2011 Kansas Hall of Fame

2011 Inductees:

  Certainly no one will argue against the man recognized around the world by his nickname - and for good reason. Ike, as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, is credited with liberating Europe during World War II. As president of the United States, he led America into one its most prosperous decades. Yet, Dwight David Eisenhower said the proudest statement he could make was that he was from Abilene, Kansas.  He will be represented at the Gala by a great grandson, Merrill Atwater.

Similarly Charles Curtis, United States Senator and Vice President under Herbert Hoover, brings together the entire history of Kansas. Born in Topeka, he was a member of the Kansa tribe (which gave its very name to the state) and spent many summers on the Kaw Nation lands.  His was a rags-to-riches story, where his talent as a jockey provided him the means to study law and begin his career.  Curtis served in Congress, where he was a long-time Senate Majority leader, and was a candidate for President before backroom politicking resulted in his vice presidential nomination.   He will be represented by Guy Munroe, Chairman of the Kaw Nation.

 Wounded in the mountains of Italy in World War II, supported by his hometown of Russell, Bob Dole went on to law school, then county, state and federal elected positions, representing the interests of Kansans. He was the longest-serving Senate Republican Majority Leader and the Republican Party Nominee for President in 1996. Throughout his life Dole has worked tirelessly on behalf of veterans, most recently being recognized as the driving force behind the creation of the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.   Dole is anticipated to attend the gala.

  As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Richard B. Myers of Overland Park was a Kansas State ROTC graduate whose 40-year air force career took him from the jungles of Viet Nam to the Pentagon. General Myers was at the center of the world stage during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was later appointed to serve as 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s senior military official and the principal military adviser to the President, Secretary of Defense and National Security Council. No matter what his job, the former fighter pilot performed his duties as a true Kansan, displaying ability, commitment, and humility.  Myers is anticipated to attend the gala.

    Parents around the world are grateful to brothers Dan and Frank Carney of Wichita. Through their creation and subsequent franchising of Pizza Hut, they forever answered the question of: “What’s for supper tonight?” The Carneys were in on the ground floor of pizza, were innovators in franchising and are civic leaders. Both Carney brothers are anticipated to attend the gala.

 Had she lived she would have been a heroine of aviation and exploration. With her disappearance over the Pacific she became a legend and icon. Amelia Earhart set records in flight, surpassing males of the era, and inspired generations of girls to see even the sky as no limit. Earhart of Atchison remains a cultural icon today, recently featured in several major motion pictures. She will be represented at the Gala by members of the “Ninety-Nines”, an international organization of women pilots.

   Millions of Americans first came to know Kansas through black and white TV sets when Marshall Matt Dillon visited our living rooms each week. Portrayed for twenty years by World War II veteran James Arness, Dillon possessed unfailing common sense combined with honesty, integrity, and decency. Arness brought Marshall Dillon to life through the lens of his own character.  Dillon/Arness will be represented at the Gala by Special Deputy U.S. Marshall Charlie Meade of Dodge City.