Give to KU MedChem

Private contributions really do make a difference to our program. Contributions to the Medicinal Chemistry Department Fund fill in where state funds either are not available or cannot be used. They allow us to react in a timely manner to special needs as they arise. These funds are especially helpful in the critical area of recruiting graduate students and supporting them with stipend, tuition, and fees during their first semester in the department. They also enrich our program by supporting external seminar speakers, and subsidizing travel expenses for the annual department-wide MIKIW meeting

Give Now to the Medicinal Chemistry Department Fund

The Walter E. Donovan and Marilyn J. Lang Medicinal Chemistry Fund was established as a permanently endowed fund in 2018 by a generous gift from Walter E. Donovan and Medicinal Chemistry alumna Marilyn J. Lang. The Fund is used to support graduate students in the department by providing for expenses associated with recruiting, or through payment of stipends, tuition, fees, travel, and other research-related expenses. Expenditures from the Fund are made upon the recommendation of the Chair of the Department with the approval of KU Endowment. Marilyn J. Lang spent a summer as an undergraduate researcher working with Professor Matt Mertes in the KU Department of Medicinal Chemistry. She went on to study biochemistry and computer science at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, where she met and married Walter E. Donovan, also a computer scientist specializing in computer graphics. They each went on to establish successful careers in the computer industry in Silicon Valley, but they also maintained their connection to the Medicinal Chemistry Department. In 2018 they made a very generous gift in support of the graduate program in Medicinal Chemistry at KU by establishing The Walter E. Donovan and Marilyn J. Lang Medicinal Chemistry Fund.

Give Now to the Donovan-Lang Fund 

The Gunda Georg Fund was established by former KU Professor of Medicinal Chemistry Gunda Georg in 2001. The interest earned by the endowed fund is used for the fellowship support of graduate students in the KU Department of Medicinal Chemistry. The amounts of the awards and the recipients thereof are determined by a committee appointed by the Chair of the Department and approved by the KU Endowment Association.

About Gunda Georg

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The Bob and Lois Hanzlik Fund supports the graduate program and graduate students in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy. 

The fund was established by a gift at the conclusion of Bob's long and energetic career as a faculty member (1971-2020) and interim chair (2017-2020) of the medicinal chemistry department. It is intended to support Med Chem graduate students, and thereby to support indirectly the Med Chem graduate program and the faculty who teach, train and mentor Med Chem graduate students. The interest earned from the Hanzlik Fund may be used for recruiting students, for payment of stipends, tuition, fees, travel, or research expenses, or for other purposes that support the collegiality and well-being of graduate students in the department. Expenditures from the Fund shall be made upon the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry with the approval of KU Endowment.

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The Irsay-Dahle Award is named in memory of two graduates of the KU Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Dr. Robert Irsay (Ph.D. 1964) and Dr. Norman Dahle (Ph.D. 1965), both of whom studied under the late Edward E. Smissman. The award, consisting of $2,500 and a framed certificate, is given to a senior graduate student in recognition of his or her outstanding qualities and achievements in academics, research activities, and departmental citizenship in an overall sense. Interest from the Irsay-Dahle Memorial Fund endowment supports the annual Award and contributes to other department activities throughout the year. See Irsay-Dahle Memorial Fund for a list of previous winners.

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As explained on a plaque outside the Medicinal Biochemistry Teaching Laboratory in the KU School of Pharmacy, Dr. Gregory L. Lauver and his wife Frances Lamont Lauver wanted to give back for the education in medicinal chemistry that Lauver received at KU prior to entering medical school. The Medicinal Chemistry Fellowship that they endowed is awarded to the Medicinal Chemistry graduate student deemed most outstanding after the first full year of graduate study in the department Lauver Medicinal Chemistry Fellowship for a list of awardees. The awardee is selected by the faculty based on overall academic performance at the University of Kansas, the quality and quantity of research conducted to date, and departmental citizenship. Interest from the generous endowment given by the Lauvers provides for an annual award of $1,000 and a framed certificate given to the student, and $3,000 toward stipend, tuition and fees.

Give Now to the Lauver Medicinal Chemistry Fellowship Fund

The Mathias P. Mertes Memorial Fund was established by the University of Kansas Endowment Association with contributions from his family, friends, colleagues, students and co-workers to commemorate Matt's dedication to excellence in research and scholarship, and his steadfast devotion to students. As befits Matt's devotion to students, the fund supports a biennial lecture given by an outstanding scientist who is selected by the graduate students in the department. See Mathias P. Mertes Memorial Lecture Series for a complete list of lecturers. Medicinal Chemistry graduate students organize the entire program, which is given in odd years and alternates with the Edward E. Smissman Memorial Lecture Series (see above) in even years.  Interest from the Mertes Memorial Fund endowment supports the biennial Mertes Lecture and contributes to other department activities throughout the year.

Learn more about Mathias P. Mertes and the Mertes Lecture Series

Give Now to the Mertes Memorial Fund

The Dr. Edward E. and Clarine F. Smissman Memorial Fund was established as a lasting tribute to the founding Chairman of the modern Department of Medicinal Chemistry at KU. The fund was initially established in 1976 with the primary purpose of perpetuating the Edward E. Smissman Memorial Lecture Series. Visit The Edward E. Smissman Memorial Lecture Series for a complete list of past lecturers. By sponsoring lectures given by scientists of outstanding merit and achievement in chemistry and biology, it is hoped that the influence and tradition of Edward E. Smissman, a true pioneer in Medicinal Chemistry, will be preserved. The Edward E. Smissman Memorial Lecture Series is given in even years and alternates with the Mertes Memorial Lecture Series given in odd years (see below). Interest from the Smissman Memorial Fund endowment supports the biennial lecture series and contributes to other department activities throughout the year.

Learn more about Edward E. and Clarine F. Smissman and the Smissman Memorial Lecture

Give Now to the Smissman Memorial Fund