Gift to KU honors longtime university leader


Jeff Weinberg


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LAWRENCE — A $10,000 gift for the University of Kansas Honors Program honors Jeff Weinberg, assistant to Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little. Weinberg, who has worked at KU nearly 42 years, will take a new post this summer, becoming a faculty fellow in the KU Honors Program.

Weinberg’s former high school English teacher and longtime friend, Lavon Brosseau of Concordia, made the gift to KU Endowment. “I think Jeff is one of the finest ex-students I have ever had,” said Brosseau. “I think the Honors Program is perfect for him because he’s very intelligent, and he’s a wonderful teacher.”

Weinberg began his career at KU in the office of student financial aid and became associate director. He later worked in the office of student affairs, where he became associate vice chancellor for student affairs. He joined the chancellor’s office in 1995. He also has taught in the Honors Program.

Weinberg said he was deeply appreciative of the gift from Brosseau. “Lavon Brosseau was a gifted teacher, and along with her late husband, Jack, she has dedicated her life to providing educational opportunities and enhancing the educational environment for countless numbers of students,” said Weinberg. “Her passion for life, her vision for the future and her life-long friendship is a constant inspiration to me.”

Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett, director of the Honors Program, said she was delighted both with Brosseau’s generous support and that Weinberg would be joining the faculty. “Lavon Brousseau's gift will allow us to create more opportunities for some of KU's most talented students,” said McCluskey-Fawcett. “We are very grateful for her commitment to and support of the Honors Program. This is a fitting way to honor Jeff.”

In addition to Brosseau’s gift honoring Weinberg, she also gave $10,000 for the Spencer Museum of Art. Of that, $5,000 is designated for gallery renovation, and $5,000 for the Jack and Lavon Brosseau Creativity Award. Current recipients were announced Monday.

The gifts count toward Far Above: The Campaign for Kansas, the university’s $1.2 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. Far Above is managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU.