Gerontology center names Ekerdt director

The Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies has named David J. Ekerdt director of the Gerontology Center. Ekerdt, the interim director of the Gerontology Center and professor of sociology, was appointed after a national search.

Ekerdt will oversee the Gerontology Center’s research agenda, which includes seminal research in aging and communication, the social and psychological aspects of retirement, long-term care, housing alternatives and age discrimination.

Professor receives $1M Department of Energy grant

Jenn-Tai Liang, associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering, has been awarded a $1 million, three-year research project through the U.S. Department of Energy. Liang’s project not only will increase domestic oil production by enabling recovery of previously stranded oil but also will benefit the environment by promoting the beneficial reuse of agriculture process waste products.

KUSM-W public health professorship awarded

Doren Fredrickson, associate professor of preventive medicine and public health, has been named Kansas Health Foundation Distinguished Professor in Public Health at the KU School of Medicine-Wichita. He also serves as chief health officer for the Sedgwick County Health Department. Fredrickson is the second KUSM-W faculty member to hold the professorship, established in 1999. He succeeds S. Edwards Dismuke, who is now dean of the Wichita medical school.

Chancellor joins world leaders at economic forum

Chancellor Robert Hemenway will join a select group of world leaders in politics, business, academia, religion, labor and the media attending the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland this month. The meeting agenda focuses on seeking solutions to challenges including climate change, equitable globalization, global economy, global governance, unrest in the Middle East and poverty. The chancellor will attend the four-day summit Jan. 26 through 29 in Davos as part of a weeklong trip to London starting Jan. 23 to meet with KU alumni and prospective donors.

University hires coordinator for diversity

Jean Epstein has been named coordinator of university faculty and staff diversity. In this new half-time position, Epstein will work with campus units to develop and implement strategic initiatives focused on recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty and staff. Epstein, a graduate of Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, is a human resources specialist and consultant with a strong background in employee training, development, and strategic issues regarding racial diversity.

KPR volunteer named new staff member

George Norton is Kansas Public Radio’s new director of corporate development. Norton, a longtime supporter and volunteer at KPR, will be in charge of more than 130 underwriting accounts that bring in almost $250,000 per year to support KPR. He will seek new accounts and look to widen KPR’s underwriting base in Topeka, Emporia, Manhattan and Junction City.