Move-N-Learn Archive

November 2024

Walk 'n' Roll down Jayhawk Boulevard with the Wellness Ambassadors
Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Need to get out of the office? Come catch some crisp fresh air, sunlight, and good company as the Wellness Ambassadors lead a lunch time walk or roll across campus and back. The plan is to stroll from one end of Jayhawk Boulevard to the other, turn around, and head back.

One team will meet across from the Union in front of Smith Hall if that's closer to where you office. The other team will rendezvous in the green space in front of Chalmers Hall across from the Chi Omega fountain if that's closer to you. Both groups will start heading down Jayhawk Blvd. at 12:10pm, will cross paths somewhere in the middle for a high five, before continuing on to the end, turning around, and heading back.

All speeds of movement are welcome to join! Bring a colleague; bring your whole office!

October 2024

Employee Tour of the Dole Institute’s Museum and Archives
Wednesday, October 9, 2024

This tour of the Dole Institute will include an in-depth overview of the Institute’s Museum & Galleries, which focus on the lives and legacies of Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole—detailing their extensive public service, political campaigns, and post-political activities. Plus, this tour includes a behind-the-scenes look at the Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archives and Special Collections—one of the largest congressional collections in the nation—showing how archivists preserve and maintain the manuscripts, photographs, and objects accumulated throughout the extensive lives of Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole.

Guide: Sarah Gard, Senior Archivist and Head of Collections

September 2024

Employee Tour of the Jayhawk Welcome Center
Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Breathtaking views of Mount Oread, combined with a two-story video screen, make a lasting impression as you enter the Jayhawk Welcome Center, the new starting point of an unrivaled campus visit for all prospective students and their families. Interactive digital exhibits capture the Jayhawk experience; the global network of alumni; the achievements of Jayhawk leaders through the years; research and innovations pioneered by faculty and students; and KU’s proud history and traditions. Powerful stories convey what it means to Jayhawk, and dynamic, light-filled spaces invite current students, faculty, staff and alumni to collaborate and celebrate. The Jayhawk Welcome Center unites Jayhawks past, present and future in their new home on the Hill.

Guides:
Howard Graham, Senior Director, Career and Professional Development
Heidi McCormick, Assistant Director, Event Services

August 2024

Employee Guided Meditation
Wednesday, August 14
Spencer Research Library, North Gallery (behind Strong Hall)

August is a busy month! Take some intentional time to unwind. In this 30-minute session, participants will be guided through a mindfulness meditation and learn techniques to cultivate mindfulness and deepen relaxation. Certified yoga instructor Erin Sampson will share tips for integrating mindfulness into daily life for improved wellbeing and stress management.

Guide:
Erin Sampson
Senior Recruiter, KU Human Resources
Certified Yoga Instructor

July 2024

Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the KU Herpetological Collection
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Natural History Museum, Dyche Hall

KU is home to one of the most important biodiversity collections in the world. KU Herpetology is one of the top five largest collections in the United States and houses more than 340,000 preserved reptiles and amphibians. We have larger collections of neotropical frogs than anywhere in the world and some of most important collections of reptiles and amphibians from Kansas, the Caribbean and the Philippines. Although all the data for our collections is freely available online, more than 99.9% of our specimens are never on public exhibit. During this tour, you will get a peek behind the scenes at some of our most spectacular and important specimens, including a new species of giant monitor lizard, giant frogs and snakes, amphibians whose young feast on their mother's flesh and extinct frogs. You will also learn about the important uses of our collections, from studying climate change to tracking the history of global pandemics.

Guide:
Dr. Richard Glor
Associate Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Curator of Herpetology in the Division of Herpetology at the Biodiversity Institute

June 2024

A Field Trip to the Field Station
Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Enjoy a walking tour of the core research area at KU’s Field Station, operated by Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research. We will walk from headquarters along the interior gravel road to view and learn about long term research projects and infrastructure and enjoy nature along the way.

