Topeka driver injured swerving to avoid dog

A Topeka man suffered injuries Thursday morning in a one-car accident on the Kansas Turnpike just west of Lecompton when he swerved to avoid a dog chasing a squirrel.

Jamie R. Miller, 30, was injured when his car, a 1998 Dodge four-door, struck the median wall and overturned.

The accident happened about 9:08 a.m. while Miller was driving west, about three miles west of the Lecompton turnpike exit, said Lt. John Eichkorn, a spokesman for the Kansas Highway Patrol.

“Witnesses said his vehicle swerved to avoid a dog that was chasing a squirrel when his car struck the center barrier wall and overturned,” Eichkorn said.

Miller was taken by Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical ambulance to Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center in Topeka.

KU faculty members named research fellows

Five Kansas University faculty have been named research fellows by the Hall Center for the Humanities for the 2003-2004 school year.

Fellows are given leave from teaching duties for one semester to concentrate on research. They receive normal salary, plus $1,000 for research expenses. Their departments get money to finance teaching assistants to replace a portion of their teaching. Winners are:

• Lorraine Bayard de Volo, assistant professor of political science and women’s studies, for work on a second book, “Gendered Battles for Hearts and Minds in Latin American Wars.”
• Doreen Fowler, English professor, to complete a book, “Race and Identity — Politics in America.”
• Allan Hanson, anthropology professor, to begin a project, “The Social Consequences of Information Automation.”
• Gwynne Jenkins, assistant professor of anthropology and women’s studies, to complete a book, “Biomedicalizing Birth: Midwives, Mothers and Modernity in Costa Rica.”
• Pok-Chi Lau, associate professor of design, to finish a photo essay on China, “The Dragon Embraces Modernity.”

KU professor promoted to vice provost position

A professor of applied geophysics has been selected to become vice provost for scholarly support at Kansas University.

Don Steeples will replace Rich Givens, who will return to a full-time teaching role after seven years as vice provost.

Steeples’ responsibilities will include space allocation, faculty start-up packages, research administration, environmental health and safety and support for graduate teaching and research assistants.

Steeples came to KU in 1975 as a research associate for the groundwater section of the Kansas Geological Survey. He became a distinguished professor at KU in 1993.

KDOT, Highway Patrol put on headlights for life

People killed and injured in alcohol-related accidents will be honored today during National Lights on for Life Day.

In Kansas, Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation employees will mark the day by driving agency vehicles with headlights on all day.

KDOT encourages Kansans to participate in the event.

In 2001, 96 people died and 2,508 people were injured in alcohol-related accidents on Kansas roads.