Chancellor visits with president, KU graduates in Peru

Chancellor Hemenway speaking after receiving his honorary degree. Behind him are, left, the rector of the University of San Marcos, Manuel Burga Diaz, and University deans.

The oldest university in the Americas honored KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway this summer in Peru with an honorary degree, citing his national leadership in higher education and promotion of multicultural literature.

While in Peru, the chancellor met with Peru President Alejandro Toledo to discuss education and continued collaboration between KU and Peru's national university, the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima.

"There is no better time than now to strengthen KU's international position in higher education," Hemenway said. "KU has enjoyed longstanding ties to Peru. Future opportunities in Peru for our students and faculty to engage in serious scientific research and explore an international cultural exchange are boundless."

Chancellor and family.

No state funds are being used to finance the chancellor's trip.

Hemenway received his honorary degree at a formal ceremony at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, which was founded in 1551 by royal decree and confirmed by a papal edict of 1571. Hemenway later was host of a reception for more than 60 KU alumni and current KU students and their parents who live in Peru. KU typically has enrolled 15 Peruvian students each year at its Lawrence campus.

While in Peru, the chancellor met with historians and researchers in the ancient Incan settlements of Machu Picchu and Cuzco, and with Alberto G. Alexander Servat, the dean of the School of Business of the Pontificia Universidad Catolico del Peru, who is a 1977 KU graduate.

Hemenway also toured the internationally renowned Anne Sullivan Center, a Lima school for poverty-stricken children with autism or severe mental retardation. KU has a faculty exchange program with the center, which was founded and is operated by a KU graduate, Yolanda Liliano Mayo.

Chancellor Hemenway with children at the Anne Sullivan Center in Lima, Peru.

For more information, see
· Chancellor to receive honorary degree
http://www.ur.ku.edu/News/02N/JuneNews/June26/peru.html
· Chancellor, Peru president meet
http://www.ur.ku.edu/News/02N/JuneNews/June21/peru.html

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