News
KU chapter of Phi Beta Kappa initiates new members
The University of Kansas Alpha chapter of Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society has initiated 87 new members. Election to Phi Beta Kappa recognizes a student’s high academic achievement while pursuing a broad and substantive liberal-arts curriculum.
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Mon, 04/06/2026
KU researcher proposes strategies for political depolarization in, outside classroom
In two recent publications, a University of Kansas communication studies researcher prescribes constructive approaches to political polarization both in the classroom and in society more broadly.
Mon, 04/06/2026
KU research shows JOBS Act backfired, resulting in acquisitions of companies instead of increasing IPOs
Alex Platt, KU School of Law professor, has published research showing that the JOBS Act of 2012, which was intended to revive the IPO market, has had the opposite effect. Instead of making it easier for companies to go public through the IPO process, it has resulted in "dual-track bias," which has led many companies to sell to larger companies instead.
Thu, 04/02/2026
Groundwater levels in the Kansas High Plains aquifer see first overall increase since 2019
Preliminary measurements by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) show an overall increase in 2025 groundwater levels across Kansas High Plains aquifer regions, due in part to periods of above-average rainfall. In south-central Kansas, water levels increased an average of nearly 2.5 feet — the highest since 2019.
Thu, 04/02/2026
Second journalism dean candidate to present April 6
Judith E. Rosenbaum-Andre, associate dean for faculty affairs and administration in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Maine, will be the second finalist in the University of Kansas School of Journalism and Mass Communications dean search. Her public presentation will take place April 6.
Thu, 04/02/2026
KU Center for East Asian Studies to host environmental symposium
The KU Center for East Asian Studies, in collaboration with the Graduate Scholars of East Asian Studies, will host the Environmental & Economic Challenges in Global Asia Symposium, an interdisciplinary event to take place April 3–4 at Watson Library and online.
Thu, 04/02/2026
Research targets outdated manufactured housing wind-safety codes
Wind provisions governing the design of manufactured homes haven’t changed since 1994. Part of the problem in modernizing HUD building codes has been a lack of supporting research showing inadequacies in the current regulations. A University of Kansas researcher aims to change that.
Wed, 04/01/2026
KU expert in presidential rhetoric can comment on Trump Iran speech
Robert Rowland, University of Kansas professor of communication studies and author of “The Rhetoric of Donald Trump,” is available to speak with media ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned televised address April 1.
Wed, 04/01/2026
KU Assessment & Technology Solutions partners with Lawrence Homeless Resource Center on community-centered supports
KU ATS partnered with Lawrence’s Homeless Resource Center to strengthen their technology and data systems. ATS supports infrastructure, data practices and decision-making while also providing donations for immediate needs.
Wed, 04/01/2026
University Dance Company Spring Concert to feature uplifting student performances
Three KU faculty choreographers and Kansas City's Sam McReynolds, a guest artist who was in residency at KU this spring, present work in modern/contemporary, jazz, hip-hop and disco styles for the University Dance Company Spring Concert. A work by Jayhawk Tap Company will also be featured.
Wed, 04/01/2026
States that imposed total abortion bans spend millions more in nutritional food programs, research finds
Lilly Springer, doctoral candidate in economics at the University of Kansas, found that states that implemented total abortion bans by the start of 2023 experienced a 1.6% increase in the overall birth rate. They also experience 4.3% and 2.1% increase in monthly postpartum women and formula-fed infant WIC participation, respectively, leading to an additional $6.9 million in food costs.
Wed, 04/01/2026
KU announces first recipients of Faculty Service Award
Joshua Arpin, assistant teaching professor in the School of Business, and Karen Moeller, clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, were recently awarded the 2026 Faculty Service Award at the University of Kansas.
Wed, 04/01/2026
KU Libraries select travel award recipients, prepare to host visiting scholars
Six scholars representing institutions in four states, the District of Columbia and Italy were recently selected as KU Libraries' travel award winners, enabling visiting faculty, students and independent researchers to connect to the Kenneth Spencer Research Library’s rare materials and expert curators.
Wed, 04/01/2026
KU students travel to Colorado and Illinois for Spring Alternative Breaks
Twelve Jayhawks volunteered with KU Alternative Breaks this March, serving three community organizations across Colorado and Illinois. KU Alternative Breaks provides immersive volunteer experiences that foster a lifelong commitment to service.
Tue, 03/31/2026
Claire Willey-Sthapit to receive International Research Award, deliver talk
Claire Willey-Sthapit, assistant professor in KU's School of Social Welfare, will receive the KU International Affairs Advisory Board International Research Award and speak April 29. Her research examines domestic violence policy across the U.S. and Nepal, highlighting community-based responses and challenging global assumptions about prevention and intervention.
