Richard Gwin/Journal World PhotosThe following are biographies of this weekend’s inductees to the Kansas University Alumni Association’s Gold Medal Club as provided by the alumni association”
James W. Bouska, c’49, l’52 During his long legal career, Jim was elected to two terms as county attorney in Johnson County, where he later served as a district judge. He was also elected to two terms as county attorney for Republic County. Now that he has retired, he and his wife, Doraen Lindquist Bouska, a ’47 grad, live in Overland Park. The Bouskas have four children and three grandchildren. Though their grandchildren live in Atlanta, they all attend nature classes for young people each summer at the Natural History Museum in Dyche Hall.
Jean Steele Burdge, c’41 Jean spent more than 20 years as a school psychologist for the Anaheim City school district. Now that she is retired, Jean is president of the Junior League of Long Beach and travels whenever she can. A highlight of her life since leaving KU has been her trips to Iran and Afghanistan, as well as a transcontinental train trip across Russia and the highlands of Papua, New Guinea. Jean has three children and five grandchildren. She lives in Pasadena.
Louis A. Huber Jr. c’47, and Mary K. Huber, b’47 Louis and Mary are enjoying retirement in Leawood. The Hubers have four children, all of whom attended KU. They spend as much time with their nine grandchildren as they can.
Frances H. Koppers, c’21 Frances lives in Olathe, where she receives frequent visits from her daughters, 12 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. She has fond memories of her KU years, and recalls when the university was shut down by the influenza outbreak of 1918. Kansas has been her home for all 102 of her years, and she retired after a long career as an elementary school teacher. Frances is an avid follower of Jayhawk basketball, which she remembers watching in old Robinson Gym when Phog Allen was head coach.
Robert E. Learned Jr., c’51, p’54 Though Bob and his wife, Iona, now live in Manhattan, their KU loyalty remains solid. The Learneds watch every televised KU sporting event, and return to Mount Oread many times a year to cheer on their home team. After many years with his own prescription shop in Manhattan, Bob is now a part-time pharmacist at Wal-Mart. In their spare time, they travel to visit family in Colorado and California. They have four children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Donald McConnell, e’49 Before making his way to Mount Oread, Donald had already seen active service in World War II as a B-24 captain. After his graduation, he worked in the McConnell family lumber business until taking a post as assistant director of KU’s housing department, where he worked until his 1989 retirement. The McConnells are active in the Endacott Society for retired KU faculty and staff, and enjoy spending time with their two children and six grandchildren. They live in Lawrence.
Bettyanne Pratt Nethery, c’47 Bettyanne is retired from a long career as an educator in Galveston, Tex. When her sons were young, she was actively involved as a den mother of the Cub Scouts and she now volunteers for the American Cancer Society and Republican Party. Bettyanne has three children and five grandchildren. She lives in Dickinson, Tex.
John K. Odgers, b’50 John is now retired from a career as business manager for Nemaha Valley Schools. He and his wife, Fran, have six children and 10 grandchildren, two of whom are currently attending KU. They also have three great-grandchildren. The Odgers live in Topeka.
Betty Ward Svoboda, c’43 Betty’s fondest memories of her time on the Hill revolve around the companionship of the women she lived with in KU’s scholarship halls. Today she remains active in the Episcopal Church of Chapman, and has has enjoyed several Flying Jayhawks trips to London, Paris, Prague and Costa Rica. She has six children and five grandchildren.
Mary Lucas Winey, f’50 After she left KU, Mary studied at The Juilliard School before a long career as a voice and diction teacher in small colleges and universities across the Midwest. Since her retirement, she has enjoyed several trips to Europe and India, as well as travels around the United States to visit her extended family. Mary has four children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lives in Webb City, Mo.
Frances Flynn Koppers smiled with delight as she was wheeled into the Kansas Union surrounded by 19 members of her family.
Below her wheelchair, the floor depicted the different versions of Kansas University’s mascot through the years.
Koppers, 102, and a 1921 alumna, has been a Jayhawk during every era of the mythical bird. The Olathe resident was the oldest Kansas University graduate to return for reunion events this weekend.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I really don’t expect to see anybody I know.”
She ate brunch Saturday with the Gold Medal Club, or alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago.
When Koppers graduated, Strong Hall was under construction and The Jayhawker yearbook had a page celebrating the 30th anniversary of the invention of basketball by James Naismith.
Koppers said she was impressed by the new buildings and development of campus.
“I used to come back often, but not in recent years,” she said. “I haven’t been back in 20 years.”
Her grandson, Brian Janes, Olathe, said the family came to celebrate Koppers’ connection to KU.
“It’s an amazing thing to think that she went to school here 80 years ago,” he said.
Koppers joined about 155 members and guests of the Gold Medal Club for the brunch. The KU Pep Band and the Men’s Glee Club provided entertainment. After brunch, university officials, including Al Bohl, athletics director, and Chancellor Robert Hemenway gave short speeches.
Hemenway spoke about the state budget crisis in Kansas and said KU would have to “cinch up” its belt, but that cuts must be planned wisely.
“I just believe that the University of Kansas is so central to the state of Kansas,” he said. “If we’re going to have a successful economy in the future, we’ve got to make higher education a priority.”
In the afternoon, about 150 members of the class of 1952 and their guests gathered for lunch in the Kansas Union Ballroom. The alumni all received Jayhawk pins and became members of the Gold Medal Club.
Jo Putney Wenger, a 1952 alumna, and her husband, Virgil Wenger, 1953, came back to see old friends and visit family in the area. They now live in Darien, Conn.
The campus, which today has four times as many students as 1952, is a different place, Jo Wenger said.
“It’s like ‘Back to the Future,'” she said. “I can’t believe the size of the campus.”
Don Hull, 1952 class president, has kept close ties with KU. As a campus minister, he worked at the Wesley Foundation at KU from 1960 to 1966, and his son got his Ph.D. here in 1991.
Still, the time has gone quickly, he said.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s 50 years,” he said. “As they say, ‘It flies if you’re having fun or even if you aren’t.'”
During the pinning ceremony, Hank Booth of Lazer radio read a brief biography of each graduate. In 50 years, the class members had become executive vice presidents, served in the military, traveled the world, honeymooned in the White House’s Lincoln Bedroom, and shaped the world for their children and grandchildren.
Betty Frazier Clark, an elementary teacher from Mission, said she was proud to be part of the group and enjoyed catching up with old friends.
“It gives you a chance to see the girl and the lady, the boy and the old man,” she said. “A lot of them are the same inside they haven’t changed.”
Richard Gwin/Journal World PhotosThe following are biographies of this weekend’s inductees to the Kansas University Alumni Association’s Gold Medal Club as provided by the alumni association”
James W. Bouska, c’49, l’52 During his long legal career, Jim was elected to two terms as county attorney in Johnson County, where he later served as a district judge. He was also elected to two terms as county attorney for Republic County. Now that he has retired, he and his wife, Doraen Lindquist Bouska, a ’47 grad, live in Overland Park. The Bouskas have four children and three grandchildren. Though their grandchildren live in Atlanta, they all attend nature classes for young people each summer at the Natural History Museum in Dyche Hall.
Jean Steele Burdge, c’41 Jean spent more than 20 years as a school psychologist for the Anaheim City school district. Now that she is retired, Jean is president of the Junior League of Long Beach and travels whenever she can. A highlight of her life since leaving KU has been her trips to Iran and Afghanistan, as well as a transcontinental train trip across Russia and the highlands of Papua, New Guinea. Jean has three children and five grandchildren. She lives in Pasadena.
Louis A. Huber Jr. c’47, and Mary K. Huber, b’47 Louis and Mary are enjoying retirement in Leawood. The Hubers have four children, all of whom attended KU. They spend as much time with their nine grandchildren as they can.
Frances H. Koppers, c’21 Frances lives in Olathe, where she receives frequent visits from her daughters, 12 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. She has fond memories of her KU years, and recalls when the university was shut down by the influenza outbreak of 1918. Kansas has been her home for all 102 of her years, and she retired after a long career as an elementary school teacher. Frances is an avid follower of Jayhawk basketball, which she remembers watching in old Robinson Gym when Phog Allen was head coach.
Robert E. Learned Jr., c’51, p’54 Though Bob and his wife, Iona, now live in Manhattan, their KU loyalty remains solid. The Learneds watch every televised KU sporting event, and return to Mount Oread many times a year to cheer on their home team. After many years with his own prescription shop in Manhattan, Bob is now a part-time pharmacist at Wal-Mart. In their spare time, they travel to visit family in Colorado and California. They have four children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Donald McConnell, e’49 Before making his way to Mount Oread, Donald had already seen active service in World War II as a B-24 captain. After his graduation, he worked in the McConnell family lumber business until taking a post as assistant director of KU’s housing department, where he worked until his 1989 retirement. The McConnells are active in the Endacott Society for retired KU faculty and staff, and enjoy spending time with their two children and six grandchildren. They live in Lawrence.
