More than 70 1953 Kansas University graduates returned to Mount Oread this weekend to celebrate their induction into the Kansas Alumni Association’s Gold Medal Club. The club commemorates the lives of KU alumni who have passed their 50th anniversary since graduation.

Honorees and their biographies, as provided by the Alumni Association are:

Donald M. Fitzgerald, f’42 — After Donald Fitzgerald received his degree from KU, he shared his love for the arts teaching in the Lawrence school district. His career later took him to Hallmark Cards and the Kansas City Star before many years with Falstaff Brewing and the Glass Manufacturing Assn. Donald wrote several books during his life, owned the Waterville Telegraph for many years and served as executive director of the Kansas Press Assn. The Fitzgeralds enjoyed travel with the Flying Jayhawks, and Donald served on the William Allen White Foundation board of trustees. He is survived by his beloved wife, Phyllis, and their three children, Catherine, Michael and Nancy.

Bill Needle c’53 — Bill’s career in Egyptology has spanned several decades, and while he has built a reputation in the field for his research, his own artwork has garnered high praise. Now retired from a career as a professor at Southeast Missouri State University, he and his wife, Ruth, frequently travel to London and Egypt to pursue continued research. The Needles have three children and two grandchildren. When they aren’t traveling, they reside in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Robert B. Stewart, j’53 — After a long career in public relations with Procter & Gamble and Dan Pinger, Robert recently traded his brief retirement for the role of mayor in his home of Amberley Village, Ohio. Some of his favorite campus memories include serving as editor of the Kansan and campus correspondent for the Kansas City Star. In addition to hobbies such as golf and tennis, he was an active member of the county Board of Mental Retardation in his community for more than 10 years. Robert and his wife, Mary, have seven children and 12 grandchildren.

Loretta Cooley Hinkle, c’53 — Loretta recently retired from a career as a medical technologist and clinical lab manager at Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic. She has volunteered for Girl Scouts of America for the past 38 years, and was recently honored as one of their “Women of Distinction.” Other honors for her extensive volunteer work include a 2001 Red Cross Lifetime Achievement Award. Loretta has three children and four grandchildren. She lives in Oklahoma City.

Mary Helen Robinson Hopponen, c’53 — Mary Helen is a mental health counselor and educator in Brookings, S.D., and she previously taught at South Dakota State University. She is active in her church and works with several domestic violence projects across her state, including a women’s center she founded more than 15 years ago. Mary Helen reared three children and has two grandchildren.

Karen Hall Orr, ’53 — Karen is proud to have entered KU as a third generation Jayhawk. During her years after graduation, she held a job with the CIA in Washington and spent an exciting year working at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid. Karen and her husband, Bob Collins Orr, are active in their church and take cruises whenever their schedule permits. The Orrs live in Dallas and feel grateful both their children and all five grandchildren live nearby in Texas.

Georgia Earlywine Ptacek, c’53 — Georgia retired from a career as a staffer for Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker in both Wichita and Washington, D.C. Some of her most fulfilling volunteer efforts since retirement include serving as a board member for the Wichita Girl Scouts of America and the Sedgwick County Mental Health board. Her fondest KU memories include her time working in the Dean of Women’s office. Georgia has two children and now lives in Aurora, Colo.

Richard R. McCall, b’53 — Now that Richard has retired as president of the McCall Group, he and his wife, Barbara, enjoy travel and church activities in their free time. Richard is the past chairman of the Newton Medical Center board, and has been involved in his community’s chamber of commerce and Lion’s Club. The McCalls have two children and four grandchildren. They live in Newton.

Bill Nulton, c’53 — Since Bill’s retirement from his labor and employment law practice, he and wife, Vicki, have enjoyed tennis and volunteer work in their Prairie Village community. Bill remains active on many nonprofit and community boards, including the Kansas City Civil Rights Consortium and the Shawnee Mission school board. With two children and 10 grandchildren, the Nultons are enjoying a busy and fun-filled retirement.

Sam Perkins, b’53 –Since Sam’s retirement as president of Patrons State Bank, he and his wife, Connie Engle Perkins, have enjoyed travel to seven continents and more than 100 countries, including trips with the Flying Jayhawks. After many years in Olathe, Sam and Connie now live in Longboat Key, Fla.

Don F. Jensen, f’53 — After receiving his fine arts degree, Don embarked on an exciting career in set design. Not only has he worked on Broadway shows and with the Metropolitan Opera, but another highlight of his illustrious career was working alongside filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli in Hollywood, Rome and Warsaw. Don also taught in the Rutgers University theater department for nearly a decade. His retirement has been spent on excursions around the United States and Europe, though he makes New York his home.

Betty Clinger Hoecker, d’53 — Some of Betty’s fondest KU memories revolve around her four years at Miller Hall. After her Mount Oread days, a career in teaching took her to Colorado, Florida, Kansas and even Saudi Arabia. Now that she and her husband, Norman, have retired, Betty enjoys singing in a barber shop harmony chorus and volunteering in a children’s reading program. The Hoeckers have three children and three grandchildren. They reside in St. Joseph, Mo.

Raymond R. Hessling, c’53 — After retiring from a long career, first with Sherwood Medical and later with Baxter Corporation, Raymond now enjoys fishing and hunting in his spare time. He and his wife, Carole Galloway Hessling, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, after initially meeting on a blind date during their Mount Oread days. The Hesslings have four children, three of whom are KU graduates, and four grandchildren. They live in Overland Park.

John W. MacCormack, e’53 — After graduation, John was a line officer in the Navy and worked as an engineer for 40 years. He and his wife, Jewell, have two children, Michael and Patrick, and three grandchildren. Since his retirement, John is pleased to have more time to volunteer in his community, play golf, garden and travel. The MacCormacks live in Lenexa.

Robert P. Mayer, b’53 — After Bob left his home on the Hill, he served in the Air Force and later started his own business, Dallas Industries Inc., where he remains busy. Bob and his wife, Carol, have three children and eight grandchildren. The Mayers live in Dallas.

Walter I. Cole, c’53 — Walter Cole recently retired from a long career as a partner with Beecroft, Cole & Co., an investment banking enterprise. In his spare time, he is involved in the Amateur Astronomers League and enjoys traveling with his wife, Nancy. The Coles have two children, David and Elizabeth, both alumni, and five grandchildren. They live in Topeka.

James Scott Nellis, b’53 — James is enjoying his semi-retired status after a long career in insurance and food franchises. Now that he has more time to relax, he finds the time to hunt, fish and read. James and his wife, Marilyn Kendall Nellis, also a 1953 graduate, have four children, two of whom attended their parents’ alma mater. They live in Topeka.

Marilyn Kendall Nellis, d’53 — When she isn’t spending time with her eight grandchildren, Marilyn is active with the Junior League in Topeka and volunteers with the Mulvane Art Museum. One of her biggest hobbies is gardening, and she is a certified Master Gardener. The Nellises will soon celebrate their first 49 years of marriage.

Shirley Strain Rea, c’53 — The highlights of Shirley’s life are her five grandchildren, whom she sees as often as she can. Always interested in the arts, Shirley has long been active with the Lawrence Community Theatre and the Liberty Hall Players. When her three children, Tom, Nancy and Dan, were young, she was involved in many Scouting activities. Shirley now works as the secretary and accounts payable specialist at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, where she resides.

Nancy MacGregor Greenwood, d’53 — Now that Nancy has retired from her post as an art teacher, she has more time for her own art projects. One of her Christmas ornaments was selected for the White House tree, where she was invited to a reception hosted by first lady Laura Bush. Nancy and her husband, Jack, have two sons, both of whom graduated from KU. The Greenwoods have one grandson. They reside in Aurora, Colo.

