Emily Lew Fry, director of interpretation
Why Emily's a Hawk to Watch: If a picture is worth a thousand words, the person shaping the stories they tell must be worth millions. Emily Lew Fry, University of Kansas School of Fine Arts alum and director of interpretation at the Art Institute of Chicago, does just that. Emily’s…
Hawks to Watch: Tracey Lien, author
Why Tracey is a Hawk to Watch:Oftentimes schoolwork is enough for a passing grade, and usually it's good enough for a degree. On rare occasions though, it's good enough to be published — which is where this Hawk to Watch comes into play. Tracey Lien's thesis for her Master of Fine Arts in…
Distinguished Alumni: Rob Riggle, Marine Vet and Comedian
Rob Riggle, one of the most recognizable Jayhawk alumni, will be honored this year with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Kansas. He will visit Lawrence in November to accept the award. Riggle has forged two distinct and notable…
Distinguished Alumni: Ambassador and CEO top extensive list of titles for Delano Lewis
The list of careers Delano Lewis has held is lengthy and diverse. After graduating from KU in 1960 with majors in political science and history and a law degree soon after, he embarked on a career including roles with the Justice Department and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Peace…
Distinguished Alumni: Tech career puts Brad Garlinghouse at forefront of innovation
Last year, Forbes magazine proclaimed “That 'Useless' Liberal Arts Degree Has Become Tech's Hottest Ticket.” Increasingly, reports show that creative thinking has become just as valuable as engineering skills in the industry, and for the former, more tech employers are seeking out liberal arts and…
Distinguished Alumni: Major Dan Rooney gives back to veterans' families with Folds of Honor
Major Dan Rooney, an F-16 pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, was on a commercial flight in 2006 that would end up changing his life and guiding his future. Major Dan Rooney and Jacob, scholarship recipient and inspiration for Major Rooney's non-profit Folds of Honor The flight was …
Distinguished Alumni: Social justice and public service are hallmarks of Anne Levinson's career
In a time when girls were still wearing bloomers in gym class, Anne Levinson tried out for the boys’ baseball team in junior high. Such an act, when most people expected young girls to sit still and be quiet, was not very well received. Working to open doors so that more people can have…
Distinguished Alumni: Sharon Lee cares for fellow Kansans through low-cost clinic
During her time on the Hill, alumna Sharon Lee’s experiences shaped not only her future career but her values, belief system and outlook on life. “It’s really hard to separate my experiences at KU and in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences from who I am,” Lee said. Lee graduated in…
Distinguished Alumni: William Fisher embarked on successful geology career thanks to trouble with chemistry
Looking at the sum of his career, William Fisher attributes many of his accomplishments to a crucial conversation during his college years. Initially, Fisher was intent on a biochemistry major as an undergraduate at Southern Illinois University. That is, until a professor (who just happened to…
Distinguished Alumni: Edgar Heap of Birds known worldwide as innovator of conceptual Native American art
Growing up in an underprivileged area of Wichita, Kansas, it never occurred to Edgar Heap of Birds that being a professional artist was an option for a career. Luckily, for the art world, the many students he’s taught, and the people he’s honored and educated with his art worldwide, it was. …