Wichita, where she lives with her husband, Maxwell. Keely Stumpf, s’14, is a hospital social worker at Carondelet Health Network in Tucson, Arizona.
MARRIED Abigail Hershberger, d’14, and Kyle Crane, j’14, June 20 in Kansas City. She teaches English in the Olathe school Special thanks to our benefactors and volunteers who district, and he attends law school at KU. ey live in Lawrence. make the Jayhawk Roundup a success!
Angela Benway, e’15, works as a Java Jayhawk Benefactor Hale & Janie Ritchie Contributors 15 developer at NIC Inc. She lives in $5,000 Steven & Lisa Sutherland John & Darla Arnold Kansas City. KU Athletics UMB Bank N.A. David Carr & Colette Nicholas Czarnecki, c’15, is a nancial Dave and Janet Murfin Waste Connections Kocour representative at Woody Financial Group A. Scott & Carol Ritchie Darlene Ferguson in Overland Park. John T. Stewart III University Friends Andy & Glenda Ahongalu Fusimalohi, c’15, plays arena & Linda Stewart $1,000 Tompkins football for the Spokane Shock in Security 1st Title KU Endowment Washington. KU School of Business Jayhawk Ashley Hrabe, b’15, is a business process Jayhawk Patron (2 tables) analyst associate at Options Clearing $2,500 KU School of Education Roundup Chairs Corporation in Chicago. Hinkle Law Firm LLC KU School of Glenn and Camille Alison Kelly, d’15, is a rst-grade Engineering Nyberg teacher in the Blue Valley school district. Crimson & Blue KU School of She lives in Overland Park. $1,500 Medicine-Wichita Venue Sponsors Zita Magloire, m’15, practices family KU School of Pharmacy Alltite, Inc. Janet & Dave Murfin medicine at Cairo Medical Care in Cairo, Andover State Bank Georgia. Roundup Host Chad & Cassandra Bryan Sponsorship Kourtney Maisog, PharmD’15, works as $500 Bob & Martha Buford a pharmacist at F & M Drug in Ellsworth, Jerry & Lucy Burtnett Greg Ek, chair Marty & Jenae Cornejo where she makes her home. Steve & Gena Dillard CrossFirst Bank Decorations Colby Soden, e’15, is a so ware devel- David & Debbi Elkouri Brian Docking oper at Multi Service Technology Solu- Je & Polly Gentry Chris Jeter, chair Randall Elam Jim Burgess,set design tions in Overland Park, where he lives. Jim & Ruthie Gillespie Emprise Bank Kayla Straub, h’15, is a registered health Je Kennedy & Patti information administrator at Prairie View Greg & Debby Ek Gorham Food (2 tables) Inc. in Newton. Bassam & Rita Mattar Security 1st Title Foulston Siefkin LLP Fiston Vuvu, PharmD’15, is a pharma- Joe & Sarah Nold Trues cist at Walgreens Boots Alliance. He lives IMA Financial Group, Inc. Richard Smith in Lenexa. Kurt & Sue Watson Wichita Network Jayhawk Landmen President Martin Pringle Law Firm Ken & Deann White MARRIED Andy Nolan Bob & Suzette Moore Jaimie House, b’15, to Kutter Bookout, MV Purchasing LLC True Blue • $250 Aug. 8 in Wichita, where they make their Brian & Betsy Gaudreau home. Joe & Sarah Nold Peterson, Peterson & Taylor Gill Goss Jim & Renee Phillips Rick & Geri Stinson ISSUEISSUE 6, 6, 2015 2014| 67| i In Memory at Innovative Pharmacy Solutions. She is survived by a daughter; a son; a step- daughter; a sister, Jeanne Cooper Glaub, d’49; and six grandchildren. Ewing Bland, c’38, 100, July 25 in the Kroger board of directors. Survivors Shirley Snyder McKee, b’43, ’87, 93, 30sLenexa. He was a retired mortgage include two daughters, one of whom is Aug. 28 in Lawrence. She was actively broker and also worked in the Kansas City Janet Dillon Duval, ’82; and a son, Ray involved in the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Survi- Royals business o ce. He is survived by Dillon III, c’75. vors include a daughter, Kathryn McKee several nieces and nephews. Dorothy Pinkston Fleener, c’48, 88, July Stover, d’66, g’67; a son, Douglas, c’69; and Jane Cravens Stavenau, c’38, 98, July 22 27 in Meade, where she was the o ce four grandchildren. in Keizer, Oregon, where she was a retired manager at her husband’s optometry Ralph Miller, p’49, 97, July 7 in Manhat- adoption services specialist. Her sister, practice. She is survived by three sons, one tan, where he retired a er 44 years as a Patricia Cravens Gemmell, ’42, survives. of whom is Mark, c’84; ve grandchildren; pharmacist and owner of Miller Pharmacy. and one great-granddaughter. He is survived by three daughters, one of Dean Anderson, b’49, 88, Aug. 17 Vera Knoepker Gordon, c’41, 94, July 14 whom is Kathy Miller-Lemke, p’76; a son; 40sin Warrensburg, Missouri. He was in Dallas. ree daughters, a son, and six grandchildren; and two a wholesale lumber salesman. Surviving are several grandchildren and great-grand- great-grandchildren. his wife, Sue; two sons, one of whom is children survive. Mary Margaret Felt Moore, c’45, 92, Jerey, j’88; a stepson; two stepdaughters; Harold Holzle, e’47, 93, July 30 in June 5 in Marshall, Michigan. She was an and 10 grandchildren. Topeka, where he had a 32-year career as active member of her church and several Jo Anne Jacobs Balderson, d’49, 87, Aug. director of environmental health for the charitable and civic organizations. 