KU Natural History Museum receives top rating among public universities

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Natural History Museum has been named the top natural history museum among public universities by Best College Reviews. In "The 30 Most Amazing Higher Ed Natural History Museums," the museum ranked fourth overall behind private university museums at Harvard, Drexel and Yale.

"We are honored to receive this recognition of nationwide leadership in the study of the life of the planet for science and society,” said Leonard Krishtalka, director of the KU Biodiversity Institute and the museum. “We have the finest scientists, graduate students and public program staff in the country."

To be named to the select list of 30 museums, each institution had to be open to the public. Additional ranking criteria included:

• Number of artifacts/specimens in the collection
• Opportunities at the museum for college students
• Community involvement

The KU Natural History Museum, a part of the Biodiversity Institute, seeks to engage and inspire diverse audiences through nature and science. The museum offers programs for the public, K-12 teachers and students and the university community, and it includes four floors of exhibits. It is home to more than 9 million plant, animal and fossil specimens, and 1.5 million archaeological artifacts.

Photo: A view of the Mosasaur exhibit (skeleton) in the Natural History Museum foyer. Photo by Meg Kumin, Marketing Communications.