A gift of $1 million from KU alumni Jann and Tom Rudkin will fund a new accessible entrance to Dyche Hall, home of the university’s Natural History Museum.
The gift is “to ensure this portal to KU is as welcoming and accessible as possible, for the benefit of all who visit,” according to a KU news release Tuesday.
Jann called the museum “a cultural institution” in KU’s news release.
“This will allow everyone regardless of mobility to experience the museum the way it was meant to be experienced,” she said. “This is not just a ramp; it is a new beautiful entryway that will draw people in and showcase what a unique building it is.”
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Dyche Hall was built in 1901-03, according to KU. Construction of the new entryway is expected to take place this summer, according to the release.
“Remaining funds after construction will go toward partial restoration of the historic and beloved Panorama exhibit, including taxidermy specimens and other items on display,” according to the release.
The couple met at KU and graduated in 1973, according to the release.
Jann was a self-employed information designer and now serves on the KU Biodiversity Institute board of advisers, “which advocates on behalf of the Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum to university, national and international audiences,” according to the release.
Tom had a career as a software development engineer and manager that spanned Intel, Bell Northern Research, VisiCorp, Control Data, Forethought and Microsoft, according to the release.
The couple now spend their time split between Lawrence and the San Francisco Bay area.
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