KU Giving Fall 2023, Issue 37

Fall 2023

UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES HISTORIC CAMPAIGN

EVER ONWARD: Toward Infinite Possibility

EVER ONWARD CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF Our world faces urgent, complex challenges. Together — across the University of Kansas and all the schools on the Hill, KU Medical Center, The University of Kansas Health System and Kansas Athletics — we will work relentlessly to imagine a better Kansas and create a better world.

The campaign’s ambitious $2.5 billion fundraising goal will transform both our university and our society as we know it. We are excited to start this journey Toward Infinite Possibility with you. Learn more about Ever Onward on Page 6 and at kueveronward.org.

FALL 2023

KU Giving is published by KU Endowment, the private fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas. You are receiving this magazine because you support KU. CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES Lydia I. Beebe PRESIDENT Daniel J. Martin AVP, COMMUNICATIONS AND DONOR RELATIONS Michelle Keller SR. DIRECTOR, CREATIVE AND EDITORIAL SERVICES Daryl Bell PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Valerie Gieler SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Sarah Meiers ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Jennifer Walker CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Emily Becker Daryl Bell Jodi Bouyack Shannon Carriger Haines Eason Valerie Gieler Lindsey Leesmann Max McElroy We welcome your comments, suggestions and questions.

KU Giving magazine P.O. Box 928 Lawrence, KS 66044-0928 785-832-7400 kugiving@kuendowment.org Postmaster: Send address changes to: KU Endowment P.O. Box 928 Lawrence, KS 66044-0928

ON THE COVER This illustration was created for a limited edition Charlie Hustle T-shirt for the campaign kickoff event.

Illustration by Jennifer Walker.

PHOTOGRAPHY Abby Clem 5 • Chris Crum IFC, 7, 11, BC • Ann Dean 4, 19 • Haines Eason 18, 24 • KU University Relations/ Chuck Frances 4 • Marc Havener 10 • HNTB/multistudio 13 • KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum 20 • KU Endowment/Valerie Gieler 8, 9 • KUMC/Selena Jabara 4 • University of Kansas/Meg Kumin 25 • KU News Service 21 • Mark McDonald 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 17, 20 • KU University Relations/David McKinney 5 • KUMC/ Elissa Monroe 23 • Ruckus 12 • The University of Kansas Cancer Center 22 • Dan Videtich 5 • Contributed 3, 20

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PRESIDENT’S NOTE

JOIN US FOR A BETTER TOMORROW ON A CRISP FALL EVENING IN OCTOBER, many of the university and

health system’s leaders gathered with donors, students, staff and community members to kick off the fifth comprehensive fundraising campaign for the University of Kansas, KU Academic Medical Center and The University of Kansas Health System. Named “Ever Onward,” this campaign will be the largest ever undertaken by KU, with a goal of raising at least $2.5 billion.

As I looked over the crowd, I was struck by the idea of connection.

Everyone in the room had a connection to KU, and in some ways, each other.

We collectively gathered to imagine what this campaign will mean for the growth and influence of the state’s flagship university. We are dreaming big, pressing ever onward, to ensure the region, the nation and the world benefit from the connections made here.

Can you imagine a world without the mark of KU on it? A world void of those KU connections that cultivate leaders, build healthy communities and make discoveries that change the world? Or a world void of The University of Kansas Health System, where patients receive the most innovative treatments and compassionate care from nationally recognized specialists and care teams?

For me, it is unimaginable because I see evidence of it every day. The imprint of KU is undeniable in the lives of many, including my own. The degrees I received from KU prepared and propelled me forward on my life’s career path. The groundbreaking clinical trials and world-class care provided to my father, who battled Alzheimer’s, and my sister, who fought cancer, will forever be a part of my story, even though their stories did not have the outcomes we hoped for.

But it is that hope for a better, brighter future that this campaign will foster. This historic campaign will empower aspirations of an even greater KU that will not only change the face and future of this university and health system, but the lives of everyone who comes in contact with these organizations. Before us is a boundless horizon, full of possibilities, propelled by visionary leaders, creative thinkers, leading scholars, skilled clinicians and curious researchers who together will create the connections we need to make tomorrow even better than it is today. Will you join us?

Ever Onward,

Daniel J. Martin CONNECT WITH US and learn more about the Ever Onward campaign at kueveronward.org.

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EVERY GIFT MATTERS

TICKETS FOR TEACHERS IT ALL STARTED WITH A BENCH.

Mollie Mitchell, a KU alumna with degrees in journalism and education, was born and raised in Hutchinson, Kan. Her father, William “Bill” Mitchell was also a Jayhawk.

He served as Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives from 1960-1962 and was chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission. Shortly after his death in 2006, two friends discovered a bench in Shimer Park in Topeka, Kan., commemorating Bill’s life. According to Mollie, these friends joked that their lives “would never warrant a bench.” The story became Mitchell family folklore.

Mollie and her husband, John Wilson, formed a relationship with the School of Education and Human Services not long after Bill’s bench was discovered. At the time, the school was offering donors the opportunity to purchase commemorative bricks or benches. When John asked Mollie if she’d like a brick, she recalled her family folklore and said, “No, I’d like a bench.”

That conversation led to a partnership with the school. While attending a KU men’s basketball game, Mollie saw a group of education students and noted that, once they enter the profession, they may not be able to afford tickets. A member of Mollie’s group suggested they do something about that, and Tickets for Teachers was born.

The annual program provides KU men’s basketball tickets to 15-20 clinical supervisors who oversee student teachers about to enter the profession. Student teachers nominate their supervisor, also known as their cooperating teacher. “Clinical supervisors are an incredibly important part of the student teaching process but are often not recognized in any way,” Mollie said.

It was easy to select clinical supervisors as the program’s recipients. KU graduate Allie Rosenberg nominated Chrissie Kohl of Nieman Elementary School in the Shawnee Mission School District as a spring 2023 Tickets for Teachers recipient. Rosenberg wanted to honor Kohl because she went “above and beyond all she was required to do as a clinical supervisor” and modeled daily how to be “patient, engaging and caring.”

Kimberley Hunter, a teacher at Jardine Elementary School in Topeka, Kan., was also a recipient. Hunter and her husband are lifelong KU fans, and she hopes the program can continue. “We rarely get to attend because it is difficult to get tickets, so we jumped at the chance to cheer on the Jayhawks,” she said.