27 in Lenexa, where she was a retired Topeka-Shawnee County Health Depart- Surviving are three sons, two of whom are teacher. Her husband, Jim, a daughter, three ment. Surviving are his wife, Virginia Timothy, f’79, and Donel, l’81; a sister, grandchildren and two great-grandchildren Williams Holzle, c’47, g’48; a son, Ross, Barbara Felt Welton, j’49; seven grandchil- survive. e’74, g’78; two daughters, ve grandchil- dren; and six great-grandchildren. Mildred Johnson Totten Black, ’41, 95, dren and a great-granddaughter. George Powers, c’41, m’44, 95, July 17 July 7 in Topeka, where she was a retired Elaine Knecht Laughlin, d’49, 88, Aug. 8 in Phoenix, where he was a retired administrative assistant. She is survived by in Olathe, where she was a retired elemen- psychiatrist. Surviving are two sons, a a daughter, Mary Anne Totten, c’68, m’72; a tary-school teacher. She is survived by two daughter, six grandchildren and two son, Robert Totten, j’73; two grandchildren; sons, one of whom is Ron, a’78, a’80; two great-grandchildren. a great-granddaughter; and two daughters, Amy Laughlin Woodworth, ’80, Roland Rhodes, c’49, 88, July 24 in step-granddaughters. and Jan Laughlin, ’83; nine grandchildren; Gardner, where he was retired president of Robert Bodmer, c’49, m’52, 91, July 12 in and nine great-grandchildren. Rhodes Chemical Co. A memorial has Omaha, Nebraska, where he was a retired James Lindley, e’49, 88, Aug. 11 in been established with KU Endowment. radiologist. Survivors include his wife, Grantville, where he was a retired electri- Survivors include his wife, Winona; two Shirley, two daughters and two sons. cal engineer. He is survived by his wife, Jo, sons, one of whom is Alan, ’79; two Robert Boone, ’42, 97, June 22 in Yuma, a daughter and two grandsons. daughters; a brother; a sister; 10 grand- Arizona, where he was retired from a career Anna Murphy Lyle, c’49, 91, Aug. 29 in children; and eight great-grandchildren. selling construction materials. Survivors Topeka, where she was retired from a Harold “Stoney” Root, b’49, 91, Nov. include two daughters, a sister and a 26-year career as editor and director of 12, 2014, in Mesquite, Nevada, where he grandson. publications for the Kansas National was a retired engineer. Two brothers and a Roscoe Born, ’41, 95, Sept. 30 in Randall- Education Association. Two stepsons and sister survive. stown, Maryland. He was a Washington three step-grandchildren survive. Judith Joan Taggart Russell, c’43, 93, reporter for e Wall Street Journal, a W. Sewall Macferran, b’48, 90, Aug. 14 Aug. 23 in Lawrence. She was a home- founding editor of the National Observer in Topeka, where he was retired president maker and library aide. She is survived by and Washington editor of Barron’s. A of First State Bank and Trust Company. two daughters, Sheryl Russell Aydelott, memorial has been established with KU Survivors include three sons, two of whom s’66, and Cara Russell Connelly, f’71; three Endowment. Survivors include two are omas Sheahan, e’70, and William sons, two of whom are Marshall, e’74, a’75, daughters, two sons, four grandchildren Fran Macferran, b’86; four daughters, one and Christopher, b’81; seven grandchil- and a great-grandson. of whom is Barbara Sheahan Hinton, c’74, dren; and eight great-grandchildren. Ray Dillon Jr., ’46, 91, Aug. 15 in g’82; 13 grandchildren; and 13 June Griesa Weatherwax, ’43, 94, Sept. Hutchinson, where he was retired president great-grandchildren. 16 in Lawrence, where she volunteered at and CEO of his family’s grocery chain, Rachael Cooper Mason, c’49, 87, Aug. 2 the hospital and library. Survivors include Dillon Companies Inc. He later served on in Edmond, Oklahoma, where she worked her sons, David, ’71, and Scott, ’80.
