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 Corps in Nigeria and Uganda, as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, CEO of NPR and more than 20 years in telecommunications with C & P Telco in D.C., culminating as president of Bell Atlantic/DC, which is now Verizon. Alongside his professional career, Lewis has made contributions as a public servant and philanthropist in the Washington, D.C. community, and on a federal level.

George Mullinix has been called one of the best #exploreKU contributors ever, and makes a career shooting footage for commercial clients around the world. But can you guess what KU degree the artist behind this photo has?

Anna Allen was passionate about the German language when she arrived at KU. It connected her to her family history, and she was inspired to master the language. But she was also drawn to journalism, and wanted to pursue a career that allowed her to write on a daily basis. With one eye on life beyond KU, she decided to pursue both interests, balancing her passions with her career aspirations by completing a B.S. in journalism and a B.A. in German. It turns out that both degrees proved pivotal as she embarked on her career path.

William McNulty’s time on the Hill propelled him into a life lived around the world and a career as a nonprofit leader. McNulty, a 2001 graduate in economics and communication studies, is the 2017 recipient of an honorary doctorate from KU.

Our graduates are not only scientists but leaders in the lab, classroom and across the campus. Some found their passions early in life, while others discovered it after trying other things. These Jayhawks combine their science degrees with language skills, understandings of politics and international relations, and whatever else they need to prepare for a variety of careers beyond KU.  They win national awards. And they leave KU ready to take on the world in medicine, humanitarian relief, academia and environmental conservation.

These graduating Jayhawks are fascinated by the way the world works. From the individual, to the local, to social media, to crises across the globe, their studies have prepared them to make a difference at all levels, and they're already making an impact. Some found their passion for the social sciences straight out of high-school, others while working jobs in public service. But they are all united in their dedication to taking the skills and knowledge they learned at KU into the world and making it a better place.

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.

Our arts graduates pursue their passions with heart and intent. As they created, they developed useful skills and knowledge, and career paths emerged before their eyes. Whether on the stage, behind the camera or creating art and products with their chosen tools, these Jayhawks go out into the world fully prepared to make their mark.

One of the greatest discoveries by a KU alum just got a stamp of approval. In 1930, a 24-year old amateur astronomer named Clyde Tombaugh was working at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona to pay for his upcoming freshman year at KU when he discovered Pluto. Tombaugh’s stellar discovery earned him a scholarship to the University of Kansas, where he completed his bachelor’s degree (1936) and master’s degree (1938) in astronomy. Tombaugh and Pluto were back in the news last year when the New Horizons probe finished its nine-year journey to Pluto and sent back some of the highest-quality images of the former planet to date.

Bishop James D. Conley oversees the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, which serves 97,000 Catholics in 134 parishes across 25,000 square miles of Nebraska. It’s a position he was appointed to in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. And it’s a calling that he first discovered as a KU student. “I wanted to do something unusual and out of the ordinary.” Conley was an English major and part of the Integrated Humanities Program at KU.

Rachel Myslivy, Statewide Coordinator, Double Up Food Bucks; Board Member, Climate + Energy Project 

Age: 38 

KU Degree: MA - Religious Studies; Graduate Certificate - Environmental Studies (2013) 

Why she’s a Hawk to Watch: 

Natalie Pak, Speech-Language Pathologist at Widefield School District #3, Colorado Springs, CO

Age: 24

KU Degree: BA Spanish, BA Speech-Language-Hearing (2013), MA Speech-Language Pathology (2015)

Why she's a Hawk to Watch:  Natalie works with students district-wide to evaluate and provide tools for speech-language disorders. Starting a new job in a new state was overwhelming at first, but she’s finding herself at home in a career she loves.

What do you feel is your biggest achievement so far? 

Earning a Master's degree and finding a job right away.

What’s your lowest career moment and how did you pick yourself up and move on?