University Daily Kansan, October 26, 1984
HOMECOMING
Page 5
Ellsworth medallions to honor five KU alumni
By AMBER ANKERHOLZ Staff Reporter
Recipients of the prestigious Fred Ellsworth Medallions will be honored during homecoming weekend activities today and tomorrow.
The five alumni association members to receive the medallions, which are given for "unique and significant service to the University," are Fred B. Anschutz, Denver; Robert Billings, Lawrence; Eleanor Sissail Mason, Washington; Donald Slawson, Wichita; and John "Twink" Starr, Shawnee Mission.
THE MEDALLIIONS WERE named in tribute to the late Fred Ellsworth, longtime executive secretary of the Alumni Association. During his 39 years in that position, Ellsworth earned the nickname of "Mr. KU" for his service to the University.
His organization of volunteers from the student body, faculty and alumni served as a model for other institutions throughout the nation. He died in 1965.
Billings, who is president of Alvarmar Inc., a Lawrence recreational and real estate company, said he thought of the award as something that was given to others rather than himself.
He also said that receiving the job made him want to work harder for it.
"I am appreciative, flattered and humble." Billings said.
STARR, WHO ALSO has received the University's highest award, the Distinguished Service Citation, said he had known and worked with Fred Ellsworth and was honored to receive the medallion.
"It's a very humbling experience
bea a very gratifying one," Starr said.
The intent of the award is to recognize service over an extended period of time, so at least 15 years before a candidate's consideration.
The recipients will receive the medallions today at a private dinner and reception arranged by the Alumni Association. They also will be introduced at ceremonies before kickoff of the Kansas - Oklahoma football game tomorrow in Memorial Stadium.
The Ellsworth medallions, which will be presented by Chancellor Gene A. Budig and Robert S. Mueller, president of the Alumni Association, were designed by Eldon Tefft, professor of art. They bear the likeness of their namesake and the recipient's name and date.
ANSCULTZ, A NATIVE of Russell and a 1933 graduate, is the chief benefactor of the Fred B. Anschutz Sports Pavilion. The structure, which houses a 70-yard artificial turf football field and an indoor track and field area, will be opened officially tomorrow.
He also established a scholarship fund through the Kansas University Endowment Association for full-time undergraduate students from Kan-
Anschutz operated oil and gas businesses in Kansas and surrounding states for many years. In 1967 he moved to Denver, where he now oversees ranching interests in the Rocky Mountains region. He established the Anschutz Family Foundation in 1982.
Billings, a 1959 graduate, in addition to his real estate business, has served on the boards of the Lawrence Memorial Hospital, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Lawrence.
DURING THE WILT Chamberlain era of KU basketball, Billings was a guard on the team and played on the NCAA finalist team of 1957. After graduation, he began his career with the University as director of student affairs. He held that position from 1960 to 1970 and coached varsity golf in 1964.
Billings continued his relationship with the athletic department as a member of the Kansas University Athletic Corp. board of directors from 1974 to 1977, and in 1976 he served on the Women's Athletic Advisory Board. He is a member of the Williams Educational Fund, a fund-raising organization for athletics.
He is also a member of the Chancellors Club, the School of Business board of advisors and director of the Helen Foresman Spencer Museum of Art's memorial. He is also a committee in charge of raising funds for scientific equipment through the Endowment Association.
MALOTT, WIFE OF former chancellor Deane W. Malott, became involved with the University in 1939 and married his husband was named chancellor.
During their 12 years at KU, she supervised a number of campus beautification projects, including extensive plantings of flowering crab apple trees. She also served as Mortar Board's honorary president and participated in several other KU organizations.
the couple has traveled throughout the United States and several developing countries on behalf of the International Executive Service Corps.
Since her husband's retirement from the position of president of Cornell University in Ithaca in 1963.
The Malotls lived in Honolulu while he was vice president of Dole Pineapple Co. Ltd. The world's largest collection of erythrina, tropical flowering trees in the Pacific Tropical Botanical Gardens of Hawaii, named the Eleanor Sisson Malott Erythrina Collection this year.
SLAWSON, CHAIRMAN OF the board and president of Slawson Companies, was president of the Alumni Association last year.
As a member of the board of directors from 1974 to 1980, he served on the executive, futures, development and K.S. "Bools" Adams Alumni Center steering committees. He is on the Alumni Center board of governers and was national vice president of the Alumni Association
A 1956 graduate, Slawson was on the board of directors of the KUAC from 1979 to 1983 and is now a member of the International Fund and the Chairs Club.
from 1982 to 1983.
He is on the KU School of Business board of advisers and in 1982 was named distingished alumnus of the University of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity.
Slawson is also vice president of the Kansas Association of Independent Oil and Gas Producers and national co-chairman of the Council of Active Independent Oil and Gas Producers.
HE SERVES ON the board. of directors for several Kansas-based corporations, including Cessna Aircraft Co., First National Bank of Security Benefit Life Insurance Co. and Kansas Gas and Electric Co.
Starr, who graduated in 1927, is the retired chairman and director of the
R. B. Jones Corp, of Kansas City. He is also a member of the KU Gold Medal for alumi graduating 50 or more years ago. After he received the Distinguished Service Citation in 1970, Starr served on the citation selection committee from 1971 to 1973.
A member of the Williams Educational Fund and the Cancellors Club, Starr has served as chairman of the board of trustees for the Endowment Association. He has been a member of the Council for Progress and the Endowment Association's finance committee.
STARR AND HIS wife have supported several projects at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.
The recipients of the Ellsworth award, which number 66 through this year, are selected by a nine-member committee that accepts nominations from KU alumni.
Honored this weekend for the Fred Ellsworth Medallion are (clockwise from bottom left) John Starr, Shawnee Mission; Donald C. Slawson, Wichita; Robert Billings, Lawrence; Eleanor Malott, Ithaca, N.Y.; and Fred Anschutz, Denver.
Sigma Chicelebrates centennial
By CHRISSY CLEARY Staff Reporter
Sigma Chi fraternity members are expecting 1,000 alumni and guests this weekend to celebrate the chapter's 100th anniversary.
Sigma Chi alumni and their guests will attend parties and exchange stories with fraternity brothers from pledge classes at the university early 1900s, said Kip Elliott, chairman of the centennial weekend.
Elliott said he had contacted a designated pledge class coordinator from each class as far back as 1919.
Individual pledge class parties in various hotels and restaurants tonight will kick off the centennial weekend. The pledge classes also can attend a party in the Hospitality Suite at the Lawrence Holiday Inn Holding, 200 McDonald Dr., he said.
Buses will take the alumni to and from their hotels the entire weekend. Elliot said. Activities include breakfast and a barbecued ribs lunch at the house, 1439 Tennessee St.
"Some of the alumni aren't going to the game, and many of the Kansas City and Topeka alumni already have season tickets."
The fraternity purchased 500 tickets for the game. Although they are expecting 1,000 guests, they would have enough tickets.
Guided tours of the fraternity house will start at 11 a.m. and continue until everyone leaves for college on Friday. The homa at 1:30 p.m., Elliott said.
The evening will feature a cocktail party, a formal banquet and dance in the Holidome ballroom.
The housemother for the past 14 years, Elsie Escheinenheimer, and her predecessor, Marge Nation, will be honored at the banquet.
After dinner, two bands will perform. At 1 a.m., buses will return the alumni to their hotels. On Sunday, activities resume with the KSU athletic teams at the WKS "Boots" Adams Academy Center, 1266 Oread Ave.
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