Bettyanne Pratt Nethery, c’47 Bettyanne is retired from a long career as an educator in Galveston, Tex. When her sons were young, she was actively involved as a den mother of the Cub Scouts and she now volunteers for the American Cancer Society and Republican Party. Bettyanne has three children and five grandchildren. She lives in Dickinson, Tex.
John K. Odgers, b’50 John is now retired from a career as business manager for Nemaha Valley Schools. He and his wife, Fran, have six children and 10 grandchildren, two of whom are currently attending KU. They also have three great-grandchildren. The Odgers live in Topeka.
Betty Ward Svoboda, c’43 Betty’s fondest memories of her time on the Hill revolve around the companionship of the women she lived with in KU’s scholarship halls. Today she remains active in the Episcopal Church of Chapman, and has has enjoyed several Flying Jayhawks trips to London, Paris, Prague and Costa Rica. She has six children and five grandchildren.
Mary Lucas Winey, f’50 After she left KU, Mary studied at The Juilliard School before a long career as a voice and diction teacher in small colleges and universities across the Midwest. Since her retirement, she has enjoyed several trips to Europe and India, as well as travels around the United States to visit her extended family. Mary has four children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lives in Webb City, Mo.
Frances Flynn Koppers smiled with delight as she was wheeled into the Kansas Union surrounded by 19 members of her family.
Below her wheelchair, the floor depicted the different versions of Kansas University’s mascot through the years.
Koppers, 102, and a 1921 alumna, has been a Jayhawk during every era of the mythical bird. The Olathe resident was the oldest Kansas University graduate to return for reunion events this weekend.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I really don’t expect to see anybody I know.”
She ate brunch Saturday with the Gold Medal Club, or alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago.
When Koppers graduated, Strong Hall was under construction and The Jayhawker yearbook had a page celebrating the 30th anniversary of the invention of basketball by James Naismith.
Koppers said she was impressed by the new buildings and development of campus.
“I used to come back often, but not in recent years,” she said. “I haven’t been back in 20 years.”
Her grandson, Brian Janes, Olathe, said the family came to celebrate Koppers’ connection to KU.
“It’s an amazing thing to think that she went to school here 80 years ago,” he said.
Koppers joined about 155 members and guests of the Gold Medal Club for the brunch. The KU Pep Band and the Men’s Glee Club provided entertainment. After brunch, university officials, including Al Bohl, athletics director, and Chancellor Robert Hemenway gave short speeches.
Hemenway spoke about the state budget crisis in Kansas and said KU would have to “cinch up” its belt, but that cuts must be planned wisely.
“I just believe that the University of Kansas is so central to the state of Kansas,” he said. “If we’re going to have a successful economy in the future, we’ve got to make higher education a priority.”
In the afternoon, about 150 members of the class of 1952 and their guests gathered for lunch in the Kansas Union Ballroom. The alumni all received Jayhawk pins and became members of the Gold Medal Club.
Jo Putney Wenger, a 1952 alumna, and her husband, Virgil Wenger, 1953, came back to see old friends and visit family in the area. They now live in Darien, Conn.
The campus, which today has four times as many students as 1952, is a different place, Jo Wenger said.
“It’s like ‘Back to the Future,'” she said. “I can’t believe the size of the campus.”
Don Hull, 1952 class president, has kept close ties with KU. As a campus minister, he worked at the Wesley Foundation at KU from 1960 to 1966, and his son got his Ph.D. here in 1991.
Still, the time has gone quickly, he said.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s 50 years,” he said. “As they say, ‘It flies if you’re having fun or even if you aren’t.'”
During the pinning ceremony, Hank Booth of Lazer radio read a brief biography of each graduate. In 50 years, the class members had become executive vice presidents, served in the military, traveled the world, honeymooned in the White House’s Lincoln Bedroom, and shaped the world for their children and grandchildren.
Betty Frazier Clark, an elementary teacher from Mission, said she was proud to be part of the group and enjoyed catching up with old friends.
“It gives you a chance to see the girl and the lady, the boy and the old man,” she said. “A lot of them are the same inside they haven’t changed.”
