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On Sunday, May 17, thousands of students will make the traditional march down Mount Oread from Memorial Drive, through the campanile and into Memorial Stadium. Here are some of the faces you will see in the procession and their interesting stories:
Financial background, philosophy doctorate could be perfect pairing
A longtime Wall Street manager, consultant and expert in the economics, politics and financial markets of Asia, Kara Tan Bhala is graduating this month with a doctorate in philosophy. The unique combination of philosophy and business could be the perfect pairing in this economic climate.
The sky’s no limit for senior designing unmanned aerial vehicle
Emily Arnold has spent much of her undergraduate career at the University of Kansas researching and building a sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicle that will help scientists better understand dwindling ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.
KU opens up world of opportunity for Wichita native
After entering the University of Kansas, Dustin Stephenson-Reynolds of Wichita could never have imagined he’d be spending the summer after his sophomore year in Morocco. Speaking Arabic. It was his first trip east of Kansas City.
Coaching, language skills break ice for architecture senior
When Grant Chien-Hao Huang graduates from the University of Kansas with a master’s of architecture May 17, he will receive cheers of congratulations not only from youngsters he has coached in ice skating but also from children he has taught Mandarin Chinese.
Senior to join FDIC after four years of KU service
Kalem Kopf, a lifelong Lawrence native, is about to move to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to become a financial institution specialist with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. He is the first in his immediate family to graduate with a four-year degree and is leaving KU with a long list of academic and extracurricular achievements.
Master’s student completes degree despite long commute
Since 2004, Jeff Woodward has made a 300-mile round-trip commute to take classes at KU’s Public Management Center in Topeka. He will graduate with a master’s in public administration.
Time management is secret to success for scholar-athlete
Rebecca Feickert doesn’t have to think long when asked about her favorite memory of her time at the University of Kansas.
Fairway couple will receive KU doctoral hoods together
On May 16, couple Jane Mobley and Phil Hofstra will receive their doctoral hoods on the same day, on the same stage, at the Lied Center in Lawrence.
Mechanical engineer heads back to NASA after commencement
Erika Meza-Zerlin was no stranger to the University of Kansas School of Engineering when she entered college life. Her father is a graduate of the school, and Meza-Zerlin attended Engineering Expo and other events when she was a girl.
Student survives motorcycle accident, completes doctorate
Matt Sherrill was on his way to an 8 a.m. class at the University of Kansas when his life as a graduate student changed suddenly and dramatically. It was Aug. 31, 2006.
KU senior studies how culture affects parenting
As a young man, Christopher Reine dreamed of becoming a physician and chose to attend the University of Kansas because of its prestigious medical school. Now, he’s graduating from KU with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. His goal still is to provide assistance to those in need — he’ll just being doing it in a different way.
Longtime KU faculty member to join her students on the Hill
Being on the Hill, proudly watching her students culminate their academic careers, is nothing new to Mary Klayder. This year, she’ll be there again, only this time, she’s going to be one of them.
Innovative program allows senior to give back to her hometown
Andie Grasmick Nye wasn’t always a numbers person. She had always gravitated toward social studies and English classes in high school.
With EMT skills, KU senior pushes for public safety
Before Brad Cardonell came to the University of Kansas, most fraternities didn’t conduct routine fire drills at their houses to test alarm systems. Now they do, thanks to some of his initiatives.
Arab-American law student advocates for women’s rights
As an Arab-American, Jomana Jihad Qaddour of Overland Park has found herself advocating for women’s rights and religious freedom since she was a student at Olathe East High School. On May 17, she will receive a law degree with a certificate in international trade and finance from the University of Kansas.
Student uses military, academic experiences to help veterans
Daniel Parker spent months in Iraq gathering intelligence and information to help to prepare his Marine Corps brethren for battle. But when he enrolled at the University of Kansas, it was the information he couldn’t obtain that spurred him to action.
2009 senior recalls grandfather’s 1929 KU commencement
As Andrew Hodgson of Manhattan prepares for his May 17 graduation from the University of Kansas, he is recalling family stories of the 1929 KU graduation of his paternal grandfather, the late Arthur C. Hodgson of Little River.
Dancer’s injury won’t stop him from walking down the Hill
Marcus Israel Hurst isn’t allowing a broken leg to keep him from celebrating his graduation from the University of Kansas.
Senior commits to restoring environment, cancer research
In a perfect world, Jessica Roark would be on campus at the University of Kansas this spring completing an environmental studies degree and preparing to finish a civil engineering degree in 2010.
Research on fruit flies earns senior a ticket to medical school
As Anne Vezeau graduates with dual bachelor’s degrees in biology and Spanish this month, she’ll conclude a stellar undergraduate career marked by a passion for research. Indeed, her work to shed light on the mating of fruit flies has borne results significant enough to be submitted to a major journal of biology.
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