Guide:
Sheena Parsons (she/her)
Station Manager, KU Field Station
Associate Researcher, Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research

May 2024

Tour of Kenneth Spencer Research Library
Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Join us to explore two behind-the-scenes spaces. We’ll tour University Archives, the repository for records, photographs and other materials documenting KU’s history. We’ll also visit the KU Libraries conservation lab and learn how staff preserve, treat and repair collection materials. Find Spencer Research Library directly behind Strong Hall; we’ll meet at the third-floor reception desk.

Guide: Caitlyn D. Klepper, Head of Public Services, Kenneth Spencer Research Libraries

April 2024

The Wonders of KU Grounds in Spring
Wednesday, April 27, 2024

Back by popular demand! Join us for a walking discussion on campus with Landscape Manager, Joe Fearn, as we discuss how KU Grounds seeks to integrate nature and ecology into a built environment. We’ll talk native plants, insects, birds, habitat, shelter, etc. We’ll meet at the Jayhawk sculpture in front of Strong Hall and walk to Watson Library.

Guide: Joe Fearn, Landscape Manager, KU Grounds

March 2024

KU Innovation Park on West Campus
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
KUIP main facility (2029 Becker Drive)

Curious about what’s going on over on west campus? The KU Innovation Park (KUIP) is offering a tour of its west campus facilities to staff and faculty. The KUIP provides laboratory, office and meeting space to new and existing startup companies, and is located across the street from KU’s Multidisciplinary Building, Structural Biology Center and School of Pharmacy. In addition to touring KUIP’s state-of-the-art facilities, participants will also be given a rooftop view of ongoing/future expansion on west campus.

Guide: Mike Smithyman

February 2024

VIP Tour of the Lied Center
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

The Lied Center is a catalyst for creativity and community-building at KU and beyond, hosting more than 200 events per year. Join Technical Director Ann Hause on a VIP stroll through the venue, including the auditorium, Pavilion, the amazing Bales Organ Recital Hall, and backstage areas. You’ll hear stories about everything from Broadway tours to former presidents to temporary ice-skating rinks. Please meet in the front lobby.

Guide: Ann Hause, Technical Director

November 2023

Yoga & Meditation for Every-BODY!
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Robinson Gymnasium, Room 215

No experience or change of clothes needed to find this session enjoyable! Learn how yoga is the most accessible form of exercise and how meditation can help improve your health and reduce stress. Practice some mindful breathing and yoga movement basics with guided instruction. Yoga mats will be provided.

Presenter: Kymbre Dwyer, Registered Yoga Instructor

October 2023

The Wonders of KU Landscaping
Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Did you ever wonder how the KU campus stays beautiful and maintained all year long? Get moving in the beautiful fall weather and join KU Landscape Manager, Joe Fearn, as he answers all of your plant diversity and landscaping questions while leading a guided tour of Jayhawk Boulevard’s autumn plant-life and landscaping wonders beginning at the Jayhawk in the front of Strong Hall.

Guide: Joe Fearn, Landscape Manager

September 2023

The Spencer Museum of Art
Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Artistic Dimensions of Wellness: Explore the collection of the Spencer Museum of Art and the special exhibition “Black Writing.” During this guided gallery experience we’ll discuss a variety of different artworks and consider how they relate to ideas and dimensions of wellness.

Guide: Celka Straughn, Deputy Director for Public Practice and Curatorial,and Mellon Director of Academic Programs

March 2023

Jayhawk Welcome Center at the Adams Alumni Center
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Guide: Annie Miller, Assistant Director of Legacy Relations & Event Services

February 2023

KU Botanical Science Greenhouses
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023

Did you know that KU is home to a curated collection of rare plants from all over the world? Please consider joining us on a tour of the KU Botanical Science Greenhouses located on a rooftop in Haworth Hall. We'll learn about the history of the greenhouses, their functional systems, and ongoing research conducted there. This will also be an opportunity to get up close to rare and endemic plants, including some that are threatened or extinct in the wild. See the towering single leaf of the corpse plant, unique carnivorous plants, and the world's smallest water lily. We'll give a brief overview of the evolution of plant life here on Earth, and which plants in our greenhouses fit where on that evolutionary tree. You're sure to leave refreshed and eager for spring!

Guide: Patti Beedles, Greenhouse Manager