KU names new Men of Merit

Kansas University named its 2015 Men of Merit on Friday. The annual awards recognize students, faculty and staff “positively defining masculinity through challenging norms, taking action and leading by example” while also contributing to the university or the community, according to KU.

A reception is planned from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Big 12 Room of the Kansas Union. A brief ceremony recognizing and honoring each man is planned for 5:20 p.m.

This year’s Men of Merit are:

• Steve Allton, staff attorney, Legal Services for Students

• Jared Auten, Osawatomie, a senior in sociology and graduate of Osawatomie High School

• AJ Busard, advising specialist, Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science

• Darren Canady, assistant professor, Department of English

• Drew Carlburg, Fredonia, a senior in applied behavioral sciences and graduate of Fredonia High School

• Frederick Gipp, Lawrence, a junior in strategic communications and graduate of Lawrence High School

• Tom Hung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, a senior in chemical engineering and graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School

• Benjamin Jang, Olathe, a medical student at the KU School of Medicine and graduate of Olathe South High School

• Alek Joyce, Lawrence, a senior in strategic communications and graduate of Free State High School

• Bill Larzalere, chief litigation attorney, Legal Services for Students

• James Modig, university architect and director, design and construction management

• Jonathan Mosher, Overland Park, a senior in chemical engineering and graduate of Blue Valley Northwest High School

• JaCorey Shepherd, a Mesquite, Texas, senior in management and leadership and graduate of Mesquite Horn High School

• Eric Silva, a Santa Maria, Calif., graduate student in higher education administration and graduate of Pioneer Valley High School

• Chris Stone-Sewalish, assistant director, KU Student Housing

The KU Men of Merit poster campaign was created seven years ago by former KU football player Gary Green. The project is coordinated and sponsored by the Emily Taylor Center for Women and Gender Equity. Posters will be available at the reception and in the Emily Taylor Center offices.

The poster aims to increase awareness of the importance of education and involvement in men’s lives, inspire campus men to take an active role in their college experience and provide role models and mentors for men to be successful.

Editor’s note: This story was changed to reflect the correct day for the reception in the Big 12 Room of the Kansas Union.