Retired KU professor pledges $1 million fund

A retired Kansas University professor has pledged more than $1 million to the KU school of social welfare, university officials announced Thursday.

Norge Winifred Jerome, Shawnee, has pledged $1 million upon her death to establish a scholar and faculty program at the school. Interest on the fund will help support one faculty member and one graduate student each year. The recipients will work with communities of color to improve their quality of life.

Jerome also will donate $30,000 in the next three years to establish a separate fund to support a student pursuing a doctoral degree in social welfare.

Jerome, a native of the Caribbean island nation of Grenada, came to KU in 1967 in the department of dietetics and nutrition. She also taught human ecology and community health before retiring in 1996.

Recreation

Dogs to get last lap before pool’s closing

The Lawrence Aquatic Center will stage a “Pooch Plunge” from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The plunge takes place the day after the pool is closed for the year to human visitors. The program allows dogs to beat the heat and take a swim in the pool before it is drained for the season. Cost is $2 per dog and pre-registration is required.

Dogs participating must have current vaccinations and be under the control of an owner at all times while out of the water.

Participants may register online at www.lprd.org or by visiting any Parks and Recreation location.

University

Union opens gallery recalling KU’s history

Michael Munden, a sophomore from Mexico City, front, and Tom Langdon, a senior from Lawrence, check out a basketball display.

About 30 people gathered Thursday afternoon to help usher a look at Kansas University’s past to the Kansas Union.

The group attended a dedication ceremony for the KU History Galleries, a series of panels depicting KU’s history, on the union’s third floor.

The 10 panels — measuring 36 inches by 50 inches — have themes such as football, basketball, track, lost traditions, protest and dissent and the Rock Chalk chant.

The project, funded by a $15,000 Student Senate grant, is tied to the “This Week in KU History” Web site, found at www.kuhistory.com.