KU News Release

Kansas newspaper editors welcomed to KU for informational and social activities

LAWRENCE — The Marine who was the subject of “Final Salute,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning article about his work assisting families who lost loved ones in the Iraq War, will be among several special guests at events for journalists and the public at the University of Kansas this weekend.

More than 150 Kansas editors are expected at KU to attend events Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13 and 14, which include speeches by two award-winning journalists, late night basketball festivities, a football game and a day with several leading researchers in pharmaceutical chemistry, petroleum engineering, obesity, transportation and cancer.

On Friday, dozens of journalists will attend Editor’s Preview, which includes presentations by top scientists and dinner at the Dole Institute of Politics with the chancellor, provost and executive vice chancellor of the KU Medical Center.

Jennifer Laurence, assistant professor of pharmaceutical chemistry and of chemical and petroleum engineering, and Russ Middaugh, distinguished professor of pharmaceutical chemistry, will make presentations at the Multidisciplinary Research Building. Robert Honea (pronounced HONE-ee), the first director of KU’s new Transportation Research Institute, and KU exercise and weight management researcher Joe Donnelly will make presentations at KU’s Eaton Hall. Events begin at 12:30 p.m.

The evening ends at Allen Fieldhouse and the Late Night in the Phog event showcasing the basketball teams’ first practice session of the season.

On Saturday, the annual Editor’s Day event will feature “The Story Behind the Pulitzer Prize Winners by Jim Sheeler and Todd Heisler,” the reporter and photographer who produced the Pulitzer Prize-winning story about Marine Maj. Stephen R. Beck Jr., who was casualty assistance calls officer for Colorado and parts of four other states. The presentation, which is open to the public, will be at 8:30 a.m. in 110 Budig Hall. John Temple, editor, president and publisher of the Rocky Mountain News, will speak. Beck, who is now director of requirements for the Joint Single Integrated Air Picture System Engineering Office at the Pentagon, also will attend and answer questions.

Afterward, the editors will have lunch at the chancellor’s residence and attend the KU-Oklahoma State football game at Memorial Stadium.

All events are open to the media.

Read the story at the Rocky Mountain News Web site.

KU’s William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications sponsors Editor’s Day. Editor’s Preview is offered by the Office of University Communications, the KU Center for Research Inc. and the chancellor’s office.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.