In the news
The University of Kansas freshman class has grown for four straight years, a notable achievement that can be attributed largely to the great work being done by Enrollment Management, Marketing Communications and other offices that communicate directly with prospective students.
Faculty, staff and students at the University of Kansas are building healthier communities across our state, and I want to update you on these efforts. But first, I want to provide a brief update from Topeka, where the 2016 Legislative Session has begun.
As we begin this new semester, I would like to reflect on discussions about diversity and inclusion we had last semester and our ongoing work on these issues. This is especially fitting as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this week through various events on campus and in our communities.
As our semester comes to a close and we begin preparations for the holiday season, I want to thank you — our alumni — for your support. Many of you encourage talented students to come to KU, while others of you donate time and financial resources to KU. Your Jayhawk pride and generosity are critical to our mission.
As our semester comes to a close and we begin preparations for the holiday season, I want to take a moment to thank you for your efforts and celebrate your achievements over the past few months.
There has been increasing discussion about changes to Kansas gun policy that will impact state universities beginning in 2017. In light of this, I’d like to outline next steps for the University of Kansas related to guns on our campuses.
A few weeks ago, we learned that Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter will be leaving us at the end of the semester to become Chancellor at the University of Mississippi. I am writing today to announce we have established the search committee that will lead our efforts to identify our next provost.
At the University of Kansas, we are focused on educating leaders who will go on to make positive contributions to our society. We are fortunate to welcome one such leader, former President Bill Clinton, to our campus today to receive the 2015 Dole Leadership Prize.
Earlier this year at Convocation, I encouraged our incoming freshmen to use their time at the University of Kansas to begin addressing our society’s great challenges.
One of my favorite experiences as chancellor is visiting with friends and supporters of the University of Kansas across the state and nation. From their detailed comments and questions, I can tell they are tracking our progress.
Colleagues,
I am writing to let you know that a key member of our executive team will be leaving the University of Kansas for a new leadership opportunity.
The mission of the University of Kansas is to educate leaders, build healthy communities and make discoveries that change the world. Recently, we had a special opportunity to see all aspects of that mission on display in a very powerful way.
This year’s freshman class is already shaping up to be quite special. First, the Class of 2019 grew to 4,187 students — an increase of 2.5 percent from last year — marking the fourth straight year of freshman class growth. More importantly, this year’s freshmen have the highest average high school GPA and second-highest average ACT score in KU history, as well as the second-highest percentage of minority students on record.
As a flagship research university, the University of Kansas’ first mission is to educate leaders who will contribute to our state and society. Of course, before we can educate these leaders, we must first recruit them to join us on Mount Oread. Thanks to your efforts, the University of Kansas continues to differentiate itself by offering outstanding educational opportunities and experiences for prospective students.
As a flagship research university, KU has a special responsibility to make discoveries that improve lives, create prosperity, and help us better understand the world. This responsibility is borne by our community of scholars — faculty, staff and students — who seek out knowledge and then share it. Thanks to your efforts, we are fulfilling this obligation.
The start of the fall semester is among my favorite times of the year. The energy that comes from having students, faculty and staff back on our campuses is palpable, and it is invigorating to think about the work we will do as a community of scholars.
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little hosted a ceremony to rename the Arts and Design Building as "E. Laurence Chalmers Hall" to honor the legacy of our 11th chancellor.
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little welcomed new and returning Jayhawks during the 150th Convocation of the University of Kansas. She described KU's sesquicentennial as an opportunity to reflect both on KU's history and its role in shaping the future, and she urged students to challenge themselves and take advantage of the university's community of scholars.
Former University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway passed away Friday evening. He was 73 years old, and we take great comfort in knowing he spent his final days surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his wife, Leah, and eight grown children. While we are deeply saddened to learn of his passing, I hope we can use the coming days to celebrate his life, including the tremendous work he did as the university’s chancellor from 1995-2009.
As you’re likely aware, the Kansas Legislature has still not passed a budget for Fiscal Year 2016. Without a budget, there is no authority to distribute funds to cover the first pay period of the fiscal year, which begins Sunday, June 7. The result would be the furlough of state employees beginning that day.
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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.
KU is in the midst of a comprehensive effort to ensure the university is ranked among the top tier of public international research universities.
Through Bold Aspirations, our strategic plan, we're changing the way we prepare students for success. We're fostering research and scholarship across all disciplines. And we're sharing the benefits of a flagship university with our state and world.
This effort is supported by Far Above: The Campaign for Kansas, as well as our initiative to reduce administrative costs, Changing for Excellence.