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Contact: Kevin McCarty, KU Libraries, 785-864-6428, [email protected], @KULibraries

KU Libraries announce centennial celebration of Watson Library with fall activities, website

LAWRENCE — A Jayhawk Boulevard landmark and perpetual place of discovery and welcome, Watson Library will celebrate 100 years at the heart of the KU community with a slate of fall activities and programs.

A centennial webpage listing celebration activities and information also features the history of the library and library leadership over the decades. The site’s interactive timeline scrolls through Watson’s significant moments, and a digital, student-designed 3D architectural model illustrates the library’s physical evolution.

Opening its doors in September 1924, Watson Library was named in honor of longtime librarian Carrie Watson. A remarkable figure in the evolution of KU libraries and a witness to the history of the university and the state of Kansas itself, Watson was the first woman for whom a KU academic building was named. She moved to Lawrence in 1858 when she was 6 months old, almost three years before Kansas would become a state. When Watson was 5 years old, she and her family experienced the raiding of Lawrence by William Quantrill’s pro-slavery forces, when much of Lawrence was burned.

Carrie Watson was a member of KU’s fifth graduating class of 10 students and began working for the university library in 1878 when it was a fledgling book collection in one corner of Old Fraser Hall. She later became KU’s first full-time university librarian and served as librarian emerita through 65 years of service.

Throughout Watson Library’s 100-year history, the needs of students and faculty have seen tremendous growth, change and necessary evolution that has not always proved easy or graceful. Many dedicated library leaders and generations of the university community have worked toward expansion and improvements, including five additions between 1938 and 1963, with the most recent renovation completed in 1982.

Today, with Watson Library as its central hub, KU Libraries houses more than 5.8 million items across six locations as the largest library collection in the state of Kansas. For generations of KU students, KU Libraries are a key entry point for the information and resources necessary for academic success. For faculty and staff, the libraries are partners in research and teaching and leaders in scholarly communication.

This fall, the Watson Centennial celebrations extend beyond the university’s flagship library with events and opportunities at other KU Libraries locations, including Kenneth Spencer Research Library and Anschutz Library.

Spencer Research Library will host the exhibit “Watson Library’s First 100 Years: Impacts, Innovations, and Renovations,” throughout the fall semester to showcase Watson-related materials in its exhibit space. Watson Library’s Haricombe Gallery will feature a digital exhibit of a timeline and visual materials, including original hand-drawn blueprints for the building. In addition to these semester-long exhibits, KU Libraries will host a series of events set to engage KU students, staff, faculty, alumni and Lawrence community members.

KU Dean of Libraries Carol Smith encourages all to join in the festivities.

“Watson Library has been a cornerstone of learning, growth and congregation at KU for the past century,” she said. “As we mark this milestone, we are thrilled to invite all to join us in celebrating Watson’s remarkable legacy. This centennial celebration is not only a reflection on our shared past, but also a vibrant gathering of the community to look forward to the next 100 years of discovery and innovation together.”

Unless otherwise noted, events are free and open to all on KU’s Lawrence campus as well as the greater surrounding communities.

Hawk Week Watson Library Open House

Aug. 26 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Watson Library Entrance
Jayhawks can explore library resources, play games and win centennial swag. The library will offer short, guided tours of the building at the top of each hour. The event is geared toward welcoming back students but is open to the community.

Cut a Rug: 1920s Dance Lessons

Aug. 27 | 6-6:45 p.m. | Watson Library 3 West
Step back in time and learn the iconic Charleston, the dance craze of the 1920s. Beginners to experienced dancers welcome. Spots are limited, and you must register in advance.

Watch it in Watson: Centennial Cinema

Aug. 28 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Watson Library 3 West
Watch a screening of “Chicago,” an Academy Award-winning musical comedy set in 1924. Prior to the show, make your own 1920s flapper head piece with help from KU Libraries Makerspace. Enjoy popcorn and refreshments. The event is geared toward welcoming back students, but it is open to the community.

Cut a Rug: 1920s Dance Lessons

Aug. 29 | 6-6:45 p.m. | Watson Library 3 West
Step back in time and learn the foxtrot, a favorite across dance floors of the 1920s. Beginners to seasoned dancers welcome. Spots are limited, and you must register in advance.