Richard Gwin/Journal World PhotosThe following are biographies of this weekend’s inductees to the Kansas University Alumni Association’s Gold Medal Club as provided by the alumni association”
James W. Bouska, c’49, l’52 During his long legal career, Jim was elected to two terms as county attorney in Johnson County, where he later served as a district judge. He was also elected to two terms as county attorney for Republic County. Now that he has retired, he and his wife, Doraen Lindquist Bouska, a ’47 grad, live in Overland Park. The Bouskas have four children and three grandchildren. Though their grandchildren live in Atlanta, they all attend nature classes for young people each summer at the Natural History Museum in Dyche Hall.
Jean Steele Burdge, c’41 Jean spent more than 20 years as a school psychologist for the Anaheim City school district. Now that she is retired, Jean is president of the Junior League of Long Beach and travels whenever she can. A highlight of her life since leaving KU has been her trips to Iran and Afghanistan, as well as a transcontinental train trip across Russia and the highlands of Papua, New Guinea. Jean has three children and five grandchildren. She lives in Pasadena.
Louis A. Huber Jr. c’47, and Mary K. Huber, b’47 Louis and Mary are enjoying retirement in Leawood. The Hubers have four children, all of whom attended KU. They spend as much time with their nine grandchildren as they can.
Frances H. Koppers, c’21 Frances lives in Olathe, where she receives frequent visits from her daughters, 12 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. She has fond memories of her KU years, and recalls when the university was shut down by the influenza outbreak of 1918. Kansas has been her home for all 102 of her years, and she retired after a long career as an elementary school teacher. Frances is an avid follower of Jayhawk basketball, which she remembers watching in old Robinson Gym when Phog Allen was head coach.
Robert E. Learned Jr., c’51, p’54 Though Bob and his wife, Iona, now live in Manhattan, their KU loyalty remains solid. The Learneds watch every televised KU sporting event, and return to Mount Oread many times a year to cheer on their home team. After many years with his own prescription shop in Manhattan, Bob is now a part-time pharmacist at Wal-Mart. In their spare time, they travel to visit family in Colorado and California. They have four children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Donald McConnell, e’49 Before making his way to Mount Oread, Donald had already seen active service in World War II as a B-24 captain. After his graduation, he worked in the McConnell family lumber business until taking a post as assistant director of KU’s housing department, where he worked until his 1989 retirement. The McConnells are active in the Endacott Society for retired KU faculty and staff, and enjoy spending time with their two children and six grandchildren. They live in Lawrence.
Bettyanne Pratt Nethery, c’47 Bettyanne is retired from a long career as an educator in Galveston, Tex. When her sons were young, she was actively involved as a den mother of the Cub Scouts and she now volunteers for the American Cancer Society and Republican Party. Bettyanne has three children and five grandchildren. She lives in Dickinson, Tex.
John K. Odgers, b’50 John is now retired from a career as business manager for Nemaha Valley Schools. He and his wife, Fran, have six children and 10 grandchildren, two of whom are currently attending KU. They also have three great-grandchildren. The Odgers live in Topeka.
Betty Ward Svoboda, c’43 Betty’s fondest memories of her time on the Hill revolve around the companionship of the women she lived with in KU’s scholarship halls. Today she remains active in the Episcopal Church of Chapman, and has has enjoyed several Flying Jayhawks trips to London, Paris, Prague and Costa Rica. She has six children and five grandchildren.
Mary Lucas Winey, f’50 After she left KU, Mary studied at The Juilliard School before a long career as a voice and diction teacher in small colleges and universities across the Midwest. Since her retirement, she has enjoyed several trips to Europe and India, as well as travels around the United States to visit her extended family. Mary has four children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lives in Webb City, Mo.
Frances Flynn Koppers smiled with delight as she was wheeled into the Kansas Union surrounded by 19 members of her family.
Below her wheelchair, the floor depicted the different versions of Kansas University’s mascot through the years.
Koppers, 102, and a 1921 alumna, has been a Jayhawk during every era of the mythical bird. The Olathe resident was the oldest Kansas University graduate to return for reunion events this weekend.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I really don’t expect to see anybody I know.”
She ate brunch Saturday with the Gold Medal Club, or alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago.
When Koppers graduated, Strong Hall was under construction and The Jayhawker yearbook had a page celebrating the 30th anniversary of the invention of basketball by James Naismith.
Koppers said she was impressed by the new buildings and development of campus.
