In the news
Last month, five new Foundation Distinguished Professors were announced, bringing the total number to eight. Victor Agadjanian, Beth Bailey, James Bever, Cecilia Menjivar, and Dennis O'Rourke represent a major step toward completing the initiative we began with our partners in Topeka three years ago.
At the start of each academic year, I have the privilege of welcoming new students and addressing our community at Convocation. And at the end of each academic year, it is my honor to preside over Commencement and confer more than 7,000 degrees upon new University of Kansas graduates.
During my tenure as chancellor, we have engaged in campus forums dedicated to specific topics ranging from our strategic plan to sexual assault on campus. I have always greatly appreciated the strong participation and open conversations of the KU community at these events.
We’ve all seen the groups of prospective students and their families touring campus with a backwards-walking Student Ambassador leading the way. But what may appear to be simply a tour is in reality a vital part of a student’s decision on which college to attend.
We are committed to the University of Kansas being an inclusive community where all feel welcome and able to express themselves without fear of discrimination. This value is a foundational one for our university, and KU’s non-discrimination policy includes prohibitions against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression among its protections.
Yesterday was an historic day for the University of Kansas, as we had the honor of welcoming President Barack Obama to the university. I believe I can speak for everyone who had the chance to be part of the visit in saying it was a truly special moment for our university, and one we will not soon forget.
President Barack Obama visited the University of Kansas on January 22, 2015 to give a speech at the Anschutz Sports Pavilion. Prior to the President's remarks, Chancellor Gray-Little welcomed the crowd of more than 7,000 people.
As we start this new semester, I want to continue the discussions we were having toward the end of the fall semester on how to be a more inclusive community. This is all the more appropriate since we are celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through events this week and next.
It’s the last week of the semester, and as students finish their last finals of 2014, I want to update you on some of the achievements of your fellow Jayhawks. But first I want to thank you and your fellow friends of KU who have made many of these achievements possible. Many of you serve on alumni advisory boards, while others help us recruit students, and still more are donors. Your support and generosity are vital to KU’s success.
A reporter from the University Daily Kansan recently asked me, “What is your favorite part about being chancellor?” I told her what I tell everyone who asks: Getting to celebrate the individual and collective accomplishments of our community—your accomplishments.
As you prepare for Thanksgiving Break, I want to express my gratitude to you for not just choosing to work at a university, but for choosing to work at a public university.
At the Board of Regents meeting earlier this month, I outlined the progress we’ve made toward achieving our bold aspirations.
The regents were impressed—by you and your accomplishments.
Chancellor Gray-Little updated the members of the Kansas Board of Regents on the progress of the Bold Aspirations strategic plan, as well as providing updates on enrollment and on projects to enhance the university's campuses. You can view her presentation slides here and read the full Year 3 report at boldaspirations.ku.edu.
Our first mission as a flagship research university is to educate leaders who will go on to contribute to our state and society after graduation. It’s at the heart of everything we do as an institution, and is central to our Bold Aspirations strategic plan. Thanks to you, we continue to make progress in this vital area, including in growing the number of students who choose to become Jayhawks, as this fall we saw enrollment rise for the first time since 2008’s record level.
During the past week, we have engaged as a community in an ongoing dialogue about sexual assault and how we can address this difficult issue together. Some of you have shared heartbreaking stories of your own sexual assault, while others have made recommendations about actions we can take to improve our prevention and response efforts.
Sexual assault on college campuses is a national problem, and one that has been highlighted this week here at the University of Kansas.
This is one of my favorite times of the year. The residence and scholarship halls are full of activity. Jayhawk Boulevard has reopened. And students on all five of our campuses are back in classrooms, laboratories, and libraries as we start a new academic year.
Classrooms and sidewalks are filling up, and the construction fencing for most projects is coming down, marking the start of a new academic year at the University of Kansas. For those of you who are new to our university: welcome. I know I speak for your colleagues when I say that I’m glad you’re here and I can’t wait to see the contributions you will make to our community. For those of you who are returning, and for the many of you for whom summer isn’t a break at all, I hope that you are ready to continue our shared drive to achieve our bold aspirations.
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little welcomed new and returning Jayhawks during the 149th Convocation of the University of Kansas. She outlined the possibilities available to students, and urged them to be active members of the academic community.
Chancellor Gray-Little called on graduates to "always strive to be something bigger than your selfie" during her farewell to the Class of 2014 at the University of Kansas' 142nd Commencement.
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The mission of the University of Kansas is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities, and making discoveries that change the world.
We will do that by raising the expectations we have for ourselves, the aspirations we have for our state, and the hopes we have for our world.