Brownback to announce Top 25 notable Kansans

TOPEKA -- As part of the state's commemoration of the Kansas sesquicentennial during 2011, Gov. Sam Brownback invites Kansans to join him at five events across the state at which he will announce the names of the top 25 notable Kansans.

These individuals were recently selected by the governor's blue ribbon panel for history, a news release said. Five names will be announced at each event, the first taking place 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, at the Kansas Museum of History, Topeka. Other events will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site, Fairway; 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Fort Scott National Historic Site, Fort Scott; 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Kansas Aviation Museum, Wichita; and 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson.

The public is invited to attend all events, each featuring comments by Brownback, introduction of special guests, and a brief reception. Events commemorating the top 12 events in Kansas history will be held later in the fall. The blue ribbon panel for history includes: Don Chubb, Topeka; Virgil Dean, Kansas Historical Society; Gayle Garrelts, Hays; James Hoy, Emporia State University; Bob Keckeisen, Kansas Historical Society; Nathan McAlister, Royal Valley High School; Leo Oliva, Woodston; Mary Regan, Finney County Historical Society; J. Schafer, Kansas Public Radio; James Shortridge, University of Kansas; and Raymond Wilson, Fort Hays State University.