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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WWW.KANSAN.COM News WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2008
TOUR
Faculty gets upclose,personal with Kansas
BY RUSTIN DODD dodd@kansan.com
Peggy Sampson had never experienced anything like this.
Sampson has worked at the University of Kansas for six years as a coordinator for the University's Audio-Reader program. But on May 21, Sampson stood in a sunny field in Scott county and watched a curious buffalo protect her calf.
"They looked at us pretty suspiciously," Sampson said.
Howd' Sampson find herself just feet from a herd of more than a hundred buffalo? Sampson was a first-time participant in the University's annual Wheat State Whirlwind tour, a five-day tour through the state of Kansas. From May 19 to May 23, more than 40 KU faculty members participated in this year's tour. In it's 11th year, the tour was designed to give faculty members an up close look at some overlooked parts of Kansas.
Craig Freeman, associate scientist with the Kansas Biological Survey, left, and Paul Selden, distinguished professor of geology, look out at the horizon on the ranch of Scott and Carol Ritchie in Lyon County. The tour lasted 5 days.
and visitor services coordinator for University communications, helped coordinate the tour.
Margey Frederick, a special events
"It's a way acquaint our new faculty and staff with where our students are from, and with rural Kansas," Frederick said.
munity Nicodemus, Fort Larned the Underground Salt Museum in Hutchinson, the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center near Yoder, and of course an afternoon with a buffalo herd at Duff ranch in Scott county.
Frederick said the tour tried to expand beyond the usual Kansas landmarks along I-70.
"It was a fabulous trip."
Photo courtesy of Mike Krings/University Relations
Sampson said, "This trip is something I've always wanted to do. In my work, I travel a lot, but
DEBRA HEDDEN
Associate professor in music education and music therapy
mostly it's up and down I-70."
The tour itinerary included a stop at the Brown v. Board of Education Historical Site in Topeka, and visits to Landoll Corp. in Marysville, Lake Wilson, the historic African-American pioneer com-
It only took a few moments for Debra Hedden, an associate professor in music education and music therapy, to confirm that the Buffalo were, indeed, the
best part.
Hedden has been at the University for five
years, but she had never been a traveler on the tour before.
"It was a fabulous trip," Hedden said.
Hedden said the trip was culminated with a visit to the Highland Ranch in the middle of the Flint
Hills.
"It's one of the most idyllic spots I've ever been," Hedden said.
Sampson said the tour also helped her become acquainted with her KU colleagues.
"It's amazing to hear what these
people do on a regular basis," Sampson said.
Sampson said she'll remember the kindness of the people she met along the way and, of course - the buffalo.
"You only see stuff like that in westerns," Sampson said.
Edited by Mike Nolan
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Mike Elwell, chapter adviser for Sigma Nu, visited members of its colony four times a week last year. He had to ensure they took proper steps to prevent hazing and drinking, received good grades and worked on their petition to re-charter the fraternity.
BY GRETCHEN GIER
Sigma Nu members improve behavior
According to Elwell, the national fraternity of Sigma Nu has told the colony to start planning a date for its re-chartering ceremony.
"From an alum standpoint, it's nice to see this back on track," Elwell said.
After losing its charter because of hazing in 2005, all but two members
SEE SIGMA NU ON PAGE 16
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