Spring 2021
RETURN OF THE
GU RDIANS
THE QUEST TO CONQUER ALL CANCERS HONORING A LIFETIME OF PUBLIC SERVICE
MEMORIAL CAMPANILE MILESTONE This year marks the 70th anniversary since the University of Kansas dedicated the Memorial Campanile to the 277 men and women who gave their lives during World War II. On May 27, 1951, thousands of Jayhawks gathered on Mount Oread to hear the bells chime and honor the brave KU students and alumni who died in the war and the 8,000 who served. The next year, walking through the Campanile during graduation became a lasting tradition. Commencement for KU’s Class of 2021 is scheduled to be held May 16 on campus, and the Class of 2020 will be similarly honored on May 23.
SPRING 2021
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 David B. Dillon PRESIDENT Dale Seuferling AVP, COMMUNICATIONS AND DONOR RELATIONS Michelle Keller PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Valerie Gieler CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jodi Bouyack, Katherine Corliss, Valerie Gieler, R. Tyler Habiger, Ansley Reynolds, Victoria Sickinger, Michelle Strickland, Shelly Triplett SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Sarah Meiers 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 elephant grotesque is one of eight statues re-created to replace the weathered originals that guarded Dyche Hall for more than a century. Descendants of the original sculptor, Cheryl Frazee Burdette and her daughter, Evin Burdette Wood, supported the project by adopting this statue. PHOTOGRAPHY Ann Dean, 4-5 | iStockphoto, 4, 5, 14 | KU Endowment, IFC-1, 3, 5, 7 | KU Endowment/Lisa Scheller, 21 | Mark McDonald, 15, 20, Back Cover | Earl Richardson, 2 | University of Kansas/ Meg Kumin, Cover, 8, 9, 11, 13, 20 | University of Kansas/Tim Seeley, 4 | University of Kansas/Andy White, 10, 11, 12 | University of Kansas/Whitney Young, 9, 10 | Mike Yoder, 18, 19 | Contributed photos, 16, 17, 21, 22, 24 Some photos show KU and KU Medical Center before the COVID-19 pandemic. Protect KU protocols were followed for current photos. For information about how Jayhawks are living, studying and working on KU campuses, visit protect.ku.edu and kumc.edu/covid-19.
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PRESIDENT’S NOTE
KU CONNECTIONS WHEN I FIRST MET MADISON (AL) AND LILA SELF IN 1987, I had no idea they would be
Lila and Madison (Al) Self at the dedication of Eaton Hall in October 2003, outside the Self Computing Commons.
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among the most generous donors to the University of Kansas. Truly, the Selfs likely didn’t anticipate this either. Although it has been eight years since Al and Lila died months apart, their influence is felt every day through the Jayhawks who continue to benefit from their vision. With their lifetime and estate gifts, the Selfs donated $106 million to KU, largely to support students. That’s fitting since Al and Lila met as KU students. They married in 1943, shortly after Al graduated with a bachelor’s in chemical engineering. Their contributions to KU began with modest, consistent gifts to support the university’s greatest needs. The Selfs’ philanthropy grew steadily over the years, primarily supporting leadership programs for promising students. I knew Al and Lila for 25 years, and I deeply appreciated their kindness, consideration and friendly nature. They loved KU and focused their interest on student success, in part due to many conversations with Frances Horowitz to develop program strategies. She was the KU vice chancellor for research, graduate studies and public services from 1978-1991. Upon learning of the recent death of Horowitz, I was reminded about her ability to link ideas with action. She was a force for progress who paved the way for KU to become a nationally recognized research institution. With the Selfs, Horowitz planted the seed for the Self Graduate Fellowship. She explored educational goals and campus needs to match their passion for investing in accomplished students with long-term university success. Once the idea for the fellowship took hold, the couple worked with university leaders for more than 15 years to achieve their vision. Al knew what he wanted to accomplish and often thought about how things could improve. Before a conversation with university partners ended, he always asked, “What do you think?” In 2007, the Selfs were inspired to create a similar program for undergraduates in the School of Engineering. The couple regularly visited campus to connect with students and share their experiences. Al was disciplined. He never wanted to make a promise he couldn’t keep. He approached the couple’s involvement with the same commitment and passion that made him successful in business. Under Al’s leadership, the once-small Bee Chemical Co. in Lansing, Ill., became an international operation. Lila was adept at building relationships. She always traveled with Al on business trips, making friends around the world and studying art, history and culture. The Selfs devoted considerable resources to help KU students grow into the leaders our society needs. Their legacy will live on by advancing Jayhawk leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship far into the future. You can read more about the Self programs on Page 6.
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EVERY GIFT MATTERS
HONORING A LIFETIME OF PUBLIC SERVICE THE JAYHAWK COMMUNITY LOST AN INCREDIBLY GIFTED LEADER AND FRIEND when Reggie Robinson died on
Sept. 19, 2020. A beloved faculty member and administrator at KU for more than four decades, Robinson leaves a remarkable legacy of public service and leadership. He was most recently CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation, a position Robinson considered his “dream job.” Prior to that, he served as vice chancellor for public affairs at the University of Kansas; director of KU’s School of Public Affairs and Administration; president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents; a faculty member at the Washburn and KU schools of law; chief of staff to Chancellor Robert Hemenway; a White House fellow; special assistant to Attorney General Janet Reno; and U.S. deputy associate attorney general. Robinson gave back to the community through his service on boards of directors for the Friends of the Spencer Museum of Art, Hall Center for the Humanities, Kansas Leadership Center, Douglas County Community Foundation and Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. He was a KU Endowment life trustee and held advisory roles with the KU Alumni Association. “I was privileged to know Reggie starting with his Jayhawk undergraduate days and throughout his Kansas Board of Regents leadership and work at KU,” said Dale Seuferling, KU Endowment president. “He was even my ‘boss’ when he served on the KU Endowment Board of Trustees. I learned so much from Reggie’s keen intellect, warmth and compassion. He made all Jayhawks proud.” One of the school’s most accomplished alumni, Robinson earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at KU.
LASTING INFLUENCE: Reggie Robinson was a beloved member of the KU community, well-known for his passion, kindness, generosity and infectious smile. A scholarship was established in his memory to benefit KU Law students who are dedicated to serving the common good.
The Reginald L. “Reggie” Robinson Law Scholarship was established to benefit academically talented female students who are committed to public service. So far, more than 330 donors have contributed to the fund including longtime friend Jay Howard and his wife, Julia. Howard has known Robinson since high school, and the two were classmates at KU. “I am sure recipients of this scholarship will come to appreciate Reggie’s impressive legacy of service and accomplishment. Equally impressive, but harder to convey, is Reggie’s humanity — his warmth, compassion and genuine interest in the well-being of others,” Howard said. “His smile could light up a room and make everyone feel a sense of positivity and joy. The world needs a lot more Reggies. I hope future legal scholars are able to know and embrace the totality of his legacy.” Robinson leaves behind his wife, Jane, and their two daughters, Clare and Paige. His legacy also lives on in the countless students, colleagues and friends who benefited from his leadership, mentorship and teaching. Memorial gifts can be made to the Reginald L. “Reggie” Robinson Law Scholarship at www.kuendowment.org/Robinson. JODI BOUYACK
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GIVING SNAPSHOTS
WHY I GIVE “Why do I give to KU? Simple. KU gave
to me as an undergraduate in the form of academic scholarships which helped cover the cost of tuition and fees. I’m committed to giving back. I’m committed to helping students survive and thrive. Because KU shaped the rest of my life.”
David Cicotello, bachelor’s in English 1975, master’s in English 1977, Murfreesboro, Tenn. Gift to establish the David and Louis Cicotello Memorial Fund
“We want to pay forward the blessings
we have received. There is no better way than to continue the education of future ophthalmologists right here in Kansas. Our fund will allow for new projects that might otherwise not be possible.”
John E. Sutphin, M.D., Luther L. and Ardis Fry Professor and Chair, Ophthalmology, and Emily M. Sutphin, Leawood, Kan. Gift to create the John E. and Emily M. Sutphin Opportunity Fund in Ophthalmology
“We believe our role in life is to plant seeds for trees whose shade we may never enjoy. Such is the goal of this award. We hope to support and spur the future leaders who will shape health care delivery within our nation’s communities — particularly the underserved and vulnerable.”
Nicholas Tejeda, master’s in health services administration 2007, and Elena Tejeda, bachelor’s in sociology 2004, El Paso, Texas Gift to establish the Tejeda Future Healthcare Leader Award
“As a Douthart Hall alumna, I often
reminisce about meeting my best friend in the hall’s kitchen — the first of many memories and friendships that lasted long after my time on Mount Oread. My experience is shared by many of today’s scholarship hall residents: They cook, eat and study as a group. Residents form a tight-knit social circle, developing friendships that last a lifetime. This inspired me to create a scholarship fund to support future residents in perpetuity.”
Danielle Christiano, M.D. 2005, bachelor’s in human biology and microbiology 1999, Winter Haven, Fla. Gift to establish the Christiano Scholarship
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“The University of Kansas afforded both of
us an outstanding academic foundation and the opportunity to develop relationships that have been integral to our lives in the years since. We are grateful for our affiliation with the university, and we hope our gift will help others have an equally enriching experience.”
Carody Wise, bachelor’s in humanities 1974, MBA 1976, and James Wise, bachelor’s in social work 1970, master’s in audiology 1974, doctorate in audiology 1993, Lake Quivira, Kan. Gift to create the Wise Family Audiology Leadership Development fund
“I was inspired to pay forward the
opportunity I received. It’s my hope this scholarship will in some small way reduce the financial burden on students from rural Kansas who are pursuing a law degree from the KU School of Law.”
“It’s my hope this
scholarship will in some small way reduce the financial burden on students from rural Kansas.” —Elizabeth Schartz
“I really respect the amount of time
physicians gave me and how much time and effort goes into that in Wichita. I think it behooves the Wichita alumni to start stepping up and helping that program along.” Don Seidel, M.D. 1989, bachelor’s in human biology 1985, and Brenda Seidel, bachelor’s in health professions 1986, Tulsa, Okla.