68 | KANSAS ALUMNI Doris Ann Wood Asher, c’56, 83, Ferol Gehring, b’59, 79, Aug. 26 in of Fame. Two brothers and two sisters 50sSept. 7 in Paola, where she was a Topeka, where he was retired CEO of F.P. survive. retired elementary-school teacher. Gehring Inc. His wife, Mary, three sons, Neil McNeill, b’52, 83, Aug. 26 in Surviving are three sons, Steve, b’77, Craig, three daughters, 18 grandchildren and six Overland Park, where he was a retired ’83, and Scott, e’93; and six grandchildren. great-grandchildren survive. certi ed management accountant and Cliord Ball, b’50, 87, Aug. 2 in Olathe. Richard Harris, e’51, 89, Aug. 21 in professor. He is survived by his wife, Betty He had a 40-year career with Hallmark Hanover, Pennsylvania. He had a 34-year Weber McNeill, g’82; a son, Michael, ’84; Cards. Surviving are his three daughters, career as an electrical engineer at Westing- two daughters, Jerri McNeill Hale, h’80, one of whom is Neila Ball Nelson, d’75; house Electric Corp. Surviving are his and Anna McNeill Callan, c’82; ve two sons; a sister, Cheryl Ball Smith, f’67, wife, elma, four daughters, four sons, 15 grandchildren; and three g’74; 17 grandchildren; and 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. great-grandchildren. a great-great-grandchild. Julie Purcell Miller, c’57, 80, Aug. 30 in Sondra Long Chesky, c’56, 81, Sept. 9 in George Hassard, m’52, 95, Dec. 8, 2014, Lenexa. She was a longtime member of the Halstead, where she was a homemaker and in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was a Shawnee Mission school district board of retired medical o ce manager. She is retired physician at the VA Medical education. She is survived by two sons, survived by her husband, Frank, c’55, Center. Survivors include his wife, Hank, c’82, and omas, a’87; a sister, m’59; two sons; two daughters; and nine Marilyn; a son, Karl, d’78, EdD’99; and a Mary Purcell Peppercorn, d’59; and two grandchildren. daughter. grandchildren. Asa “Ace” Cleavinger, g’57, EdD’68, 85, Robert Hess, e’58, g’61, 80, Aug. 21 in Lynn Wingett Moddelmog, c’52, 85, July 30 in Topeka. He was a retired teacher Overland Park. He was an engineer and a Aug. 1 in Fallbrook, California. She was a and principal, and he spent 15 years business owner. Survivors include three clinical social worker and homemaker. working with homeless children at Topeka daughters, two of whom are Rebecca Hess Surviving are her husband, James, b’50, Rescue Mission. He is survived by his wife, Martin, d’89, g’95, and Pamela Hess, f’91, g’52; three daughters; a son; and seven Lola, two sons, two sisters and three ’92; two brothers, James, b’71, and grandchildren. grandchildren. William, g’73; and four grandchildren. Robert Moore, m’56, 86, Aug. 30 in Evelyn White Corliss, d’51, 86, July 20 in Constance Curnutt Jordan, d’58, 79, Union, Missouri, where he was a retired Wichita, where she was a retired elemen- Aug. 16 in Castle Rock, Colorado, where physician. Survivors include two sons, tary-school teacher. Survivors include her she was a retired professor. She is survived Steven, m’78, and Curtis, m’86; and two husband, Loren, c’49, l’51; a son, David, by a son, Scott, ’89; a daughter; and a daughters, one of whom is Nancy Moore, c’83, g’85, l’88; a daughter; and ve brother, David Curnutt, assoc. c’78, l’87. grandchildren. Karen Miller Jordan, d’59, 77, July 26 in Alan Nanninga, b’53, 83, Aug. 18 in Thomas Dyer, p’59, 78, Aug. 22 in Lawrence. She taught for more than 35 Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he was Hutchinson, where he was a retired years before retiring. Surviving are a son, retired president of Layton Truck Equip- pharmacist. He is survived by his wife, David Dodson, b’99; a stepson; two ment Co. He is survived by his wife, Wanda; a son, Joseph, m’89; a daughter; stepdaughters; 13 grandchildren; and a Patricia Rupert Nanninga, ’55; three and four grandchildren. great-grandchild. daughters; a son; a sister, Valerie Nanninga C.S. English, c’51, m’55, 87, June 25 in Franklin Koenig, b’51, 91, Sept. 1 in Siebert, c’62; eight grandchildren; and four Clarkston, Washington, where he had a Santa Clara, California. He worked in great-grandchildren. 40-year career as a physician. He also contracts administration for several Erma Manney Nelson, c’57, c’58, 79, started the Snake River Community Clinic defense rms. His wife, Sherron, survives. Aug. 1 in El Paso, Texas, where she was a for low-income patients. Surviving are a Marilyn Leatherman Lynch, c’57, 78, retired travel agent. A son survives. son, a daughter, a sister, four grandchil- July 30 in Wichita, where she was a retired Donald Paxson, b’57, l’70, 79, Sept. 6 in dren and ve great-grandchildren. medical technologist and teacher. She is Topeka, where he was a retired attorney. A Ray Fleming, b’50, 86, July 17 in survived by a daughter, Patricia Lynch, ’83; memorial has been established with KU Wichita. He was an oil and gas investor. a sister; and three grandchildren. Endowment. Survivors include his wife, Survivors include two daughters, one of Robert Mason, b’59, 81, Feb. 9 in Betty Barnes Paxson, ’62, and a son. whom is Susan Fleming Tate, d’84, g’00; a Fairfax, California, where he was retired Maellen Bossi Powell, c’52, c’54, 84, son; and eight grandchildren. vice president of Wells Fargo Bank in San July 28 in Overland Park. She was a John Fletcher, d’59, g’62, 79, Sept. 6 in Francisco. He is survived by his wife, clinical laboratory scientist and teacher. Kansas City, where he was a retired Barbara, and three sons. Surviving are two daughters, Cynthia dentist. He is survived by ve sons, one of Dorothy Nuer McGregor, g’53, 96, July Powell Marshall, c’78, c’79, h’79, and whom is Hatem Chahine, c’98, l’01; a 16 in Lawrence. She had a 40-year career Rebecca Powell Clayton, c’82; four daughter; a brother; 11 grandchildren; and in Lawrence public schools, and in 1989 grandchildren; and two great- two great-grandchildren. was inducted in the Kansas Teachers’ Hall grandchildren.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 69 In Memory