“I used to come back often, but not in recent years,” she said. “I haven’t been back in 20 years.”
Her grandson, Brian Janes, Olathe, said the family came to celebrate Koppers’ connection to KU.
“It’s an amazing thing to think that she went to school here 80 years ago,” he said.
Koppers joined about 155 members and guests of the Gold Medal Club for the brunch. The KU Pep Band and the Men’s Glee Club provided entertainment. After brunch, university officials, including Al Bohl, athletics director, and Chancellor Robert Hemenway gave short speeches.
Hemenway spoke about the state budget crisis in Kansas and said KU would have to “cinch up” its belt, but that cuts must be planned wisely.
“I just believe that the University of Kansas is so central to the state of Kansas,” he said. “If we’re going to have a successful economy in the future, we’ve got to make higher education a priority.”
In the afternoon, about 150 members of the class of 1952 and their guests gathered for lunch in the Kansas Union Ballroom. The alumni all received Jayhawk pins and became members of the Gold Medal Club.
Jo Putney Wenger, a 1952 alumna, and her husband, Virgil Wenger, 1953, came back to see old friends and visit family in the area. They now live in Darien, Conn.
The campus, which today has four times as many students as 1952, is a different place, Jo Wenger said.
“It’s like ‘Back to the Future,'” she said. “I can’t believe the size of the campus.”
Don Hull, 1952 class president, has kept close ties with KU. As a campus minister, he worked at the Wesley Foundation at KU from 1960 to 1966, and his son got his Ph.D. here in 1991.
Still, the time has gone quickly, he said.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s 50 years,” he said. “As they say, ‘It flies if you’re having fun or even if you aren’t.'”
During the pinning ceremony, Hank Booth of Lazer radio read a brief biography of each graduate. In 50 years, the class members had become executive vice presidents, served in the military, traveled the world, honeymooned in the White House’s Lincoln Bedroom, and shaped the world for their children and grandchildren.
Betty Frazier Clark, an elementary teacher from Mission, said she was proud to be part of the group and enjoyed catching up with old friends.
“It gives you a chance to see the girl and the lady, the boy and the old man,” she said. “A lot of them are the same inside they haven’t changed.”
Richard Gwin/Journal World PhotosThe following are biographies of this weekend’s inductees to the Kansas University Alumni Association’s Gold Medal Club as provided by the alumni association”
James W. Bouska, c’49, l’52 During his long legal career, Jim was elected to two terms as county attorney in Johnson County, where he later served as a district judge. He was also elected to two terms as county attorney for Republic County. Now that he has retired, he and his wife, Doraen Lindquist Bouska, a ’47 grad, live in Overland Park. The Bouskas have four children and three grandchildren. Though their grandchildren live in Atlanta, they all attend nature classes for young people each summer at the Natural History Museum in Dyche Hall.
Jean Steele Burdge, c’41 Jean spent more than 20 years as a school psychologist for the Anaheim City school district. Now that she is retired, Jean is president of the Junior League of Long Beach and travels whenever she can. A highlight of her life since leaving KU has been her trips to Iran and Afghanistan, as well as a transcontinental train trip across Russia and the highlands of Papua, New Guinea. Jean has three children and five grandchildren. She lives in Pasadena.
Louis A. Huber Jr. c’47, and Mary K. Huber, b’47 Louis and Mary are enjoying retirement in Leawood. The Hubers have four children, all of whom attended KU. They spend as much time with their nine grandchildren as they can.
Frances H. Koppers, c’21 Frances lives in Olathe, where she receives frequent visits from her daughters, 12 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. She has fond memories of her KU years, and recalls when the university was shut down by the influenza outbreak of 1918. Kansas has been her home for all 102 of her years, and she retired after a long career as an elementary school teacher. Frances is an avid follower of Jayhawk basketball, which she remembers watching in old Robinson Gym when Phog Allen was head coach.
Robert E. Learned Jr., c’51, p’54 Though Bob and his wife, Iona, now live in Manhattan, their KU loyalty remains solid. The Learneds watch every televised KU sporting event, and return to Mount Oread many times a year to cheer on their home team. After many years with his own prescription shop in Manhattan, Bob is now a part-time pharmacist at Wal-Mart. In their spare time, they travel to visit family in Colorado and California. They have four children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Donald McConnell, e’49 Before making his way to Mount Oread, Donald had already seen active service in World War II as a B-24 captain. After his graduation, he worked in the McConnell family lumber business until taking a post as assistant director of KU’s housing department, where he worked until his 1989 retirement. The McConnells are active in the Endacott Society for retired KU faculty and staff, and enjoy spending time with their two children and six grandchildren. They live in Lawrence.
