34 Contents Established in 1902 as The Graduate Magazine FEATURES Mommy’s All Right, 28 Daddy’s All Right On a nationwide tour with kids in tow, indie band Mates of State balances sound checks and late-night shows with play dates and diaper runs and minivan meltdowns. It’s only rock ’n’ roll but they like it. BY CAROL CRUPPER Heirloom Harvest 34 The fruits of Liz Kurlbaum’s labors include tomatoes bursting with old-school flavor and a business her family can be proud of. BY CYNTHIA PARKS COVER 20 Kansas on her Mind Meet KU’s new chancellor, Bernadette Gray-Little. BY CHRIS LAZZARINO Cover photograph by Steve Puppe 28 Volume 107, No. 4, 2009 I was an “actor” in several Centron movies in the early 1950s. The biggest by Lift the Chorus far was “To the Stars,” produced for the Alumni Association. I had a featured role opposite Shirley Strain, c’53, who later married Tom Rea, c’49, g’52, a KU the- Debate champs ing children’s stories—with a col- atre professor. Fred Ellsworth, c’22, long- lection of rejection slips similar to time head of the Association, made a I enjoyed the article those Mirriam-Goldberg detailed. point after the film was released to tell about KU’s national After that reunion, our e-mails me how much the movie was enjoyed by championship debate flew thick and fast, and we had audiences at the many alumni chapters team [“Raise the Blue much fun writing and sharing around the country—even in New York. Banner,” issue No. 3]. Do with each other as we composed I would love to view the restored film you happen to know Three from Osage Street. Mirriam- to see how well I’ve held up compared to who were KU’s 1954 Goldberg got it right when she all the other KU relics in “To the Stars.” national championship said people do “their most power- Mark S. Gilman, d’54 debaters? ful writing in community.” Mission Hills John F. Elvig, e’55, g’59 Kay Z. Meyers, d’61 Editor’s note: When restoration is complete Round Top, Texas Wayne, Penn. this summer, “To The Stars” will be open to Editor’s note: The 1954 national champion Editor’s note: Three from Osage Street is public viewing as part of the Spencer debaters were William Arnold, c’55, and available at amazon.com or Research Library’s Kansas Collection. Hubert Bell, c’55, m’62. In 1955 Bell fol- authorhouse.com. lowed up the national title by topping 84 The stage is set other college debaters to win the coveted I always read the alumni magazine “Best Speaker Award.” with surprise and delight, although I As president-elect of KU Friends of must admit there is very little any more the Theatre, I’d like to thank Kansas Poetry power about grads from the ’30s and ’40s. They Alumni for “Stagecraft” [issue No. 2]. seem to be living longer, too! I’m a longtime theatre consumer, I was delighted with Caryn Mirriam- I was particularly interested in the attending dozens Goldberg’s opinion that “art should not article about Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, of shows annually belong to a particular group, but should the new poet laureate of Kansas. in Topeka, on be right there at the grass roots,” in Several Kansas poets have entered the Broadway and at Steven Hill's “Poetry for the annual poetry contest of Virginia and KU. Great writing people,” [Rock Chalk have won awards in the category and strong acting Review, issue No. 2]. “Prairies,” which I have sponsored with make a show won- These words from the Williamsburg Poetry Guild. It would derful, but I also Kansas’ new poet be interesting to know of similar contests get excited by laureate seem fortu- in Kansas. imaginative stage- itous for Bret Waller, Thanks very much for keeping us all craft. g’58, Tom Lisenbee together and informed. Lighting and and me: We have just Philomene Bourassa Hood, c’39, g’45 sets can transport an audience to another published a book of Williamsburg, Va. place and time, and often the overall Goldberg prose sketches and Editor’s note: Mirriam-Goldberg will spon- look of a production is what I most poems, Three from sor a series of poetry contests next April. remember. It’s amazing how the right Osage Street, about growing up in Girard Check the Kansas Arts Commission’s poet costume can greatly enhance a character- in the 1940s and ’50s. laureate page next spring for more details: ization. The book originated when the three arts.ks.gov/poet_laureate/index.shtml. The KU team does a great job with of us discovered, at our 50th high-school stagecraft, and I know your article will reunion, that we were all writing poetry. Celluloid memories add more depth to the theatregoer’s Waller had retired as director of the experience. I also hope it will