Marietta Shannon Powers, n’55, 81, Rudy Belton, c’68, 68, Sept. 8 in Austin, where he owned Rossco Inc. His wife, May 31 in La Jolla, California, where she Texas, where he was founder and president Judy, three sons, a sister, three grandchil- was a retired real-estate broker. Four of Belco Equities Inc. A memorial has dren and a great-granddaughter survive. daughters survive. been established with KU Endowment. He H.F. Cotton Smith, j’62, 75, Aug. 8 in Donald Rice, c’51, 87, July 9 in Royal is survived by his wife, Sally; two sons; a Mission Hills. He was partner and creative Oak, Maryland, where he had been stepson; and a sister, Marilyn Belton director of Smith & Yehle, a highly executive vice president for operations Reznick, f’64. decorated Boy Scout leader and author of at e Washington Post. He is survived Myles Criss, f’60, g’63, 81, Jan. 12, nearly 20 Western novels. He is survived by a sister. 2015, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he by his wife, Sonya Carlson Smith, assoc.; a Robert Sigman, j’51, 88, Aug. 11 in was a retired organist and choirmaster. son, Scott, c’85; two daughters, Stephanie Olathe. He was a journalist at the Kansas Several nieces and nephews survive. Smith Kissick, c’90, l’93, and Laura Smith City Star. A memorial has been established Jerome Fladung, ’67, 90, Aug. 12 in Faulkner, ’90; and ve grandchildren. with KU Endowment. Survivors include Overland Park. He had a 40-year engi- Patricia Rozema Taylor, f’63, 76, Sept. two daughters, Anne Sigman O’Brien, j’77, neering career with Black & Veatch. He is 12 in Topeka. She worked in several retail and Amy Sigman, ’82; and one survived by his wife, Rosemary; three stores and was an active volunteer in her step-granddaughter. sons, Richard, e’75, Phillip, f’76, and Eric, community. Orbon Tice, c’52, 85, Dec. 6, 2014, in e’85, g’90, ’03; two daughters, Kathlyn Jane Calvin Updegrove, c’69, 68, Aug. Midland, Texas, where he was a retired Fladung Wheeler, d’72, and Patricia 31 in Wichita, where she was a librarian at geologist. While at KU, he lettered in Fladung Raab, d’79, g’81; 11 grandchil- Wichita Public Library. Survivors include football and basketball. He is survived by dren; and nine great-grandchildren. two daughters, a son, a sister and four his wife, Laurie Birmingham Tice, ’51; ve F. Kent Henrichs, e’65, g’67, 72, July 6 grandchildren. daughters, one of whom is Catherine Tice in Richardson, Texas, where he was a John Van Kirk, d’61, 76, Nov. 9, 2014, in Higgins, ’71; a sister; six grandchildren; retired engineer. Surviving are a daughter; Lebanon, Missouri, where he was a retired and two great-grandchildren. a brother, Dean, c’61, m’65; and two insurance salesman and residential John Wiedeman, j’50, 89, Aug. 3 in grandchildren. contractor. He is survived by a son; a Leawood, where he was retired president Richard Keeney, b’63, 74, Aug. 21 in brother, James, e’68, g’71; and a grandson. of his family’s business, Reeves-Wiedeman Olathe, where he was retired senior vice Supply Company. He is survived by his president of Fleming Co. A memorial has David Adams, a’77, a’78, 60, Aug. wife, Sylvia Small Wiedeman, ’47; four been established with KU Endowment. 70s 2 in Dallas, where he was a design daughters, Kathleen Wiedeman Busch, His wife, Carol, and a daughter survives. coordinator at Construction Management d’75, g’86, Susan Wiedeman Coultis, c’80, Jack McCall, j’62, g’65, 74, July 27 in Technology. His wife, Kathleen, a son, a Mary Wiedeman Waeckerle, j’83, and Kansas City, where he worked in sales daughter and a brother survive. Gretchen Wiedeman O’Neill, c’85; three and marketing. Survivors include two John Alden, j’72, 64, Aug. 4 in Olathe. sons, Walter, b’77, William, ’87, and John sons and ve grandchildren. He was a political reporter and news Wiedeman II, c’89; a brother, Ted, b’51; a Thomas McIntire, b’62, g’63, 75, director, and later became a salesman. He sister, Mary Wiedeman Rogler, c’56; 23 Aug. 7 in Overland Park. He was a is survived by his wife, Jean, assoc.; a grandchildren; and three retired accountant. He is survived by daughter, Briea Alden Berry, c’03, j’03; a great-grandchildren. his wife Ann; a son; a daughter; a son; a sister, Judith Alden Camp, ’76; and Terrence Williams, c’53, g’57, 86, Aug. 5 brother Mason, c’67, g’69; two sisters, four grandchildren. in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was a one of whom is Marilyn McIntire Schulte, John Butterfield, c’78, 60, July 10 in family therapist. Surviving are his wife, d’58; six grandchildren; and two Katy, Texas, where he was a business Patricia, assoc.; three sons, one of whom is great-grandchildren. development manager at TURCK. A Peter, c’86, g’88; and seven grandchildren. Dolores Meyers, PhD’68, 81, July 24 in memorial has been established with KU Overland Park. She taught health sciences Endowment. He is survived by his wife, Karen Allphin, n’60, 76, Aug. 8 in and also was an oncology nurse. Surviving LuAnn Ellis Butter eld, n’77; a son; a 60sKlamath Falls, Oregon, where she are two brothers and two sisters. daughter; and three sisters. was a retired assistant professor of nursing. William Myers, m’67, 86, Aug. 22 in Nancy Campbell Dorsey, c’72, 66, Aug. Two sisters survive. Marsh eld, Wisconsin, where he was a 4 in Lawrence. She was a retired special- Norm Beck, j’63, 80, Aug. 26 in Des retired cardiovascular and thoracic education teacher. A memorial has been Moines, Iowa, where he was a retired sales surgeon. Survivors include his wife, Lois, established with KU Endowment. Survi- representative. Surviving are his wife, assoc.; two daughters; three sons; a sister; vors include her husband, Gene, j’72; four Dorothy, a daughter, a stepdaughter, a 11 grandchildren; and two sons, two of whom are David, j’94, and stepson, a sister, a stepsister and six great-grandchildren. Todd, ’06; three sisters; and three grandchildren. James Ross, g’69, 71, Sept. 9 in Wichita, grandchildren.
