David Ambler to retire after 25 years mentoring KU students

After a long, distinguished career in student services, the University of Kansas' vice chancellor for student affairs for the past quarter-century, David Ambler, has announced plans to retire on Aug. 1, 2002.

Ambler came to KU in 1977 from Kent State University in Ohio, where he was a student affairs official when National Guard troops killed four students during an anti-war protest. At age 33, he was named Kent State's vice president for student affairs shortly after the shootings. At that time, he was one of the youngest people ever appointed a chief student affairs officer at a major state university.

Executive Vice Chancellor/Provost David Shulenburger lauded Ambler as an "exemplary leader."

"His calm, deliberative style has served this university very well indeed, and he is one of the most respected individuals in the nation in the field of student issues," Shulenburger said. "David is the primary advocate for students on this campus, and he has always taken that role with the utmost seriousness. His continuing close bonds with student leaders from past years is a great testimony to the esteem he has earned from his primary constituency. He has been a great friend and mentor to me, and I will miss working with him on a day-to-day basis, but I know that he and Mary Kate will continue to be among KU's best friends and champions."

At KU, 64-year-old Ambler is responsible for the university's student services program including student housing, health services, the Kansas Unions, recreational services, financial aid, employment and career services, counseling services, student activities, multicultural affairs, child care services and other programs to assist student development. He also is a courtesy associate professor in the Department of Teaching and Leadership, where he works with graduate students interested in pursuing careers in higher education.

Former student leaders who worked with Ambler admire him with great affection.

"David Ambler was a great mentor to student leaders across campus," said Alison Young, editor of the University Daily Kansan and the Student Senate executive secretary in the late 1980s and now an editor at the Detroit Free Press. "Whether they were in student government, on the Kansan, in the Greek system or members of some other group, Dr. Ambler knew when to offer support and guidance, and when to let us find our own way. He gave us the freedom to make decisions and to learn from our mistakes and was a great believer in the important role extracurricular activities can play in a KU education."

Petra "Tedde" Tasheff, who was student body president in 1976-77, when Ambler came to KU, remains in touch with Ambler today.

"Dave brings his fine mind, gentle soul and big heart to bear on the work of student affairs. He confidently leads the university in taking a holistic approach to each student's development," said Tasheff, now general counsel for litigation for Citigroup Global Consumer Business in New York. "Every student matters to Dave, and he works hard to make sure all students have the resources they need to excel."

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