Ku Alumni


Hawks to Watch: Kris Kennedy, associate creative director

kris kennedy

Why Kris is a Hawk to Watch:Kris Kennedy has made a name for himself within creative circles with big ideas, ambitious media stunts and an unapologetic weirdness that’s become his signature style — The moon as a Corona beer lime wedge. Mini donkeys and Heinz ketchup bottles. A chicken nugget TV…

Published on

Hawks to Watch: Brent Lind, web developer

Brent Lind B.F.A. Theatre Design (2003)

Why Brent's a Hawk to Watch:You’ve heard of Childish Gambino, My Morning Jacket, and Foster the People — now meet the Jayhawk who’s been backstage at nearly every show, making them sound flawless around the world for the last 15 years. Brent Lind graduated from the University of Kansas in 2003…

Published on

Hawks to Watch: Vanessa Delnavaz, collection manager

Vanessa Delnavaz

Why Vanessa's a Hawk to Watch: Behind every life, there’s a story. The same could also be said of every species — and indeed, every specimen. And the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has a lot of stories to tell. Millions of them, in fact. There, Vanessa Delnavaz and her team are…

Published on

Hawks to Watch: Aric Toler, digital investigator

ric Toler B.A. English + Slavic Languages; Literatures (2011)  M.A. Slavic Languages & Literatures (2013)

Why Aric's a Hawk to Watch:Russian spies. Chemical weapons attacks. Drug lords, drones, conspiracy and war crimes. A day at ‘the office’ is anything but ordinary for Aric Toler. As the director of research and training at Bellingcat, an independent international collective of researchers and…

Published on

Hawks to Watch: Richard W. James, ceramicist + sculptor

Illustration of Richard W. James

Why Richard's a Hawk to Watch:Some professionals prefer not to mix their work and personal lives. For Richard W. James, the two are inextricably linked. Through his ceramic creations, the visual artist has made a career building a world that’s at once of his own making and also a reflection of the…

Published on

Hawks to Watch: Jomana Qaddour, foreign policy professional

Jomana Qaddor

Why Jomana's a Hawk to WatchQuestions about America’s role on the global stage are deeply complex and often controversial: When is intervention appropriate? When is it not? Who gets to decide? Those issues are only further complicated during times of war and political unrest abroad. Through her…

Published on

Hawks to Watch: Don Davis, senior director of player affairs for the NFLPA

Don Davis Senior Director of Player Affairs, NFL Players Association BGS Human Development (1997)

Why Don's a Hawk to WatchDon Davis’s love for the game of football runs deep. With two Super Bowl rings to his name and 11 years of professional playing experience under his belt, the Kansas native is continuing to leave his mark on the sport — this time, off the field.Born and raised in Olathe,…

Published on

Jayhawk entrepreneur Paige Albert makes a splash with KC bridal boutique

Paige Albert with a small dog and the text 'B.A. Communication Studies (2018)'

Have you ever dreamed of being your own boss? For KU alumna Paige Albert, the idea of running a business had long been an exciting possibility for a future career. So when approached about buying a small bridal boutique in the Crossroads District in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, only six…

Published on

Hawks to Watch, Julie Mulvihill, Nonprofit director and humanities advocate

Julie Mulvihill

 Why Julie's a Hawk to Watch:Every great movement begins with an idea. And when Kansans from diverse backgrounds come together to share their experiences, ask the right questions, and exchange ideas, the possibilities are endless, something that Julie Mulvihill knows well from her years…

Published on

Hawks to Watch: Carlos Centeno, Economic development innovator

Carlos Centeno  BA Journalism (2004) MA Global; International Studies (2007)

 Why Carlos is a Hawk to Watch:When disaster strikes, we count on rapid responses, and carefully reasoned plans, from those with the experience, expertise and steady-handedness to get right to the heart of the matter during high-stress scenarios.From climate change and weather emergencies to…

Published on