10/29/2004

Contact: Charles Jones, director, Public Management Center, (785) 296-2353

KU Public Management Center in Topeka to celebrate 30th anniversary

TOPEKA -- The University of Kansas' Public Management Center will celebrate its 30th anniversary Nov. 4 with a reception and dedication of its renovated facilities.

The events will include a seminar on the results of Tuesday's elections featuring KU political scientists, noted political reporters and two top state legislators.

The center, 715 W. 10th St. in Topeka, began in 1974 as the Capitol Center to provide education for state employees. It offers night and weekend courses toward a master's degree in public administration and certified public manager and executive development programs. Classes are taught by faculty from KU's top-ranked public administration program with support from the Division of Continuing Education.

Among the program's noted alumni are Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and former Attorney General Carla Stovall. Graduates from the public manager program jointly developed by KU and the state Division of Personnel Services include hundreds of employees in state agencies.

The reception and rededication will be at 6 p.m. It will follow a 4:30 p.m. panel discussion, "As the Dust Settles: First Impressions of the 2004 Election Results," a popular post-election program offered by the KU political science department. The seminar is free and open to the public.

Burdett Loomis, professor of political science, will chair the discussion. Panelists include Dave Ranney, reporter for the Lawrence Journal-World; John Hanna, Topeka bureau chief for The Associated Press; Al Cigler, KU professor of political science; Dave Kensinger, Kansas Club for Growth and former chief of staff for Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan.; Jim McLean, former Topeka Capital-Journal reporter; Senate Minority Leader Tony Hensley, D-Topeka; and House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka.