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Human resources
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Val Smith wants to change the way the hospital industry administers IVs for patients. Smith, a Kansas University professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, is part of a six-member research team that is studying how nutrients affect various disease agents, including HIV and cancer.

Professor savors discovery of oldest insect
Saturday, August 14, 2004
A discovery Michael Engel never expected to find is now making an impact around the world. Engel, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and assistant curator of Kansas University's Natural History Museum, and a colleague found what is believed to be the oldest insect on record in July 2002. News of the find was announced in February.

‘KU First' fund-raising drive adds $100 million to its goal
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Their $500 million goal has been met, but leaders of the largest fund-raising drive in Kansas University history aren't coasting to the Dec. 31 campaign finale. In fact, they added another $100 million to their goal to reach by the year's end.

Organization searching for director
Saturday, August 14, 2004
A cloud of mystery continues to shroud the firing of the Kansas University Alumni Association's longtime director, but the organization's leaders are hoping to keep their focus on the future. "We need to stay focused on business as usual," said Larry Borden, the association's national chairman.

Fund helps support Baby Jay costume
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Rock chalk, Baby Jay, Go KU. Thirty years later after becoming the original Baby Jay mascot, Kansas University alumnus Amy Hurst Rachman continues to spread school spirit and enthusiasm. She donated $5,000 to the Original Baby Jay Mascot Fund.

Program trains professionals to treat children holistically
Saturday, August 14, 2004
A contract between Kansas University and the state of Kansas provides training opportunities for people serving children with developmental disabilities and behavior issues. "We're giving the training to people doing the front line work with the children," said Jennifer Zarcone.

Recycling picks up on campus
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Kansas University students are becoming savvy in recycling as campus receptacles become more visible. Last year, the Environmental Stewardship Program, which works with several KU organizations to coordinate the collection of recyclable items on campus, collected 420 tons of materials.

Retired KU faculty active in group
Saturday, August 14, 2004
On Wednesday mornings, the Adams Alumni Center is alive with chatter and the smell of coffee as members of the Endacott Society have their weekly meeting. "It's just the most fun," said Winnie Geissler, a member of the society.

KU sets record for enrollment
Saturday, August 14, 2004
There is more activity on Kansas University's Lawrence campus now than any time in the university's 140-year history. The 26,814 students on campus last fall was the highest enrollment in history. The 1,390 faculty members were only slightly less than the record set in 2001, and they're working in 4.5 million square feet of building space -- the most KU has had.

KU officials consider plant for research park
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Kansas University officials are keeping an eye on the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant near De Soto, hoping they'll participate in a research park planned for the site. "If we can do something that helps the regional economy, and promote research alliances, then that's good," Jim Roberts, KU's vice provost for research, said recently.

State senator to project university's image
Saturday, August 14, 2004
A Baby Jay appearance is sure to delight the crowd, but it takes more than a playful mascot to project Kansas University's image. Some major changes are in the works in how KU tells its story to the community and lobbies the Legislature.

New scholarship hall to open next fall
Saturday, August 14, 2004
A new scholarship hall will be ready for the next round of Kansas University freshmen in fall 2005. Ground was broken in April on the $3 million 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, a KU alumnus who died of complications of diabetes.

Marching Jayhawks prepare to unveil new uniforms in fall
Saturday, August 14, 2004
A 26-box, 2,284-pound present arrived in June at Kansas University's Murphy Hall. The gift -- new uniforms for the Marching Jayhawks -- was from about 1,000 donors who contributed more than $150,000 for the new duds.

Organization hopes to attract more students
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Although the number of minority students at Kansas University slowly increases each year, Jimmy Banks thinks black students are still underrepresented on campus. Banks, president of KU Black Alumni and a 1978 KU business graduate, pointed out the black student population was proportionately higher 30 years ago.