As some of you may know, I’m a bit of a history buff. All right — more than a bit.

For someone with my interest in the past, it doesn’t get better than the University of Kansas. From the post-Civil War circumstances of our founding to the early 20th-century discovery of helium in a KU lab to our multi-decade basketball championship legacy and much more, KU is built on a foundation of excellence we can all be proud of.

But I have little patience for institutions that do nothing but stand on their laurels, and thankfully, KU isn’t that kind of place. We are a university that respects our history while keeping our eyes firmly on the future. Sometimes, that commitment to progress means change. Progress is rarely a straight line, and especially in moments of great change, it is our shared history that reminds us why we do what we do.

KU is experiencing such a moment right now. Across our campuses — in classrooms, labs, performance halls and clinics, change is happening. Good change. New discoveries are being made. New leaders are emerging. And this magazine, Crimson & Blue, tells those stories to showcase KU’s impact, giving alumni, donors, friends and fans a view of the world Jayhawks are shaping.

Alongside these changes are new milestones that complement our proud history. A student becomes the first in their family to earn a degree. A researcher reaches a long-sought breakthrough. A donor establishes a scholarship that will open doors for generations. A new stadium rises on the Lawrence skyline. Each of these moments is a milestone. Each is important.

As we navigate this period of transformation, our history reminds us that change, when guided by purpose and values, leads to progress. It shows us we are well equipped to meet whatever challenges, greet any opportunities, that lie ahead.

I am grateful for the many ways our KU community continues to move forward — thoughtfully, intentionally, united. Thank you. I encourage you all to look back with pride on the journey so far, and then look forward to a future worthy of the Jayhawk spirit we all share.

Onward,

Daniel J. Martin
President, KU Endowment