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KU News: Media invited to Dole Institute to interview Stan Herd as he works on commemorative earthwork July 2

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

Media advisory

Contact: Maria Fisher, Dole Institute of Politics, 785-864-4900, [email protected]
Media invited to Dole Institute to interview Stan Herd as he works on commemorative earthwork July 2

LAWRENCE – Members of the media are invited to attend and interview renowned artist Stan Herd on Sunday, July 2, as he continues his work on a landmark earthwork at the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. The piece will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the institute.

Herd will be available at the institute, 2350 Petefish Drive in Lawrence, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 2. The event will provide an opportunity to hear from the artist about his plans for the project, including the incorporation of artwork from students across Kansas into the final product.

This year marks the Dole Institute’s 20th anniversary and what would have been former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole’s 100th birthday.

For more information, contact the Dole Institute or visit www.doleinstitute.org/landmark.

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KU News Service
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence KS 66045
Phone: 785-864-3256
Fax: 785-864-3339
[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

Walnut caterpillars

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Guest Columnist
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It seems like clockwork that I start getting questions on this particular pest about the same time each year. They are not quite as common as bagworm are but in some years they can really be devastating. If you notice leaves disappearing from walnut trees, it may be walnut caterpillars. Walnut caterpillars attack primarily black walnut, pecan, and several species of hickory trees, but may also attack birch, oak, willow, honey locust, and apple trees.

Walnut caterpillars overwinter as pupae underground beneath host trees. In late spring, moths emerge and deposit egg clusters on lower leaves. By the end of June, newly emerged and gregarious larvae skeletonize leaves. Larger hairy, brick-red larvae consume greater amounts of leaf tissue, and nearly matured gray larvae devour entire leaves, including petioles.

As mentioned earlier, walnut caterpillars are gregarious. In other words, they feed in groups. A single tree may contain several groups. When disturbed, larvae arch their bodies in what looks like a defensive move. Larvae crowd together on the lower parts of trees to molt and leave an ugly patch of hairy skins. Mature larvae, 2 inches long, descend or drop to the ground where they enter the soil to pupate. A second generation occurs soon, creating the overwintering pupae.

Removing leaves with egg masses is an effective way to control walnut caterpillars. This may be impractical with large trees or when too many infested leaves are present. Bands of Tree Tanglefoot pest barrier may be used to snare larvae as they migrate to main branches or the trunk to molt. Insecticides such as spinosad (Natural Guard Spinosad, Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew, Bonide Colorado Potato Beetle Beater and Monterey Garden Insect Spray) permethrin (numerous trade names) malathion or cyfluthrin (Tempo, BioAdvanced Vegetable and Garden Insect Spray) may provide the most practical means of control. The spinosad products are organic controls.

Wheat Scoop: National legislation seeks to keep the food in U.S. food aid programs

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Guest Columnist
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Kansas Wheat

Contact: Marsha Boswell, [email protected]

For audio version, visit kswheat.com.

Neighbors helping neighbors is a Kansas way of life – and it applies not only to combining a wheat field down the road for folks down on their luck, but also to those in need around the world. It was a Kansas farmer who first proposed the idea of sharing grain with countries in dire need nearly 70 years ago. Today, another Kansan – U.S. Representative Tracey Mann – is helping carry that torch by leading legislative efforts to keep the food in now well-established U.S. food aid programs.

“Kansas wheat producers are proud to continue a tradition of championing food aid programs that provide high-quality wheat to those in need,” said Kansas Wheat CEO Justin Gilpin. “These programs have saved lives and built goodwill all in one simple gesture, and we are proud to support the push to keep the food in food aid.”

Peter O’Brien, a young farmer and rancher from Cheyenne County, first suggested donating grain to countries in need during a county meeting in September 1953. Those comments sparked a grassroots movement, leading to the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act in 1954, sponsored by U.S. Senator Any Schoeppel and signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower – both Kansans.