Jack E. Greenwood, d’53 — Jack is now retired from a career in banking, most recently as manager of Barber County Savings and Loan Assn. He and his wife, Nancy, also a 1953 graduate, enjoy raising and showing Boxer dogs in their spare time. Some of Jack’s best KU memories include his success as a member of the track team, and he has enjoyed similar triumphs during his participation in U.S. Masters Track and Field events. Over the years, he has also been active in his church and served as president of the local school board.

Denni Wade Hughes, c’53 — After many years at the Jayhawk Bookstore, Denni recently retired to spend more time on church activities. She enjoyed a long marriage to her late husband, Dr. Robert Hughes, and she has three children and two grandchildren. In addition to raising her family, Denni has also served as a Scout leader, rush adviser and alumnae scholarship adviser. Long dedicated to politics, she has worked on numerous campaigns for Sen. Bob Dole. Denni lives in Lawrence.

Charles Hyer, b’53 — Charles and his wife, Ingrid, have two children and two grandchildren whom they see often when they aren’t traveling in both the United States and abroad. In his spare time, Charles has served as president of the Sigma Nu House Corp. and is coordinating a reunion for his former shipmates from his days serving in the U.S. Navy. Though Charles recently retired as a trust officer with UMB Bank, he insists this has not improved his golf game … yet. The Hyers live in Overland Park.

Walter L. Rickel, p’53 — Walter enjoyed a long career owning and operating two pharmacies after serving in the Air Force. Now that he has more free time, he and wife Jacqueline Crews Rickel, a 1952 graduate, frequently travel to visit their four children. They are planning a trip to Hawaii this summer to commemorate 50 happy years of marriage. The Rickels live in Tulsa, Okla.

Jane Heywood Van Rheen, b’53 — In addition to hobbies such as flower gardening and needlepoint, Jane serves as the coordinator of volunteers and member records for the Northwoods Presbyterian Church. Among her fondest memories of Mount Oread is the sense of camaraderie she felt with the members of her Mortar Board group. Jane has three children, two of whom are KU alumni, and nine grandchildren. She and her husband, Sam, reside in Spring, Texas.

William J. Voos, g’53 — Now that William has retired from his post as dean of the Herron School of Art at Indiana Univeristy Purdue University-Indianapolis, he and his wife, Louise, enjoy frequent travels around the U.S. and abroad. His own art has been shown in 11 solo exhibitions as well as many museums and galleries nationwide. The Vooses have three daughters and two grandsons. They live in Greenwood, Ind.

Margaret Gartner Anschutz, n’53 — Margaret has enjoyed a career in nursing that has spanned more than 30 years. She now serves as the parish nurse at Faith Lutheran Church and until recently, she held a faculty position in Washburn University’s School of Nursing. Margaret and her husband, Glenn, a 1950 engineering alumnus, reared two sons and 13 foster children together. The Anschutzes live in Topeka.

Calvin E. Engelmann, c’53, m’57 — Calvin retired from a long career as a surgeon in Kansas City, and now manages several farming enterprises in Johnson County. An avid traveler, he has also led several tours to Europe in addition to taking trips with the Flying Jayhawks. He and wife and classmate, Anneliese, have two daughters, both of whom are KU graduates. The Englemanns reside in Mission Hills.

Anneliese Schnierle Engelmann, b’53 — Anneliese is enjoying all the privileges that grandmotherhood brings; she keeps close tabs on the activities of both her daughters and all four grandchildren. Her other activities include volunteer work with the medical auxiliary of a local hospital and involvement in a Sigma Kappa alumnae group. She and her husband, Calvin, live in Mission Hills.

Doris McConnell Owens, f’53 — Doris is married to her classmate, William Dean Owens, and the couple have three children who graduated from the University. Doris enjoyed many years as a private piano teacher before cutting back to pursue her many community volunteer pursuits. Now that she and Dean have more spare time, they also travel to London — their favorite destination — as often as possible. She and Dean are proud that one of their six grandchildren –so far –attends KU as a freshman. The Owenses live in Salina.

William Dean Owens, b’53, l’68 — Dean is an attorney with Hampton & Royce in Salina, where he has practiced law for more than 30 years. He and his wife and classmate, Doris, have now been married more than 50 years and are pleased that their three children all live nearby in Kansas. Dean serves as the trustee and chairman of the Salina Public Library, and is a trustee of Salina Regional Health Foundation and Eisenhower Foundation. In his spare time, he loves to travel with Doris and play the occasional round of golf.

Mary Ann Dilts Rix, p’53 — Now that Mary has retired from a long career as a pharmacist, she and her husband, Kenneth, enjoy traveling in both the U.S. and abroad. In addition to volunteering at her local library and serving as president of her investment club, Mary loves boats and is active in her sailing club. The Rixes have three children and three grandchildren. They reside in Wichita.

Virginia Mackey Snyder, j’53 — Virginia is semi-retired from a career as a writer and editor, and she formerly served as the director of public relations for the Laguna Chamber Music Society in Laguna Beach. She is involved with several environmental groups and loves rowing, hiking and writing; she was the author and editor of a cookbook to benefit the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Virginia has expanded her love of cooking by traveling to France and Italy to attend cooking schools. She lives in San Rafael, Calif.

Bradley F. Keith, d’53 — Bradley recently retired as a professor and associate dean from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. During his post-KU years, Bradley served as a cryptographer in the U.S. Navy and saw active duty. Now that he has more spare time, he and his wife, Donna Hillyer Keith, a 1952 graduate, enjoy traveling, gardening and volunteer work. He is a member of the National Association of Intelligence Professionals, serves as a governor of Rotary International, and is a member of the American Legion. The Keiths have three daughters and 11 grandchildren. They recently relocated to Plano, Texas, to be closer to their family.

Ann Wagner Martin, d’53 — Ann and her husband, Peter, a 1957 graduate of the KU School of Law, share a great interest in historic building preservation. They are active on many volunteer boards in their town of Redstone, Colo., aimed at maintaining local historic sites. Ann has three children and one granddaughter.

George R. Mrkonic, d’53 — George was on the All-America football team during his KU years and went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL. He and his wife, Ruth Clayton Mrkonic, have three children, two of whom followed their parents to the Hill. George spent several years in the U.S. Air Force and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel before embarking on a long career with Phillips Petroleum. The Mrkonics have six grandchildren and live in Shawnee Mission.

Louise Swigart Davis, f’53, g’60 — In 2002, Louise and her husband, Woody, celebrated a golden five decades of marriage marked by the births of three children and three grandchildren the Davises love to spoil. Louise has enjoyed a lifelong career as a weaver, painter and artist, and has now added the hobby of geneologic research to her busy life. She and Woody also love to travel and have a special affection for Switzerland, which they have visited five times. The Davises live in Kansas City.

Vinita Bradshaw Sturgeon, d’53 — Vinita is a retired real estate broker and now enjoys an active schedule of volunteer work for Meals on Wheels and the Boulder County Cancer Society. She is especially proud of her work on a landmark case in federal district court that ensured that Colorado women are extended credit on the same terms as men. Vinita enjoys frequent trips with her husband, Lee, also a 1953 graduate. One such adventure involved touring through Germany, France and Austria on BMW motorcyles. The Sturgeons have two children and two grandchildren. They reside in Boulder, Colo.

Frances Hoyt Truman, ’53 — Since her retirement from a post as a microbiologist with St. Anthony’s Medical Center, Frances has had more time to dedicate to her church work and choir activities. She is active in local symphony and opera events and shares a love of reading with friends in her book club. Frances and her husband, Donald, have been married nearly 50 years; they have four children and three grandchildren. The Trumans travel as much as possible but make Crown Point, Ind., their home.

Joe Wimsatt, b’53 — When they aren’t spending time doing projects on their 50-acre property, Joe and his wife, Francine, see their six children and seven grandchildren as much as possible. Joe does volunteer work through Catholic Charities and the Immanuel Lutheran Church in north St. Louis since his retirement from Kolher Craft Plastics. The Wimsatts also love to travel and recently had a fun-filled trip to France, Italy and Spain with a group of friends. They reside in St. Louis.

John “Jack” Rodgers — Though he is thoroughly enjoying his retirement, Jack is still active as a board member of the Seattle Supersonics basketball team and as an officer with Starbucks coffee, which he was instrumental in founding. Prior to these involvements, he had many franchises in Seattle and spent 20 years in marketing at IBM. After initially meeting as high school freshmen, Jack and his wife, Nancy, have now been married nearly 50 years. The Rodgerses have four children and seven grandchildren, all of whom live nearby in Seattle.

Charles M. Hoag, b’53 — One of the highlights of Charles’ KU years was being a member of the 1952 national championship basketball team. His team later took home an Olympic gold medal for the United States and he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame. He has now retired from a career with The Equitable, allowing him to spend more quality time with his four children and nine grandchildren. He resides in Topeka.

William Keith Hartell, e’53 — William’s career as a commander in the U.S. Navy sparked his lifelong love of travel, and he and his wife, Marilyn, enjoy journeys to Europe, Hawaii and the Far East. After his military days, William accepted a post with TRW. The Hartells have seven children and eight grandchildren. They call Oakton, Va., home.

Wilbur D. Goodseal, d’53, g’62 — Wilbur has now retired from a long career as a speech, language, hearing and vision supervisor with the Kansas City, Mo., school district. An avid traveler, he and his wife, Charlotte, enjoy collecting African sculptures on their forays overseas. Wilbur remains a tutor for disadvantaged students in his community, and was recently named one of the 100 most influential African-Americans in the Greater Kansas City community. The Goodseals have one daughter and reside in Grandview.

Donald N. Dirks, c’53, l’55 — After graduating from KU’s School of Law, Donald spent three years as an officer in the U.S. Navy before practicing as an attorney in New York City for nearly 40 years. He and his late wife, Janice, raised one daughter, Linda. Donald now resides in Bronxville, N.Y.

William B. Dickinson, c’53 — After a long career as the editorial director of the Washington Post Writers Group, William has embarked upon a second career teaching the next generation of journalists. He is a past lecturer at KU, where he serves as a trustee for the William Allen White Foundation. William now holds the Manship Chair in Journalism at Louisiana State University. He and his wife, Betty, have two children, one of whom is a KU graduate, and four grandchildren. The Dickinsons divide their time between Lawrence and Baton Rouge, La.

William Turner, e’53 — “Bill” is a Korean war veteran who retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel before spending 43 years as a civil engineer in both Kansas and Missouri. Bill’s hobbies now include travel and photography, and he has long been deeply committed to his church, serving on many councils and committees. He has five children and five grandchildren. He and his wife, Arlene, live in Kansas City.

Willis D. Stamm, p’53 — Willis enjoyed more than 40 years as a pharmacist before his recent retirement. He now fills his free time with volunteer work, an improvisation class and traveling abroad with his wife, Orveita. The Stamms have a daughter, Laurel, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. They live in Glendale, Calif.

Jesse E. Merritt, p’53 — Jesse is semi-retired from a long career as a pharmacist, drug representative and store owner. He and his first wife, the late Barcia Lee Schwartz Merritt, a class of 1952 graduate, reared five children together and Jesse loves nothing better than spending time with his extended family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren at his lake home. He and his new wife, Bunnie Powers Merritt, reside in Buffalo, Mo., when they’re not traveling.

William R. Hall, b’53 — Now that William has retired from a position in finance with General Electric, he and his wife, Diane, have been eagerly exploring many foreign countries. William also enjoys volunteer work through his church and the local school district, and the Halls frequently participate in the Alumni Association’s Southwest Open Golf Tournament, held annually near their home in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Diane Hornaday Hall, c’53 — Diane has fond memories of her sorority days at KU with her Gamma Phi Beta sisters. Since rearing her two children, she has had many volunteer jobs and loves to play golf, tennis and bridge. The Halls also have four grandchildren whom they love entertaining at their vacation home on Lake George.

