Nursing receives funds for continuing education

The School of Nursing has received $228,564 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the first year of a career ladder program to help nurses continue their education. The project, called Nurse Education, Practice and Retention: Career Ladder, promotes nurse retention by recruiting and mentoring nurses toward career advancement, focusing on the master’s portion of KU’s current online RN-to-BSN-to-MS program. Technology such as Web-based courses, Web-enhanced interactive television courses and e-mentoring strategies will allow nurses to complete advanced education without leaving their home communities.

Budig teaching award granted

The 2004 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award in Social Welfare has been awarded to Edward Canda, professor of social welfare and courtesy professor of religious studies, and Dennis Dailey, professor of social welfare. The award, which was established in 2003 by former Chancellor Gene A. Budig and Gretchen Budig, recognizes social welfare faculty members who demonstrate excellent teaching skills.

KPR comedy series wins national ‘Best of Show’

Right Between the Ears has been named National Best of Show at the 2004 Silver Microphone Awards. The sketch comedy series also won the top prize for Best Audio Program-Entertainment. The award is typically granted to advertising agencies and production studios. The competition, which is in its 20th year, is open to more than 40,000 advertising agencies, production studios and radio stations in the United States.

Friendship program seeks families

The Lawrence Friendship Family Program, formerly known as the Lawrence Host Family Program, is seeking families and individuals to befriend a KU international student. Although a commitment to participate for a full academic year is typically requested, the obligation is minimal. Participants are asked to contact their student weekly during the first month of the school year and to invite the student to attend at least two activities per semester. The program sponsors periodic organized events, including square dances, picnics, carnivals and bowling parties. For more information contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at 864-3617 or carol@ku.edu.

Students to receive KU bills online this fall

Beginning this fall, KU students can obtain their tuition and fee bill through Enroll & Pay. Effective October 2004, paper bills will be discontinued and an eBill e-mail notification will be sent to students on or about the 21st of each month. An eBill notification directs students to view and print their eBill online through Enroll & Pay. During KU’s transition to paperless bills, students will receive both paper and an e-mail notification in August and September. For more information visit the Bursar’s Office Web site, www.bursar.ku.edu and click “New eBill Information.”

Women of Distinction calendars now available

The 2004-2005 “KU Women of Distinction” calendar is available free in the Emily Taylor Resource Center and the KU Bookstore, both located in the Kansas Union. The poster-style calendar features 12 photographs of 17 students, faculty, staff and alumnae. For more information, visit the Emily Taylor Resource Center Web site, www.ku.edu/~etwrc/, or call Kathy Rose-Mockry, 864-3552.

KU instructor takes part in Lawrence music event

Lauralyn Bodle, lecturer in Italian, will perform as part of the Alferd Packard Memorial String band during the 24th annual Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships Aug. 21 and 22. Events on Saturday will include a barn dance and workshop at Woodlawn School, 508 Elm, and a jam session at the Americana Music Academy, 1419 Massachusetts. On Sunday, free music and entertainment will be from 12:30 to 5 p.m. in South Park, 12th and Massachusetts streets. For more information call 842-7149.

GAP program slated to begin this fall

Beginning this fall, KU students who complete a course of international study and activities as part of their undergraduate program will see that achievement reflected on their transcripts. The Global Awareness Program (GAP), coordinated by the Office of International Programs, will recognize students who have developed international understanding through study abroad, academic work and co-curricular activities. KU’s program will be open to all undergraduates. For more information visit www.international.ku.edu/programs/GAP/index.shtml.

Center produces video on father of movement

KU’s Research and Training Center on Independent Living has produced a video on Ed Roberts, known as the father of the independent living movement. Ed Roberts: His Words, His Vision is a nine-minute video based on a speech Roberts made to Kansas City disability activists in 1981. Release of the videotape coincides with the 14th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mark Crabtree, producer with Continuing Education, edited the work, and Bryan “Kip” Haaheim, assistant professor of music and dance, wrote the music. The video is available for purchase at www.rtcfpil.org/newDevelopments.htm.

Theatre & Film offers free drama classes for children

The Department of Theatre & Film will begin new sessions of free after-school drama classes for children in grades 1 through 3 beginning Aug. 31. Registration is Aug. 30. Free classes for children in grades 4 through 6 will begin Oct. 7. Registration for that session will be Oct. 4. Each session includes seven classes, which are taught at Murphy Hall by Jeanne Klein, associate professor, and students enrolled in TH&F 404, Children and Drama. For more information call Erika Crane at 864-5576.

International Programs to host workshop

The Office of International Programs will conduct its first faculty workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 29 in the English Room of the Kansas Union. Sessions will include information on visa issues and how to create a study abroad program. Register before Sept. 24 by calling 864-6161, or e-mail Nancy Huckeba at nhuckeba@ku.edu. For more information visit www.international.ku.edu.

Beach Center names editor for e-newsletter

Mary Margaret Simpson is the new editor of the Beach Center on Disability’s e-newsletter, which can be found at www.beachcenter.org/news/default.asp?id=22. Each issue will feature an area of research at the Beach Center that concerns children with disabilities, their families and their service providers.

Company using KU research receives NIH grant

A Lawrence company that uses patented technology created at KU to improve the effectiveness of drugs has won a $100,000 National Institutes of Health grant to support further testing of the cancer drug, Nanotax. CritiTech Inc., in cooperation with the KU Medical Center, already has performed preclinical ovarian cancer studies at the Medical Center under the direction of Katherine Roby, research associate professor of anatomy and cell biology and a member of the Medical Center’s Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute. Researchers at KU’s Higuchi Biosciences Center developed the patented technology.

KU Archive of Recorded Sound awarded grant

KU’s Archive of Recorded Sound is expanding its offerings, increasing its accessibility and continuing to preserve its collection through digital technology with the help of a $7,250 grant from the Bellavia Foundation. The archive has about 250,000 recordings and is one of the largest sound archives in the country. It includes the Richard F. Wright jazz archive and the Seaver Opera Collection.