The Kansas Alumni Association on Friday honored two men who have given their time and money to KU.
The Kansas Alumni Association on Friday bestowed its Ellsworth Medallion on two men who have given much to their alma mater over the years.
The association presented Philip F. Anschutz of Denver and Dane Bales of Logan with the awards at a dinner meeting of its board of directors and KU leaders.
The medallion is given to alumni who do unique things for the university, alumni association director Fred Williams said.
"They're people that make KU a special place," he said.
Anschutz, a 1961 KU graduate and recipient of KU's 1992 Distinguished Service Citation, is chairman and chief executive officer of The Anschutz Corp. of Denver. A contribution from Anschutz and his wife, Nancy, funded acquisitions at all KU libraries. In 1989 the Marian and Fred Anschutz Science Library was named in memory of Philip Anschutz's parents. The Anschutzes also established the Jordan Haines distinguished professorship in business.
"I think you have an obligation to continue to support your school," Anschutz said. "I enjoyed my time here."
Since 1992, Anschutz has served as an endowment association trustee. He also has participated on the Greater University Fund Advisory Board and is a Chancellors Club life member.
The School of Business recognized him as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1998.
Bales, a 1941 KU graduate, manages Hansen Trust, a philanthropic organization established by and named for his uncle, Dane G. Hansen. Through the Hansen Foundation, Bales provides scholarships for students at KU and other Kansas institutions, and organizes concerts that bring national artists to KU.
KU's Bales Organ Recital Hall honors a gift from Bales and his wife, Polly, an Ellsworth Medallion recipient in 1985. The hall was a special gift for the two to give -- Mrs. Bales studied organ at KU and has played for more than 30 years. The couple feel good about the things they've done with the university over the years, Bales said.
"We'd rather do things than see it all go to the IRS," he said. "I'd rather do anything than pay taxes."
The two have accompanied the Flying Jayhawks, an alumni travel organization, on more than 30 trips and have sponsored the Logan area's Kansas Honors Program for 20 years.
Bales frequently travels to Lawrence to give promising students grand tours of the university and town, and take in a football or basketball game. He is a Williams Educational Fund member.
Bales is a friend of the Lied Center, KU Libraries and the Helen Foresman Spencer Museum of Art. He volunteers for the alumni association's Jayhawks for Higher Education. He and his wife are members of the association's Jayhawk Society.
An endowment association member for more than 30 years, Bales is a Chancellors Club life member and a member of the Elizabeth Watkins Society.
The Ellsworth Medallion has been given since 1975 to honor the alumni association's longtime executive secretary Fred Ellsworth, a 1922 KU graduate who retired in 1963 after 39 years of service. Winners are chosen for their service to KU by representatives from the chancellor's office and the alumni, athletics and endowment associations.
-- Felicia Haynes' phone message number is 832-7173. Her e-mail address is fhaynes@ljworld.com.
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