70 | KANSAS ALUMNI Reed Edgington, p’75, 64, Aug. 15 in Patty Claassen Purvis, d’69, g’75, m’90, on Invertebrate Paleontology. Survivors Wichita. He owned several pharmacies in PhD’90; and two brothers, one of whom is include her husband, Michael Cormack, his 35-year career. His wife, Brenda; a Robert, c’76. c’89, g’92, PhD’99; two daughters, one of daughter, Lauren Edgington, d’11; and a Alfonzo Maxwell Sr., g’80, 64, Aug. 26 whom is Emily Cormack, c’15; her son survive. in Topeka, where he retired from the parents; a sister; and a brother. Colin Gage, d’77, l’83, 62, Aug. 27 in Kansas Corporation Commission a er 33 Kenneth Irby, c’58, 79, July 30 in Kansas City. He worked at the University years. Surviving are his wife, Sheila, two Lawrence. He was an English professor of Missouri-Kansas City for nearly 30 daughters, a son, two brothers, a sister and and a poet, and published 20 books and years. Surviving are his wife, Laura; a four grandchildren. chapbooks throughout his career. In 2010, brother, Hires, ’73; and two sisters, Betse Tamer “Tom” Okay, c’86, 54, Aug. 6 in he was awarded the Shelley Memorial Gage, c’77, m’80, and Georganne Gage Marietta, Georgia, where he was a quality Award by the Poetry Society of America. Walters, c’82, b’84. assurance analyst. A memorial has been A brother, James, c’52, survives. Mary Wilkins Gilman, ’76, 86, July 31 in established with KU Endowment. He is Jeannette Keller Johnson, g’69, g’75, Paola, where she taught the Head Start survived by his wife, Rebecca Bondank 71, Sept. 10 in Lawrence, where she was program for more than 25 years. She is Okay, f’84; a son; a daughter; and a sister, retired director of KU’s Policy O ce and a survived by her husband, Dick, d’51, g’54; Eser Okay, ’80. docent at the Spencer Museum of Art. A two sons, one of whom is Joe, c’79; two memorial has been established with KU daughters, Georgia Gilman, ’82, and Mary Stephen Sullivan, f’94, 51, March Endowment. She is survived by her Gilman Minden, ’08; 10 grandchildren; 90s5 in Lansing, Michigan, where he husband, Dan, g’69, h’76; two sons, and eight great-grandchildren. worked at Dart Container Corp. He is omas, f’05, and Eric, c’13; and a brother. Pamela Matthey Hales, j’70, 66, Aug. 21 survived by his wife, Cynthia Hill Sullivan, William Maxwell Lucas, e’57, g’62, 81, in Marietta, Georgia. She was actively ’68; a son; two stepdaughters, one of Sept. 4 in Lawrence, where he was retired involved in her husband’s business and in whom is Kendall Peters Johnson, b’91; a dean of the School of Architecture. In her community as a volunteer. She is sister; and two grandsons. 1962, he joined the faculty as an assistant survived by her husband, Lee, c’70, g’72; professor of architecture and later became two daughters; a sister; and two Ethan Schmidt, PhD’07, 39, Sept. professor. He worked in Chancellor Archie grandchildren. 00s 14 in Cleveland, Mississippi, Dykes’ o ce in the mid-70s, and in 1976 Donald Long, p’74, 66, Aug. 7 in where he was an assistant professor of he became the rst director of KU’s Leavenworth, where he was a retired American history at Delta State University. Facilities and Planning Department. A pharmacist. He is survived by his wife, He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, two memorial has been established with KU Cathy, two daughters, his mother, a sons, a daughter, his parents, two brothers, Endowment. Survivors include three brother, four grandchildren and a a grandmother and a grandfather. daughters, Sarah Lucas Whittington, a’86, great-grandchild. Amy Lucas Blankenbiller, c’88, and Jose Raphel, m’73, 69, July 23 in Osage Robert Abrams, j’10, 28, Aug. 10 in Jennifer Lucas Wyatt, d’91; six grandchil- Beach, Missouri. He was a retired psychia- 10sPlano, Texas, where he was an dren; and a great-grandson. trist. His wife, Teresa, and his brother, English instructor. Survivors include his Nita Wyatt Sundbye Sewell, g’56, Albert, ’71, survive. father and a brother. EdD’60, 83, Aug. 4 in Lawrence, where David Watkins, g’78, 61, Aug. 17 in Hot Jessica Yeamans Hayes, c’10, 29, Aug. she was a retired professor. She also Springs, Arkansas, where he was city 22 in Lawrence. She is survived by her served as chair of the department of manager. A memorial has been established husband, Dustin, c’09; two sons; a sister curriculum and instruction and assistant with KU Endowment. Survivors include and a brother. dean and director of teacher education. his wife, Kay; two daughters, one of whom A memorial has been established with KU is Laura Watkins Baker, j’07; a sister; a THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY Endowment. She is survived by two stepbrother; and two stepsisters. Nora Temple Cleland, j’49, 86, July 19 in brothers, one of whom is Benji Wyatt, Vinland. She was a writer for KU’s O ce p’57; three stepsons, one of whom is Dorothy Anthony Bogusch, c’89, of University Relations and the editor of Kevin Sundbye, c’79, m’83; a stepdaughter; 80s86, July 22 in Topeka. She is the Oread, a faculty-sta newsletter. She is and ve grandchildren. survived by two daughters, one of whom is survived by three daughters, one of whom Michael “Mickey” Waxman, c’84, 63, Linda Bogusch Magyary, f’80; and four is Anita Cleland, f’85; a son; three July 16, 2014, in Baldwin City. He was a grandchildren. grandchildren; and two statistical data consultant for KU Libraries. Susan Claassen, c’80, 57, Aug. 4 in great-grandchildren. He is survived by his father; a stepmother; Hesston. She was a nursing services Jill Hardesty, d’88, c’89, ’98, g’93, 50, and four brothers, three of whom are provider for the elderly and a crisis hotline Sept. 10 in Lawrence. She was the deputy Joel, c’76, m’79, Dael, c’80, m’85, and counselor. Survivors include her sister, director and assistant editor of the Treatise Matthew, ’91.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 71 Rock Chalk Review
Hammond B3 master Mike Finnigan honed his craft playing live gigs in clubs before joining the STEVE PUPPE STEVE West Coast studio scene. “In terms of learning what you’re doing,” he says, ”nothing beats five hours a night in a joint.”
