2023 K Ring Celebration

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JAYHAWK K RING CELEBRATION

MAY 1, 2023

DEAR JAYHAWKS,

WELCOME TO THE 2023 JAYHAWK K RING CELEBRATION!

This event is a time-honored tradition and is one of the most monumental moments of your student-athlete journey at the University of Kansas. As a KU alumnus myself, I am humbled and privileged to share the events of this evening with you. The resilience and achievements this class displayed throughout the past couple of years is inspiring and has continually given hope to many individuals and communities.

Collectively, your class has provided Kansas Athletics and Jayhawk Nation with many memorable moments and we are honored to recognize your accomplishments. Your commitment to success both on and off the playing field has culminated in five Big 12 Team Championships, six Individual Big 12 titles, 149 Academic All-Big 12 First Team accolades, 11 Athletic All-American awards, and one team National Championship. In addition, this class features 15 recipients of the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award, the conference’s highest academic honor. That’s called leaving a legacy — a legacy of which you should be very proud.

It is my honor to recognize your commitment and accomplishments as a class. You have helped elevate our tradition of exceptionalism. The K Ring bonds generations of student-athletes to the University of Kansas and acknowledges your contribution to our storied history. As you place the ring on your finger, remember that this signifies the unity and shared experiences among all KU student-athletes.

In just a short time, you will be reaching the cherished milestone of graduation. As you pass through the Campanile Bell Tower, one chapter of your journey will end, and another chapter will begin. I hope the lessons you learned as a Jayhawk student-athlete will empower you to bring character and integrity to your chosen profession, create positive change in your communities, and inspire you to strive for excellence. In the future, when you wear your ring, take time to cherish your Jayhawk memories, treasure your friendships, and know you will always have a home at the University of Kansas.

Wherever life takes you, remember...

Once a Jayhawk, always a Jayhawk!

Rock Chalk!

Sincerely,

THIS EVENING’S PROGRAM

Guests, please be seated by 6:30 p.m.

WELCOME

Wayne Simien, Associate AD of Engagement and Outreach (Men’s Basketball)

OPENING REMARKS

Travis Goff, Director of Athletics

Douglas A. Girod, MD, Chancellor

PRESENTATION OF THE SENIORS

K CLUB LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD

presentation by Maggie Mohrfeld, K Club President (Volleyball)

Andrea Norris, Director of K Club (Track & Field)

PRENTICE GAUTT BIG 12 POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

presentation by

Susan Williams, PhD, Chair of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Faculty Athletics Representative

Ryan King, Associate AD for Student-Athlete Support Services

Sandra Gautt, PhD

This award pays tribute to Prentice Gautt, former outstanding University of Oklahoma football player, who served as the ultimate role model for excellence in academics and athletics. To honor the lifetime service of the late Associate Commissioner of the Big 12, the conference established 24 postgraduate scholarships to be awarded to two seniors from each institution who have demonstrated their commitment to excellence in academics and have pledged to continue their education in graduate school.

ROBERT E. FREDERICK SENIOR SCHOLAR ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

presentation by Travis Goff

Nicole Corcoran, Deputy AD for Sports Administration and Student-Athlete Well-Being/SWA

This award honors Robert E. Frederick, former Director of Athletics and Professor at the University of Kansas. A Jayhawk for most of his career, he earned all three of his degrees from KU, was a member of the basketball team and served as an assistant basketball coach. The award pays tribute to Dr. Frederick’s dedication to excellence at KU and was named in his honor when he retired as the Director of Athletics in 2001.

SENIOR ADDRESS

presentation by Kai Alexander, Senior (Rowing)

ALMA MATER AND ROCK CHALK CHANT

Led by Hannah Hawks, Junior (Women’s Golf)

SENIOR CLASS PHOTO

K CLUB CELEBRATION TOAST

CONGRATULATIONS, SENIORS

BASEBALL

Jake Baker

Business Administration

Collin Baumgartner

Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences (master’s)

Jackson Cobb

Communication Studies; Sport Management minor

Cole Elvis

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Sam Ireland

Liberal Arts & Sciences

MEN’S BASKETBALL

DaJuan Harris

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Michael Jankovich

Finance

Cam Martin

Sport Management (master’s)

Kevin McCullar

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Jalen Wilson

Communication Studies; Sport Management minor

Joseph Yesufu

Business Administration

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Chisom Ajekwu

Community Health; Psychology minor

Chandler Prater

Communication Studies; Leadership Studies minor; Business minor

FOOTBALL

Tabor Allen

Finance; Jennett Finance Scholars Program

Jelani Arnold

Sport Management; Journalism minor; Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences (master’s)

Jason Bean

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Jacob Borcilla

Finance

Earl Bostick

Supply Chain Management; Business Administration (master’s)

Sam Burt

Environmental Studies; Environmental Assessment Certificate

Mac Copeland

Communication Studies; Business minor; Leadership Studies Certificate

Zion Debose

Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences (master’s)

Kalon Gervin

Curriculum & Instruction (master’s)

Hayden Hatcher

Communication Studies; Business minor

Kwinton Lassiter

Liberal Arts & Sciences; Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences (master’s)

