Law alum named recipient of Fred Ellsworth Medallion by KU Alumni Association
LAWRENCE — Two University of Kansas graduates with outstanding volunteer records are the 2024 recipients of the KU Alumni Association’s Fred Ellsworth Medallion. Brad Korell and Tom Wiggans will be honored Sept. 12 at the Jayhawk Welcome Center in conjunction with the fall meeting of the association’s national board of directors.
A tradition since 1975, the medallion commemorates the standard of service set by Ellsworth, a 1922 KU graduate, who led the association from 1929 to 1963.
Brad Korell
Korell, a 1997 graduate of the KU School of Law, lives in Edwards, Colorado, and Palm Desert, California. He first volunteered as an alumni network organizer in Dallas and Austin, Texas, where he also began his law career and founded the firm of Korell & Frohlin LLP, which he continues to lead. As a local KU ambassador, leading two alumni groups simultaneously and stepping up to represent KU Admissions during local college fairs, Korell earned the association’s Mildred Clodfelter Alumni Award in 2011 for sustained volunteer service. The award honors the legacy of Clodfelter, a 1941 KU alumna whose long KU career included 41 years at the association.
Korell represented fellow alumni on the KU Memorial Unions Corp. board from 2005 to 2010. He joined the association’s national board of directors in 2006, serving until 2011, including a stint on the Executive Committee. With his husband, Justin McNulty, he attended and contributed to numerous Rock Chalk Balls in Kansas City. They are Life Members and Presidents Club donors.
For KU Endowment, Korell is a trustee and member of the development committee. With McNulty, he is a donor to the Chancellors Club, and they belong to the Jayhawk Faithful and the Elizabeth Watkins Society.
Korell contributes to the School of Law and has served on the alumni Board of Governors. Korell and McNulty are Kansas Athletics season ticket holders and benefactors.
Linda Ellis Sims, a fellow Endowment trustee and a 2011 Ellsworth medallion recipient, first met Korell when she lived for many years in Houston, where she organized local Jayhawks.
“The two things I see most in Brad are pride and passion — his pride for being a Jayhawk and his passion for sharing how important his education in the law school was in life and in his practice,” said Sims, a 1979 KU School of Engineering graduate who now lives in Independence, Missouri. “Brad has a great way to connect people and identify opportunities. I think one of his real strengths is the ability to talk with honesty and give advice on what might be in the best long-term interest of KU.”
Tom Wiggans
Wiggans, a 1975 graduate of the KU School of Pharmacy, lives in Pebble Beach, California. He is chairman and CEO of Pardes Biosciences, the latest leadership role in his long career as a pharmaceutical executive and entrepreneur. He founded Dermira, which he also led as CEO, and he guided several other companies, including Excaliard Pharmaceuticals and Peplin, as CEO and chairman.
He began his KU leadership as a student, serving as president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, a member of the Interfraternity Council and a student government officer.
For the association, he and his wife, Kathy, are Life Members and Presidents Club donors who also have supported the Rock Chalk Ball. They are members of KU Endowment’s Chancellors Club, the Jayhawk Faithful and the Elizabeth Watkins Society. He is a longtime KU Endowment trustee and member of the audit and development committees. Through the years he has helped guide major fundraising campaigns, serving on the Far Above steering committee from 2012 to 2016 and the Kansas Athletics committee for the KU First campaign from 2001 to 2006. The Wigganses are Hall of Fame members of Kansas Athletics’ Williams Education Fund and season ticket holders.
Wiggans also has served on the advisory council for the School of Pharmacy, which in 2022 gave him its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award.
Dan Martin, KU Endowment president, cites Wiggans’ guidance and financial support of varied KU programs in pharmacy, the humanities and athletics.
“Tom has really invested through KU Endowment to touch every avenue and every aspect of the university,” said Martin, who holds three KU degrees. “He also has shared his time and talent, especially his leadership and the experience he has gained in industry. He has brought that back to KU through his thoughtful insights on challenges and issues at the university.”
About the KU Alumni Association
Through the support of members and donors, the KU Alumni Association advocates for the University of Kansas, communicates with Jayhawks in all media, recruits students and volunteers, serves the KU community, and unites Jayhawks worldwide. For more information, visit the KU Alumni Association website.