Mollie and John are dynamic examples of what dedication in action looks like, and their commitment to each other and to KU is inspirational. If you’d like to see where it all started, venture over to the east side of Pearson Hall, and have a seat on Mollie’s bench.

EDUCATOR APPRECIATION: John Wilson and Mollie Mitchell (pictured on a Flying Jayhawks trip) are honoring their love of KU and education with a program recognizing exceptional teachers with tickets to a men’s basketball game in Allen Fieldhouse.

YOU CAN HELP

To support Tickets for Teachers, contact Laura Meyer at 785-832-7372 or lmeyer@ kuendowment.org.

SHANNON CARRIGER

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GIVING SNAPSHOTS

WHY I GIVE “Good storytelling is good journalism,

and that is what inspired us to support the KU Native American Journalism fund. This effort to marry the rich storytelling heritage of Native Americans with the best practices of modern journalism is in excellent hands at KU.”

Danforth Austin, bachelor’s in journalism 1968 and Gail Davenport Austin, bachelor’s in zoology 1968, bachelor’s in medical technology 1969, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Gift to the KU Native American Journalism fund

“A lot of our family has gone to this

school — it’s where our family started. Our family’s roots are in Kansas, and despite moving on with our careers that took us to New York and eventually California, we wanted to do something that went beyond us — that was bigger than we were. My husband, John, always felt education was the best thing, and we were honored to sponsor both a medical and a nursing scholarship. We love reading the letters from the students who are thankful for the support and help. We love the campus and the friendly Kansas people. We know our scholarships will be used wisely.”

Jean Baldwin, Twain Harte, Calif.

Gift to Jean Baldwin Nursing Scholarship

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“Patti and I give to KU because our children

had foundational experiences there. We’ve endowed a scholarship in memory of our son Hart, but his older sister Larkin also benefited immeasurably from her time at KU. A music major in clarinet who went on to get advanced degrees, she now teaches and performs with Kansas City as her hub. Our son’s career in architecture lasted only eight years, but those years were packed with challenges and growth. As a rookie architect, Hart took a position with a Des Moines firm and designed two iconic bridges that span the city’s river today.

He spent his last four years with Olson Kundig Architects in Seattle immersed in designs most architects could only wish to tackle. We’re convinced Hart was able to do this because of the watchful guidance he found at the KU School of Architecture and Design. If we can help provide this springboard to other aspiring designers, we’ll have made a valuable contribution.”

Harlow and Patricia Sanders, Branson, Mo. Gift to establish the Hart Sanders Memorial Scholarship

“We wanted to do something

that went beyond us — that was bigger than we were. ” —Jean Baldwin

“College is a place where students engage

with international experiences in multiple ways. Study abroad is an important way to broaden students’ international competencies.

We hope our support will make it easier for students to actually take the leap to a lifechanging study abroad experience.”

Bradley Mazon, bachelor’s in French and political science 1986, and Thomas Coates, West Seneca, NY Gift to the International Student Services Emergency fund

“After completing my undergraduate

program at the KU School of Business, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. Business School Associate Dean Wiley Mitchell suggested a new program that combined an MBA with a J.D. from the KU Law School. I was one of the first enrollees and am convinced it was one of my best decisions. I have had a successful career as a CPA and businessman using the knowledge gained in the J.D./MBA program. Although I paid for my entire education by part-time work, today that is almost impossible given the increased costs facing students. I want to share my success to help deserving students with their staggering costs. The combined degree program is extremely important in today’s business world.”

J.R. Walters, bachelor’s in business 1971, MBA 1975, J.D. 1975, St. Louis, Mo. Gift to the James R. Walters Joint J.D./MBA Scholarship

“I want to share my success to help deserving students with their staggering costs.”

—J.R. Walters

“My life partner, Lydia Walker, and

I dedicated our professional lives to educating children. We separately pursued several degrees from various institutions of higher learning. It was a treasure for us to witness the development of children physically, socially, emotionally and academically. We both experienced the loss of siblings, and in my case, their tragic deaths were due to medical neglect. Lydia was supportive of my legal and emotional interventions on their behalf.

Along our path together, we only grew stronger in our commitment to our profession and, in some ways, credit our education as personally lifesaving. When Lydia died, I continued our dedication to learning and well-being by contributing to research in Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer. Research to find a cure based on sound scientific fact in two areas that adversely affect so many people is my way to honor Lydia’s memory and also to further contribute myself.”

Margaret McLaughlin, Kansas City, Mo. Gifts to the Margaret “Peg” McLaughlin and Lydia A. Walker Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Breast Cancer funds

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HISTORIC CAMPAIGN WILL PROPEL KU TOWARD INFINITE POSSIBILITY

BY VALERIE GIELER

H

ave you ever wondered where the awakening of an idea comes from? And how it grows into something more? To name this

historic campaign, the University of Kansas once again turned to a well-known refrain with the power to stir hearts, excite spirits and inspire friends and friends-yet-to-be to clasp arms, sway to the music and sing together: Crimson and the Blue.

FAR ABOVE THE GOLDEN VALLEY, GLORIOUS TO VIEW, STANDS OUR NOBLE ALMA MATER, TOWERING TOWARD THE BLUE.

LIFT THE CHORUS EVER ONWARD, CRIMSON AND THE BLUE. HAIL TO THEE OUR ALMA MATER, HAIL TO OLD KU.

Inspired beginning Launched with a Rock Chalk celebration of KU spirit, Ever Onward is the largest capital campaign in the history of the University of Kansas, The University of Kansas Health System and Kansas Athletics.

With a goal of raising $2.5 billion in support by 2028, the campaign matches passion with purpose, forging the path toward a better

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tomorrow. University leaders are united in their vision, and KU is poised for a trajectory with boundless limits — our momentum has never been greater.

KU alumni and friends are championing the cause and rallying support. Campaign co-chairs Howard and Debbie Cohen, Greg and Deanna Graves, and Dave and Dee Dillon see this as an opportunity to pay forward what the university did for them.

“I urge each and every one of you to embrace this campaign with an open heart and an unwavering spirit,” Cohen said.

“Be the spark that ignites change. Be the voice of future students and patients and be the beacon of hope that KU represents.

