On Mar. 8, 2016, the University of Kansas (KU) announced receipt of a $1 million gift to the KU Endowment from Diane J. Klepper, of Albuquerque, that supported the construction of the Health Education Building.

Klepper, a Wichita native, is a pulmonologist who graduated from KU with a bachelor’s degree in 1956 and doctor of medicine degree from the KU School of Medicine in 1964. She taught physical education for a short time before deciding to go to medical school, where she was one of two women in her graduating class of 100.

She was attracted to New Mexico from trips there as a child, and after her residency she received a one-year fellowship in pulmonary disease at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. From there, she became the dean of admissions and student affairs at the school, a position she held for 31 years and one that gave her the opportunity to influence potential female students.