The pillar of today’s modern food aid programs was a common goal: provide people in developing countries with a secure food source, and they will do more than survive. As their economies recover and thrive, they become new potential buyers of U.S. exports.

“America’s international food aid programs have enjoyed bipartisan support for more than 65 years because they are simple, effective, and they feed millions of vulnerable people around the world each year,” Mann said in a release. “Through these programs, America fortifies our allies, counters the influence of foreign adversaries, creates new markets and trading partners, and stops wars before they start.

For decades, the implementation of food aid programs stayed true to this purpose, purchasing and donating U.S.-grown commodities, like wheat, to countries in need. Wheat has been a staple in the fight against global hunger, accounting for roughly 20 percent of the calories consumed globally. In recent years, however, the programs have shifted to transferring cash and purchasing commodities from foreign competitors with U.S. dollars.

“This shift has diminished transparency and accountability, reduced the procurement and shipment of American-grown food for hungry people, and jeopardized more than six decades of bipartisan support for our international food aid programs,” Mann said.

To correct the course of U.S. food aid programs, Mann, who represents the Big First Congressional District, jointly introduced the “American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023” with U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (CA-08), Rick Crawford (AR-01), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) on June 22.

The legislation seeks to ensure U.S.-grown commodities remain the cornerstone of international food aid by ending the Food for Peace program’s utilization of cash transfers overseas – along with restoring transparency, accountability and efficiency to the program.

“The American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 supports more Kansas wheat going to more people around the world who are in need,” said Brian Linin, U.S. Wheat Associates Board of Directors member, Food Aid Working Group member, and farmer in Goodland. “This legislation is an opportunity to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent in a manner that truly makes an impact on global hunger. Commodities produced by U.S. farmers should always be the first choice when it comes to international food aid programs.”

From casual conversations in St. Francis to press conferences outside the U.S. Congress, the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, particularly by providing secure access to food, remains an ideal Kansans will continue to champion.

“This bill puts a stake in the ground,” Mann said. “It’s a noble thing to feed hungry people, and we should use American commodities as we do it.”

Learn more about wheat as a source of food security and assistance at https://www.uswheat.org/policy/food-security-and-assistance/. Learn more about the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 at https://www.uswheat.org/american-farmers-feed-the-world-act-of-2023/.
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Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

 

 

KU News: KU launches new on-campus and online criminal justice programs to meet job market demand

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

Headlines

KU launches new on-campus and online criminal justice programs to meet job market demand
OVERLAND PARK — With a growing demand for skilled employees to fill criminal justice roles in the Kansas City metropolitan area and nationally, the University of Kansas School of Professional Studies is launching two new bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, offered in person and online. Classes begin in spring 2024.

Department of Chemistry announces spring, summer awards and scholarships
LAWRENCE — The Department of Chemistry at the University of Kansas recently distributed more than $313,000 in awards and scholarships for spring and summer 2023 to undergraduate and graduate students. They include Kansans from Arkansas City, De Soto, Derby, Gardner, Lawrence, Liberal, Manhattan, Olathe, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Quinter, Salina, Shawnee, Stilwell, Topeka and Wichita.

Full stories below.

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Contact: Susan Motley, KU Edwards Campus, [email protected], @KUEdwardsCampus
KU launches new on-campus and online criminal justice programs to meet job market demand

OVERLAND PARK — Criminal justice is a large and growing career field encompassing jobs in law enforcement, corrections, policy analysis, court administration, law and intelligence. With the growing demand for skilled employees to fill roles in the Kansas City metro and nationally, KU’s School of Professional Studies is launching two new bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) This allows students to tailor the degree to meet their career goals.

The B.A. in Criminal Justice includes more courses in humanities, while the B.S. in Criminal Justice consists of more hands-on classes and lab work. Both criminal justice degrees require a nine-hour concentration in either Law Enforcement Leadership or Law and Society.