Your contribution, whether it’s time, resources or passion, is invaluable.”

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ALL ACCESS: Event guests participate in the campaign presentations across the Jayhawk Welcome Center — even outside.

Campaign priorities Our world faces urgent, complex challenges. We know that no single discipline, no one campus, no individual discovery can alone transform our society. But together — across our health system, medical center and all the schools on the Hill — we work relentlessly to imagine a better Kansas and create a better world.

Our priorities focus on three areas: student access & success, healthy & vibrant communities, and research & discovery. Our broad and bold priorities will create meaningful change for our campuses, classrooms, centers of discovery, clinics, cities, country and — most importantly — our people.

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE: KU alumni and friends watch the campaign launch videos with anticipation for the big reveal.

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Student access & success

From scholarships that make college accessible to hands-on experiences that make new graduates marketable, investments in this priority will help students create a bright future — for themselves and for us all.

Students are the heart of the university and our greatest hope for progress and for furthering the KU legacy in the centuries to come. The mark of KU has had a positive influence on so many generations of people, and when students become Jayhawks, it becomes an indelible part of their lives too.

At KU, students’ worlds expand exponentially and there are no limits to what they can dream, achieve and become.

On our campuses today, students are learning how to navigate an increasingly complex global society, challenging the ways things have always been and preparing to solve problems that don’t even exist yet.

Investments in scholarships, mentorship and internships will help more students attend, graduate and succeed.

“You’re already an integral part of KU’s story,” said Dan Martin, KU Endowment president. “You’ve co-created our present and now, collectively, we have the capacity to empower KU’s future, to cement its impact.”

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Healthy & vibrant communities

KU builds strong communities here and around the world. From The University of Kansas Cancer Center that will save the life of someone you love, to a social worker who will provide hope to a questioning teenager, to artwork in a rural town square that inspires creativity, investments in our communities will build a society buoyed by connection and uplift.

Healthy communities begin with access to quality education, services, employment opportunities, cultural activities and, of course, health care. The University of Kansas Health System has dedicated the past 25 years to ensuring people across our region receive the most innovative treatments provided with care and compassion.

Looking ahead, in collaboration with researchers at KU Medical Center, KU Cancer Center will be the leader in cellular therapy — the future of cancer treatment. The health system and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center will be the destination for the most advanced research and treatments in brain health. Progress in these areas will save thousands of lives.

“To achieve this future vision, we must continue to attract and retain the very best people and support them in the best and right ways because our patients and their families deserve this,” said Bob Page, CEO of The University of Kansas Health System.

ROCK CHALK CHEERS: (Top) Chancellor Douglas A. Girod leads a toast to Ever Onward as the campaign name is revealed with KU fanfare.

(Middle) KU Endowment President Dan Martin and Senior Vice President of Development Nancy Jackson share their Jayhawk joy as guests arrive.

(Right) KU Marching Jayhawks and Spirit Squad members prepare to rally the crowd.

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CHORUS. Learn more about the campaign and how to share your KU passion at kueveronward.org. www.kuendowment.org 9

EVER ONWARD ANTHEM VIDEO STUDENT VIGNETTES

Generating excitement, the campaign video features students across KU campuses

DE’MOND GLYNN Third-year medical student De’Mond Glynn is passionate about equity in all areas of medicine — in outcomes for patients, in access to health care, and in how people are treated. Serving others is a big part of who he is. Glynn donated bone marrow to a woman with cancer last year, volunteers at the JayDoc Free Clinic and mentors students through a variety of campus leadership roles. “I learn from mentorship as much as those I have mentored! The perspective I gain from talking to people who are not exactly like me lets me evolve my way of thinking,” he said.

ASTHA THAPA Astha Thapa, an international student from Nepal majoring in computer science, sought out KU for a world-class education. She is an advocate for access and representation, in terms of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging as well as technology, because her homeland is behind in the digital revolution. As an admissions and a multicultural recruitment ambassador, Thapa connects with prospective students and families. “I work to make students feel seen and to show them what the Jayhawk community looks like,” she said.

Thapa aspires to become a cultural ambassador to the U.S. and work in government to bring policy-level changes in education back home.

DREW KELLER Growing up in Topeka, Kan., Drew Keller had an early love for the Jayhawks. An opportunity to play college baseball took Keller to Texas, but life events brought him back to Kansas and KU in 2020. Keller’s degree in sports management is one way he plans to impact the community, by recreating his positive experiences for others. “My earliest memories are intertwined with live sporting events,” he said. “I remember being 4 years old and attending Allen Fieldhouse for the first time, sitting in a top corner eating popcorn with my dad. I can close my eyes and still experience the joy of that night.”

KALEENA MONTELLANO Being a Jayhawk is a family affair for interior architecture student Kaleena Montellano.

She and her family decided career changes were the best path forward, so they moved from California. Montellano, her husband and oldest son all attend KU. She is motivated to create inspiring settings for healing and education, informed by being a caretaker for her father when she was in high school and working in her younger son’s school. “My passion comes from understanding the needs of the users and creating environments that promote safety, confidence and well-being,” she said. Montellano looks forward to continuing her design journey and contributing to community spaces.

AVERY SMITH KU student-athlete Avery Smith has enjoyed fitness and sports since childhood. She is proud to wear crimson and blue as a member of the soccer team. A double major in exercise science and psychology, Smith is passionate about leadership, team interactions and sport atmosphere. She is a two-year team captain and appreciates learning how to lead with clarity, efficiency and connection. She believes a team’s interactions significantly impact their performance and well-being. “A key component to any skilled leader is to remember to incorporate fun, too,” she said. Smith graduates in December 2024 and plans to pursue an advanced degree in psychology.

Research & discovery

We are excited about what’s to come — and we know the future holds urgent, complex challenges that no one discipline can solve alone. Investments in revolutionary science, extraordinary teaching and undergraduate research will ignite the curiosity and action needed to brighten our future.

As a major research institution and member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), KU proudly claims a distinguished record of innovation. Jayhawks are here to question, investigate and solve, with research and scholarship woven into the university’s identity. World-class talent leads this effort through strong mentorship — the key to effective inquiry. Students and emerging researchers work closely with experts who lead their fields and are eager to help them navigate new areas of study.

