KU celebrates doctoral students

LAWRENCE — More than 240 doctoral students at the University of Kansas were awarded degrees at the annual Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on Saturday, May 12, at the Lied Center. University marshalls presided over the ceremony and were joined by KU administrators, deans and Kansas Board of Regents Chair Dave Murfin.

“The University of Kansas is very proud and appreciative of what our graduate students accomplish,” said Michael Roberts, dean of graduate studies. “Their work represents amazing innovation, illuminating science, creative performance and brilliant scholarship.”

Two doctoral graduates were presented with the 2018 Marnie and Bill Argersinger prize for outstanding doctoral dissertations at the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony:

• Benjamin Rogers, doctoral graduate in political science, was celebrated for his research on patterns in voting for recent federal elections and public opinions on key topics in current American politics.
• Gopolang Mohlabeng, doctoral graduate in physics, was recognized for his innovative study of dark matter, one of the most fundamental and abundant building blocks of our universe.

Other graduate student, staff and faculty awards were presented at the annual Graduate Awards Ceremony on April 12. These included the Graduate Research Competition awards, Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, Chancellor's Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, Carlin Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, the Distinguished Service Aaward, the Truman Good Neighbor Awards, the Louise Byrd Graduate Educator Award and the Outstanding Graduate Support Staff Award. Graduate students with KU fellowships were also honored at the event.