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KU HISTORY:

On April 15, 1913, Clarence Johnson, a professor of engineering, was granted a leave of absence. This was not the ordinary leave, however. Johnson was excused to travel to Panama to oversee installation of the electric circuitry necessary to operate the Panama Canal. For more, see www.kuhistory.com.

RESEARCH MATTERS:

A KU professor's research has shown that a quality music program can boost a school's performance on standardized tests. Christopher Johnson, professor of music and dance, performed a study comparing results with similar demographics but with varying quality music programs. He found jumps of 22 percent in English test scores and 20 percent in math scores at elementary schools with good music programs. One theory holds that scores improved because music helps develop attentiveness. For more, or to listen to the original broadcast, visit www.researchmatters.ku.edu.

TOPONYMS:

Two buildings on the Lawrence campus are named for Robert J. Dole, longtime Kansas senator. The Dole Human Development Center, dedicated Aug. 25, 1990, honors his advocacy for people with disabilities. The Dole Institute of Politics, opened in July 2003, houses his political papers and features tributes to Kansans who, like him, served in World War II. For more, visit www.buildings.ku.edu.

NOTABLE ALUMS:

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Lawrence Mayor Michael Dever recently proclaimed April 14-20 Elizabeth Sherbon Week in honor of the centennial celebration of her birth. Sherbon, a longtime Lawrence resident and 1930 KU grad, was a member of the Martha Graham and Jean Erdman dance companies in New York City and was Graham's teaching assistant before directing the KU dance program from 1961 to 1975. The city of Lawrence awarded Sherbon the Cultural Enhancement Award in 1993 for her contributions to the city's artistic and cultural life.

TOPONYMS:

Two buildings on the Lawrence campus are named for Robert J. Dole, longtime Kansas senator. The Dole Human Development Center, dedicated Aug. 25, 1990, honors his advocacy for people with disabilities. The Dole Institute of Politics, opened in July 2003, houses his political papers and features tributes to Kansans who, like him, served in World War II. For more, visit www.buildings.ku.edu.