Malcom Lee

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Torry Locklin

Sport Management; Business minor

Lorenzo McCaskill

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Ron McGee

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Mike Novitsky

Communication Studies; Sport Management (minor)

Jordan Preston

Business Administration

Spencer Roe

Sport Management; Business (minor)

Caleb Sampson Psychology;

Sport Management (minor)

Kevin Terry

Liberal Arts & Sciences; Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences (master’s)

Eddie Wilson

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Trevor Wilson

Liberal Arts & Sciences

MEN’S GOLF

Sion Audrain

Finance

Henry Lierz

Finance

Zachary Sokolofsky Marketing

WOMEN’S GOLF

Esme Hamilton

Entrepreneurship Graduate Certificate

Pear Pooratanaopa Economics; Business minor

(continued on next page)

ROWING

Kai Alexander

Anthropology; Journalism minor; Gender, Law & Policy Certificate

Karlie Brewer

Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies; Anthropology minor

Loretta Brueckner

Business Analytics (master’s); Entrepreneurship Graduate Certificate

Danielle Brunig Geology; English minor; Honors Program

Amanda Ferguson Sport Management; Psychology minor

Amber Haden

Psychology; Deaf Studies & Social Justice

Certificate

Jaydn Jay

Strategic Communications; Business minor; Business Administration (MBA)

Ty Kelly-Martin

Exercise Science; Sport Management minor

Grace Morris Wallrapp

Finance; Jennett Finance Scholars Program

Shay Pemberton

Community Health; Applied Behavioral Sciences minor

Savanah Skack

Architectural Engineering

Stella Warren

Exercise Science

SOCCER

Lia Beyer

Social Work; Business minor

Rylan Childers

Elementary Education

Kaela Hansen

Sport Management; Business minor

Elizabeth Prybylski

Political Science; Applied Behavioral Sciences minor; National Security minor

Mya Sheridan Economics

Grace Wiltgen

Exercise Science; Psychology

SOFTBALL

Shayna Espy

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Haleigh Harper

Exercise Science

Peyton Renzi

Community Health; Psychology minor

Jordan Richards

Business Administration (MBA)

SWIM & DIVE

Dewi Blose

Management & Leadership; Supply Chain Management

Mackenzie Bravence

Speech, Language, Hearing: Sciences & Disorders; Applied Behavioral Sciences minor; Learning & Communication in Children with Autism Certificate

Amanda Fingerut

Speech, Language, Hearing: Sciences & Disorders; Applied Behavioral Sciences minor

Autumn Looney

Management & Leadership; Human Resources Management minor

Kaitlyn Witt

Mechanical Engineering: Biomechanical; Bioengineering (master’s)

TENNIS

Carmen Roxana

Psychology; Sport Management minor

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD

Joshua Dick Finance

Colin Dwyer

Master of Architecture

Clay Eckert

Marketing

Ethan Fogle

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Marcus Freeman

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Chandler Gibbens

Accounting; Political Science

Samuel Hubert

Mechanical Engineering; Bioengineering Certificate

Patrick Larrison Communication Studies; Business minor; Professional Communication Certificate

Nicholas McMillin

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Tyler Pride

General Studies

Creed Puyear Sport Management; Business minor

Xavier Wolf

Communication Studies; Psychology minor

(continued) (continued on next page)

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD

Makenna Anderson

Elementary Education; Linguistics minor

Rylee Anderson

Exercise Science; Healthcare Management minor

Addison Coppinger

Chemical Engineering

Lorielle Daniel

Community Health; Applied Behavioral Sciences minor

Clare Fallon

Exercise Science

Saudia Heard

Business Analytics (master’s)

Avryl Johnson

Industrial Design; History of Art minor

Faten Laribi

Sport Management; Business minor

Evann Seratte

Psychology; Applied Behavioral Sciences minor

Samantha Van Hoecke

Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology; Psychology minor

Satanya Wright

Social Work (master’s)

VOLLEYBALL

Lauren Dooley

Sport Management (master’s)

Kennedy Farris

Community Health; Psychology minor

Riley Foltz

Chemical Engineering

Rachel Langs

Speech-Language Pathology (master’s)

Anezka Szabo

Sport Management (master’s)

Gracie Van Driel

Digital Content Strategy (master’s)

(continued)

THE K RING

The K Ring symbolizes a uniquely shared experience between generations of varsity letter winners at the University of Kansas. As a Jayhawk you are expected to uphold tradition and retain the characteristics of a champion while continuing to create your own legacy.

The Crimson in the ring depicts passion with purpose as you maintain your lifelong devotion to excellence.

The Blue in the ring signifies loyalty to your university and your enduring commitment to integrity and service.

The K personifies the spirit of the mentally tough competitor who came before you and the one that lives within you.

ALMA MATER

THE CRIMSON AND THE BLUE, WRITTEN IN 1891

Far above the golden valley

Glorious to view, Stands our noble Alma Mater, Towering toward the blue.

CHORUS:

Lift the chorus ever onward, Crimson and the blue

Hail to thee, our Alma Mater

Hail to old KU.

FOLLOWED BY THE ROCK CHALK CHANT

THANK YOU

Thank you for your dedication to the University of Kansas, to your sport and to Kansas Athletics — and for being with us this evening to celebrate these special student-athletes.

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