blues icon Taj Mahal and who now tour and record together. “It was not an intellectual choice, really,” he adds. “I’ve always said you don’t choose music; music chooses you.” By 1965, the band he started at KU, e Serfs, had their rst record, “Bread and Water.” ree years later they were in New York City recording at e Record Plant when they met Jimi Hendrix, then laying down tracks that would become his double-album masterpiece, “Electric salesman and some youthful muscle made L a d y l an d .” Get Finnigan it happen. Hendrix asked Finnigan and bandmates “You want to make sure you’re real Freddy Smith and Larry Faucette to sit in Keyboard chops spawn friendly with the rest of the guys in the with him and drummer Buddy Miles. e thriving career as man to call band,” Finnigan, ’67, says of his early days resulting jam session—with Hendrix’s for blues B3 as a performer. “You can’t move it alone.” vocal track overdubbed later—became two One daring move led to another, and a songs: “Rainy Day, Dream Away” and “Still ike Finnigan’s route to becoming year aer coming to Lawrence to play Raining, Still Dreaming.” Only 23, Mone of rock ’n’ roll’s pre-eminent basketball for Dick Harp and Ted Owens, Finnigan was trading licks with a guitar Hammond B3 players was circuitous. He the 19-year-old Troy, Ohio, prospect le god already hailed as the greatest ever. took piano lessons at 6, but soon lost the program to pursue music full time. In a Hendrix documentary years later, interest. At 10 he took up drums and in “Clinically, you would have to say I went he said the session remained a highlight in high school was all set to join a band when insane,” Finnigan says. “Instead of staying a career full of them. they hired someone else. in school with a basketball scholarship, “I am proud of it. I’m proud of the fact “I said, ‘He can’t play drums.’ And they like a sane person, I dropped out. My that I was able to be on a record with him, said, ‘Yeah, but he’s got a car,’” Finnigan parents were not that thrilled.” because of the fact that he’s so important,” recalls, rattling o the staccato laugh he Now a member of Rock and Roll Finnigan said. “It has more to do with punctuates stories with. “So I said, ‘Well, Hall-of-Famer Bonnie Raitt’s band and a being in the right place at the right time I’ll play piano.’ ey said, ‘You don’t know veteran studio musician whose session than it does with my ability. I’m glad I was how to play piano.’ And I said, ‘Well, he credits include Crosby, Stills and Nash; able to be there and I’m glad I was good doesn’t know how to play drums!’” Etta James; Joe Cocker; Maria Muldaur; enough to hold up my end, but it wasn’t e two-time W.C. Handy Award and Ringo Starr, Finnigan no longer has to something where [Hendrix said], ‘Hey, I’m winner bought his rst Hammond B3 worry about hauling his B3 to gigs—or gonna do this, get Finnigan!’” organ while a freshman at KU, a bold wonder whether leaving college for rock ’n’ Maybe not, but Finnigan’s reputation as choice for a cash-poor basketball player roll was a smart career move. a keyboardist and vocalist grew through living several ights up in a campus dorm. “It was a good decision, looking back on the 1970s as he recorded albums as e 300-pound console (with another it,” he said during a recent swing through Finnigan and Wood and the Dudek 100 pounds of bench and pedals) was Kansas with the Phantom Blues Band, a Finnigan Krueger Band. A move to expensive and not exactly easy to carry to group of veteran musicians who rst came California with his wife, “Intervention” shows. Credit extended by a Wichita organ together (and won two Grammys) backing star Candy Howse Finnigan, ’68, to be
72 | KANSAS ALUMNI closer to the West Coast music business “You start to be on the radar as someone led to more band and studio gigs. who can do this,” he says. “‘He can do this: Five years ago, a er Finnigan’s long- Call him.’” Becoming Steve Jobs running job with Crosby, Stills and Nash In other words, get Finnigan. The Evolution of a ended, Raitt hired him for her band. He —Steven Hill Reckless Upstart into played on her Grammy-winning 2012 a Visionary Leader recording “Slipstream” and on her by Brent Schlender subsequent world tour from 2012 to 2014. and Rick Tetzeli A er Phantom Blues Band’s Kansas dates, Growth story he headed o for a show with Raitt and Crown Business, $30 James Taylor at Boston’s Fenway Park. He Biography replaces Jobs the myth also recently nished recording a new with Jobs the man Raitt album, to be released early in 2016, with a tour to follow. he book on Apple co-founder Steve in India, by dressing down a roomful of Despite the long list of heavy hitters he’s TJobs was as starkly binary as a line of prominent, accomplished board members played with, Finnigan says he’s only been computer code: wonderful businessman, whose ignorance of marketing he loudly starstruck of few times. terrible person. belittles. “Playing with Etta James was one of my Brent Schlender, c’77, who covered Jobs But for Schlender, who met Jobs in biggest thrills, because I had records of and the personal computer revolution for 1986, a er he’d been ousted from the hers when I was young. Among the rst nearly 25 years as a tech industry reporter computer company he started and had four or ve records I ever bought was a for e Wall Street Journal and Fortune moved on to found NeXT, the incident record by Etta James, when I was around magazine, begins his biography of the isn’t proof of a personality carved in stone, 11 years old. When you nd yourself Apple CEO with an example of the bad but a baseline that shows how far Jobs playing with Etta James, as I did on and o behavior the whiz kid of Cupertino was would grow. Unlike many chroniclers of for 20 years, you go, ‘Wow!’” famous for. Brash, impatient and certain Steve Jobs’ career and personal life, Finnigan still credits good fortune for he’s the smartest person in the room, the Schlender and co-author Rick Tetzeli (a his success. One job simply led to another, 24-year-old wunderkind nearly wrecks a former Fortune editor and executive editor he contends, across the decades of his long 1979 meeting of the Seva Foundation, a of Fast Company) argue that the genius career. charitable group working to end blindness behind Apple evolved over his career into
Dean’s ‘Lawrence’ presents long history in tight format
ith its turbulent 19th-century settlement and confl icted Images of America: Lawrence Wgrowth across the next 150-plus years, Lawrence might seem the impossible topic for a brief yet expansive history. The by Virgil W. Dean esteemed Kansas historian Virgil W. Dean succeeds admirably, Arcadia Publishing, $21.99 though, with Images of America: Lawrence, a 128-page volume in Arcadia Publishing’s series of local and regional history books. Dean, PhD’91, who logged more than 20 years as editor of the environment that would make Kansas State Historical Society’s quarterly publication Kansas their investments in land and History: A Journal of the Central Plains, deftly weaves a narrative commerce a success, and that of the town’s diverse infl uences, including politics, education, meant a free Kansas.” agriculture and—always humming along in the background, even For those seeking a rare when outward appearances might emphasize weighty societal combination of succinct and issues of the day—business. authoritative writing, bountiful “‘Company’ was in the organization’s title for a reason,” Dean photography, helpful writes of the New England Emigrant Aid Company, setting the lithographic maps and book’s tone of cool-headed insight. “These Yankees were unblinking examination of the symbiotic rise of Lawrence and the antislavery, but they were also capitalists who wished to prosper University, no better reference could be found. fi nancially from their investments. They strove to create an —Chris Lazzarino
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 73 Rock Chalk Review
a far more complicated person than the look at him with his family. “Only in nuanced portrait that includes tender mercurial tyrant portrayed in the press at writing this book have I come to under- moments with his family and friends and the time of his death, from cancer, in 2011. stand just how much the personal life and documents a general mellowing of his “None of [the portrayals] gibed with my the business life of Steve Jobs overlapped, headstrong temperament as he aged. experience of Steve, who always seemed and just how much the one informed the “ e most basic question about Steve’s more complex, more human, more ot h e r.” career is this,” they write. “How could the sentimental, and even more intelligent ough they include plenty of examples man who had been such an inconsistent, than the man I read about elsewhere,” of Jobs’ famously stinging criticism and his inconsiderate, rash and wrongheaded writes Schlender, who over the years seeming coldness toward friends, businessman that he was exiled from the became friends with Jobs and got a close Schlender and Tetzeli also create a company he founded become the vener-
Alumna’s artistic achievement earns top national honor
nn Hamilton, distinguished university professor of art at The AOhio State University and acclaimed creator of several large-scale, multimedia installations, received the National Medal of Art from President Barack Obama Sept. 10 in a White House ceremony. The annual medals are the highest honors bestowed on artists and art patrons by the federal government.
Hamilton, f’79, was one of 11 recipients in a prestigious group THE ARTS FOR ENDOWMENT RALPH ALSWANG/NATIONAL that includes actress and filmmaker Sally Field, author Stephen King and performer Meredith Monk. In addition to teaching at Ohio State, Hamilton has exhibited her work around the world. Some of her notable major installations include “the event of a thread” at the Park Avenue Armory in New “I’m like the goldfish that grows to fill its bowl,” Hamilton said York City; “bounden” and “mattering” at the Musée d’Art during the Spencer exhibition opening. “I’m always making a piece Contemporain de Lyon in Lyon, France; and “voce” at the bigger than what I’ve been asked to make.” Contemporary Art Museum in Kumamoto, Japan. In 2013, In 2014, Hamilton was inducted in the American Academy of Hamilton collaborated with fellow textile artist and KU professor Arts and Letters. She also has received the Heinz Award, a Cynthia Schira, g’67, for the Spencer Museum of Art exhibition, MacArthur Fellowship and a Distinguished Alumni Achievement “An Errant Line,” in Lawrence. Award from KU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She recently has won commissions to create a waterfront installation in Seattle and a $1 million project for Cortlandt Street subway station in SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART (2) OF ART SPENCER MUSEUM New York City. —Heather Biele
For the Spencer exhibition in 2013, Hamilton created new work in addition to selecting and arranging pieces from the museum’s permanent collection.
