The six-day, 1,500-mile Wheat State Whirlwind Tour will introduce KU faculty and staff, including the new provost and two new deans, to the history, economy and landscape of Kansas this month.

Among the nearly 50 participants this year are incoming Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Richard Lariviere, School of Law Dean Gail Agrawal and School of Education Dean Rick Ginsberg. Lariviere said he jumped at the opportunity.

"I am keen to visit other parts of Kansas and to learn from the folks more about what makes Kansas tick. I have a great deal to learn about the state, the economy and how KU meets their expectations. I am looking forward to this with enthusiasm," Lariviere said.

Highlights of this year's tour will include stops at the Brown v. Board of Education Historic Site in Topeka, the National Orphan Train Museum in Concordia, a wind turbine farm in Montezuma and the Palco wheat farm of Don Steeples, vice provost for scholarly support and the McGee Distinguished Professor of Geophysics.

"Tour participants have the opportunity to view firsthand the history, culture, cuisine, geography, architecture and commerce in various towns and communities, while they discuss timely issues with the local residents," said Margey Frederick, director of visitor services and special events.

The tour will begin Friday, May 19, with a trip to the Kansas Speedway, the Marais des Cygnes Massacre and Battle of Mine Creek state historic sites in Linn County and other stops in Fort Scott and Louisburg. It will resume Monday, May 22, with stops in more than 20 cities and 22 counties, including tours in rural areas.

Chancellor Robert Hemenway, who sponsors the tour, will join the tour participants for lunch May 22 with Kansas State University faculty at their campus in Manhattan. Faculty will also meet on the Dodge County Community College campus with President Richard Burke. In Hutchinson, tour participants will meet members of the Central Kansas KU Alumni Chapter for dinner at the encampment building at the State Fairgrounds.