Whayne Scholars to highlight research projects, KU’s African American Experience Collections during public talks July 9

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Libraries will host a public presentation featuring the 2026 recipients of the Alyce Hunley Whayne Visiting Researchers Travel Awards at 3 p.m. July 9 in the Johnson Room at Kenneth Spencer Research Library. 

This year’s visiting scholars, Cynthia Patterson of the University of South Florida and Doretha Williams of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, will share research drawn from Spencer Research Library’s African American Experience collections. 

Patterson’s project examines the Black Chautauqua Movement in Kansas from 1897 to 1935, while Williams will present on her project, “Kansas Grows the Best Wheat and Best Race Women: Black Women in the Central Plains, 1880-1930.” 

The Alyce Hunley Whayne Visiting Researchers Travel Awards support scholars from across the country whose work engages with Spencer’s distinctive collections, providing funding for travel and in-person research, fostering new scholarship while increasing access to and awareness of the library’s archival resources. 

The awards are made possible by a gift from Sandra Gautt, KU professor emerita, in honor of her mother. 

The presentation is free and open to the public. Spencer Research Library is located behind Strong Hall on the KU Lawrence campus. The easiest way to reach the library is from Jayhawk Boulevard. Visitors can walk through the rotunda of Strong Hall and cross the terrace connected to the library, or use Spencer’s ground floor entrance beneath the terrace. 

The closest parking option during regular weekday business hours is the Mississippi Street Garage, adjacent to the Kansas Union.