The aim is for all Jayhawks to be prepared to contribute to society. They are working relentlessly to imagine and create potential — forging new ideas, technologies, treatments and cures.

Innovation and discovery are the driving force behind KU’s vision of an even stronger and more prosperous future for all.

“Ever Onward is a historic campaign that will fund our brilliant tomorrow,” Chancellor Douglas A. Girod said. “In 2028, we intend to celebrate having raised $2.5 billion to save lives, to change lives, to improve lives and to make our world better. We invite you to march Ever Onward with us. Let’s create that future together.”

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HAIL TO OLD KU: The two-story LED display at the Jayhawk Welcome Center provides a colorful backdrop for the campaign launch event.

CURTAIN CALL: (from left to right) Jordan Nevels, ShonMichael Anderson and Maren Meneley share their love of theatre and dance with attendees — and also find time to hang out with Baby Jay.

TALENT ON DISPLAY: KU Painting Club President Octavia Lawson-Solorio paints a familiar campus scene live at the event. Attendees could enter a raffle to take the completed piece home.

ON AIR: KU student Emily Sutter interviews KU Endowment Board of Trustees Chair Lydia Beebe to demonstrate journalism in action. www.kuendowment.org 11

KANSAS ATHLETICS DIRECTOR AIMS FOR THE STARS AD ASTRA SOCIETY AND GATEWAY PROJECT PUT PHILANTHROPY AT CENTER FIELD

BY EMILY BECKER

A native of Dodge City, Kansas, Goff’s first job in Kansas Athletics was with the Williams Education Fund as a student. He graduated from KU in 2003 with a bachelor’s in journalism and a bachelor’s in sociology.

After working in athletics at Tulane University and Northwestern University, Goff returned to Lawrence in April 2021 with his wife, Nancy, and their three children, Ellie, Carly and Graham. His first two years as athletics director saw the KU men’s basketball team claim their first NCAA championship title in 14 years, the hiring of three new coaches, including football coach Lance Leipold, and the creation of new roles to support Name, Image and Likeness for student-athletes. For Goff, these accomplishments are just the beginning.

T

here’s never a dull moment for Kansas Athletics Director Travis Goff. In

addition to his day-to-day duties, Goff is spearheading a major renovation to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and overseeing a strategic plan for the athletics department that highlights the role of philanthropy in a new way. He’s also looking ahead to what he hopes will be winning seasons for all Jayhawk student-athletes.

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What are you most excited about for the future of Kansas Athletics?

We’re working on so many different things, but at the core is building comprehensive excellence across the department that’s not just showing up on the field, in the water or on the court. Our student-athletes are having a better experience now than arguably ever through medical support, mental health support, life after sport and being ready for the career world.

What will the Gateway District do for Kansas Athletics and the university?

The whole vision behind the Gateway District is to make sure it drives real impact. In Lawrence, you think about the impact this project will have on businesses and the community. We think it far extends beyond Douglas County and Lawrence; it’s a state asset that will drive economic impact. For the university, it’s going to be a catalyst for activity on campus. It will truly be a gateway into KU, and every student has a chance to benefit from what that means.

Tell us about the recently introduced Ad Astra Society and the role you see philanthropy playing in realizing your long-term vision.

With the Ad Astra Society, we created a platform for supporters to invest in the future of Kansas Athletics. I think about giving through the society as the fuel that will allow us to tackle our most important factors. At my press conference when I was hired, I said philanthropy is going to be the driving force. It’s how we’re going to invest in our student-athletes’ experiences and transform KU. There’s a way for everybody to be part of that success. It’s not just the headline-grabbing gifts; it’s about giving and engagement. And I think Jayhawk Nation is ready to be part of that.

THE GATEWAY DISTRICT TO CREATE GENERATIONAL CAMPUS IMPACT At the intersection of 11th and Mississippi Streets, the University of Kansas and Kansas Athletics are breaking ground on a bold new chapter. The Gateway District, featuring the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, promises to profoundly enhance the north end of KU’s Lawrence campus with a new conference center,

On a personal level, why is giving important to you?

To me, giving is a reflection of gratitude for the opportunities you have. Without my education, both in the journalism school and the sociology program, I’m not sitting here, in every way, shape and form.

multiuse facilities and retail and dining space that will

What is it about Kansas Athletics that makes you want to come to work every day?

It’s about people and passion. First and foremost, I think we have special people. And this Jayhawk passion, the traditions and the history. Then there’s the potential of where we’re going. It’s unmatched. To me, this is the best place to work in the country without question.

secured. Fundraising is ongoing.

What is your favorite Jayhawk tradition?

I’m biased, so I feel many of the traditions are aligned with the athletic experience. Walking into the concourse of a full Allen Fieldhouse is a feeling you can’t get in any other environment. And seeing thousands of students in our football stadium Wave the Wheat is pretty tough to beat anywhere across the country.

facilities it needs to compete at the highest level.”

We’ve just launched our capital campaign publicly. How do you see this initiative impacting the university?

This campaign is going to serve as a catalyst to help drive a better version of the University of Kansas. From a student perspective, whether through facilities or programs, the student experience at KU is going to benefit from the support the campaign is going to drive.

drive economic development year-round.

Support from private donors will play a major role in the financing of this project as no tuition or State General Funds will be used. Since the initial $300 million fundraising goal was set, a total of $165 million has been

“The Gateway District is a once-in-a-generation project to transform our campus and drive economic development throughout the region,” Chancellor Douglas A. Girod said. “Specifically, this project will create exciting new amenities for students, employees and visitors while providing Kansas Football the

Construction on the project will begin after the 2023 football season and will be completed by the beginning of the 2025 season. The team will continue to play at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in the 2024 season with reduced seating capacity.

Learn more about this project at kugatewaydistrict.com.

What does being part of this campaign mean for donors on an individual level?

Whichever area of interest you give to at KU, I think it’s important to note you’re giving to empower and maximize young people’s future. You’re also investing in the future of KU.

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DESTINATION: HEALTH CARE THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEALTH SYSTEM PROVIDES WORLD-CLASS, INNOVATIVE HEALTH CARE FROM — AND SUPPORTED BY — THE HEART OF THE HEARTLAND

BY LINDSEY LEESMANN

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A

manda McRae of Kansas City knew her double vision was not from pregnancy hormones when

she still could not see her son’s face three days after giving birth.

