Lawrence historian named ag hall curator

Bonner Springs — Steve Jansen, a longtime Lawrence historian, has been named curator of the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this nationally known institution,” said Jansen, who previously was director and, later, historian at Lawrence’s Watkins Community Museum of History.

Jansen, who received a doctorate in 20th-century U.S. history from Kansas University, has worked in museums since 1977. He left the Lawrence museum in October.

Cathi Hahner, director of the Ag Hall of Fame, said Jansen’s first priority would be to develop better and increased signage in the 20,400-square-foot Museum of Farming building.

Other duties in Jansen’s part-time position at the Ag Hall of Fame include developing and using a collection management policy and procedures, and improving exhibits in the main building and Farm Town USA.

The Ag Hall of Fame was chartered by Congress in 1962 and sits on 172 acres.

Patriot Act essay wins writing contest

An essay on privacy issues in the United States has won the Philip W. Whitcomb Memorial Essay contest at Kansas University.

Sean Pauzauskie, a junior from Topeka, wrote the essay. He’ll receive $500 and a book, and have his name inscribed on a plaque at the Nunemaker Center at KU.

Pauzauskie’s essay examines the historical, philosophical and pragmatic issues of privacy. It also looks at the USA Patriot Act of 2001, which broadened surveillance and investigative powers to fight terrorism.

He said the essay advocated a balance between freedom of privacy and a need to re-engage Americans in their communities.