Gift commitment to the KU School of Medicine-Wichita
Elizabeth Schartz, J.D. 1988, Dallas, Texas Gift to establish the Elizabeth A. Schartz Law Scholarship
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A SELFLESS LEGACY MADISON AND LILA SELF’S GIFTS KEEP GIVING BY R. TYLER HABIGER
KU
DOCTORAL STUDENT MAX FAIRLAMB IS FASCINATED BY
PROTEINS. LIKE TINY MACHINES IN OUR CELLS, EACH PROTEIN USES A UNIQUE MECHANISM TO DO ITS JOB. “The more we
learn about them, the more adept we can become at designing synthetic proteins to fight diseases, generate energy or break down chemical waste,” Fairlamb said. He recently designed and built a specialized fluorescent microscope allowing him to record video of proteins working together to repair DNA. Fairlamb said the project was only possible because he is part of the Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship, which provides him funding to conduct research. Fairlamb, who is studying biochemistry and molecular biology, also is grateful for the fellowship’s unique training. “The Fellow Development Program fills in the training gaps left by graduate school with in-person workshops and personalized training with leading experts, so students are well prepared for real-life challenges,” Fairlamb said. “The lessons have helped me in almost every aspect of my life.” This opportunity and many like it are thanks to the generosity of Madison (Al) and Lila Self, two incredible Jayhawks. After decades of success in the engineering field, the Selfs chose to invest their considerable wealth in their alma mater. From the couple’s first gift in 1978 to a final estate gift following their deaths in 2013, they became KU’s largest individual donors with lifetime giving of $106 million. 6 KU
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The Selfs launched the Self Graduate Fellowship in 1989 because they believed developing and investing in young leaders was vital for a successful future. It is a merit-based program made up of an interdisciplinary group of doctoral students that come from 21 different eligible academic fields. To date, 165 doctoral students have completed the four-year fellowship. Each of the 41 current participants receive annual support of $32,000 through a graduate research assistantship. Additionally, the fellowship covers tuition, fees and the employer’s share of student health insurance costs. The total value of the fellowship exceeds $180,000. Vice Provost for Graduate Studies Jennifer Roberts credits the Selfs for this unique approach. “The leadership curriculum developed by the Selfs envisioned doctoral training that emphasized disciplinary training combined with the soft skills of leadership, interpersonal effectiveness, communication and collaboration,” she said. The Selfs were inspired by the success of the graduate program and worked with the university to create a similar experience for undergraduates in 2007. When freshman Beatriz Toro was deciding where to attend college for chemical engineering, KU stood out because of this unique opportunity. The Self Engineering Leadership Fellows (SELF) program provides a cohort of likeminded students and the ability to graduate with little to no student debt. “The idea of a program that would help me develop my leadership skills in a professional
setting really interested me,” Toro said. “I realized this program would give me the tools I needed to prepare myself for a professional engineering career and help me develop my passion for leadership.” Each SELF Fellow is eligible for more than $30,000 in scholarships and grants. Through a combination of classroom and hands-on learning, all 130 fellows develop their leadership skills through special courses and visits to Fortune 500 companies. Upon graduation, fellows have a 100% employment rate and join an international network of more than 200 alumni. Sabrea Platz, a fellow and senior majoring in mechanical engineering, has taken nothing for granted. “My favorite aspect of the program has been the time I have spent with my cohort,” Platz said. “I have made close and lasting friendships, and our responsibilities to the fellowship have brought us even closer. We have had the opportunity to relax and explore together during our free time on our ‘SELF on the Road’ trip to Boston, but also faced the challenges and rigors associated with planning and executing events. I know the connections I have made in the SELF Program will be lasting.” An additional opportunity envisioned by the Selfs and created through their estate was a
TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT: Madison (Al) and Lila Self believed investing in students and education was the key to making a difference in the world. The effects of their decades-long generosity are difficult to quantify — more than 500 Jayhawks have benefited from life-changing opportunities, and KU programs have advanced in immeasurable ways.
program to support Jayhawk undergraduates transitioning to a KU graduate degree. The Madison and Lila Self Memorial Scholarship was set up in 2018 to provide a $10,000 scholarship award and a development program for 10 to 20 recipients each year. The lasting impact of the Selfs’ generosity is deeply felt by the students their funds support. “Throughout college, knowing I was financially supported, I was able to focus on my studies and take the path that was best for my future without worrying about financial strain,” Platz said. Al and Lila Self believed in the transformative power of a KU education. That legacy will continue through gifts that keep on giving. “The support provided by the Selfs has changed my life and the lives of so many others,” Fairlamb said. “Stories of their charm and commitment to student empowerment are still being shared by students. What the Selfs have built here at KU is extraordinary, and I count myself lucky to be part of such an incredible program.” www.kuendowment.org 7
BY MICHELLE STRICKLAND
KU UNVEILS REIMAGINED GROTESQUES THAT HAVE STOOD WATCH OVER DYCHE HALL FOR 114 YEARS
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I
t might not be polite to call a beloved work of art “grotesque.”
But for Cheryl Frazee Burdette, her grandfather’s stone sculptures adorning Dyche Hall at the University of Kansas were just that: grotesques, or fantastical figures, carved to sit atop 12 pedestals on the north, east and south sides of the building. The animalistic guardians, from an ape to a zebra, were installed during the construction of Dyche Hall in 1903. Joseph Roblado Frazee, with help from his son Vitruvius, created them from lower Cottonwood limestone, a fine-grained, bright-white stone quarried in Kansas. When Burdette was a freshman at the University of Kansas in 1957, she passed Dyche Hall as she walked to class from her dorm room at Gertrude Sellards Pearson Hall. “It made me smile and filled me with pride to see the beautiful carvings on this building, knowing my grandfather was the sculptor,” Burdette said. She followed in her grandfather’s artistic footsteps, earning a fine arts degree and enjoying a 30-year career as a fashion illustrator. Now retired, she lives in Lenexa, Kan. Four sculptures were removed in 1963 when an addition was built on the north side of Dyche Hall. They went into storage on West Campus, and one, thought to be a goat, went missing or was stolen, and its whereabouts remain a mystery. The remaining eight kept their watch over Jayhawk Boulevard until 2017, when a renovation of Dyche Hall revealed the grotesques’ heartbreaking erosion from 114 years of exposure to brutal Kansas weather.
WHY THESE CREATURES? Gargoyles (different from grotesques in that they have open mouths and sluice water) sit atop European cathedrals such as Notre Dame in Paris and were thought to be guardians of the sacred world. In that way, Leonard (Kris) Krishtalka, director emeritus of the KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum, believes the grotesques at Dyche Hall were meant to be guardians of the natural world who watch over the work happening inside the museum. There are no paper records that offer insight or indicate what each of the animals might represent. The Rhino’s “J Hawk ?” shield adds to the mystery: it is unclear what the question mark means.
WEATHER-WORN: The original grotesques were beyond repair after more than a century at their post.
