KU taps Mississippi recruiter for UCES

David Gaston has been named the new director of University Career and Employment Services. He will work with the staff of Career Counseling and Planning Services as they join efforts with UCES and move to the Burge Union late in April.

Gaston comes to KU from the University of Mississippi, where he served as assistant director of recruiting for the Career Center. In addition, he coordinated and taught the Career and Life Planning courses and is completing his doctorate at the University of Mississippi. He serves on the board of directors for the Southeastern Association of Colleges and Employers.

Nursing professor named to national advisory committee

Judith Warren, associate professor of nursing, was appointed to the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics on Dec. 1. Warren is the first nurse to be appointed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ public advisory body on statistics, health data and information systems. They make recommendations directly to the secretary of the health and human services.

English professor to study political science with Keeler Award

Kathryn Conrad, associate professor of English, has received a Keeler Intra-University Professorship for spring 2005. She will take courses and consult with professors in the political science department at KU throughout that semester.

Because her work on the literature of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland regularly intersects with social and political issues, she believes greater familiarity with the methodologies of political science will significantly advance her work on a new book and, perhaps, lead to collaborative interdisciplinary teaching and research projects.

The Keeler professorships are supported by a gift in memory of W.W. Keeler, former president of the KU Alumni Association, chief executive officer of Phillips Petroleum Co. and principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Edwards Campus assistant takes on added responsibilities

Peggy Schalansky, assistant to the vice chancellor at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park, has been promoted to facilities marketing manager for the campus. In addition to her responsibilities as assistant to the vice chancellor, Schalansky is responsible for the promotion and operations of Edwards Campus facilities when used by corporate, state and KU organizations.

Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center names director

Tammara L. Durham is now director of the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center. Durham came to KU in 1998 as the first assistant director of the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center. She became associate director in 2000 and has served as interim director since October 2003. Durham has been involved with the Symposium on the Recruitment and Retention of Students of Color, Colors of KU Diversity Retreat and LeaderShape Institute, and she serves as an adviser to Sigma Gamma Lambda sorority.

Lied Center hires director of development

Jean Rosenthal is the new director of development at the Lied Center of Kansas. Rosenthal’s duties will include working on development and fund-raising initiatives, recruiting volunteer, planning special events, and working closely with the Friends of the Lied board of directors and members. Rosenthal comes to the Lied Center from Continuing Education, where she was responsible for marketing and publications for the Aerospace Short Course Program.