The Law Enforcement Leadership concentration includes courses in Racial Justice and the Criminal Justice System, Public Service Leadership and Principles of Social Problems. It is based on the fact that law enforcement officers often need additional education to advance their careers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than a half-million people employed as police officers and sheriffs nationwide with a median salary of $65,790 a year. While individuals may start their careers in law enforcement without a college degree, many departments require a degree once they become supervisors.

The Law and Society concentration examines how the law works in practice in public administration, courts, the nonprofit sector, policy, policing and the justice system, with courses like The Pursuit of Rights: Law, Democracy, and Power.

Stuart Day, dean of the KU Edwards Campus and School of Professional Studies, said this new program addresses a growing demand for employees with these skill sets across the Kansas City area.

“These new degrees provide students with a broad foundation in criminal justice,” Day said, “and flexibility to tailor their degree to prepare them for the careers that interest them the most.”

The Greater Kansas City area has a strong workforce presence in protective and legal professions. According to the Occupational Report for Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security, there are more than 32,000 jobs regionally in this sector and, recently, there were more than 400 active jobs postings that required a bachelor’s degree.

Students can complete the program on the Edwards Campus, but it is also possible to complete a KU bachelor’s degree in criminal justice entirely online. The degrees are designed for transfer students who already earned an associate degree or equivalent hours and have a strong interest in understanding how agencies and institutions function as part of the criminal justice system. These degree programs focus on different ideas of justice and understanding the impact the justice system has on the lives of individuals and communities.

The first bachelor’s in criminal justice classes will be offered in spring 2024.

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The official university Twitter account has changed to @UnivOfKansas.
Refollow @KUNews for KU News Service stories, discoveries and experts.


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Contact: Angie Erdley, Department of Chemistry, 785-864-6749, [email protected]
Department of Chemistry announces spring, summer awards and scholarships
LAWRENCE — The Department of Chemistry at the University of Kansas held its annual awards and graduation recognition ceremony May 7 to recognize the academic, research and teaching achievements of its students. The department distributed more than $313,000 in awards and scholarships to its undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, 14 students graduating with bachelor’s degrees in chemistry were recognized.
The department welcomed many special guests to this annual celebration, including the Chemistry Alumni Advisory Board (CAAB) members who were in town for their annual meeting, as well Arash Mafi, executive dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences; emeritus faculty; department staff and faculty; and family and friends of the honorees.
The department also announced the 2023 Summer Scholars. This program provides both graduate and undergraduates with a summer stipend to focus on research.
Kansas award winners from each category are listed below, while all recipients are listed online. Some students received multiple awards.
Kansas 2023 Chemistry Undergraduate Awards & Scholarships for freshmen, sophomores and juniors:
1. Nicole Giam, Overland Park, Owen W. Maloney Scholarship
2. Ethan Le, Wichita, Drs. Bijan & Mary Taylor Amini Scholarship
3. Ben Mosier, Manhattan, Drs. Bijan & Mary Taylor Amini Scholarship
4. Darya Moiny, Stilwell, Frances Gayetta Hanna Lenser Scholarship
5. Abigail Butler, Shawnee, Leonard V. Sorg Scholarship
6. Allison Babbit, Lawrence, Michelle & A.C. Buchanan Scholarship
7. Stanslaus Kariuki, Overland Park, Kenyon Latham Opportunity Award
8. Chase Courbot, Salina, James P. & Sharon A. Elrod Scholarship
9. Hannah Chern, Shawnee, K. Barbara Schowen Scholarship
10. Trisha Nair, Overland Park, Jacob Kleinberg Award
11. Roy Manns, Topeka, Roger Munsinger Scholarship
12. Celine Khalife, Wichita, Adrienne Hiscox Mitchell Scholarship
13. Brandon Nguyen, Liberal, John Shapley Award for Excellence in Research
14. Cecilia Paranjothi, Lawrence, Leland & Jill Weigel Scholarship
15. Eden Brenneman, Wichita, Burton & Cheryle MacKenzie Scholarship
16. Jiani Osborn, Olathe, Ralph E. & Esther Weik Badgley Award
17. Audrey Rips-Goodwin, Overland Park, Steve & Susan Snyder Award
18. Theresa Read, Shawnee, Keith & Dona Darlington Award