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“We decided to take them down to preserve them for history,” said Leonard (Kris) Krishtalka, director emeritus of the KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum, housed in Dyche Hall. “They are unique to Kansas, unique to the university and unique in the United States.” It also was decided they should be re-created, Krishtalka said. As the crumbling grotesques were carefully wrapped, boxed and lowered by crane, the Grotesque Renewal Project began to raise private funds to replace the creatures. The museum requested proposals for resculpting the grotesques, and the winning proposal came from Lawrence artists (and siblings) Laura and Karl Ramberg and KU School of Architecture & Design associate professor and adjunct lecturer (and spouses) Keith and Amy Van de Riet. All four are KU alumni, and the Rambergs credit influence from teachers Bernard “Poco” Frazier and Elden Tefft for their love of sculpting. The Van de Riets focused on the grotesques for a class in the historic preservation program at KU’s School of Architecture & Design. Their students used photogrammetry to take measurements of the original grotesques through photos, then made 3-D printed models. The Rambergs did the sculpting. The education aspect set their bid apart, Krishtalka said. Karl Ramberg made rough carvings out of the large blocks of limestone in a fenced area in front of Dyche Hall, where the university community could watch his progress. Students from a variety of majors — from architecture and design to fine arts — assisted in the initial carving and 3-D modeling. 10 KU
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RESTORING HISTORY: KU photographer Meg Kumin talks with Project Manager Lori Schlenker about the progress of the Dyche Hall renovation (above). Architecture student Elizabeth Overschmidt photographed the original rhino grotesque during the 3-D modeling phase of the project (right). Sculptors and siblings Laura and Karl Ramberg document details of the original grotesques as they develop a plan to reconstruct the creatures (below).
ON EXHIBIT As part of the renewal project, the newly carved grotesques will be displayed in the Panorama gallery when the KU Natural History Museum reopens in May. “The New Grotesques” exhibit features each of the eight statues in individual display cases, a short video introduction to the project, and displays of selected artist sketches and scale models that were created as part of the process. Visitors will be able to explore the process of the artists and view the new grotesques up close through the end of 2021. The original grotesques are part of a new display on the sixth floor. The new statues are expected to be installed on the outside of the building in 2022.
CARVING STATION: Sculptor Karl Ramberg uses hand tools to shape a 1,600-pound slab of Cottonwood limestone into a blocky animal-like shape that will eventually make its way to Laura Ramberg for the final carving. In 2019, Karl Ramberg worked with students, including Mattie Karr (above and left), during the outdoor carving process in front of Dyche Hall.
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Karl Ramberg spent about 40 to 50 hours roughing out each limestone block; once the blocks were cut, Laura Ramberg took over. She referenced one-quarter scale models and made blueprint-like drawings with exact measurements to guide her air hammer, ensuring the new carvings were faithful to the originals. Each grotesque took her about 165 hours and eight weeks to carve. “I had to treat myself like an athlete,” Laura Ramberg said in a video conference celebrating the completion of the statues. “It was important to pace myself because there were several to do, and it was labor-intensive and very focused work.” All eight grotesques were completed by November 2020. More than 80 donors, including the Historic Mount Oread Friends, gave to the overall rejuvenation project. Some donors “adopted” grotesques with major gifts.
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MONSTER MARATHON: Sculpting the details on the eight grotesques was a monumental effort requiring precision and athletic endurance for Laura Ramberg. Carving them took approximately 1,320 hours and 64 weeks.
Bat/Winged Dragon “KU” Sponsored by Steven Cook and Linda Zarda Cook
Zebra
Sponsored by Thomas A. Rudkin and Janette Crawford Rudkin
Dog
Sponsored by Jeff and Mary Haynes Weinberg, Jedel Family Foundation
Steven Cook and Linda Zarda Cook of Houston adopted several grotesques: the cat, the ape, the bat/winged dragon and the rhino, which are all on the front (east side) of Dyche Hall. When the Cooks heard about the poor state of the statues, they decided to contribute to the project. Linda, a KU alumna from the School of Engineering and a KU Endowment trustee, said after a visit during which they saw the deteriorated grotesques in person, they decided to adopt four. “It’s a bit like deciding to get a puppy, and when you go to the adoption center, they’re all so cute, you end up coming home with two or more,” she said. Linda said giving to KU has always brought her joy, and she has typically given to general funds and allows the university to direct the use of her gifts to where they’re needed most. But she couldn’t resist the chance to support something “more tangible.” “You just don’t get that many chances in life to adopt a grotesque!” she said. Cheryl Frazee Burdette and her daughter, Evin Burdette Wood, adopted the elephant, which bears a shield on its chest that says “Rock Chalk.”
Cat
Sponsored by Steven Cook and Linda Zarda Cook
Ape
Sponsored by Steven Cook and Linda Zarda Cook
Elephant “Rock Chalk”
Sponsored by Cheryl Frazee Burdette and Evin Burdette Wood
Rhino “J Hawk ?”
Sponsored by Steven Cook and Linda Zarda Cook
Lion
Sponsored by John R. Kelly and Muff Latimore Kelly
Burdette says one of the most important aspects of this project, to her, is the recognition her grandfather is receiving for his skillful, creative work. “Now people will know his name and hopefully remember it,” she said. She felt a wave of passion propel her toward giving to the project, not just because of her family connection, but because she wanted to be involved in something greater than her own world and gain a deeper connection to her alma mater. That connection, manifested through family, art, architecture and beauty, is one Burdette hopes will encourage more students to choose KU and find as much love for the university as she has. “Beauty is good for the eyes and great for the soul, even on a college campus,” Burdette said. And, thanks to the generosity of many, the reimagined grotesques will continue their predecessors’ watch over the natural world as their fierce beauty draws new generations of eyes up in curiosity and wonder.
