Colleagues,
Welcome to "3, 2, One KU," a weekly memo in which I'll share updates and thoughts for the week ahead. The title of the memo is derived from the format: each edition will include three things to know, two things to share, and one reflection on how our "One KU" initiative is enhancing collaboration across our campuses. I hope you find this weekly communication informative.
Respectfully,
Doug
Three things to know
KU achieves record-high enrollment for third straight year
Last week we announced that KU has reached its highest overall enrollment in history for the third straight year. Enrollment has grown to 31,464 students, surpassing the record set last year. The Lawrence and Edwards campuses grew 0.5%, while KU Medical Center grew 3.9% — and both now have record-high enrollments.
This growth reflects our success in both recruiting students and helping them stay on track to graduate. This year’s freshman class is the fourth largest in KU history, with 4,834 students, while we retained a record-high 88.1% of last year’s freshmen. We also achieved record-high four- and five-year graduation rates.
I encourage you to read our full announcement, as well as my message of thanks to you — the faculty and staff who make KU a place where students want to come, stay and earn their degrees.
KU to host Concert on the Hill
Tomorrow evening in Lawrence, we’ll host the Concert on the Hill, featuring Grammy-winning rock group Turnstile, along with artists Slayyyter and Die Spitz.
As discussed in a recent Lawrence Journal-World article, the concert is an example of the kind of event we anticipate hosting more frequently in the coming years, both to bring new experiences to campus and to generate revenue to support our academic mission. We expect opportunities like this to become more common once Gateway District construction is complete.
Grant renewal enables KU Alzheimer’s center to expand search for cures
A $22.4 million grant renewal will enable KU Medical Center to continue and expand its work to discover the causes and cures of Alzheimer’s disease.
The KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is a hub for Alzheimer’s research, clinical trials, health care, education and outreach in Kansas. The center is internationally known for its research into how mitochondria and metabolism affect the brain, as well as innovations in Alzheimer’s care.
Two things to share
KU journalism students provide coverage of KU football game in London
When the KU football team played the first-ever football game at London's Wembley Stadium last month, eight KU students from the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications were there to tell the story. Learn more about their experience covering the historic Union Jack Classic.
KU leading partnership to develop new special education leaders
KU has secured a $3.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to lead a new special education leadership program. Project ALIGNS brings together KU, Howard University and the University of Kentucky to prepare the next generation of special education faculty, researchers, policymakers and systems leaders.
"One KU"
Building new capacity for AI-enabled research across One KU
KU's new investments in AI-enabled research are part of a broader commitment to advancing artificial intelligence responsibly across education, service and research. Faculty and staff can find guidance on responsible AI use, data protection and AI-related resources at the university’s Artificial Intelligence website. For additional guidance on governance, ethics and responsible adoption, view the Office of Integrity & Compliance's Compliance Spotlight Sessions site.