Makerspace Open House

Aug. 30 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Anschutz Library 203A-C
Learn about the space and the tools available, including 3D printing and podcasting equipment. Write a message for students 100 years from now or share notes that reflect our current era and your vision for the future. Submissions will be considered for inclusion in the Watson Centennial Time Capsule. The event is geared toward welcoming back students but open to the community.

Cut a Rug: 1920s Dance Lessons

Sept. 10 | 10-10:45 a.m. | Watson Library 3 West
Learn the iconic Charleston, the dance craze of the 1920s. Beginners to experienced dancers welcome. Spots are limited, and you must register in advance.

Cut a Rug: 1920s Dance Lessons

Sept. 12 | 10-10:45 a.m. | Watson Library 3 West
Step back in time and learn the foxtrot, a favorite across dance floors of the 1920s. All skill levels — beginners to seasoned dancers — are welcome. Spots are limited. Please register in advance to attend.

100th Birthday Cake

Sept. 19 | 11 a.m. | Anschutz Library
Stop by Anschutz Library for free birthday cake while it lasts.

Art on the Lawn

Sept. 25 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Watson Library front lawn
Capture the beauty of historic Watson Library through a guided art lesson. All skill levels are welcome to create a finished acrylic painting on canvas through a step-by-step process. Art supplies are provided. Spots are limited. Please register in advance.

Library Employee Reunion

Oct. 15 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Watson Library 3 West
Past and present KU Libraries employees will be invited to reconnect at a happy hour event.

Library on the Lawn

Oct. 23 | 2-5 p.m. | Watson Library front lawn
Enjoy an afternoon of lawn games, food trucks and live music from local bands in collaboration with KJHK. Activities for all ages.

Art on the Lawn

Nov. 6 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Watson Library front lawn
Capture the beauty of Watson Library through a guided art lesson. All skill levels are welcome to create a finished acrylic painting on canvas through a step-by-step process. Art supplies are provided. Spots are limited, and you must register in advance.

Watch it in Watson: Centennial Cinema

Nov. 12 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Watson Library 3 West
Join us for a screening of “The Great Gatsby,” the 2013 film based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel. Enjoy popcorn and refreshments.

Time Capsule Ceremony

Nov. 20 | 3-4 p.m. | Kenneth Spencer Research Library
Celebratory transfer of 2024 time capsule to University Archives, offering future Jayhawks a glimpse into our lives, culture and achievements 100 years from now.

Those outside the Lawrence area can take part in the festivities by sharing memories or stories of Watson Library via an online form.

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KU News Service

1450 Jayhawk Blvd.

Lawrence KS 66045

[email protected]

http://www.news.ku.edu

Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, director of news and media relations, [email protected]

Today’s News is a free service from the Office of Public Affairs

From the Office of Public Affairs | http://www.news.ku.edu

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Contact: Rick Hellman, KU News Service, 785-864-8852, [email protected], @RickHellman

Communication studies expert can comment on Kamala Harris’ DNC speech

LAWRENCE – Kamala Harris’ campaign may seem to be surging, but she faces a serious challenge in her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, according to an expert in presidential rhetoric.

Robert Rowland, University of Kansas professor of communication studies, is the author of the 2021 book “The Rhetoric of Donald Trump: Nationalist Populism and American Democracy” (University of Kansas Press) and is himself a former national champion college debater.

“Much of the country, including crucial swing voters, know little about Harris,” Rowland said. “This makes her acceptance speech much more important than in a normal year. Harris must introduce herself to much of the country, lessen the concern of those who think she is too liberal or ran a poor campaign in the 2020 primaries, find a line of attack on former President Trump that finally sticks and do all of that while praising her current boss, President Biden.

“Moreover, as the reaction to speeches by former President Trump and vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance at the Republican National Convention indicates, there is a danger that a misstep could harm the campaign.”

The KU researcher has specialized in presidential rhetorical legacies, calling both Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama “once in a generation” communicators who raised the sights of their fellow citizens to lofty national ideals. Trump, conversely, he has called “a master at creating fear and hatred of others.”