Galen R. Fiss, d’53 — The highlights of Galen’s years at KU were meeting his wife, Nancy Hampton Fiss, and playing football and baseball. After graduation, he played 11 years of professional football with the Cleveland Browns, and went to the Pro Bowl three times. Galen recently retired as president of his own insurance company. The Fisses have three children and 10 grandchildren. They live in Leawood.

Montie J. Bowen, e’53 — The triumph of Montie’s many years as a project manager for the Army Corps of Engineers was the design and construction of a steam heating plant in Warrensburg, Mo. Since his retirement, Montie has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and built houses in four different countries. He and his wife, Patricia Munson Bowen, have three children, one of whom attended KU, and three grandchildren. The Bowens live in Clay Center.

Jack Rose, b’53 –Jack retired as business manager of the KU department of chemistry in 1995 and now develops and manages real estate locally. He served as both a city commissioner and mayor of Lawrence in the 1970s, where he and his wife, Martha Lawrence Rose, still enjoy living. The Roses have two children, one of whom is an alumna, and two grandchildren.

Esther Hund Richart, c’53 — After her graduation, Esther received a scholarship to attend New York’s Stern School of Business. She then enjoyed a position with Glamour magazine before returning to the Kansas City area, which she still calls home. Now Esther enjoys widespread travel and her volunteer work at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. She and her late husband, Robert, have three children and seven grandchildren.

Philip L. Newman, j’53 — After his days on Mount Oread, Philip’s years in journalism took him to the foreign news desk at United Press International, and he later reported from Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., during desegregation. He is the former vice president of the Wire Service Guild and now works for Times-Ledger Newspapers. He and his wife, Rosalind, live in New York, where Philip is working on a documentary recounting the history of a Harlem neighborhood.

William F. Kunz, c’53, g’54 — William has enjoyed a dual career; he first worked in space radiation biology at Grumman Aerospace Corp. before getting involved in motion picture and TV production with CBS. William lived in New York City for 24 years before settling in Los Angeles, which he has now called home for more than 25 years.

Lyle M. Jenkins, e’53 — Lyle has enjoyed a long and varied career as an aerospace engineer with NASA, including design engineering work and space robotics. Though retired, he is an active member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and now travels a great deal. Lyle has five children and five grandchildren. He enjoys the temperate weather of his home in Houston, where he loves to garden.

Patricia Lloyd Campbell, c’53 — Patricia has long been active on the board of her local Girl Scouts of America chapter, and takes part in many volunteer activities through her library, church and local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Her husband, Albert, is a 1954 alumnus, and the Campbells have two children who also attended their parents’ alma mater, and one granddaughter, Paige. They live in Lawrence.

Darlene Purkhiser, c’53 — Now that Darlene has retired from a career in human resources with the State of Florida, she and her husband, J.D., enjoy embarking on journeys around the United States in their recreational vehicle. She has two daughters with her first husband, the late Roger Davis, a graduate of KU’s School of Law. Darlene especially enjoys visiting with her 14 grandchildren and three-year-old great-grandson on her cross-country adventures. When not traveling, the Purkhisers call Vero Beach, Fla., their home.

Rosalie Henry, c’53, c’55 — Rosalie’s long career in the medical field spanned many decades and took her to several states. After completing her medical technologist training at the KU Medical Center, she managed blood banks based in Sioux Falls, S.D.; Santa Monica, Calif.; and back in the Kansas City area. Rosalie now enjoys extensive volunteer work through her church and the Missouri Repertory Theater. She lives in Fairway.

Franklin T. Fee, b’53 — Before his retirement, Franklin served as the director of the National Association of Realtors and was a longtime real estate broker. Just a few of Franklin’s community service projects include his work as a Scoutmaster and past president of the Hutchinson school district. Franklin and his wife, Bonita, have two children; their daughter, Carolyn, is a KU alumna. The Fees live in Hutchinson.

