Famed writer and one-time Lawrence resident Langston Hughes, born in Joplin, Mo., is celebrated throughout the University of Kansas and the city. To help us celebrate his birthday and kick off Black History Month, we spoke to professors across campus to tell us what we should know about Hughes’ significant and broad career and the lasting impact his work had on American culture … in a nutshell.

He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas

Our humanities graduates push boundaries, driven by the conviction that anything is possible. They look to the past to understand different ways of living, and to make sense of how change happens and why the world developed the way it did. They interrogate the present, analyzing real problems that affect lives and they propose solutions that benefit the people that need them most. They travel near and far, exploring the rich diversity of cultures spread across the planet driven by curiosity and the belief that with open minds we can all learn from one another. And they leave KU armed with the knowledge and skills to make the world a better, fairer place for everyone.

Chris Brown is a professor of environmental studies and geography 

Evan Traylor is the kind of person who goes after what he wants and doesn’t look back. From his first campus tour, Evan knew KU was the right fit – so it was the only college he applied to. He decided on his double major in political science and Jewish studies and minor in leadership studies even before his freshman year. Growing up, Evan was always connected to the Jewish community and now he has accepted a role as the first Presidential Fellow for Millennial Engagement for the Union for Reform Judaism, an organization he’s worked with since high school. Before he walks down the Hill and sets off for New York City, we had the chance to ask Evan about his new job and days of high school show choir. 

One week into her first desk job, avid hiker and outdoorsman Rachael Boothe knew that she wanted to trade in her computer screen for fresh air and scenic views. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in management information systems, Rachael spent her days coding in a cube. But during a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, she found her true calling when she met two members of the forest service and jokingly asked how they got their jobs.

Wanderlust is real. Travel-related personal goals or “bucket list” items are common; some people want to visit all the U.S. states, or all the continents or all the oceans. Libby Friesen wants to do it all. On her bucket list is the desire to visit every continent, country, state, ocean, sea and bay in the world. “I calculated it and if I visit four to five new places every year I will accomplish this... it's within grasp, I just know it!” Friesen said. Friesen, a senior majoring in global & international studies and minoring in Chinese language, was previously a flight attendant. She remembers frustrating times when no one on board was able to communicate with travelers. “I just want to be a well-informed world citizen so I can bridge gaps and continue to appreciate other cultures throughout the world,” she said.

Garrett Farlow spent his summer halfway around the world in Kazakhstan working to help journalists break away from government censorship and playing sports with the National Special Olympics team. Casual. We asked Garrett to tell us all about this incredible experience and how he overcame the intimidation factor of interning overseas. 

Hometown: Tecumseh, KS 

Majors: Journalism, Slavic Language & Literature and Political Science 

Basically spending her summer as Ross Geller, Brittney Oleniacz had the opportunity to intern with the American Museum of Natural History. She got to visit ALL of the exhibits, hold a moon rock and chill with Neil Degrasse Tyson. Excuse us while we geek out a bit. We asked Brittney to tell us all about her intern days. 

Hometown: Phillipsburg, NJ 

Major: Graduate student in Museum Studies 

Internship title and company: Microfossil Intern, American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City 

On the first day of the new semester, Megan Lease made history. Megan defended her dissertation, “A Strong Woman of the Lord: Performing Gender at the Intersection of Sport and Evangelical Christianity," making her the first student at KU to receive a PhD from the Department of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. KU is one of only 14 programs in the United States that offer a PhD in Women’s Studies. After her defense we were able to catch up with Megan to learn a little bit more about KU's first Women's Studies doctoral candidate.

Hometown: Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Undergraduate major: History

Tell us more about your dissertation: My dissertation examines how female Christian athletes negotiate various and sometimes competing gendered expectations as Christians, women, and athletes.

As a first-generation college student and a single parent earning minimum wage, Alyssa Cole was stressed and frustrated. At the end of her rope, she decided to write a letter to the one person she thought could help, President Barack Obama. “Writing to him was basically a last resort,” Cole, a Garden City senior, said. “If anyone could help me it would be him. … At least I can make him aware of the issues single parents are facing when they are trying to get their education and take care of their families as well.” A few years later, Cole received a phone call from the White House.