2023 Chemistry Undergraduate Awards for Seniors:
1. Evie Gruenbacher, Quinter, Emily V. Berger Award
2. Elaine Yeh, Overland Park, Emily V. Berger Award
3. Taryn McNickle, Arkansas City, Gini Adams Research Award in Analytical Chemistry
4. Claire Dopp, Olathe, Frank Newby Physical Science Award & ACS Inorganic Division Award
5. Spencer Einhaus, Salina, Frank Newby Physical Science Award
6. Thomas Finn, Overland Park, Frank Newby Physical Science Award
7. Gaven Stuhlsatz, Lawrence, Frank Newby Physical Science Award & ACS Organic Division Award

2023 Chemistry Undergraduate Top Senior Awards:
1. Caden Kussatz, Gardner, Wakarusa Valley ACS Section Award
2. Gavin Wolfmule, Salina, American Institute of Chemists Award
3. Samara Haenggi, Wichita, Richard J. Bearman Chemistry Award
4. Riley Stegmaier, Wichita, Alpha Chi Sigma Award & ACS Analytical Division Award

Kansas 2023 Chemistry Graduate Awards & Scholarships:
1. Joe Mandigo, Lawrence, Ray Q. Brewster Award
2. Fynn Cooper, Lawrence, Cornelius McCollum Research Scholarship
3. Alex Ervin, Lawrence, Cornelius McCollum Research Scholarship
4. Katie White, Lawrence, Cornelius McCollum Research Scholarship
5. Davis Curry, Lawrence, Elmer McCollum Research Scholarship
6. Madeline Isom, Lawrence, Thomas Milne Scholarship
7. Jenna Williams, De Soto, Adrienne Hiscox Mitchell Scholarship
8. Hanna Nguyen, Lawrence, Burton & Cheryle MacKenzie Scholarship
9. Ian Freed, Prairie Village, Burton & Cheryle MacKenzie Scholarship
10. Emily Mikeska, Lawrence, Drs. Walter & Roy Cross Memorial Award
11. Matthew Zupan, Lawrence, Drs. Walter & Roy Cross Memorial Award
12. Patrick Connelly, Olathe, Kristina May Paquette Scholarship
13. Emily Kurfman, Lawrence, Charles & Beatrice Kulier Scholarship

Kansas 2023 Chemistry Graduate Top Overall Awards:
1. Ashley Borkowski, Lawrence, Paul & Helen Gilles Award in Physical Chemistry

2023 Chemistry Undergraduate Summer Scholars:
2. Cecilia Paranjothi, Lawrence, Jack & Carolyn Landgrebe Research Scholarship

Kansas 2023 Chemistry Graduate Summer Scholars:
3. Lindsey Penland, Lawrence, Berger Summer Scholar
4. Evelyn Pinedo, Lawrence, Landgrebe Summer Scholar
5. Eliza Hanson, Lawrence, Lee Summer Scholar
6. Joseph Karnes, Derby, Lee Summer Scholar
7. Joseph Mandigo, Lawrence, Marsi Summer Scholar.

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KU News Service
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence KS 66045
Phone: 785-864-3256
Fax: 785-864-3339
[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

Working Cowboys Getting Ultimate Test At Santa Fe Trail Ranch Rodeo

By
Frank Buchman
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Frank J Buchman
Frank Buchman

