KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway has garnered statewide recognition since he announced last month that he would step down in 2009. The Topeka Capital-Journal named Hemenway Kansan of the Year, noting his goal to achieve National Cancer Institute designation and his efforts to connect KU’s separate campuses to work together to tackle large tasks.
“Robert Hemenway isn't afraid of big ideas. He talks about universities' ability to "triumph over poverty, to cure disease" without wincing a bit at the audacity of what he just has said,” the article says.
Kansas State University President Jon Wefald shared the newspaper’s Kansan of the Year honor. Hemenway, Wefald and Pittsburg State University President Tom Bryant all were recognized by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius during her State of the State address on Jan. 12. All three have announced they are leaving their leadership roles this year.
“Our universities are one of our State's greatest assets,” Sebelius said. “By educating young Kansans they promote generational change and contribute to the knowledge economy that will move Kansas forward. We thank these three leaders for their tireless dedication and considerable contributions to the State.”
Hemenway has been chancellor since 1995. He will step down from the post effective June 30, 2009, and will be on sabbatical leave next academic year to work on a book about intercollegiate athletics and American values, and then return to teaching and scholarly research at KU.
Click here to read more about Hemenway and his accomplishments, as well as reactions to his announcement.
The Kansas Board of Regents has named Drue Jennings, d'68, l'72, of Prairie Village to chair the search committee for a new chancellor. Jennings, the former chairman and chief executive officer of the Kansas City Power and Light Co., served as KU’s interim athletic director in 2003 where he guided the searches that ultimately brought Athletic Director Lew Perkins and Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self to KU. He is currently a senior counsel with the Kansas City law firm of Shughart Thomson and Kilroy, P.C.