Carol Forbes Olander, ’53 — Carol has retired from her career as an agent for international tours, but travel remains a passion she shares with her husband, Jim, Class of 1950. Carol also enjoys golf, skiing, tennis and swimming in addition to her volunteer work for Meals on Wheels in Wichita and the Institute for Logopedics, which she led as president. She also has presided over the local chapters of Wit and Wisdom and Kappa Alpha Theta alumnae, and she served the Junior League as vice president. She and Jim have three children, two of whom are Jayhawks. One of their seven grandchildren is a junior on the Hill.

Diane Walker Stuebner, c’53 — Diane’s Mount Oread memories include Quack Club swim meets, wonderful English professors, musical events and the friendships that have lasted through the years. After earning her master’s degree in social work at the University of Minnesota, she spent her career as a school social worker in Minnesota and in Idaho, where she recently retired. She enjoys travel, singing in choral groups, playing tennis and watching KU basketball with fellow alumni in Boise. Her favorite companions are her four children, seven grandchildren and her two dogs.

Mary Anne Forman King, d’53, f’83 — An artist and homemaker, Mary most recently taught art classes for seventh- and eighth-graders in the Prairie Village schools. She and her husband, Ralph, Business 1952 and Law 1954, live in Lawrence, where Mary enjoys gardening, the Alpha Chi Omega alumnae club and church activities. The Kings travel often, but they most enjoy spending time with their three children, all KU alumni, and four grandchildren.

Donald J. Horttor, c’53, l’59 — Don earned his master’s of law in taxation at New York University in 1961, and since then, he says, he has been trying to make a living in Topeka. He practices with the firm of Cosgrove, Webb & Oman. He is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a former president of the Kansas Masonic Foundation. He and his wife, Jane Ausherman Horttor, Education 1957, have two children. As a U.S. Air Force veteran of Korea, Don is proud that his daughter is now a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, while his son chose to follow dad’s footsteps into the law profession. Don and Jane have three grandchildren.

William H. Pittman, p’53 — William owns and operates Pittman’s Dooley Pharmacy in Tulsa, Okla., where he is proud to have helped three generations of customers with their pharmacy needs. He has garnered outstanding business awards from the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce and also received the southwest Sertoma Award in 1994. William has three children and four grandchildren.

James W. Hershberger, c’53 — Jim was the founder and owner of Petroleum Energy, Inc., and he and his wife, Sally, now enjoy an active retirement in sunny Bonita Springs, Fla. Jim is a member of the KU Sports Hall of Fame, has won awards in 20 different sports, and was selected to appear on the Wheaties cereal box to commemorate his lifetime of athletic achievement. Each year the NCAA presents the Jim Hershberger Trophy to the most outstanding track and field athlete in the nation. The Hershbergers reared eight children, and now enjoy spending time with their three grandchildren and great-grandchild.

Lee E. Phillips III, c’55 — Lee received his draft notice during his junior year at KU, so his military duty prevented him from graduating on time with the Class of 1953. He owns Lee Phillips Oil Co. in Wichita, where he lives with his wife, Sue. They have two sons and one grandchild. Lee has volunteered for the Boy Scouts, the Wichita Art Museum and several local agencies devoted to health care and children.

R. Donald Woodson, c’53, m’56 — In the midst of his successful career as a cardiovascular surgeon and professor, Don Woodson in 1981 signed up for night-school law classes at the University of Toledo and graduated with his law degree in 1984. He lives in Port Clinton, Ohio, and is a partner in a health-care law firm in Toledo, Ohio. The three Woodson grandsons, all basketball fans living in California, are being “deluged with all the Jayhawk basketball gear” Grandpa can buy, in hopes that they one day decide to enroll at Mount Oread.

Carolyn F. Swift, c’53, g’57, PhD’73 –Carolyn retired as director of the Stone Center for Developmental Studies at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, and now she and her husband, Bill, are pleased to be “back home” in Lawrence. A high point of Carolyn’s career was being honored in 1984 with the award for Distinguished Contribution to the Practice of Community Psychology. The Swifts have three Jayhawk children, and enjoy spoiling their one grandchild.