Top working cowboys and their families from throughout the Midwest have July 7-8 circled on their calendars.
“It’s the annual Santa Fe Trail Ranch Rodeo sanctioned by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA),” according to Clay Wilson.
“This year’s competition again sponsored by the Morris County Youth Rodeo Association (MCYRA) will be extra special,” said Wilson, MCYRA president.
“The first ranch rodeo in the state and one of the first in the country was at Council Grove,” Wilson noted.
A number of ranch rodeo sponsors around the Midwest patterned their competitions after the one at Council Grove.
“In conjunction with our ranch rodeos, we started having a youth ranch rodeo for children of the contestants,” Wilson said. “This appealed to the working cowboys making our rodeo a family affair not just for the adults.”
Due to the appeal of such junior rodeos, now the WRCA is sanctioning youth competitions along with traditional ranch rodeos.
“We are excited to again host one of these WRCA Youth Ranch Rodeos at Council Grove,” Wilson said. “While our regular WRCA competitions are Friday and Saturday evenings, the youth ranch rodeo is Saturday morning, July 8, at 10 o’clock.”
Featured youth events are calf branding, doctoring, cattle sorting, and penning with local ranchers also providing that livestock. There will be no admittance fee to attend the youth rodeo with six teams entered.
A Youth World Championship Ranch Rodeo is during the 28th World Championship Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas, November 9-12.
“Our youngsters are so important. They are the next generation of our ranching community,” said Shawn Goemmer, WRCA president.
Throughout the year, qualifying youth ranch rodeo events will be geared for youth members 16 years of age and under. “Up to eight WRCA youth ranch teams will compete for the WRCA Youth World Champion title,” Goemmer said.
“Winner of the Santa Fe trail Youth Ranch Rodeo will be qualified for that prestigious competition,” Wilson pointed out.
At the Council Grove arena, four member teams representing 14 ranches have entered the WRCA evening performances at 7 o’clock.
“Top scoring team from both performances qualifies for the WRCA World Championship competition,” Wilson said. “Several winners from previous Santa Fe Trail Ranch Rodeos have gone on to become world champions.
Ranch bronc riding featuring some of the top bucking horses in the country will kick off each WRCA evening performance.
In a return engagement, OMAK Rodeo Company, owned by Don Reno of Nowata, Oklahoma, is again providing the broncs. The horses are production of his “Born To Buck” rodeo bronc breeding program.
“These stout bucking horses have been contracted to a dozen top professional rodeos since the spring season began,” Wilson said.
“We are contracting some of our broncs to the famed Cheyenne Frontier Days again this year,” Reno said. “Several of the broncs we have there will also be at this year’s Santa Fe Trail Ranch Rodeo.”
Furthering the exciting colorful Western competition for the working ranch cowboys will be the wild cow milking event.
“This is always an anticipated feature,” Wilson assured. “It’ll be even more exciting for contestants and spectators alike this year.”
A working cowboy, rodeo champion, Les McGee of Greeley is providing his big, rank, bright-speckled Longhorn cows for the event. “Those stout ornery momma cows will surely test the cowboys’ abilities,” Wilson added.
Additionally, “true to life cowboys’ work on the ranch” featured in the rodeo will be calf branding, stray gathering, and team penning.
“This livestock is provided by local ranchers straight from Flint Hills pastures here in Morris and surrounding counties,” Wilson said.
Concessions by the sponsoring group will be available throughout each rodeo performance.
Additional information for entries and details is available from Wilson at 785-466-1359.

CUTLINES
Here they come fresh off the range, OMAK Rodeo Company “Born To Buck” broncs from Nowata, Oklahoma, for the Santa Fe Trail Ranch Rodeo Friday and Saturday evenings, July 7-8, at Council Grove.

Local riders and contestants from throughout the Midwest are expected for the Working Ranch Cowboys Association sanctioned youth ranch rodeo at Council Grove, Saturday morning, July 8. That competition is a feature of the annual WRCA rodeo Friday and Saturday evenings, July 7-8.

A working ranch cowboy, Les McGee of Greeley is providing his big, rank, bright-speckled Longhorn cows for the wild cow milking in the Santa Fe Trail Ranch Rodeo, July 7-8, at Council Grove.

From the sidelines to the arena dust, little cowboys and cowgirls are what the Morris County Youth Rodeo Association is all about. They’ll be watching and competing during the Working Ranch Cowboys Association sanctioned competitions at Council Grove, July 7-8.

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