Liliana V. Blum (Latina)
Born in Durango, Mexico in 1974, Lilian V. Blum graduated from the University of Kansas with her bachelor’s degree in comparative literature. She then graduated with her master’s from the Monterrey Institute of Technology.
In 2008 she published “The Curse of Eve and Other Stories.” Her stories have appeared in several publications, such as “storySouth,” “Eclectica” and “The Pedestal Magazine.” In 2005, storySouth selected her short story "Kisses on the Forehead" as one of the Million Writers Award Notable Stories.
Lucile Harris Bluford (American)
Lucile Harris Bluford grew up in an educational family with her father being a professor at the state’s Agricultural and Technical College and then later being accepted a science teaching position at Lincoln High School in Kansas City, Missouri.
Bluford was ahead on her educational path as she was exposed to segregated education, as Missouri was a Jim Crow state that adhered to the “separate but equal” doctrine.
She was the second Black student to enroll in the University of Kansas School of Journalism, graduating with honors in 1932. She also served as night editor and telegraph editor on the school’s student newspaper.
Her legacy trailed until her last day with awards such as the Kansas Citian of the Year Award from the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in 2002 and a Distinguished Service Award from NAACP The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Nedra Patton Bonds (American)
After graduating from KU with an American studies degree in 1970, Nedra Patton Bonds was established as a textile artist, community activist and educator.Bonds is known for her unique avant-garde quilted fine art that explores politics and the environment via the use of fabric, beads and symbols.
Her most well-known work is the 4-by-6-foot "Quindaro Story Quilt" (1993), which chronicles the history of her community and details its involvement with the National Underground Railroad System. She earned a bachelor of arts in American studies from the University of Kansas and a master of science in urban education from Kansas State University.
Lynette Woodard (American)
Lynette Woodard is a retired hall-of-fame basketball player, the first woman to join the Harlem Globetrotters and a four-time All-American at KU. Woodard was a two-time U.S. Olympian and WNBA player. She is widely considered one of the greatest female players of all time for being a versatile performer capable of playing five positions on the court. She played college basketball at KU, and in 1978 and made her name known with her play on the court. he awards kept flowing even after her career at KU had ended. Woodard graduated from KU with a bachelor of arts in speech communication.
Mildred Curtis (American)
Mildred Curtis was one of the first women to earn an MD (Doctor of Medicine) from the University of Kansas as she paved the way for the career path for women in medicine.
Curtis spent her whole career in the Sunflower State after graduating from medical school between 1906 and 1920. On June 11, 1906, she was granted a license to practice medicine and surgery in the state of Kansas. In Iola, she established her own medical business and worked there for almost 50 years.
Astha Thapa (Nepali)
Asha Thapa decided to attend KU to experience a college education after moving from Nepal. Thapa received the prestigious International Excellence Award transfer from JCCC.
She pursued a degree in computer science with the intention of breaking down gender barriers in technology, especially in her native country where women lack representation in software engineering. Thapa was selected as a KU Endowment Admission Ambassador with the motivation to make every student feel welcome on campus.
Sharmin Kader (Bangladeshi)
Sharmin Kadar is not only listed under KU’s 2015 Award Honorees but also has an Outstanding International Woman Student award for her contribution to the campus through her enrollment.
She was a Bangladeshi PhD student who specialized in gerontology and architecture health and wellbeing. She has advanced in her career by earning a solid international reputation for her academic and professional work after earning her master's degree from Texas A&M University and her bachelor's degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology.
During her time at KU, she served as the founding president of the Bangladesh Student Association, developing community support systems and organizing events on campus. With her reputation and professionalism, she is seen as a mentor and inspiration to many students.
Miki Shono (Japanese)
Miki Shono’s story with KU is a miracle cycle. Shono completed an exchange program at KU and then returned for her graduate program. She started as an exchange student through the Kansai University program and struggled to make connections with Americans in her first semester.
She found connections through forming friendships with others who were learning Japanese, which led to her inclination to obtain a master’s degree in East Asian languages and culture.
She is currently teaching Japanese as a GTA at KU while pursuing her master’s degree. While here, she finds opportunities to spread Japanese culture and customs by helping with the Japanese Student Association at events such as the Japanese Summer Festival in Kansas City and the Mid-Autumn Festival, organized by the Center for East Asian Studies and Student Union Activities.
Jessy Ayestas (Latina)
Jessy Ayestas is a doctoral student in educational leadership and policy studies at KU.
Throughout her time, she was an active member of the Latin American Graduate Organization, on the steering committee for the internationalization lab, on the Student Senate and Graduate Student Advisory Board and president of the KU Fulbright Scholars Association.
In a virtual celebration in May, KU International Affairs recognized the class of 2021 international student graduates with the Clark Coan Leadership Awards, where she was recognized for exceptional student leadership.
Ayah Elnady (Egyptian)
Ayah Elnady is one of the most famous student-athletes in the University of Kansas Women’s volleyball history.Elenday has been a member of the Egyptian national team multiple times throughout her career.
The Egyptian athlete settled in with the KU’s women's volleyball team after being recruited when she participated at the 2019 U18 World Championship. With a passion for sports and a competitive spirit, she has won KU women’s volleyball awards and honors during her time at KU. She graduated from the University of Kansas in May 2023 and later found herself continuing her volleyball and academic career at Northwestern University.
This article was edited by Arts & Culture Associate Editor Elyea Soileau. If the information in this article needs to be corrected, please contact elyeasoileau@ku.edu. We want to hear from you!
