July 17, 2002

Contact: Todd Cohen, University Relations, (785) 864-8858.

MEDIA ADVISORY: KU administrators, researchers to attend research facility bill signing in Topeka

WHAT: A group of KU administrators and researchers will be on hand at the State Capitol as Gov. Bill Graves signs the bill that will provide bonds for research facilities at the three major institutions of higher learning in the state.

The bill will approve the state issue of $120 million in bonds for the construction of a life sciences center on the KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City, Kan.; a food safety facility at Kansas State University; and an engineering structure facility at Wichita State University. The funds will also be used to purchase some equipment for the Life Science labs at Lawrence.

WHO: The KU administrators and researchers attending the signing include Don Hagen, executive vice chancellor at the KU Medical Center; Janet Murguia, executive vice chancellor for university relations; and Michael Welch, vice chancellor for research and president of KU Medical Center Research Institute. Don Beggs, president of Wichita State University, and some members of the Board of Regents also are expected to attend.

WHEN: The signing will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 18.

WHERE: The Governor's Office, second floor of the State Capitol in Topeka.