Ethan Payne, a football player for McPherson College in central Kansas, had to face extensive rehabilitation after a car accident left 74% of his body covered in burns.

Alexander Goodwin from Lutterworth, England, wanted to celebrate his 10th birthday, but Ewing sarcoma was in the way.

Patrick Lanphier, who lives near Omaha, Neb., was prepared to relocate to Houston, Texas, temporarily to treat his recurrent prostate cancer.

Four unique patients. Four varying diagnoses.

Four vastly different places they call home. One common denominator.

Amanda, Ethan, Patrick and Alexander all came to Kansas City, Kan. — at the heart of the Heartland — to receive care at The University of Kansas Health System, the patient care provider for the region’s only academic medical center, the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Together, the health system and KU Medical Center are putting Kansas City on the map as a health care destination for people who face complex medical conditions, and providing hope and healing for those who may have heard “there is no known treatment” elsewhere.

The gift that changed a region The University of Kansas Health System is a global health care leader today, but it would not exist without one man’s generous gift and audacious idea in 1894.

That year, surgeon and real estate entrepreneur Simeon B. Bell, M.D., approached

the University of Kansas with a proposal. He would donate 500 acres of land located near the border of Kansas and Missouri and $100,000 — equivalent to almost $3.7 million today — to KU to establish a medical school and hospital.

The lack of any four-year, university-level medical schools in the area meant KU’s talented premedical students had to leave home to finish their degrees, which left a care gap noticeable in not only Bell’s Rosedale, Kan., community, but the region.

Bell’s vision for his gift was simple but ambitious: To serve as “a place where the people of Kansas and areas surrounding may enjoy the best medical care available anywhere.”

And with that, academic medicine entered the Great Plains. First, with the opening of KU’s School of Medicine in what is now known as Kansas City, Kan., followed the next year by the Eleanor Taylor Bell Memorial Hospital, named for Bell’s beloved late wife.

Transforming care in transformative times For more than 80 years, Bell Memorial Hospital was part of KU’s School of Medicine.

Educating generations of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical providers while caring for the members of its ever-changing community. But by the late 20th century, KU Med, as the hospital had come to be known, could no longer keep up with the demands of the patient population and educate its medical student body. Things were looking bleak, and there was even talk of shutting the hospital down.

Something had to be done to maintain Bell’s vision of health care for the region, so a transformative (and risky) decision was made: The hospital and KU’s medical school would separate. What was once a single entity, would now be two: One to educate the next generation of caregivers, one to provide patient care.

On Oct. 1, 1998, at 12:01 a.m., the hospital became an independent authority — no longer receiving any funds from the state beyond a tiny

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initial budget of $23.3 million — and The University of Kansas Hospital was born.

Since that day 25 years ago, the hospital — now The University of Kansas Health System — has thrived. Kansans and others across the region can access the most innovative treatments provided by nationally recognized specialists and care teams without leaving an important aspect of their healing: their community.

Reimagining the future of health care Much like when it originally opened more than a century ago, The University of Kansas Health System is committed to serving its community: the people of Kansas, the region and beyond. “Beyond,” though, has extended farther than Bell could have imagined in his wildest dreams.

Today, the health system treats the sickest of the sick — from every county in Kansas, almost every county in Missouri, every state in the U.S. and 26 countries across the world. And that was just in fiscal year 2023.

“When we started this journey 25 years ago, we knew we needed to find a path forward, because patients didn’t want to be here,” said Tammy Peterman, MS, RN, FAAN, President of the Kansas City Division and Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer of The University of Kansas Health System. “I don’t think anyone then would have — could have — imagined we would be where we are today.”

And for the next 25 years?

“We’ve come so far, but there is so much more to do,” Peterman said. “We want to ensure no Kansan needs to leave home for the very best care provided by the very best care teams.”

THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEALTH SYSTEM MILESTONES

JUST GETTING STARTED, THE EARLY 2000S: 2000: Trauma Center becomes first in the region to receive Level I national verification from the American College of Surgeons.

2001: Cardiologists from Mid America Cardiology and Mid America Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons join the hospital. The Center for Advanced Heart Care opens five years later.

2006: The University of Kansas Hospital earns Magnet® designation for the first time from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. (Redesignated in 2011, 2016 and 2021.)

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2007: U.S. News & World Report names the hospital to its top 50 list for the first time — it has been on the list ever since.

2007: Annette Bloch donates $20 million for programs at the new outpatient cancer facility, later named the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion.

HITTING ITS STRIDE, THE 2010S: 2011: The University of Kansas Cancer Center acquires Kansas City Cancer Center and sets a national model for cancer care delivery.

2012: Athletes of all ages get professional treatment as The University of Kansas Health System becomes the Kansas City Chiefs’ official health care provider. It became the Kansas City Royals’ provider in 2011.

2012: The University of Kansas Cancer Center earns National Cancer Institute designation, one of only 71 in the nation.

(Earned again in 2017.)

2012: The University of Kansas Hospital is the first in Kansas City to earn Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center designation.

2012: Turning Point joins the hospital as a free resource supporting the emotional, social and psychological needs of anyone living with a serious or chronic illness.

2012: The University of Kansas Hospital – Indian Creek Campus opens in Johnson County, Kan. 2013: Center for Transplantation opens to provide comprehensive care for liver, kidney, pancreas and heart transplant patients.

Bob Page, the health system’s president and CEO, likes to imagine the future and think about what lies ahead. His vision is simple, but ambitious. Much like Bell’s plan when he approached KU more than 100 years ago.

“We believe the day is near where cancer is a treatable disease, not a death sentence. And where breakthroughs in brain health mean patients can live their best lives for longer,” Page said.

How? “Starting here,” he said. “With the answers — and hope — we provide for so many today.”

Answers and hope that would not be possible without the collaboration of the medical researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center, the dedicated care team at The University of Kansas Health System and the support of the community that this hospital has always had at the heart of everything it does.

LEADERS IN HEALTH CARE: Executives Bob Page and Tammy Peterman have been instrumental in The University of Kansas Health System becoming the highly acclaimed health system it is today.

2014: The hospital receives a $12.5 million grant to establish the Kansas Heart and Stroke Collaborative.

2015: Behavioral health care services expand with new hospitals at Marillac and KVC Health Systems.