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WITHIN REACH THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS CANCER CENTER’S QUEST TO CONQUER ALL CANCERS
BY VALERIE GIELER
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T
HE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS CANCER CENTER IS ON AN URGENT JOURNEY TO PREVENT AND
CURE ALL CANCERS. Their quest is personal because cancer
affects all of us. Nearly everyone has been touched by the tragedy of this disease through family, friends, neighbors or co-workers. And the impact to our society continues to escalate — the number of cancer diagnoses is expected to increase by as much as 50% in the next 10 years. One in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. It is vital for people in our communities to receive world-class cancer care close to home because lives are at stake. KU Cancer Center reached a significant milestone in 2012 by achieving National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation, one of only 71 in the nation. Designation matters because patients who go to NCI-Designated Cancer Centers have a 25% greater chance of survival. Although it was a significant accomplishment, this was just the first step in KU Cancer Center’s journey. They aspire to achieve NCI Comprehensive designation, the premier ranking awarded to the very best cancer centers. There is more to do “Comprehensive Cancer Center status is not just about achieving a higher level of designation — it is about expanding research and prevention activities and improving the health of the people in our communities,” said Roy Jensen, M.D., KU Cancer Center director. “It is about stopping cancer before it starts.” KU Cancer Center recently launched “Within Reach: The Quest to Conquer All Cancers,” a campaign to rally support for the effort. Private partnerships and philanthropy are needed to help them do more. With more research, education and prevention, clinical trials and treatments, lives will be saved. “Cancer is profoundly personal, and each member of our Within Reach team is committed to bringing the next level of research and cancer care to our area,” Jensen said.
“Cancer is profoundly personal, and each member of our Within Reach team is committed to bringing
the next level of research and cancer care to our area.” ROY JENSEN, M.D. DIRECTOR, THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS CANCER CENTER WILLIAM R. JEWELL DISTINGUISHED KANSAS MASONIC PROFESSOR
BENCH TO BEDSIDE FACEBOOK LIVE Join Roy Jensen, M.D., and other experts from The University of Kansas Cancer Center on Facebook Live every Wednesday at 10 a.m. CST to learn about the latest news and developments related to cancer care, clinical trials and research. www.kuendowment.org 15
“I witness my patients’ struggles, and it motivates me to
do more.” ANWAAR SAEED, M.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Research is key Nearly all new cancer treatments developed since 1971 originated from research conducted at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers. Research will ultimately defeat this disease — physicians and scientists with strong clinical expertise and a passion for discovery are essential for meaningful advances. KU Cancer Center aims to add more experts to the team, with a particular focus on physician-scientists who treat patients and conduct academic research. “My studies stem from my experience treating patients,” said Anwaar Saeed, M.D., a KU Cancer Center physician-scientist and associate professor. “I witness their struggles, and it motivates me to do more.” Clinical trials are another important part of the discovery process. Most cancer treatments used today were studied and made available to patients through clinical research and trials. In the last six years, KU Cancer Center researchers have advanced seven new cancer drugs into clinical trials. Being able to offer the latest clinical trials available gives patients more options for innovative therapy and more hope for survival. “Translating lab discoveries to the clinic requires a significant amount of research dollars,” Saeed said. “As an NCI-Designated Cancer Center, achieving comprehensive status supports more research investment and higher chances of bench-to-bedside discoveries. We look forward to the day when the majority of cancer patients are treated based on their tumor molecular signature.” Education and outreach According to the American Institute of Cancer Research, nearly 50% of all cancers are preventable. KU Cancer Center is a leader in educating the public and promoting cancer prevention strategies, including early screening. They have plans to strengthen these programs and also are expanding
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS CANCER CENTER’S IMPACT access through the Masonic Cancer Alliance network of hospitals and health care organizations across Kansas and western Missouri. KU Cancer Center experts share knowledge and resources with these partners to ensure geography isn’t a barrier to receiving the latest information and cancer treatments. A home for science Plans are underway for a new cancer research facility that will bring scientists together in one location. Currently, labs and researchers are scattered across the Kansas City metro area. This was noted by the NCI as an area KU Cancer Center needs to address to strengthen their application for comprehensive designation. The future building will be dedicated to cancer research and care, with space allocated for growth. It will unite researchers across scientific disciplines and encourage collaboration. “We need a space that supports our vision to conquer all cancers,” Jensen said. “The new facility will support true team science, allowing us to pool the expertise and resources of many. Research becomes transformative when we break down the silos and come together.” A core team of KU Cancer Center supporters and community members are mapping out a strategy to raise funds for the facility. Once funded, construction will take about three years. Partners for the journey “Earning NCI Comprehensive designation is the world’s most prestigious institutional honor in oncology, awarded to just 1% of cancer centers nationwide,” said Terry Tsue, M.D., KU Cancer Center physician in chief. “It will have a lasting impact on our community and our region for generations to come. It means we will have more resources allocated to finding cures and be able to
• Unmatched expertise close to home
° 350 cancer researchers and clinicians ° 150 disease-specific oncologists • 25,000+ people enrolled in clinical trials since 2010
° Manage nearly 600 clinical trials ° Actively enrolling patients in 250 trials • 350 bone marrow transplants annually • Research boosts the economy
° $459 million in federal research funding since 2007
° $2.5 billion contributed to the regional economy and 4,100 jobs (2007–2022)
recruit the brightest stars in cancer care and research.” Achieving this important designation will only be possible with the community’s support and involvement. KU Cancer Center aims to do nothing less than fundamentally transform the cancer experience — to give people in the region greater access to breakthrough ideas, novel treatments and cancer prevention strategies. Together, conquering cancer is Within Reach.
YOU CAN HELP
It takes a community to prevent, treat and cure cancer. Contact Minda Mason at 913-562-2721 or mmason@kuendowment.org to learn more.
