Heard on the Hill: KU alumnus featured in Oreo commercial; KU student films showing at Granada; KU profs earn promotions and tenure; I'm looking for awesome KU grads / LJWorld.com

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KU alumnus in Oreo commercial

Your daily dose of news, notes and links from around Kansas University.

• Cam DeVictor, A 1998 KU theater alumnus and Lawrence native, has landed a spot in a national Oreo commercial that’s airing now.

According to his website, he’s been “certified in six weapons” with The Society of American Fight Directors, and I spotted some other videos of him swordfighting on YouTube.

He’s pretty good at Oreo commercials, too. He’ll also be appearing in an upcoming INVESCO Financial ad, according to his website.

DeVictor has made a few movie and TV appearances, including uncredited appearances in director Robert Altman’s “Kansas City” and Ang Lee’s “Ride With the Devil."

• Staying with the movie theme, you can catch all kinds of KU students’ films in a local film showcase at the Granada tonight. All the films are made by KU students or alumni.

Doors open at 7 and screenings will begin around 8 p.m. The cover cost is $3.

For many of the film students, it will represent the first time their films have been screened. A few of the scheduled films: “Quarterly Evaluations,” directed by Adam Blinn; “A Light Opera,” directed by Josh Nathan; and “Hooked,” directed by KU alumnus Jordan Krause.

It is an all-ages event, but some films have material not suited for younger audiences.

Event organizers hope to have enough interest to make the event a bi-monthly affair.

• And here’s some Heard on the Hill congratulations to the KU professors who recently were announced as receiving promotions or tenure.

The university released the list this week.

Here’s just a few researchers whose names I recognized or have talked to in the past.

Omri Gillath, a psychology professor, was promoted to associate professor with tenure. His always-bubbly explanations of his research into human relationships typically earns him a lot of media attention, especially around Valentine’s Day.

Jenn-Tai Liang directs KU’s Tertiary Oil Recovery Project. He’s been promoted to full professor.

Nancy Baym, who just got promoted to full professor of communication studies, does some interesting work with social media.

Congrats to all who earned promotions.

• Soon it’ll be graduation time, and that means I’m looking for awesome people who are graduating this year. Be they nuclear submariners, 75-year-olds getting a new degree or people who are pretty good at just about everything, if you know someone who’s graduating with a cool story, let me know. These are among my favorite stories I get to write all year. Send me an email at ahyland@ljworld.com. That works for other tips, too.

Kookamooka 6 years, 2 months ago

Really? Kari Walgren, KU grad has been in commercials too. Particularly the recent swiffer commercial where she plays a valley girl/piece of lint only to be attracted to the swiffer. This is news?

Jim Williamson 6 years, 2 months ago

Lighten up, Francis.

CamDeVictor 6 years, 2 months ago

NICE. Thank you. To correct: Society of American FIGHT Directors (not film) I've choreographed fights at Sierra Rep Theater, Whittier College, Pomona College, University of Kansas and occasional stunt work here in LA. So, Gymnastics for 10 years has it's value. Good marriage of theater and gymnastics? Fight Choreograph. Thanks Lawrence Parks/City Programs and The Kansas School of Gymnastics! (RIP) Yes, Kari and many others, Jeff Brown, Kasi Brown, Andrew Ralston have all had national spots. Yes, Ride with the Devil was where I got SAG eligible (on camera speaking role / cut out).... and then I rode out West. Cheers, Thanks for reading. And thanks Andy for the article.

thanks for the film/fight correct Andy

Archive for Wednesday, April 27, 2011