Rowland also is the author of “Reagan at Westminster: Foreshadowing the End of the Cold War” (2010, Texas A&M University Press).

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KU News Service

1450 Jayhawk Blvd.

Lawrence KS 66045

[email protected]

http://www.news.ku.edu

Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, director of news and media relations, [email protected]

Today’s News is a free service from the Office of Public Affairs

From the Office of Public Affairs | http://www.news.ku.edu

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Contact: Brendan Lynch, KU News Service, 785-864-8855, [email protected], @BrendanMLynch

Researchers leverage AI to help business provide nutritious choices in American food deserts

LAWRENCE — Vast swaths of the nation, both urban and rural, are deemed “food deserts” due to their reduced access to a variety of healthy and inexpensive food. Often, people living in food deserts also experience higher poverty levels.

“In the U.S., we have a major issue regarding the inequitable distribution of resources that extends to our food supply,” said Tera Fazzino, associate professor of psychology at the University of Kansas. “There are communities all across the U.S. that don’t have access to fresh, healthy food — sometimes referred to as food deserts. In these communities, they’re saturated with foods that are packaged, hyperpalatable and have very limited options for fresh, healthy and nutritious food that we need to live healthy and productive lives.”

In response, Fazzino, along with a multidisciplinary group of researchers across several institutions, will help create an artificial-intelligence-powered digital tool, called the NOURISH platform, to help businesses and startups operating in food deserts give more nutritious choices to an estimated 24 million Americans. The work is supported by a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Convergence Accelerator program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and led by Laura Schmidt, professor at the University of California-San Francisco.

“The overall project is designed with the goal of accelerating the growth of fresh food businesses in communities that have limited access to fresh food,” said Fazzino, who serves as a lead scientist on the NOURISH team. “We’re aiming to utilize some geospatial analyses and tools and artificial intelligence to facilitate this development, consolidate large volumes of information and help individuals from these communities connect all the pieces to launch or expand fresh food businesses in places that don’t have many.”

The multidisciplinary and institutional effort is based at the University of California-San Francisco and includes the University of California-San Diego, New York University and the International Center for Food Ontology Operability Data and Semantics (IC-FOODS).

At KU, the research will center on food psychology and the food-environment realm — long-standing research interests of Fazzino, who also serves as associate director of the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research & Treatment in KU’s Life Span Institute and has helped define and study hyperpalatable foods.

“I’m working on collecting data sources and collaborating with our computer science team to gather information for what we’re calling an ‘opportunities map,’” she said. “This AI-enabled tool will suggest areas where one might want to open a business based on various metrics.”

Fazzino’s team at KU will also source data for a digital tool within the NOURISH platform to link entrepreneurs interested in starting new food businesses with local providers in their area — small farms and producers of fresh food — directly facilitating that link in the production side.

Datasets will be processed by the Supercomputer Center of UC San Diego to include government, private sector and crowdsourced information. The NOURISH platform will feature “dynamic, interactive maps of local food systems across the U.S. accessible from a mobile phone in multiple languages,” according to the researchers. Further, patented recommendation algorithms will enable the NOURISH platform to customize business plans based on local consumer preferences for price, convenience and flavor.

In addition, Fazzino is heading up the nationwide training program under the NOURISH program to train “several generations” of scientists interested in sustainable food systems that promote equitable access to fresh and healthy food.

“We’re taking the stance that using AI and geospatial modeling combined with deep collaboration and community-based design can significantly improve equitable food access,” she said. “Part of this involves making people aware of why our food system is the way it is, understanding its origins and training them to develop skills in creating a sustainable food system for the long term. We focus on how advanced data science and analytical modeling can address these issues.”

The KU researcher’s approach includes ongoing collaborations with the USDA’s 4-H program, an agricultural program for youths, as well as working with a group that has been doing geospatial and food mapping work at the high school level in several states.

In 2024-25, the NOURISH team will test the platform in lower-income areas within San Diego and Imperial counties in California, then plan to scale it nationally.

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KU News Service

1450 Jayhawk Blvd.

Lawrence KS 66045

[email protected]

http://www.news.ku.edu

Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, director of news and media relations, [email protected]

Today’s News is a free service from the Office of Public Affairs