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KU STUDENT PORTRAIT
WHAT’S IN YOUR BACKPACK? “MY HIJAB,” said Radhia Abdirahman, a junior from
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, double majoring in human biology and global international studies and minoring in African and African diasporic languages. “My spirituality is an important component of who I am, and my hijab embodies that piece of me.” With her double major and minor, Abdirahman aspires to work in public health and focus on infectious diseases and global communities. “I’m really interested in looking at marginalized identities and the intersections between refugees, immigrants, people who live in the U.S. and people of color — and trying to reduce health disparities.” Abdirahman’s passion is working with people and giving back to the community. She started college when she was 17 and believes getting involved at KU aided in a smooth transition. On campus, she’s been part of the University Honors Program, Muslim Student Association and the Center for Community Outreach (CCO). As vice president of the Muslim Student Association, she introduced a big/little mentorship 18 KU
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program for college and high school students at the local mosque. She planned CCO’s 30th anniversary fundraising event, which supported 12 programs including Hawks for Health, Jubilee Cafe and the Campus Cupboard. She also was an Integrated Arts Research Initiative fellow through the Spencer Museum of Art and was recently named as KU’s 2021–22 Newman Civic Fellow, a national leadership program. Abdirahman plans to graduate in May 2022 and attend graduate school. Her goal is to eventually work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She is grateful for her KU experience and the support she has received. Scholarships and awards have provided extended learning opportunities that inspired her path. “My internship with Dr. Kathryn Rhine really changed what I wanted to do. It truly took everything I was interested in — cultural competency, a focus on Africa, health, social justice — and put it into one internship. Experiences outside of the classroom helped me figure out what I want to do.” ANSLEY REYNOLDS
KU FACULTY PORTRAIT
WHAT’S IN YOUR BRIEFCASE? “MY PASSPORT,” said Dr. Bozenna Pasik-Duncan,
Ph.D., professor of mathematics and courtesy professor of electrical engineering and computer science and aerospace engineering. “I consider myself a global citizen. I’ve visited more than 55 countries, given talks at international conferences and have been a visiting scholar in many countries. My mother used to say, ‘you live on and with your suitcase’.” Pasik-Duncan was born in Poland and studied at the University of Warsaw before moving to the U.S. for an International Research Exchange Fellowship. “Mathematics gave me a foundation. It’s a foundation for all sciences because mathematics is about thinking — logical and critical thinking.” Her primary research interest is stochastic adaptive control — using probability and the theory of randomness to predict outcomes. “Stochastic is random, and every environment is random. All of us have to adapt. What we learn today helps us adapt and do better tomorrow.” Teaching is one of Pasik-Duncan’s greatest passions. “I call my students my angels. No matter what obstacle
I’m dealing with, when I interact with creative students, I don’t know how you could ever think anything negative.” Inspiring women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is another focus for Pasik-Duncan. She co-founded the Women in Control group within the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Control Systems Society, chaired the Women in Engineering group of 20,000 global members and speaks internationally to engage women in STEM fields. She mentors K-12 teachers, has been recognized by the Association for Women in Mathematics and was one of the first KU Women of Distinction in 2004. Pasik-Duncan loves KU and calls herself the university’s best ambassador. Being a Chancellors Club Professor, an honor made possible by KU donors, has given her new opportunities. “The university is part of me. I cannot use even Polish words to express my gratitude for that award because my life became richer with the added research and professorship.” ANSLEY REYNOLDS
www.kuendowment.org 19
ACROSS KU
CAMPUS HAPPENINGS Professorship honors medical pioneer Carol Fabian, M.D., is an innovator in translational medicine, with more than 15 successful clinical trials in breast cancer prevention and treatment. Her work with the Breast Cancer Prevention Center at The University of Kansas Cancer Center has given patients access to leading-edge preventative therapies and care. With a generous $2 million challenge grant to establish the Carol J. Fabian Professorship in Breast Cancer Prevention and Survivorship, the Hall Family Foundation has inspired nearly $2 million in additional gifts from the Patterson Family Foundation, Komen Foundation, Dee and Dave Dillon, and many grateful patients and local advocates. “Dr. Fabian has built an outstanding, nationally renowned program for those who are at high risk for breast cancer,” said Roy Jensen, M.D., director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center. “This professorship supports her pioneering work to discover ways to better predict, prevent and detect breast cancer. I’ve known Dr. Fabian for nearly 40 years now, and I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”
Rapid COVID-19 test moving closer to home use KU’s effort to develop an at-home COVID-19 test is moving closer to commercial readiness. Led by Steven Soper, a KU Foundation Distinguished Professor, the team is repurposing “lab on a chip” technology he KU professor Steven Soper and two had previously created graduate students from his team to quickly diagnose work on the at-home COVID-19 test they are developing. conditions ranging from stroke to cancer. The same concept can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus particles. At-home users would put saliva on a test chip, then use a hand-held device to examine the results, all in about 15 minutes. The team is working with two companies with experience in medical manufacturing to produce the chips and electronic units. They aim to begin production and distribution by the end of the year. 20 KU
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#9
KU School of Medicine in the Top 10 According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 rankings, the KU School of Medicine is the No. 9 medical school in the nation for primary care. The school, with campuses in Kansas City, Salina and Wichita, moved up from 38th place a year ago. It’s the first time KU has made the top 10 since the publication began primary care rankings in 1999.
School of Business hosts selling competition The KU School of Business hosted its first Professional Selling Program competition April 9-10. Sponsored by King’s Hawaiian Sales, the virtual event featured eight schools with the KU team taking home the first prize. “This competition presents a unique opportunity for us to gain exposure to top students interested in a career in sales,” said KU alumnus Patrick Meehan, King’s Hawaiian Sales senior vice president and chief customer officer. The company has committed to support the annual event in the years to come. The program is open to students in all majors.
Gift celebrates research faculty An anonymous donation of $300,000 endowed a doctoral fellowship in the School of Pharmacy. The fellowship will increase opportunities and access for student researchers. The gift was inspired by the donor’s niece, who studied with Rick Dobrowsky, professor of pharmacology and toxicology. It demonstrates the value of lifelong relationships students build with their mentors, and celebrates the dedication of KU research faculty. By aiding promising students who face financial hardship, the fellowship will contribute to the success of future researchers and the overall program.