Tue, 03/31/2026
KU remains among top 40 public universities granted patents for inventions
The National Academy of Inventors ranks the University of Kansas 39th among public universities for the number of utility patents granted in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year the University of Kansas is listed among the United States’ top 100 institutions receiving patents.
Tue, 03/31/2026
KU nominates 4 students for Truman scholarship
Four outstanding students have been selected as the University of Kansas nominees for Harry S. Truman Scholarships. The prestigious national awards, which provide up to $30,000 for graduate study, are given to college juniors for leadership in public service.
Tue, 03/31/2026
‘This Week in Virology’ podcast to be hosted and recorded at KU
The University of Kansas Center for Chemical Biology of Infectious Disease (CBID) will host Vincent Racaniello, virologist and podcaster, at 3 p.m. April 3 in 1005 Haworth Hall.
Tue, 03/31/2026
‘Buried up to his neck’: How a community saved a Kansas farmer’s life with KFRTI’s grain bin rescue training
In 2023, Allen County first responders trained with the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute in grain engulfment rescue. On Aug. 7, 2025, those first responders saved Joey Berntsen's life.
Mon, 03/30/2026
KU Law to honor distinguished alumni
The University of Kansas School of Law will recognize Judge Dan Crabtree, Steve Leben and Diane Parrish with its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award. The award celebrates graduates for their professional achievements, contributions to the legal field and service to their community and the university.
Mon, 03/30/2026
Inaugural Hanzlik Memorial Lecture set for April 2 at KU School of Pharmacy
The University of Kansas School of Pharmacy's Robert P. Hanzlik Memorial Lecture will feature former KU faculty member Gunda Georg, who will speak at 4 p.m. April 2.
Mon, 03/30/2026
With history standards prone to politicization, ‘minimalism’ approach would benefit teachers, scholar argues
Stephen Jackson, education scholar at the University of Kansas, writes in a new article that history education standards are prone to politicization and only stoke the culture wars without improving what students learn. He instead proposes "standards minimalism” and points to Kansas and Maine as two states with exemplary standards.
Fri, 03/27/2026
KU Debate coach wins National Coach of the Year Award
Brett Bricker, KU’s head debate coach, was awarded the Ross K. Smith Debate Coach of the Year award at the 2026 National Debate Tournament in recognition of his career achievements in coaching. Bricker is the third KU coach to win the prestigious award
Fri, 03/27/2026
‘Human Dimensions of AI’ topic of KU Self Graduate Fellowship 2026 Symposium Lecture
Poppy Crum, a leader and innovator at the forefront of artificial intelligence, machine learning and human-computer interaction, will present the KU Self Graduate Fellowship 2026 Symposium Lecture on April 24 at the University of Kansas.
Fri, 03/27/2026
Office of Faculty Affairs to host third annual KU Faculty Development Academies Week
University of Kansas Lawrence and Edwards faculty are invited to participate in the third annual KU Faculty Development Academies Week, which takes place May 18-22.
Fri, 03/27/2026
KU Staff Senate announces inaugural awards
Two KU staff members will be recognized for service to the university during the 2026 Staff Professional Development Conference on April 8.
Thu, 03/26/2026
Three KU professors in paleontology, medicinal chemistry and microbiology named AAAS fellows
Three University of Kansas professors — K. Christopher Beard, Jianming Qiu and Michael S. Wolfe — have been elected as 2025 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellows, a distinct honor within the scientific community.
Thu, 03/26/2026
First JMC dean candidate to present March 30
Scott Reinardy, faculty member and interim dean of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications, will be the first dean candidate to share his strategies for the school’s future. His public presentation will take place at 2 p.m. March 30.
Thu, 03/26/2026
Filmmakers save stories of Topeka’s Bottoms neighborhood
A 30-minute version of the documentary “Reclaiming Home: Remembering the Topeka Bottoms” premieres at 6 p.m. March 27, closing out the related exhibition at the University of Kansas Department of Visual Art’s Off-Site Art Space downtown.
Thu, 03/26/2026
Shutz lecture to delve into the mysteries of medieval archives
Misty Schieberle will give a public lecture, “Medieval Mysteries: Archival Challenges and Classroom Discoveries,” on April 20, exploring how rare manuscripts and historical documents reveal new insights into medieval life and literature. Schieberle will also show how this archival work enriches student learning by encouraging investigation and discovery.
Wed, 03/25/2026
KU physics & astronomy postdoc wins highly competitive NASA Hubble Prize Fellowship
Hayley Beltz, a postdoctoral researcher in physics & astronomy, won a highly competitive NASA Hubble Prize Fellowship, making her the first KU scientist to receive the prestigious award in its 36-year history. The fellowship will enable her to use data collected from the Hubble Space Telescope to analyze magnetic fields on planets outside our solar system — known as exoplanets.