Distinguished KU alumni, benefactor to receive Distinguished Service Citations

LAWRENCE -- Three University of Kansas alumni and a university benefactor will be honored with Distinguished Service Citations during this year's commencement events.

The citation, which is bestowed on those who have become leaders in their professions and communities, is the highest honor given by the university and the Kansas Alumni Association. Since 1941, it has been presented to men and women whose lives and careers have helped benefit humanity.

This year's honorees are Richard E. Davis, Leawood, who received a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and sciences from KU in 1950 and a medical degree from KU in 1954; Kenton Keith, Washington, D.C., who received a liberal arts and sciences degree from KU in 1961; Alan Mulally, Mercer Island, Wash., who received an engineering degree from KU in 1968; and KU benefactor Hortense "Tensie" Oldfather, of Lawrence.

This year's Distinguished Service Citation award winners will be honored at the annual All-University Supper at 7:30 p.m. May 17 in the Kansas Union ballroom. The event has been moved to the ballroom to accommodate the more than 400 university faculty, staff, students and alumni who will attend. Other special guests will include this year's Chancellor's Student Award recipients, the senior class officers and past service citation winners.

Richard E. Davis, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences '53, School of Medicine '54, had a long career as a child psychiatrist, instructor and author before he founded K.C. Masterpiece Barbecue Products Inc., of which he also is chairman of the board. Davis' business acumen is rivaled only by his community involvement; he was honored with the Stop the Violence Coalition's Kindest Kansas Citian Award, and the Boys Club of Johnson County bestowed its Award for Distinguished Services upon him.

Kenton Keith, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences '61, has made service to his country a lifelong vocation. His career began in the Foreign Service, with postings to many Middle Eastern countries. Other governmental appointments include a post as cultural attaché in Paris and an assignment as U.S. ambassador to Qatar. Keith now lends his specialized knowledge of Middle Eastern affairs to his role with the State Department, where he was charged with setting up and operating the new Coalition Information Center in Islamabad, Pakistan. Among his many other honors, Keith has received two presidential meritorious service awards.

Alan Mulally, Engineering '68, has spent more than 33 years with The Boeing Co. His contributions to the field of aviation include numerous engineering and program management assignments, including work as general manager of Boeing's 777 aircraft program. He is president of Boeing Commercial Airlines Group and senior vice president of The Boeing Co. Among his many awards and honors, Mulally received KU's Distinguished Engineering Service Award and was elected to the national Academy of Engineering.

For Tensie Oldfather, the maxim "think globally -- act locally" is more than merely a bumper-sticker platitude; it is a way of life. In addition to rearing seven children, Oldfather was active in many local organizations, including Head Start and the Red Cross. Her civic concern extended to mental health issues in Douglas County, and she has been active on the board of the Bert Nash Mental Health Clinic and The Villages. Oldfather's continuing generosity has funded many valuable KU programs and recently helped build a new home for public radio station KANU-FM at the university. Oldfather attended KU in 1964.