Previous Chancellors

Bernadette Gray-Little

2009-2017

Chancellor Gray-Little advanced KU's mission to educate leaders by implementing new admissions standards, launching a new undergraduate curriculum, and growing the freshman class for five straight years. She strengthened KU's efforts to build healthy communities by overseeing the University of Kansas Cancer Center’s application for National Cancer Institute designation and expansions of the schools of Pharmacy and Medicine. And she empowered KU to make discoveries by recruiting 12 Foundation Distinguished Professors, leading the university to record-high research funding, and pursuing resources to help KU researchers excel.

Additionally, Chancellor Gray-Little led a record-setting $1.66 billion fundraising campaign and an unprecedented modernization of KU’s campuses. Under her leadership, KU completed 50 capital improvement projects totaling $700 million and secured funding for the Central District — a once-in-a-generation development project that will change the face of education and research at KU.

Robert Hemenway 

1995-2009

A former English professor turned university administrator, Hemenway streamlined KU administration, made the university more student-centered, created a faculty support center to promote teaching excellence and oversaw KU's growing national reputation. Research funding grew to record levels while KU was being positioned as a major player in the Kansas City life sciences and information technology industry. Chancellor Hemenway passed away in July 2015. 

Del Shankel

1994-1995 (Also 1980-81)

Shankel has devoted his career to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in biology and microbiology, but he was repeatedly called to serve interim roles, twice as chancellor as well as president of the alumni association, athletics director, dean, department chair, vice chancellor and executive vice chancellor. After his second term as interim chancellor, Shankel was granted chancellor emeritus status.

Gene A. Budig

1981-1994

An experienced university administrator as well as a major general in the Air National Guard, Budig helped lead KU through Campaign Kansas, a five-year fund drive that brought in $265.3 million in gifts and commitments. Annual giving for KU's benefit rose from about $12 million to $34.6 million. He also led the effort to rebuild Hoch Auditorium after a devastating fire. He resigned to become president of major league baseball's American League and later taught at Princeton University.

Archie Dykes 

1973-1980

An experienced administrator and former University of Tennessee chancellor, Dykes presided over enormous growth as the university's operating budget rose from $98 million to $250 million. Enrollment and faculty salaries spiked, and capital improvements that totaled $150 million were completed. Continuing-education course offerings were expanded dramatically. He left to run Security Benefit Life insurance.

Raymond Nichols 

1972-1973

Executive secretary to five chancellors over 40 years at KU, Nichols was appointed first as acting chancellor after Chalmers resigned, then given the full title until a new chancellor was hired. Despite his short tenure, Nichols adopted an affirmative action plan and work was begun on a new student hospital, visual arts facility and law building.

E. Laurence Chalmers 

1969-1972

A psychologist, Chalmers was challenged to keep the peace in 1970 after an arsonist struck the student union and racial tension caused two deaths on campus. He averted a student strike by agreeing to grading options that allowed KU to complete the academic year. But the Board of Regents felt he was too permissive and tried to oust him. He resigned later to lead the Chicago Art Institute.

W. Clarke Wescoe 

1960-1969 

A popular chancellor who once sang his commencement speech, Wescoe led the university through one of the most challenging and turbulent periods in its history, defusing explosive campus unrest and responding to the near doubling in enrollment. More than $40 million in new construction was completed, including most of the Daisy Hill residence halls. He left to run Sterling Drug Co.

Franklin Murphy 

1951-1960

Murphy was dean of the School of Medicine when, at age 35, he became chancellor. He dramatically increased funds for research, distinguished professorships, faculty salaries and scholarships. But many of his dreams for greater accomplishments at KU were continually thwarted by Gov. George Docking, and he resigned to lead the University of California, Los Angeles. When he left, more than 4,000 students protested his resignation.

Deane Malott 

1939-1951

The first native Kansan and KU graduate to be chancellor, Malott used his business experience to guide the university through the lean World War II years by training and housing military recruits. In the boom years that followed the war, skyrocketing enrollment strained KU, which struggled to find enough classrooms and housing. More than 1,000 crab apple trees planted during his tenure still beautify campus.

Ernest Lindley 

1920-1939

A psychologist, philosopher and University of Idaho president, Lindley began his tenure with a massive building boom, including Watson Library, Strong Hall, Hoch Auditorium, the student union and Memorial Stadium. The Depression cost the university substantial funds and students, but Lindley won federal money from President Roosevelt to help students pay tuition by working jobs around campus.

Frank Strong 

1902-1920

A Yale graduate and president of the University of Oregon, Strong stormed onto campus declaring that KU was woefully inadequate and that much more money was needed. In return, KU would graduate students capable of solving the state's economic and industrial problems, he said. He won increased funding and founded the schools of education, journalism and medicine and expanded extension programs. Four more buildings rose before he resigned to teach law.

Francis Snow 

1890-1901

One of KU's three original faculty members, Snow reorganized the university by founding the College of Arts, the Graduate School and the schools of engineering, fine arts and pharmacy. During his tenure, six buildings were built, and the first home football game was held. Among other achievements, the endowment association was created, the first yearbook was printed, the first doctoral degree was awarded and the first woman faculty member was hired.

Joshua Lippincott 

1883-1889

A clergyman described as pious and moralistic, Lippincott eliminated the preparatory department, establishing KU as a true university. Soon Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi scholastic honorary societies established at KU their first chapters west of the Mississippi River. Lippincott attracted notable graduates to teach at KU but, dismayed by continuing budget cuts, he left to become pastor at a Topeka church.

James Marvin

1874-1883

A Methodist minister, Marvin succeeded in getting Kansas high schools to adopt curricula that would ensure KU could teach classes at a college level instead of a prep-school level. Despite budgets slashed because of drought, a grasshopper invasion and a silver panic, Marvin won funds for improvements, including a chemistry building and a stone wall to keep out wandering livestock.

John Fraser 

1867-1874

The Civil War veteran and prisoner of war gained administrative powers and presided over steady growth in the number of students and faculty. A second building, boasting central heat, electric lights and running water, opened. He left to serve as Kansas Superintendent of Public Instruction.

R.W. Oliver 

1865-1867

As the first chancellor, Oliver's duties overseeing the 40-acre, one-building school were never clearly established by the Board of Regents, except that he was barred from directing the three faculty members. Frustrated, the Civil War chaplain and Episcopal minister soon departed to pursue church work.