'Rock Chalk Roadshow' will take KU story to central, western Kansas schools

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas' "Rock Chalk Roadshow" will travel more than 2,000 miles and roll into 54 high schools and community colleges in central and western Kansas Aug. 29 through Sept. 3.

The roadshow, now in its second year, will take six staff members from the KU Office of Admissions and Scholarships on the road in two vans through 34 counties in central and western Kansas. During the day, KU representatives will be dropping by school counselors' offices. During the evenings and on Sunday afternoon, KU administrators will join the admissions staff and the Baby Jay mascot to meet with parents and students in five cities.

KU administrators joining the roadshow will include Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success; Lisa Pinamonti, admissions director; and Kerry Rutledge, admissions counselor.

"KU looks to central and western Kansas for some of its most outstanding students," Pinamonti said. "We look forward to meeting with some of the states brightest students and their parents for another chance to share some of the opportunities that await them at KU."

Sunday and evening presentations will provide refreshments; a KU information table; a presentation about the roadshow; a keynote address; the Power Point presentation, "A Day in the Life of a Jayhawk;" an admissions overview and giveaways.

Receptions are scheduled for:

  McPherson High School, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29
  Pratt Community College, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30
  Liberal High School, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31
  Colby Community College, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1
  Beloit Junior-Senior High School, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2

The KU roadshow crew will carry with them information about KU's excellent academic programs and national rankings, financial aid, scholarships and more.

Counties to be visited are Barton, Clark, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Gove, Graham, Grant, Gray, Haskell, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Meade, Mitchell, Ottawa, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Seward, Sheridan, Scott, Stafford, Stevens, Thomas, Trego and Wichita.

The full KU Rock Chalk Roadshow itinerary will include stops at the following high schools and community colleges:

Monday, Aug. 30: Lyons, Sterling, Ellinwood, Great Bend, Barton County Community College, McPherson, Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College, Kingman and Cunningham.

Tuesday, Aug. 31:Pratt, Greensburg, Bucklin, Minneola, Meade, St. John, Macksville, Kinsley, Dodge City and South Gray (Montezuma).

Wednesday, Sept. 1: Hugoton, Ulysses, Lakin, Wichita County (Leoti), Triplains (Winona), Seward Community College, Sublette, Garden City Community College, Garden City, Scott City

Thursday, Sept. 2: Golden Plains (Rexford), Hoxie, Hill City, Palco, Lucas-Luray, Colby, Grinnell, Trego Community (WaKeeney), Ellis, Hays, Thomas More Prep-Marian (Hays).

Friday, Sept. 3: Salina South, Salina, Sacred Heart, Southeast of Saline (Gypsum), Tescott, Bennington, Minneapolis and Lincoln.

For more information, e-mail KU admissions counselor Kerry Rutledge at kfink@ku.edu.