College of Liberal Arts & Sciences news
CLAS honors graduates with distinguished alumni awards
An acclaimed artist, a baseball consultant, a television executive and a U.S. cabinet secretary are the recipients of the 2009-'10 Alumni Distinguished Achievement Awards from the University of Kansas. It is the highest honor bestowed by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences on its graduates.
College dean candidates to visit campus
The search for a new dean in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is nearing the campus interview stage, with on-campus visits beginning as soon as Jan. 24.
International studies programs to host trivia event
The new Center for Global and International Studies and other area studies centers in the College invite the public to compete in a trivia competition to test their global knowledge. The event takes place at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at Liberty Hall Theatre in Lawrence. Contact eliasb@ku.edu for more information.
Public administration graduate named one eight "public officials of the year"
Steve Hewitt, the city administrator of Greensburg who oversaw the speedy, environmentally friendly rebuilding of his city after a devastating tornado, was among this year’s honorees announced by Governing magazine. Hewitt, the fourth KU alumnus to receive the award in a decade, is a 2009 graduate of KU’s Certified Public Management program.
History professor wins Scottish literary award
for John Muir biography
Donald E. Worster, Joyce and Elizabeth Hall Professor of U.S. History, has received Scotland’s Saltire Society homecoming literary award for his biography of John Muir. Worster’s book "A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir" is regarded as the most complete account ever written of the Scottish-born conservationist who founded the Sierra Club.
Environmental studies professor appointed
regional administrator for EPA
Karl Brooks will be the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan. The region covers Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. Brooks has taught at KU for the last decade.
School of Business news
Morris Competition rewards entrepreneurship passion
"Before I began the class I just had a bunch of ideas floating around in my head," said junior in Business Management and Leadership Studies Simone Cahoj. "My entrepreneurship class helped me learn all the parts that go into creating a business plan."
Student faces double the difficulty
"People usually say 'that's crazy' and then they say 'but that's awesome,'" said KU School of Business Masters in Accounting (MAcc) and KU School of Law student Courtney Sipe. She receives these remarks because she is currently working toward MAcc and law degrees simultaneously.
Business professor attends symposium in honor of Nobel Prize winner
At the BI Norwegian School of Management in Oslo last December, professor Oliver E. Williamson delivered the keynote presentation at a research symposium in honor of his recent Nobel Prize in economics. The event was attended by a small number of researchers whose work has been similarly influential. KU business professor Laura Poppo was among the chosen few.
Married couple earn master’s degrees
In the 2008-2009 academic year, the KU School of Business, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, began a new program for Army majors and major-eligible captains. Two of this year’s master’s students are husband and wife Brian Neill and Tracie Henry-Neill. In order to move up within the military, they will need further education in the form of a master’s degree.
KU School of Business faculty profile: Ozde Oztekin
Assistant Professor Ozde Oztekin is one of the School of Business’ newest faculty members. She joined the faculty at the beginning of the fall 2009 semester, and she is excited to be here. "KU offers an incredibly collegial workplace environment," said Oztekin. "I had a single dream job, and it was being an academician at a highly respected, top notch research and teaching institution."
School of the Arts news
Dance alumnus to perform with renowned company at Lied Center
Jun Kuribayashi, a 2004 graduate, will perform with contemporary dance company Pilobolus Feb. 5 at the Lied Center. While back in Lawrence, Kuribayashi also will teach a Master Class for KU dance students Feb. 4. Kuribayashi has been with the company since graduating from KU.
Film professor to receive Governor’s Arts Award
Kevin Willmott, associate professor of film and media studies, is being recognized for his work as a writer, director and producer of films that have received national acclaim for their pioneering themes focused on Kansas and its history.
University Theatre presents “KU Confidential”
University Theatre will stage this original piece devised by associate professor Henry Bial and KU students Feb. 4-13. The production features a company of student performers working collaboratively to turn the everyday incidents and experiences of their lives into a theatre event that speaks directly and immediately to the KU student experience.
Annual exhibit showcases visual art faculty works
The annual Visual Art Faculty Show features works from 30 faculty members. This year’s show marks the first time the newly reshaped Department of Visual Art will present a show. When the School of Fine Arts was reorganized, the department gained colleagues from the former crafts programs: textiles, metals and ceramics. The department is now part of the new School of the Arts housed within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
School of Music news
KU Opera presents "The Sorrows of Young Werther"
KU Opera will present the production "The Sorrows of Young Werther" in Swarthout Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 and at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 24.
Clarinet professor invited to perform at International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest
Stephanie Zelnick, assistant professor of music at KU, was recently accepted by the International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest to perform at the 2010 festival in Austin, Texas.
Voice professor invited to perform at distinguished music conservatory
Julia Broxholm, KU assistant professor of voice, has been invited to travel to Italy in February to perform at the Conservatorio di musica—Giuseppe Verdi in Milan and the Istituto Vecchi-Tonelli in Modena. Broxholm will be collaborating with internationally known clarinetist Fred Ormand in a program of repertoire for soprano, clarinet and piano. They also will be presenting this program at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 in Swarthout Recital Hall at the University of Kansas.
KU professor presents sessions for National Association of Schools of Music
Larry Mallett, professor of music and interim director of graduate studies, was a member of the Commission on Accreditation for the National Association of Schools of Music Nov. 16-20, 2009, in San Diego.
Fountain City Brass Band wins major brass band competition in Scotland 
The Fountain City Brass Band, a group made of up KU students and professor Scott Watson, made history by being the first American brass band in 150 years to win a brass band competition on British soil when they recently won the Scottish Open Brass Band Championship.
