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KU alumni inducted into Gold Medal Club

More than 90 Kansas University graduates were inducted into the Kansas Alumni Association's Gold Medal Club on Saturday.

The Gold Medal Club stages an annual reunion and inductions for those alumni who have passed their 50-year anniversary since graduation. The majority of this year's inductees were in Lawrence this weekend for the Class of 1954 reunion.

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway welcomed the members into the club.

Accident

KTA: Driver fell asleep before triple-fatal wreck

The triple-fatality accident on Interstate 70 Friday afternoon happened because the minivan driver fell asleep, the Kansas Turnpike Authority said Saturday.

The one-vehicle accident killed driver Joseph D. M. Lombardo III, 26, his father, Joseph D. Lombardo, 47, and his brother, Anthony Michael Vince Lombardo, 24, all of Bonner Springs.

After investigating the accident, the Turnpike Authority said the father and younger son were ejected from the vehicle after it hit a hard embankment and rolled several times. The driver, who had been wearing his seat belt, was pinned in the vehicle.

Leah Hemenway, fastens a 50-year pin to the lapel of former KU track star Wes Santee at the Kansas Union.

On Friday, officials said the minivan had hit a guardrail.

Recognition

Wheatfields bread called best in Kansas

Wheatfields Bakery, 904 Vt., has been recognized by the Kansas Wheat Council for having the best bread in Kansas.

Katie Kutilek, general manager of Wheatfields, said the Kansas Wheat Council had told her the bakery had brought positive attention to Lawrence, and to Kansas, as well.

Wheatfields was featured in a "Viewer's Choice" segment of the Food Network's "The Best Of" program that appeared March 10.

And in a story that appeared in USA Today in January 2002, Wheatfields was at the top of the newspaper's list of the 10 best bakeries in the nation that use artisan baking techniques.

"We intended our business to honor the heritage of our state and the history of wheat production, and to be recognized by the growers as setting a fine example for wheat food in Kansas. I am absolutely thrilled," said Chuck Magerl, managing partner of Wheatfields.

Development

Construction begins on KU scholarship hall

Construction is officially under way on what will become Kansas University's newest scholarship hall.

Officials broke ground Saturday morning on Dennis E. Rieger Hall, which will house 50 women at 1323 Ohio. The hall was funded through a gift by Roger and Annette Rieger, of Seattle, in memory of Roger's brother Dennis, who died of diabetes.

Participating in the ceremony were the Riegers, Chancellor Robert Hemenway, KU Endowment Association President Dale Seuferling and Housing Director Ken Stoner.