2016: A bone marrow transplant cures a Kansas woman’s sickle cell disease, the first in the nation.

2017: The University of Kansas Hospital and The University of Kansas Physicians integrate to create The University of Kansas Health System.

2017: The health system founds Centrus Health with North Kansas City Hospital and Advent Health.

It also partners with Vibrant Health to support Federally Qualified Health Centers in Wyandotte County, Kan. 2018-19: Two new campuses join the health system: Strawberry Hill and The University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus.

SURVIVING A PANDEMIC AND LOOKING AHEAD, THE 2020S:

2017: Center for Advanced Heart Care becomes the first in the nation to receive Comprehensive Cardiac Center certification from The Joint Commission.

2020: In response to COVID-19, the health system adapts its services, offering telehealth options and treatments to maintain safety for staff and patients.

2017: Cambridge Tower A opens, expanding patient care rooms and surgical suites. The St. Francis Campus in Topeka is added, through a partnership with Ardent Health.

2021: The health system conducts its 5,000th organ transplant since 1969.

2022: Proton therapy debuts at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, one of only 42 centers nationwide.

2022: The University of Kansas Cancer Center is one of the first in the world to provide FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapy.

2022: The University of Kansas Cancer Center achieves NCI comprehensive designation, making it one of 56 nationwide.

2024: Breaking ground for a new transformational cancer research and patient care destination at The University of Kansas Cancer Center.

2027: The new comprehensive cancer building is set to open on The University of Kansas Health System’s main campus.

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KU STUDENT PORTRAIT

WHAT’S IN YOUR BACKPACK? “MY STETHOSCOPE,” SAID NICK SCHEMMEL,

a KU junior double majoring in biology and Spanish. “It’s good to future-orient yourself toward your goal and to wake up and see that I’m working to help people live longer, healthier lives.”

Schemmel is a one-man balancing act, with leadership positions in multiple clubs, performing nematode research in a lab, studying for the MCAT and volunteering as an EMT, while also being a full-time student and a double major.

While he admits it can be a lot to balance at times, Schemmel views this as preparation for the leadership roles in medicine he aspires to take on in the future.

Not only does Schemmel take research and opportunities seriously, but he elected to learn Spanish for the sake of better communicating at his current volunteer position and for his future patients. “I think it’s important to be able to talk to more patients, especially within underserved communities,” he said. “Speaking Spanish helps patients identify with you and trust you more.”

Even though he is an undergraduate, Schemmel keeps his eyes set on the future and tries to set himself up to be equipped to help others the best

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he can. “I want to make it to medical school, and KU’s a top option to be at one of the best and brightest places in the country,” he said.

Schemmel spoke passionately about how scholarships have propelled him in his studies.

“Any financial burdens that can be lifted from college students is a very helpful thing academically, and I don’t think it’s said enough,” he said. “Students are very appreciative of scholarships because they allow students to make the most of their college experience.”

Despite all the schoolwork and the involvement in student organizations, Schemmel finds ways to enjoy his college experience with different hobbies. He loves playing any sport with friends or family and developing his guitar skills. However, he often finds himself at the campus tennis courts playing with fellow Tennis Club members.

Schemmel knows he would not be able to pursue all of his passions without the scholarships he has received and looks to eventually return the favor to other students. “Once I graduate here and get out of school, I’ll focus on giving back,” he said.

MAX MCELROY

KU FACULTY PORTRAIT

WHAT’S IN YOUR BRIEFCASE? “A SATURN V MODEL ROCKET,” SAID MARK SHIFLETT, Foundation Distinguished Professor

and director of the Institute for Sustainable Engineering at KU. “Engineers designed those rockets, and that inspired me to become an engineer. In fact, Neil Armstrong — the first human who stepped foot on the moon — once said ‘I’m proud to be an engineer.’” The quote provides daily inspiration on the lab’s wall for students.

Since childhood, Shiflett has been captivated by building things, from train sets to electronics to model rockets. He translated his passion for mathematics and chemistry to the real world and followed in his father’s footsteps in engineering.

This generational spirit lives on as Shiflett views his students as his greatest accomplishment, imparting his passion to future engineers.

With a career that began at DuPont, Shiflett invented three new refrigerants that are now used worldwide. This breakthrough replaced chlorofluorocarbons, linked to the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer. Today, the professor’s concern for the Earth is reflected in his students’ research. “Many of the problems we work on are brought to us by industry,” he said. “Our students are studying how to recycle refrigerants and

critical metals like lithium and cobalt used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.”

Shiflett is enthusiastic about the initiatives underway at the institute. Refrigerant research continues through the Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH), which has attracted interest from 25 companies.

He goes beyond expectations, encouraging students to develop career-ready communication and leadership skills by presenting at conferences, publishing in journals and mentoring. The institute also established a start-up company to commercialize technology for separating refrigerants, owned and operated by students.

Shiflett likens running a lab to managing a small business. While funding comes from proposals and industry support, philanthropy plays a critical role in providing stability and educational experiences. With state-of-the-art equipment, the department is attracting top talent to the program and its research. “These facilities are some of the best you’ll find anywhere across the U.S.,” he said. “I’m sure you remember the quote from the movie Field of Dreams: ‘If you build it, they will come.’ It’s true.”

DARYL BELL

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ACROSS KU

CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

STEPHONN ALCORN

WILLIAM W. HUMPHREY III

SCHALIE A. JOHNSON

ALLISON LONG

WINIFRED S. PINET

ABBEY RUPE

NEW KU ENDOWMENT TRUSTEES ELECTED The KU Endowment Board of Trustees elected Stephonn Alcorn, William W. Humphrey III (Trey), Schalie A. Johnson, Allison Long, Winifred S. Pinet (Win) and Abbey Rupe as new trustees at their annual meeting in October. Alcorn received his bachelor’s in finance in 2017 from KU, where he served as student body president. He is a vice president at the Blackstone Group. Humphrey graduated from KU in 1987 with a bachelor’s in business administration and earned a law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1990. He is chief legal officer at Lockton. Johnson received a bachelor’s in environmental studies in 2003 from Connecticut College and a law degree from KU in 2006. She is a partner at Wallace Saunders.

