News Categories: Donor Stories

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Patents and startups: How KU turns curiosity and creativity into innovation

The University of Kansas is home to innovation, but it is more than an academic practice. It is a mindset, intertwined with entrepreneurship programming at the School of Business.

Science, survival and shared gratitude

After lifesaving treatment at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, a survivor and caregiver chose to help fuel the next generation of cancer research.

Faculty member pledges $1 million on One Day One KU to KU School of Medicine-Wichita

Donna Sweet, M.D., A.A.H.I.V.S., M.A.C.P., understands the importance of a University of Kansas School of Medicine education. Sweet, a School of Medicine-Wichita alumna and longtime faculty member, has pledged a $1 million estate gift in support of the Donna Sweet, M.D., Internal Medicine Program Fund.

2026 One Day One KU breaks record for gifts, raises over $5 million in 24 hours

The ninth annual One Day One KU on April 28-29 saw over 4,800 Jayhawks worldwide unite to support the University of Kansas and The University of Kansas Health System.

$2.5M gift continues strong momentum for KU’s entrepreneurship hub

Mathew Stava specializes in charting a course. As a veteran in the technology industry and founder of Spinnaker Support, he has built a successful career as an entrepreneur. He and his wife, Kelly, hope to provide KU students the opportunity to do the same with a generous pledge of $2.5 million dollars to propel completion of a new building that will serve as the entrepreneurship hub for the university.

Kit and Diana Smith pledge $3 million to support KU students in law, athletics

Christopher “Kit” and Diana Smith have pledged $2 million to create the Dean Davis Law School Scholars Fund and $1 million to create the Kit and Diana Smith Athletics Scholarship.

David and Diane Bricker honor beloved KU chemistry professor through planned giving

David Bricker essentially grew up at the University of Kansas. When his father, Clark, joined the KU chemistry department in 1963, the university became a central part of David’s childhood.

Couple’s $1 million gift adds accessible entrance to KU Natural History Museum

A gift from Tom and Jann Rudkin will support the construction of a new accessible entrance from Jayhawk Boulevard to Dyche Hall. Remaining funds after construction will go toward partial restoration of the historic and beloved Panorama exhibit, including taxidermy specimens and other items on display.

She built an online community while battling cancer. Now her parents are echoing her spirit by supporting tomorrow’s storytellers.

Sherwood and Marlene Zellermayer of Evanston, Illinois, establish scholarship fund at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications in honor of their late daughter and KU graduate, Jessica.

$8 million gift establishes KU’s first named deanship, two professorships, in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

David Pittaway has built a storied career in private equity since graduating from the University of Kansas with a B.A. in History in 1972. As a sixth-generation Kansan, he is honoring his family’s legacy and making history of his own with the first named deanship at KU.