KANSAS No. 2, 2009 Stage Design program launches theatre career World focus Boxing champion <f ,Y F • ABERDEEN VILLAQE • YOUR LIFE. YOUR WAY. At Aberdeen Village, you can live life your way. So whether you prefer to sit back and quietly enjoy your time or choose a more active and adventurous path for your retirement, you'll find that life at Aberdeen Village gives you the support you need to make the most of every minute. Shop, travel, socialize or explore new interests. At Aberdeen Village, life can be anything you want it to be. Come by for a cappuccino and learn more about living your way. Call the marketing office at 913-599-6100 17500 W. 119th St. Olathe, KS 66061 aberdeenvillage.com Contents Established in 1902 as The Graduate Magazine FEATURES Global snapshot 22 Each photograph in KU's Picture the World contest may be worth a thousand words, but all share a single message: Jayhawks are everywhere around the world. BY STEVEN HILL Champion of Champions 36 Across a 25-year career as a sportswriter and columnist for the Boston Herald, George Kimball covered the most notable boxing matches ojhis day. His new book is an astute look back at the greatest oj the great. BY TOM KING COVER Stagecraft 30 Graduate students in KU's scenography program get a practical education in the nuts-and-bolts design and construction of stage sets, costumes and lighting. The goal of their labors, however, is to create nothing less than theatre magic. BY CHRIS LAZZARINO Cover photograph by Steve Puppe Volume 107, No. 2,2009 22 Relive the moments that made the sport a KU tradition Renowned sports | Kansas Basketball at the Pinnacle photographer Rich Clarkson has captured the magic of three NCAA basketball championships in this rare collection for Jayhawks to treasure. 52,1988,2008 his book is the story of three KU teams and their national Tchampionships, told by players and sports journalists. All three of the championships are captured in this special portfolio of KU's shining moments beautifully presented in $45 Non-members 112 pages and capped by the iconic image of the 2008 title $40 Members game-Mario Chalmers'jumper with 3.7 seconds remaining. $40 Jayhawk Society or Published by the KU Alumni Association in an exclusive Life members collaboration with Rich Clarkson and Associates. ALUMNI To order, visit www.kualumni.org or call 800-584-2957. Mastercard • Visa • Discover • American Express ASSOCIATJON No C.O.D. or RO. box deliveries. Merchandise my be returned or exchanged within 30 The University of Kansas da/s of receipt. Kansas residents add sales tax. Shipping and handling added to all orders. March 2009 •*££.' KANSAS ALUMNI 1 Publisher Kevin J.Corbett,c'88 Editor Jennifer Jackson Sanner, j'8l •I 1m$m 1t 64 Creative Director Susan Younger, f9l Associate Editors Chris Lazzarino, j'86 *•» JL • Steven Hill Staff Writer Katie Moyer, j'06 D E PARTMENTS Editorial Assistants Karen Goodell Erika Bentson,j'07 LIFTTHE CHORUS Photographer Steve Puppe, j'98 4 Letters from readers Graphic Designer Valerie Spicher, j'94 Advertising Sales Representative FIRST WORD Whitney Eriksen, c'08, j'08 7 Editorial and Advertising Office The editor's turn KU Alumni Association 1266 Oread Ave. 8 ON THE BOULEVARD Lawrence, KS 66045-3169 KU & Alumni Association events 785-864-4760 • 800-584-2957 www.kualumni.org JAYHAWK WALK ^^^ [email protected] 10 Fulbright makeover, Prince Albert preview, ^"" ^ Wo x indoor golf and more Thank you J_2 HILLTOPICS We appreciate your News and notes: Legacy tuition proposal presents membership in the KU Alumni a bright spot in gloomy budget picture. Association and continued loyalty to the University. 16 SPORTS The Association exists to make Basketball: Men exceed expectations with fifth all of KU stronger.The value of the KU degree has always depended in large part on the straight conference crown; women finish strong. achievements, engagement and support of alumni and friends. 40 ASSOCIATION NEWS Student Alumni Association hosts regional event. Your support has contributed to KU's proud history of excellence and will be even more important in the future. 44 CLASS NOTES Profiles of a Super Bowl champ, ® Everything we do strengthens KU. a power mom and more To upgrade to Life Membership, Jayhawk Society, or sign up for automatic renewal, visit kualumni.org 60 IN MEMORY Deaths in the KU family KANSAS ALUMNI MAGAZINE (ISSN 0745-3345) is published by the KU Alumni Association six times a year in January, March, 64 ROCK CHALK REVIEW May, July, September and November. $55 annual subscription includes membership in the Alumni Association. Office of Research gauges what makes college towns tick; Publication: 1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045-3169. piano man takes Beethoven for a spin. Periodicals postage paid at Lawrence, KS. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kansas Alumni 68 GLORIOUSTOVIEW Magazine, 1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045- Scene on campus 3 169 © 2009 by Kansas Alumni Magazine. Non-member issue price: $7 ISSUE 2, 2009 Lift the Chorus Share the love so much a part of the present and for for sharing this gem with the KU reminding me that in the KU Alumni community. It is always a special moment when I Association we are all family. I always Jeanne Snow Kessinger; s'74 receive Kansas Alumni magazine, which I look forward to the next issue. Jan H. Kessinger, j'73 continue to read cover to cover. The Janu- Dr. Dennis A. Klein d'65,g'67 Overland Park ary issue is particularly meaningful for Plano.Texas me because the many letters from fellow Still sledding alumni reflect the same love, devotion High marks for Marc Thank you for the great memories—the and pride I feel for our alma mater. This I have just read the article on Marc picture of Virginia and me on page 44 issue has helped me relive so many pleas- Asher ["Pain, Pain Go Away"] in the ["Then Again," Class Notes, issue No. 1]. ant memories of my years on the Hill. January issue of Kansas Alumni. I want to We are still sledding together, after being One letter is from William Penglase, let you and Marc know that he married in Danforth Chapel on June 27, who sat next to me in _ t was a good example for us in 1947. All four of our children graduated Prof. Jack Weiner's St. John. from KU, and now our grandson, Chase class on 17th-century I, too, am a farm kid from St. Coffin, is a sophomore at KU. Spanish drama. After I John, and it was good examples Virginia and I have been retired and received two degrees like Marc that led some of us to living in Sun City West, Ariz., for 25 from KU, I went on to KU. I am sure that he is unaware years, and we enjoy all the KU sports on earn a doctorate in of his role in serving as a model TV. We are both 84 years old and hope Spanish from another for many of us. Thanks for the we can enjoy the KU alumni news for a university. William's great article and thanks to Marc few more years. letter refers to Prof. for being a good example! Bruce Coffin, e'49 Agnes Brady, my first Virginia Gorrill Coffin, f 47 professor of Spanish Sun City West, Ariz. at KU. My latest arti- Karen Vice Irey, e'64, g'66 Norman, Okla. cle is the result of the lessons I learned Correction about the Spanish novel from Prof. Ver- non Chamberlin. The idea that began in Bravo for Project Runway Thanks to Emerson S. Tjart, c'63, of his classroom became my research proj- Lansdowne, Pa., for pointing out that the ect at Duke many years later. I was glad to see Project Runway fea- Honor for an Outstanding Progressive The column on Cynthia Carroll men- tured in Kansas Alumni ["Contest was in Educator award for teaching excellence tions how she ended up in geology quite the bag," Jayhawk Walk, issue No. 1]. ["HOPE award goes to Klayder," Hill- by accident. I should mention that I Our daughter, Julee Kessinger, P07, won topics, issue No. 1] was established by needed to replace a dropped class and the first competition in November 2006. the Class of 1959 in 1959, not 1972. We added Prof. William Kuhlke's "Introduc- For her, it was a very enriching experi- regret the error. tion to the Theatre." Many years later I ence, having the opportunity to stretch became international drama critic for beyond the textile design curriculum Macmillan Press and did funded research available to her. Being able to include on the subject at Yale, Claremont, Penn the event on her resume helped her get Kansas Alumni welcomes State, NYU, and State Univ. of New York- a job in the fashion industry in New letters to the editor. Our Stony Brook. York City. address is Kansas Alumni magazine, 1266 Oread The one sad note was the passing of I am proud of the University for con- Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045-3169. the young lady I took to the Spring For- tinuing to sponsor Project Runway as a E-mail responses may be sent to the Alumni mal in Templin Hall in 1962. Pardon the venue for showcasing the fashion of Association, [email protected], or tear in my eye and lump in my throat as I many talented and creative students. Associate Editor Chris Lazzarino, clazz@ remember fondly how we danced to "The The event is entertaining, well organized kualumni.org.