A new TV commercial promoting Kansas University debuted this month and will be seen at some football and basketball games and sports broadcasts.

The 30-second spot, called “A Great Place to Be,” features dozens of KU students and four faculty members. It was produced by KU alumni, staff and students. Longer versions will be produced for the KU Web site and other venues.

Frank Barthell, electronic media coordinator for KU, and Ed Leydecker from Wide Awake Films, a 1979 KU graduate in personnel administration and speech and drama, produced the spot. Beth Keefe, electronic media designer at University Relations, served as editor and creative director for the project.

The film includes appearances by Orley “Chip” Taylor, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; John Staniunas, associate professor of theater and film; Susan Pingleton, Peter T. Bohan Professor and chairwoman of internal medicine; and Stan Lombardo, classics professor.