74 | KANSAS ALUMNI DAN STOREY (2) STOREY DAN
The Lawrence campus’ newest sculpture, a bronze sheaf of wheat in front of Twente Hall, boldly signifies our state’s rich agricultural heritage.
ated CEO who revived Apple and created a it’s anything but less interesting. By lifelong Kansan. “It means a lot to us that whole new set of culture-de ning products craing a compelling and intimate look at 100 years from now, KU students will walk that transformed the company into the one of the most outsized, misunderstood by and see this wheat sheaf on campus and most valuable and admired enterprise on creative minds of the Internet era, think of our state’s history.” Earth and that changed the everyday lives Schlender and Tetzeli have written one of Wheat, and agriculture in general, has of billions of people from all di erent the best business biographies of the been important to Kimbell all her life. She socioeconomic strata and cultures?” information age. ey illuminate the grew up in Salina, where her family owned In answering, they focus largely on the human side of an iconic idealist, a man J. Lynch & Company, a grain business with “wilderness years,” the di cult period who was—the authors argue convinc- elevators across Kansas and in surround- from 1985 to 1997 when the former ingly—“our generation’s Edison and Ford ing states. She recalls country rides in late wunderkind was a has-been struggling to and Disney and Elvis all rolled into spring during her childhood, taking in get his career back on track. e failure of on e .” seemingly endless horizons of central NeXT—and the lessons Jobs learned from —Steven Hill Kansas elds marked by tall sheaves of it—along with his ownership of Pixar, wheat ready for threshing. which he bought soon aer he was red As part of their gi, the Kimbells from Apple, set up the huge successes that commissioned local landscaper Reed were to come aer he returned to Apple Kansas proud Dillon, c’79, and his rm to design and and rescued a company on the brink of install foliage around the wheat sheaf. e insolvency. Schlender and Tetzeli argue Sculpture installation evokes area now features native grasses and that Pixar not only set the stage for his state’s wheatfields and prairies owers, and includes some of the irises return, but it also encapsulated what Jobs that previously grew in the bed. was all about: beautiful products with here’s a new sight to see on the Hill. A It was signi cant to Sharon Kimbell that brilliant new technology that create a sense Tbronze sculpture of a wheat sheaf has the University place the wheat sheaf near of unlimited potential for people, not been donated to the University by Charles, another historic sculpture, “ e Pioneer,” institutions. b’54, and Sharon Lynch Kimbell, d’58, of which was originally known as “ e Corn “ e narrative that was created around Hutchinson. e latest campus landmark Planter.” Dr. Simeon Bell, who also Steve 1.0 has dominated,” business writer sits in the cul-de-sac in front of Twente donated the land for the original KU Jim Collins says. “ at’s partly because the Hall, and was designed and created by Medical Center in Kansas City, gied that story of a man who matured slowly into a Arizona-based artist Mark Rossi. statue in 1905 to KU. It resides on the seasoned leader is less interesting.” “ e sculpture makes me think of our south side of Fraser Hall. Becoming Steve Jobs tells the story of Steve home state of Kansas,” says Sharon —Lisa Scheller, h’76, g’03, manages media 2.0, with insight and understanding, and Kimbell, who along with her husband is a relations for KU Endowment.
ISSUE 6, 2015 | 75 KU 150 Historical notes in celebration of the University’s sesquicentennial
“At least three-quarters of us are non-music majors, so we’re representative from all over campus,” he says. “ ese guys join not because they have to; it’s something they want to do.”
COURTESY SPENCER RESEARCH LIBRARY SPENCER RESEARCH COURTESY Smith keeps the members engaged with energetic weekly rehearsals and a variety of public performances, including the group’s Sept. 24 invitation to sing the national anthem at a Kansas City Royals game—the night the team clinched the ew York native George Barlow Penny Today the Glee Club carries on tradition American League Central Division title— Narrived in Lawrence in 1890 deter- as KU’s oldest continuous choral ensem- and next year’s Feb. 21 event at the mined to bring culture to Kansas. As the ble. In addition to singing the alma mater Kau man Center for the Performing Arts University’s rst dean of music and ne for performances, including men’s and in Kansas City. He also carves out time arts, Penny displayed “unquenchable women’s basketball games in Allen Field each semester for bonding retreats, which evangelistic zeal,” according to KU House, the group also ends every rehearsal he deems critical to the club’s success. historian Cli ord Gri n, who describes with the song. Sam Clark, club president and a Lenexa Penny and his successor as dean, Charles “We gather around in a circle and link senior majoring in mathematics, has been Skilton, as “musical missionaries who arms,” says Christopher Smith, a North a member for more than a year and knew that all of Kansas was aesthetically Carolina graduate student in choral heartily credits Smith. “Chris has really underdeveloped and strove to make the conducting and director of the club, “just grown the choir to where it is now, with people ever more conscious of the arts.” like we do in the Field House.” all of the great rehearsals and bonding Near the top of Penny’s to-do list was e camaraderie is another distinctive retreats where we sing and play games, the creation of the Men’s Glee Club during feature of the men’s chorus. Smith, who just to get to know one another,” he says. his rst fall on the Hill. Promising has led the group for the past two years, “It really helps us to grow as a choir prospective members that they would has seen the roster grow to 50, and he not just in music, but in brotherhood. travel across the state, Penny recruited 40 expanded the group’s repertoire beyond Without that bond that we have for one young men to join his group. For their the alma mater and “I’m a Jayhawk” to another, it would just be another choir rst performance, they traveled to Eudora include classical pieces and pop a cappella of men singing together. But with that by wagon. By 1893, the singers, who numbers. But he stresses that a back- bond, we can have much more fun favored suits over the collegiate caps and ground in music isn’t required to singing and make our sound much gowns they initially wore, traveled as far participate. more beautiful.” —Heather Biele as Colorado Springs to perform. ey closed every concert with “Crimson and In 1926, the Men’s Glee the Blue,” a crowd-pleasing favorite that Club visited President Penny had adapted from his own alma Calvin Coolidge in mater, Cornell, as the sentimental anthem for KU. Washington, D.C., during Decades later, in 1926, the group caused a competition on the COURTESY CHRISTOPHER SMITH CHRISTOPHER COURTESY a sensation as the westernmost club to East Coast (top). Last compete in the National Intercollegiate year, the club performed Glee Club Contest on Penny’s home turf in the national anthem and New York. at trip also included a visit to the alma mater at a men’s Washington, D.C., to see President Calvin basketball game at Allen Coolidge. Field House (left).
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