Kansas University faculty and staff will embark on the 1,500-mile Wheat State Whirlwind Tour on Friday. The six-day tour introduces new faculty and staff to Kansas.

It begins with a trip to the Kansas Speedway and the Marais des Cygnes Massacre and Battle of Mine Creek state historic sites in Linn County, with other stops in Fort Scott and Louisburg. Destinations include Gove County, Garden City, Montezuma, Yoder, Cottonwood Falls and Council Grove.

Among the nearly 40 participants this year are new Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Richard Lariviere, School of Law Dean Gail Agrawal and School of Education Dean Rick Ginsberg.

To view daily itineraries and maps of the route, visit: www.wheatstate.ku.edu.