June 14, 2002

Contact: Ranjit Arab, University Relations, (785) 864-8855.

Statement by chancellor, dean on the death of Professor George Traiger

University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway and Jack Fincham, dean of the KU School of Pharmacy, made the following statements in response to the death of George Traiger, professor of pharmacology and toxicology. Traiger died of a heart attack last night in Oxford, England. He and his wife, Bernadette, were visiting their daughter, who is a student at Oxford University. Traiger had taught at KU since 1973. He would have turned 61 years old today.

Chancellor Hemenway:
"George Traiger was a valuable member of the KU family for almost 30 years. His efforts in counseling minority graduate students within the School of Pharmacy, as well as his research and teaching expertise, greatly enriched the university. We are all deeply saddened by the news of his death. On behalf of the KU community, I would like to extend our condolences to his wife, Bernadette, his three daughters, and his family and friends."

Jack Fincham, dean of the KU pharmacy school:
"George Traiger was a splendid human being. In addition to being a wonderful professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, he also was director of graduate studies for the four departments in our school. He was instrumental in setting in place a minority advisory council for our graduate program. George performed admirably as a faculty member and a role model -- he was a terrific colleague and he truly will be missed by all of us in the School of Pharmacy."