“What impact has KU had on your life?”

That one question sparked hundreds of stories across the country as we hosted members of Jayhawk Nation at regional Ever Onward campaign events this past spring. As we invited attendees to share their stories with others in the room, it was clear KU has transformed many lives, whether through education, research, athletic prowess or something as special as being the place where one met a college sweetheart who later became a beloved spouse.

Stories have a way of connecting us like nothing else. The more I travel and meet with members of our KU family, the more connected I feel to
the hopes, desires and dreams they express for our university and our collective future.

At the regional campaign event in Los Angeles, Academy Award-winning film director, screenwriter — and KU professor of Film Studies — Kevin Willmott spoke and recalled being a young man in Junction City, Kan., who longed to make his own movies. In his teaching, his life provides an example for students as he seeks to “reduce the distance between Kansas and Hollywood,” letting them know the distance isn’t as great as it may appear.

The University of Kansas is a place of dreams, and our partnership with donors in ways both big and small helps  support and encourage the pursuit and fulfillment of dreams — whether it’s pursuing a life passion, making a discovery that will change the world or carrying the Jayhawk spirit into our communities and fostering the common good for all. We all have a role to play in closing the gap in pursuing dreams.

It is a rare privilege to step into someone’s world and be treated to their innermost thoughts about the things that matter most to them. Whether it’s setting up a scholarship to help a first-generation student, providing seed money for a promising clinical research trial or giving a lead gift to lay the cornerstone of a brand-new building, our donors are in the unique position to co-write stories showcasing the power of philanthropy. What story would you like to write?

Ever Onward!

Connect with us and learn more about the Ever Onward campaign at kueveronward.org.