ACROSS KU
KU research fuels Kansas economy A recent report produced by the Institute for Research on Innovation and Science (IRIS), a national consortium of research universities, details the geographic distribution of KU research-related spending. In 2020, Kansas companies received $38.7 million for goods and services from KU-sponsored research. Revenue from KU research was infused into 80 of 105 Kansas counties, with vendors in 15 of those counties receiving more than $149,000 in purchases. In addition, sponsored research supported the salaries of 3,872 people. Students made up about 34% of research-funded employees, and about 19% were faculty.
Longtime friendship inspires gift to the Dole Institute After meeting in 1987, Kansas Sen. Bob Dole and Jim Xhema, a Connecticut businessman of Albanian descent, have enjoyed a decades-long friendship. Although they grew up worlds apart, both were raised on farms with similar values. A common bond and mutual respect inspired Xhema’s $500,000 gift to the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics. The Jim Xhema Opportunity Fund will provide support for public programs and exhibits. When possible, the fund will sponsor programming and displays featuring Albania, Kosova, Albanian Americans, or the Balkan region in southeastern Europe.
You said it
“I was inspired to give to the Greater KU Fund after participating in KU Endowment’s Zoom call with the chancellor. Dean Kevin Smith and the library team are fantastic champions and stewards of this important resource.” BEVERLY BRADSHAW, BACHELOR’S IN PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION 1978, DALLAS, TEXAS
“We are giving to recognize the importance of the Honors College in helping make a large university function like a small liberal arts college and encourage people to be their best.” LAURA KOENIGS, M.D. 1982, BACHELOR’S IN CHEMISTRY AND ENGLISH 1978, AND KEN KOENIGS, M.D. 1982, BACHELOR’S IN CHEMISTRY 1978, LONGMEADOW, MASS.
“We’re making this gift because we enjoy attending the KU
Scholarship memorializes beloved doctor and friend An effort is underway to endow a scholarship for medical students in memory of Steve Allen, M.D, who died Dec. 23, 2020. Allen graduated from the University of Kansas and then from the KU School of Medicine in 1986. After completing residency in pediatric cardiology in Denver, Allen moved to Wichita where he worked passionately to ensure patients received the best care at The Wichita Clinic. KU School of Medicine classmates Greg Thompson, M.D., professor and program director for neurological surgery at the University of Michigan, and Robert Simari, M.D., executive vice chancellor for KU Medical Center, are championing the scholarship. “Steve was a heroic supporter of his patients and their families and a connector in his world of friends and colleagues. We believe these values should be fostered through this scholarship,” said Simari and Thompson.
Medical Arts Symphony and look forward to many more live performances as our country learns how to fight coronavirus.” MARC AND SHERRY RICHARD, SHAWNEE, KAN.
“I am giving to support scholarships because I know it’s been a tough year for students.” KAREN SAMELSON, BACHELOR’S IN JOURNALISM AND GERMAN 1987, MILWAUKEE, WIS.
www.kuendowment.org 21
ACROSS KU
Eudora Times spring 2021 reporting team — all KU School of Journalism students.
Lucie Krisman
Chris Fortune
Nicole Asbury
RESTORING A COMMUNITY’S VOICE IN 2009, LAWRENCE’S NEIGHBORING TOWN OF EUDORA, KAN., LOST ITS LOCAL NEWSPAPER like many towns did in that era.
Nearly 10 years later, what began as a class project for students in KU’s William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications transformed into an online newspaper and a voice for Eudora’s 6,600 residents. Students in Teri Finneman’s social media class began posting about local events to a Facebook page for the Eudora community. When that page gained in popularity, the reporting class was brought in to cover local news. Facing expenses related to staffing and building the website, KU journalism students spearheaded a crowdfunding project on LaunchKU in fall 2019. With the support of 37 donors, their initial goal of $1,250 was met. More donors stepped forward after the crowdfunding ended. Jennifer McLeod Kassebaum, a School of Journalism alumna and bookstore owner in Council Grove, Kan., was excited to support students and local 22 KU
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Cami Koons
news. Kassebaum inherited stock from her late grandmother in the early 2000s and recently decided to donate it to KU. The Eudora Times project interested Kassebaum, in part, so she could carry on the tradition of helping students like she was helped by the Roger Wooldridge Memorial Scholarship. “I believe local community journalism is important, particularly for citizens to be informed about the activities of their city, town, state and school board,” Kassebaum said. “This is the heart of community journalism and builds community — and trust in journalism. I was thrilled to support a community journalism project that provides KU students with real-world experience.” Students produce up to 10 stories per week for the Eudora Times website, eudoratimes.com. The site averages 32,000 visitors each month, and participation is growing. To keep it going, the project needs sustaining support for staffing and expenses. You can help the news continue at kuendowment.org/supportET. VICTORIA SICKINGER
KU ENDOWMENT 101
INVESTING IN KU TODAY AND TOMORROW THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE A LARGE, WELL-MANAGED ENDOWMENT.
In the past five years, KU Endowment has provided KU with more than twice as much per student as our peer institutions in the Midwest. These funds support scholarships, faculty and staff, research, programs and initiatives that contribute to the university’s excellence. People sometimes ask why we don’t spend more from the endowment to fund immediate needs. There are two ways to answer this question: one common-sense and one financial. This begins with the wisdom farmers have followed for generations: “Don’t eat your seed corn.” Eating your seed corn in a period of distress may satiate your current hunger, but it depletes your ability to plant next season’s crop. You may eat well this year but starve in the next. In a financial sense, it helps to understand the endowment is not a single fund. Instead, the endowment is comprised of more than 4,400 endowed, permanent funds given by donors for specific purposes. Even when the university is facing challenges, the endowment can’t be used like a piggy bank that is broken open and spent. These funds are meant to provide support to the university in perpetuity, so spending too much today risks diminishing future funding. KU Endowment’s spending policy is designed to provide a steady, predictable stream of support to KU while also preserving purchasing power for future generations of Jayhawks. Under the policy, the target spending rate is 5.5% annually, with 4.6% to participating funds and 0.9% to KU Endowment as an administrative fee. We live off the dividends generated by the funds held in our endowment. Thought of differently, every five years, a little more than one-quarter of the value of endowed funds is spent to support KU. This is as much as we can responsibly spend without unfairly taking from those who will come after us — a concept known as intergenerational equity. The strength we enjoy today derives from the generosity and care of those who came before us. We have a similar obligation to future students, faculty and staff not to eat today’s seed corn.