entice your Museum of Art in Indianapolis, Lisenbee Your article in the May Kansas Alumni readers to try our wonderful University had retired after a successful interna- about the Centron films set for restora- Theatre shows. tional career as a classical musician, and I tion [“For Posterity,” Rock Chalk Review, Larry Tenopir, d’72, g’78, l’82 had retired from teaching and was writ- issue No. 3] brought back memories. Topeka 2 | KANSAS ALUMNI JULY 2009 Publisher Kevin J. Corbett, c’88 Editor Jennifer Jackson Sanner, j’81 Creative Director Susan Younger, f’91 8 Associate Editors Chris Lazzarino, j’86 Steven Hill Staff Writer Katie Moyer, j’06 DEPARTMENTS Editorial Assistants Karen Goodell Erika Bentson, j’07 Photographer Steve Puppe, j’98 5 FIRST WORD The editor’s turn Graphic Designer Valerie Spicher, j’94 Advertising Sales Representative Whitney Eriksen, c’08, j’08 6 ON THE BOULEVARD KU & Alumni Association events Editorial and Advertising Office KU Alumni Association 1266 Oread Ave. 8 JAYHAWK WALK Lawrence, KS 66045-3169 Taylor Swift turns on, tunes in and drops by; 785-864-4760 • 800-584-2957 a parrot Rock Chalk chants; a lost banner returns. www.kualumni.org [email protected] 10 HILLTOPICS News and notes: Students pursue a new kind of KANSAS ALUMNI MAGAZINE (ISSN 0745-3345) is published green and veterans find advocates on campus. by the KU Alumni Association six times a year in January, March, May, July, September and November. $55 annual subscription 16 SPORTS includes membership in the Alumni Association. Office of Could they be contenders? Football Jayhawks eye Publication: 1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045-3169. Periodicals postage paid at Lawrence, KS. a Big 12 North title; softball gets a new coach. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kansas Alumni ASSOCIATION NEWS Magazine, 1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045- 38 3169 © 2009 by Kansas Alumni Magazine. Non-member Three honored with Ellsworth medallion; new issue price: $7 board members begin national service to KU. 42 CLASS NOTES Profiles of an Army general, a hot dog king, a neurosurgeon and more Your opinion 60 IN MEMORY counts! Deaths in the KU family Kansas Alumni welcomes letters to ROCK CHALK REVIEW the editor. Our address is Kansas Alumni 64 Sociologist studies lure of possessions; “Tree magazine, 1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, of Life” blooms; books explore history, sport. KS 66045-3169. E-mail responses may be sent to the Alumni Association, [email protected]. Letters appear- 68 GLORIOUS TO VIEW ing in the magazine may be edited for Scene on campus space and clarity. ISSUE 4, 2009 | 3 BY JENNIFER JACKSON SANNER First Word Association in stunned reply Little more than two weeks earlier, the to the news. campus community gave a rousing An obituary for Frederick, ovation to welcome a new Jayhawk, JEFF JACOBSEN JEFF d’62, g’64, EdD’84, appears on Bernadette Gray-Little. On May 30, the page 63 of this issue. It briefly day after her selection as KU chancellor chronicles his career, including by the Kansas Board of Regents, the his years as athletics director Kansas Room on the Kansas Union’s from 1987 to 2001, but it sixth floor overflowed with elated well- cannot convey, nor can I, wishers eager to meet Gray-Little. Frederick’s enduring role in First to speak was Drue Jennings, the KU story. d’68, l’72, chair of the search committee, His was not a merely a pro- which began its work Feb. 2 and, after fession but a calling—to create mid-May interviews, forwarded the opportunities for young men names of three finalists to the Regents. and women and bring honor to He praised the committee’s dedication to the University. its formidable task. None of the 18 mem- KU volleyball coach Ray bers missed a meeting, he said, and Bechard, speaking at the despite differences and lively debate, memorial service on behalf of votes on every critical issue were his fellow coaches and athletics unanimous. department colleagues, put it Committee member Jeff Aubé, best. He described his former professor of medicinal chemistry, boss as “a servant” in the described Gray-Little’s interview with the noblest sense: a true leader, group. “She clearly articulated a very s nearly 2,000 somber Jayhawks teacher and friend. “Dr. Bob was ethical. compelling vision for higher education, arrived June 17 for the He was consistent. He was fair,” Bechard while not shrinking from the challenges memorial service honoring said. “He was always interested in the that we all face,” he said. “She impressed Bob Frederick, his wife, the success of the group or individual.