Long earned a bachelor’s in accounting and business administration from KU in 1985. She is senior vice president, administration and chief operating officer at KU Endowment. Pinet graduated in 1980 with a bachelor’s in English and received an MBA in 1982, both from KU. She is president and CEO of Sycamore Associates. Rupe received a bachelor’s in microbiology from KU in 2001 and a medical degree from KU School of Medicine-Wichita in 2005. She is a faculty pediatrician at Salina Family Health Care Center.

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LIED CENTER OF KANSAS CELEBRATES 30TH SEASON The Lied Center’s 202324 season kicked off in September with a schedule featuring national Broadway tours, legendary musicians, trailblazing artists, hysterical performances, family shows and more.

A few highlights include Buddy Guy, Annie, Ira Glass, MEAN GIRLS, Leo Kottke, Jesus Christ Superstar and Mandy Patinkin. In celebration of the 30th anniversary, the Lied Center is inviting the community to become a permanent part of the venue by naming an auditorium seat. The Lied Legacy Seat Campaign supports a new endowed fund for local students’ bus transportation to school-only performances every year. More information can be found at lied.ku.edu/name-a-seat.

SILVISAURUS CONDRAYI DESIGNATED THE OFFICIAL KANSAS LAND FOSSIL Silvisaurus condrayi, the only dinosaur known to have lived in what is now Kansas, was named the official state land fossil by Gov. Laura Kelly in April.

In 1955, Warren Condray found the fossil skeleton on his Ottawa County land and donated it to the KU Natural History Museum. The fossil was described as a new species of dinosaur by KU paleontology researcher Theodore Eaton in 1960 and named Silvisaurus condrayi, in honor of the Kansas rancher.

Silvisaurus, which means “woodland lizard,” stood 3 feet tall, was about 12 feet long and lived during the Cretaceous period 145.5-65.5 million years ago.

ACROSS KU

5,259 RECORD-BREAKING FRESHMAN CLASS NEW In fall 2023, the University of

Kansas welcomed its biggest freshman class in history while overall enrollment has grown to 29,355 students, the highest level since 2010.

The historic freshman class includes 5,259 new Jayhawks — a jump of 18% from last year — and surpasses the 2008 class as the largest in KU history. The class boasts an average high school GPA of 3.65 and is the most diverse to date.

COMFORTCARE HOMES, KU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE-WICHITA PARTNER TO BATTLE ALZHEIMER’S A collaboration between KU School of Medicine-Wichita and one of the city’s largest memory care providers is teaching students about the unique needs of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. ComfortCare Homes operates group homes staffed with caregivers 24 hours a day and recently donated to the school’s endowment fund. The gift will help purchase specialized equipment to expand participation in clinical research trials and provide support for community outreach.

Students doing their clinical neurology rotation observe and interact with clients at a ComfortCare home, while the provider’s employees participate in the same virtual reality training students receive on what it’s like to experience dementia.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS RECEIVES LARGEST GIFT IN SCHOOL HISTORY The University of Kansas School of Business received a $50 million commitment from an anonymous donor that will transform business education and research at the school.

The newly endowed fund will provide critical resources for several of the school’s priorities including faculty professorships and fellowships; student entrepreneurship programs and career-focused opportunities; programmatic efforts among diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), study abroad and academic enrichment programs.

“We are honored and humbled by the donor’s choice to invest in the School of Business and look forward to sharing future success stories that will be written because of their generosity,” said Dan Martin, KU Endowment president.

LAW SCHOOL’S MOOT COURT PROGRAM IN TOP 10 According to rankings published by the University of Houston Law Center, the KU School of Law’s moot court program is 10th in the nation. KU Law finished in the top 30 nationally for the last eight years, but this is the first time it reached the top 10. Additional donor support during the last decade allowed the school to send more talented students to national and international competitions. KU Law won two national championship titles during the 20222023 season: the National Native American Law Student Association (NNALSA) Moot Court Competition and the Federal Bar Association’s Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition. This is the third year in a row KU won the NNALSA Moot Court Competition. www.kuendowment.org 21

ACROSS KU

THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS CANCER CENTER RECEIVES HISTORIC GIFT FOR NEW FACILITY The University of Kansas Cancer Center received an unprecedented $100 million gift from the Sunderland Foundation to establish a leading-edge cancer center. The gift is the largest donation in the foundation’s history and the most substantial ever received by the University of Kansas and The University of Kansas Health System.

The financial commitment provided by the Sunderland Foundation symbolizes hope and the opportunity for people in the Kansas City region to receive the highest level of cancer care close to home. “This vision represents an opportunity for us to use our financial resources to benefit a large and diverse population for many decades to come,” said Charlie Sunderland, Sunderland Foundation secretary. “We have a long history with KU, and we have great trust in this team to make significant strides in the future.”

The donation, paired with the $43 million in congressional funding spearheaded by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and other gifts, will help build an innovative cancer facility, equipped to provide trailblazing research and superior patient care.

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a building in a single location that would unite the entire cancer care community and better foster innovation and collaboration.

“Cancer is extraordinarily complex,” KU Cancer Center Director Roy Jensen said. “If we want to make a difference, we need to have different disciplines working together.”

KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod added, “This facility will bring together our basic science researchers, our population health researchers, clinical trials researchers and our clinicians under the same roof for the first time here at the University of Kansas.”

This historic project is scheduled to break ground with phase one in fall 2024, pioneering the way for cancer research and cancer care.

“The reality with the building of this center is that people across the country and around the globe will be looking to us to find that cure and provide that treatment,” Sen. Moran said.

The new building represents a transformative initiative that not only signifies progress in clinical care and cancer research, but also anticipates a future where highly personalized treatments and advanced discoveries set the standard in the quest for a cure.

KU ENDOWMENT 101

REGIONAL LEADERS ADVOCATE FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES is vital for

communities to thrive. Fortunately, our regional academic medical center — comprised of the University of Kansas Medical Center and The University of Kansas Health System — is one of the best in the country. It positively impacts the people in our region and offers more options for patients with serious conditions because of the expertise and leadership in medical research and education.

Two of the volunteer organizations that support the academic medical center and serve as champions for its transformative impact are the KU Advancement Board and The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s Cancer Funding Partners council.

The Advancement Board is an advisory group of civic and business leaders from the Kansas City region and beyond that serves as a powerful advocate for the academic medical center. It builds awareness and partnerships and bolsters philanthropic efforts in support of education, research and patient care.

