People

Prof named fine arts associate dean

Christopher Johnson, professor of music education and music therapy, and director of music education, is now associate dean of research and graduate studies. Johnson’s new responsibilities will include providing leadership and coordination for research efforts in the School of Fine Arts, fostering research by maintaining funding opportunities and administering programs for allocating incentive funds.

Johnson came to KU as an assistant professor in the Department of Music Education and Music Therapy in 1992. Since his arrival, Johnson has taught courses in instrumental conducting, teaching instrumental music, managing behaviors in the music environment, psychology and acoustics of music, and research methods in music education and music therapy. Johnson has received the Ned N. Fleming Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Chemistry prof to lead national science program

Kristin Bowman-James, professor of chemistry, will assume leadership for the Kansas National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research beginning Jan 1. Sponsored jointly by the NSF and the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation, EPSCoR enables the state’s research universities to develop research programs that are more competitive for federal research funds. Established in 1992, the program is directly responsible for bringing more than $20 million of federal research funding to Kansas.

International council taps Carlin for board

Diana Carlin, dean of the graduate school and international programs, was elected to a one-year term on the Council of Graduate Schools board of directors.

The council is an organization of higher education institutions in the United States and Canada with international affiliates engaged in graduate education, research scholarship and the preparation of candidates for advanced degrees. Carlin joins administrators from across the country on the 12-member board. Carlin will participate in the annual CGS meeting in Washington, D.C., Dec. 9-11.

African Studies Center director receives grant

John M. Janzen, director of the Kansas African Studies Center, has received the first Major Project Planning Grant distributed by the KU Center for Research. Janzen won the grant with his prospectus, “Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Kansas African Studies Center for National Resource Center Funding.” Janzen and co-investigator Garth Myers of the geography department will submit a proposal next fall for a U.S. Department of Education-sponsored National Resource Center in African Studies. Funding will support staff and consultant activities that will enhance the center’s chances of success in securing one of these highly regarded centers for KU.

Endowment hires advocate for Dole Institute

Lori Hutfles, Lawrence, has been named the Dole Institute of Politics development director at the KU Endowment Association. In this position, Hutfles will plan and implement a strategy to raise private gifts in support of the Dole Institute. Hutfles joined KU Endowment in June 2000 as development director for the KU museums. Hutfles has more than 15 years in marketing and advertising experience.