Volume 126 Issue 59
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
kansan.com
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Dr Kevin Lenahan, voted Lawrence's top optometrist, wants students to remember him and his business for more than just evewear
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013
Top optometrist stays involved with students
PAGE 9
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Dr. Kevin Lenahan has been an optometrist in Lawrence for 17 years and has six different "The Spectacle" offices around Kansas: three in Topeka, one in Lyndon, one in Tonganoxie and one location here in Lawrence.
critter@kansan.com
"I had a grandfather who was blind as long as I knew him and I think it had an influence in making the choice in my direction." Dr. Lenahan said. "I knew I wanted to actually help people. I knew I would be in some type of medical field."
Lenahan said that his profession is more than just a day iob. It's a passion.
"I don't think you'll actually meet somebody so into what they do," Lenahan said. "I mean I started this morning at 7:15 at the office in Topeka and I'll be here until 9 o'clock tonight. I don't do it because money is important to me, money is not important to me; I drive a minivan."
To. Lenahan, Lawrence is considered a second home that exults youth and excitement. He understands the importance of the University and what it brings to the community, which is why he wants to be a part of both the University community and the Lawrence community.
"Just being involved keeps me energized," Lenahan said. "I don't want to grow old thinking about what I could have done. I want to actually get out and do it."
Lenahan said he tries to inspire people around him to smile, be happy and enjoy what
life will pass by if they let it.
community to remember him and his business as more than just an eyewear center. He want
This year, Lenahan hosted the men's basketball versus Duke watch party at the Granada and plans to do more within the Lawrence community. He has plans for his involvement to grow
"I knew I wanted to actually help people. I knew I would be in some type of medical field."
starting with a remodel kick-off at The Spectacle this spring.
KEVIN LENAHAN Optometrist
"I want to see the relationship that I have, with the students, with the community, just to see that become more and more all the time," he said. "I think that's my real desire." However, Lenahan wants students and the
them to feel a part of
everything he does. "We really tried to do it the right way. That means being who you are, representing what you do and everything with honesty and trust," he said.
for them.
Lenahan said they are grateful for everything the community does
"We appreciate everything that the people here, that actually come and use our services and know what we do, we really appreciate that."
— Edited by Hannah Barling
BEST EYE DOCTOR • DR. LENAHAN
Well, maybe just your banking.
At Commerce Bank, we're working behind the scenes to save you some time and a little money, too. A KU Checking Account helps you:
- Bank online and on your phone
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- Use any Commerce ATM without fees
Use your KU Card to access your Commerce account.
It's a whole lot easier than a pop quiz.
1. DR. LENAHAN
2. FAMILY VISION
3. WINK
© 2013 COMMERCE BANC SHARES, INC
Uricials were at the scene where a boy matching the description of Uricialis magnolia, a university student who had gone missing early Monday afternoon, Trent McKinley that investigates believe the body to be that of Villagamez. Family and friends have been notified.
Police preliminarily identify missing student's body
EMILY DONOVAN
edonovan@kansan.com
Police have preliminarily identified a body found at 1:30 p.m. as Gianfranco Villagomez, the 23-year-old University student who has been missing since Saturday morning.
The body was found in the grass behind the home at 837 Avalon Rd.
Preliminary information does not indicate foul play. An autopsy and further investigation are planned for today.
"Family and friends were notified by officers late this afternoon," Lawrence Police spokesperson Sgt. Trent McKinley wrote in a news release. "At their request, they ask for privacy as they deal with this tragic loss."
of his way to wave and say hi to acquaintances. When Villagomez was a resident assistant at Hashinger Residence Hall, he greeted freshmen from other floors by name, said one of those former freshmen while helping to distribute flyers.
Earlier yesterday, his friend Sarah Alig, a graduate student from Kansas City, Kan., described Villagomez as a role model.
Through the Help Find Gianfranco Villagomez Facebook page. Alig and other friends have distributed fliers throughout downtown Lawrence, knocked on doors and talked to media.
"He's very gentle-hearted. He's goofy and kind," Alig said. "He's so hard-working and dedicated to whatever he does."
She said he always went out
The search team met Sunday at the apartment of
Marieliza Suarez, a junior from Lenexa and president of the Peruvian Association of Lawrence.
Jayhawk', she said. Suarez had only met Villagomez at the party Friday night. She's not surprised so many people feel close to Villagomez and have banded together to search.
"You're always going to be a Jayhawk," she said.
"It has a lot to do with that kine ness and empathy," Alig said. Villagomez was last seen leaving a friend's birthday party around
SEE MISSING STUDENT PAGE 2
Thanksgiving, she got stuck in the rush-hour traffic on 23rd Street going out of town.
"It's really bad if you want to turn and you miss your turn signal and then you just sit there for eight different signals with straight traffic and other turning traffic." McClannahan said.
Things may change, however, with a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Lawrence received $129,250 that will allow city to expand the intelligent transportation system on the city's major roads.
The intelligent transportation system works by connecting the traffic signals with fiber-optic cables and using computers, cameras and additional software to be able to view the real-time traffic at the city's traffic operations center.
With the grant, the city will update the traffic signal system along Clinton Parkway from 23rd and Iowa to Wakarusa, from Wakarusa Street to Sixth
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adjust the train signal timing to help move traffic." City Engineer David Cronin said. "We are still experimenting with the technology, and it's a work in progress"
The technology of monitoring and managing real-time traffic could also take the stress off of police officers during heavy game-day traffic.
STAY UPDATED ONLINE AS THE STORY DEVELOPS
"Right now when we have football games or basketball games, we have to put officers on traffic control positions and override the traffic light system," said Sergeant Trent McKinley of the Lawrence Police Department. "If technology was in place to manage that, that would benefit us."
Ultimately, the new addition will help the flow of traffic going across the city, east to west.
"Once we get the South Lawrence Trafficway, there's going to be a lot more traffic taking that, so we are trying to think ahead to get that up," said James Risner.
visit Kansan.com for more information
CLASSIFIEDS 9
CROSSWORD 5
CRYPTOQUIPS 5
OPINION 4
SPORTS 10
SUDOKU 5
SEE TRAFFIC PAGE 2
All contents, unless stated otherwise, $ \textcircled{2} $ 2013 The University Daily Kansan
Don't forget
It's National Human Rights Day.
Today's Weather
Mainly sunny. Southwest winds at 5 to 10 mph.
HI: 38
LO: 15
This isn't looking bad now.