The full board meets twice each year, with committee meetings and board-hosted events held throughout the year. Recent educational programs hosted by the board include programs on mental health and resilience, cancer prevention, how to fall safely and rural health outreach initiatives.

KU Cancer Center’s Cancer Funding Partners council has a similar focus on fundraising, education and outreach. It is made up of volunteers who provide leadership and support of philanthropic initiatives deemed the highest priority by the director of KU Cancer Center. Members serve as advocates for the cancer center in the community, promoting achievements and aspirations. They focus on identifying and educating others who may have an interest in supporting cancer research and patient care at the only National Cancer Institute (NCI) comprehensive cancer center in the region.

The Cancer Funding Partners has been instrumental during the course of the last 10 years in helping KU Cancer Center achieve NCI designation and then comprehensive designation. With the Cancer Funding Partners leading the charge, more than $155 million has been raised to support our efforts since 2012.

Many members of both organizations have experienced the excellent care provided at the academic medical center and KU Cancer Center, either personally or through loved ones and cite this as one reason for their involvement.

They also enjoy the educational, networking and advocacy opportunities and firmly believe the Kansas City region is better because of the exceptional health care resources we have here.

LYDIA ALLEN AND KRISTA ALLEN

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JAYHAWK FAITHFUL

KU’S CONCERNED STUDENTS: FUNDING A 50-YEAR LEGACY OF CIVIC MINDEDNESS

FRIENDS FOR A HALF CENTURY: Rusty Leffel, Casey Eike (on screen) and Jeanne Gorman reminisce about their days of responsible activism on campus. Eike and Gorman spearheaded the founding of the Rusty Leffel Concerned Student Award in 1973.

THE OPENING YEARS OF THE 1970S WERE TUMULTUOUS TIMES AT KU and in the nation.

“It was a tough time. We had Kent State, the Vietnam War and the National Guard on the corners. The Union burned, and the Kansas legislature, I recall, was not very happy with KU students,” said Jeanne Gorman, a KU student during the era.

Gorman and fellow students Casey Eike and Rusty Leffel connected as KU freshmen in these years, and their time as Jayhawks was largely defined by their shared belief in positive action.

They saw the troubled times as an opportunity — one for doing good and making a difference.

Rather than agitating toward anarchism as some of the era’s prominent activists did, Eike, Gorman and Leffel — and others at KU focused on using the system and the ideals of higher education to lobby for students to have a greater say in how their university operates.

With flyers, op-eds and conversations with students, KU leaders and state education authorities, these grassroots organizers slowly moved sentiment in their favor. As involved as so many were, Eike and Gorman felt 24 KU

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one activist in particular was deserving of memorialization.

“Sometimes people didn’t think students had a right to be involved in those kinds of activities,” Gorman said. “And Rusty was the de facto leader, and so we thought that should be recognized.”

As Leffel’s 1973 graduation from KU Law approached, Gorman and Eike decided to honor him with an award — the Rusty Leffel Concerned Student Award. KU Endowment and the university administration were partners in the process, but grassroots efforts saw it to completion.

“I don’t know who came up with the initial idea, but I do remember going around to people’s houses and asking for money,” Eike said.

The award was established with 34 donors, each listed out on a handwritten note.

“When they sent me the card, I cried,” Leffel said. “It’s easy to get someone a tie, but to do something that is a recognition of your ideals, principles and what we were doing together. Wow.” The fund has continued to grow over the years, and Leffel and his wife, Paula, are among its loyal supporters. Today, the award honors three students annually, and each receives $1,000, compared to the initial $25 award. All students are eligible, regardless of GPA. The greatest consideration is demonstrating a devotion to furthering the ideals of the university and of higher education.

As someone who recognizes the importance of everyone’s contributions, Leffel defers when the subject of an important milestone comes up — in this case, the 50th anniversary of the award’s creation. Despite the award bearing his name, Leffel points to Eike and Gorman as its originators.

And, put Leffel in front of the award plaques on the third floor of the Memorial Union, and he’ll tell you story after story about past recipients — even the 2023 recipients he only recently met — but never a word about his own efforts.

HAINES EASON

TIME & PLACE

BREAKING GROUND: Production of the Bob Dole earthwork at the Dole Institute began in April 2023. The finished piece was a highlight of its landmark event in July.

EARTHWORK HONORS LEGENDARY LEADER HOW DO YOU COMMEMORATE A CENTURY? When the Robert J. Dole Institute

of Politics began planning a landmark event honoring its 20th anniversary and the 100th birthday of its namesake, staff wanted the celebration to leave a mark on Kansas.

To help accomplish this, the Dole Institute turned to Stan Herd, a Kansas artist best known for his large-scale portraits made from natural materials. The artist’s earthwork portrait of Bob Dole became the focal point of the landmark event. The public experienced the artistic process in action as the piece came to life during the three months Herd and his team worked on the hillside east of the Dole Institute.

“We wanted to honor Senator Dole and the Dole Institute as his living legacy with a landmark tribute that invited the public into the creative process and engaged future generations with the story of a great Kansan,” said Audrey Coleman, director of the Dole Institute of Politics.

The artwork featured an image of a younger Senator Dole looking upward reminiscent of the politician’s campaign photos encircled by more than 1,000 tiles with

designs that were created by students across the state.

“The Dole Institute strives to inspire the next generation of leaders,” Coleman said.

“The opportunity to conduct outreach around Kansas was a unique opportunity for us. We couldn’t be more pleased with the results of the submissions of artwork by students across Kansas — from Abilene to Zenda.”

While the earthwork has begun the process of returning to the ground, the mission of the Dole Institute remains more steadfast than ever and invites others to be part of the organization’s next 20 years.

“The Dole Institute is a treasure here at KU and in Kansas,” Coleman said. “Right here in the middle of the country, as we encourage people to find common ground, our programs are building the leadership our CARRY ON THE democracy needs. We understand DOLE LEGACY the challenges, we have what To be part of the Dole Institute’s it takes and we start every day future, contact determined to make a difference.

Lynate Pettengill at 785-832-7424 And taking time to celebrate that or lpettengill@ hard work with stunning publicly kuendowment.org. engaged art is important too.”

EMILY BECKER

www.kuendowment.org 25

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