Bettyanne Pratt Nethery, c’47 Bettyanne is retired from a long career as an educator in Galveston, Tex. When her sons were young, she was actively involved as a den mother of the Cub Scouts and she now volunteers for the American Cancer Society and Republican Party. Bettyanne has three children and five grandchildren. She lives in Dickinson, Tex.
John K. Odgers, b’50 John is now retired from a career as business manager for Nemaha Valley Schools. He and his wife, Fran, have six children and 10 grandchildren, two of whom are currently attending KU. They also have three great-grandchildren. The Odgers live in Topeka.
Betty Ward Svoboda, c’43 Betty’s fondest memories of her time on the Hill revolve around the companionship of the women she lived with in KU’s scholarship halls. Today she remains active in the Episcopal Church of Chapman, and has has enjoyed several Flying Jayhawks trips to London, Paris, Prague and Costa Rica. She has six children and five grandchildren.
Mary Lucas Winey, f’50 After she left KU, Mary studied at The Juilliard School before a long career as a voice and diction teacher in small colleges and universities across the Midwest. Since her retirement, she has enjoyed several trips to Europe and India, as well as travels around the United States to visit her extended family. Mary has four children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lives in Webb City, Mo.
Frances Flynn Koppers smiled with delight as she was wheeled into the Kansas Union surrounded by 19 members of her family.
Below her wheelchair, the floor depicted the different versions of Kansas University’s mascot through the years.
Koppers, 102, and a 1921 alumna, has been a Jayhawk during every era of the mythical bird. The Olathe resident was the oldest Kansas University graduate to return for reunion events this weekend.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I really don’t expect to see anybody I know.”
She ate brunch Saturday with the Gold Medal Club, or alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago.
When Koppers graduated, Strong Hall was under construction and The Jayhawker yearbook had a page celebrating the 30th anniversary of the invention of basketball by James Naismith.
Koppers said she was impressed by the new buildings and development of campus.
“I used to come back often, but not in recent years,” she said. “I haven’t been back in 20 years.”
Her grandson, Brian Janes, Olathe, said the family came to celebrate Koppers’ connection to KU.
“It’s an amazing thing to think that she went to school here 80 years ago,” he said.
Koppers joined about 155 members and guests of the Gold Medal Club for the brunch. The KU Pep Band and the Men’s Glee Club provided entertainment. After brunch, university officials, including Al Bohl, athletics director, and Chancellor Robert Hemenway gave short speeches.
Hemenway spoke about the state budget crisis in Kansas and said KU would have to “cinch up” its belt, but that cuts must be planned wisely.
“I just believe that the University of Kansas is so central to the state of Kansas,” he said. “If we’re going to have a successful economy in the future, we’ve got to make higher education a priority.”
In the afternoon, about 150 members of the class of 1952 and their guests gathered for lunch in the Kansas Union Ballroom. The alumni all received Jayhawk pins and became members of the Gold Medal Club.
Jo Putney Wenger, a 1952 alumna, and her husband, Virgil Wenger, 1953, came back to see old friends and visit family in the area. They now live in Darien, Conn.
The campus, which today has four times as many students as 1952, is a different place, Jo Wenger said.
“It’s like ‘Back to the Future,'” she said. “I can’t believe the size of the campus.”
Don Hull, 1952 class president, has kept close ties with KU. As a campus minister, he worked at the Wesley Foundation at KU from 1960 to 1966, and his son got his Ph.D. here in 1991.
Still, the time has gone quickly, he said.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s 50 years,” he said. “As they say, ‘It flies if you’re having fun or even if you aren’t.'”
During the pinning ceremony, Hank Booth of Lazer radio read a brief biography of each graduate. In 50 years, the class members had become executive vice presidents, served in the military, traveled the world, honeymooned in the White House’s Lincoln Bedroom, and shaped the world for their children and grandchildren.
Betty Frazier Clark, an elementary teacher from Mission, said she was proud to be part of the group and enjoyed catching up with old friends.
“It gives you a chance to see the girl and the lady, the boy and the old man,” she said. “A lot of them are the same inside they haven’t changed.”