SUPPORT PER STUDENT FTE* FY2016–FY2020 KU Endowment
$7,589
Average $3,617 A $5,570 B $4,290 C $4,966 D $4,024 E $2,781 F $2,330 G $2,357 H $2,614
0
$1,000
$2,000 $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $6,000
$7,000
$8,000
The Council for Aid to Education (CAE) provided this student support data for University of Kansas peer institutions, listed as A–H and randomized to protect privacy. Institutions include: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Nebraska and Oklahoma. *FTE = full-time equivalent
www.kuendowment.org 23
THE FAITHFUL
GENEROUS TO THE CORE JAN VAN SANT’S LIFE HAS BEEN FORMED, LIKE ROCKS OVER TIME, by a stream of
relationships and experiences that shaped his interests in geology, education and philanthropy. The Wisconsin native was born into a generous family, literally: His grandfather, a dentist, was named Generous Van Sant. “He taught us to be generous when we got to the point we could help people,” Van Sant said. “That carried over to my father, and I got it from him.” Van Sant, who received his master’s and doctorate degrees in geology from KU in 1958 and 1963 respectively, translated his generous spirit into deed when he established the Jan and Mary Van Sant Geology Excellence Award fund in 1994. The annual award, named for him and his late wife, is open to faculty, staff and students. His foundation as a geologist began in high school, when he took a physical geography class. While learning about glaciers and streams, he realized he was interested in the geosciences. After earning his bachelor’s degree in geology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, he arrived at KU to study with renowned geologist and paleontologist Raymond Moore. Moore was the first editor of the ongoing multivolume work Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Contributors have included the world’s specialists in the field, and Van Sant worked on the project while earning his doctorate. Van Sant’s business experiences with ExxonMobil and Penzoil led him to posts from Tulsa to Bordeaux, France, then to Houston, where he now lives. After retiring, he became the executive director of the American Geological Institute Foundation, raising more than $20 million for their educational programs. During that time, he also served on geology advisory boards for
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ROCK-SOLID SERVICE: Jan Van Sant received the Geology Associates Advisory Board Honorary Life Member award in 2020 to recognize his years of leadership and dedication.
several universities. He spoke frequently to student groups and encouraged philanthropy. “I stressed the point that when they became successful as geologists, they should consider giving back to the place where they learned,” Van Sant said. He was a loyal and active member of the KU Geology Associates Advisory Board and was skilled in advising department chairs in best practices for fundraising and leadership. The board made him an honorary life member in 2020, and Bob Goldstein, past chair of KU Geology, praised Van Sant’s patient instruction. Van Sant continues to advocate for science, education and giving, showing with patience, comes the formation of great things. MICHELLE STRICKLAND
TIME & PLACE
$3,396,158 raised KU’S DAY OF GIVING SETS NEW RECORDS FEBRUARY 18 WAS ONE OF THE MOST
(91% increase from 2020)
5,412 gifts (67% increase from 2020)
EXCITING DAYS SO FAR THIS YEAR FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS COMMUNITY as
thousands of Jayhawks participated in the fourth annual One Day. One KU. Every record for the 24-hour giving campaign was broken as donors contributed more than 5,400 gifts, totaling nearly $3.4 million to programs and initiatives across all KU campuses. This show of generosity represents a 67% increase in gifts and a 91% increase in dollars raised from last year’s record total. Two factors contributed to this year’s success: 112 unique matches and challenges and 263 ambassadors. Donors provided more than $625,000 in matching and challenge gifts, which multiplied the benefits of contributions on the day. Ambassadors, volunteers who spread the word and encourage others to give, generated almost half of all gifts received. Donors from all 50 states and nine countries made gifts ranging from $5 to a $1 million contribution for the Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Monarch Watch, a nonprofit butterfly conservation organization based at KU, received more than $50,325 from 782 gifts. The Jayhawk Nation showed their KU spirit throughout the day. Alumni participated in throwback and pet photo challenges on social media. Virtual experiences included a performance in the Bales Organ Recital Hall, a workout with Big Jay and Baby Jay and a conversation with actor, comedian and KU alumnus Rob Riggle. When asked about succeeding in his profession, Riggle responded with a quote from the Roman philosopher Seneca, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” It eloquently summed up the importance of One Day. One KU. — when presented with the opportunity, Jayhawks are prepared to give back.
Most gifts:
Donations were received from all 50 states and 9 countries
(Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Great Britain, India, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey)
1
Kansas with 2,579
2
Missouri with 444
3
California with 164
$
Farthest gift: Queensland, Australia — 8,810 miles
new donors to KU
matches and challenges
676 112
#OneDayOneKU was used 1,460 times on Twitter, generating 5,950,222 impressions
348 263
gifts to the Greater KU Fund
ambassadors generated 2,601 gifts
60,502 website page views
R. TYLER HABIGER
www.kuendowment.org 25
P.O. Box 928 Lawrence, KS 66044-0928
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Lawrence, Kansas Permit No. 72
EYE-OPENING ARTWORK Oculus, by artist and KU alumnus Stuart Allen, was installed outside the Health Education Building in 2020. The artwork references the rods and cones in the eye’s retina as seen in illustrations and diagrams in the Clendening Medical History Museum and Archives. It was commissioned by KU Endowment with support from the George E. and Annette Cross Murphy Charitable Fund, David F. Oliver and David W. Dickey, trustees.