KU News Release

Student recreation fitness center named after longtime KU official

LAWRENCE – The Kansas Board of Regents this week approved the naming of the David A. Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center at the University of Kansas.

Ambler retired in 2002 as KU's vice chancellor for student affairs, a post he held for 25 years. Among his many accomplishments, he helped secure student approval to build the $17-million student recreation fitness center, which opened in 2003 and which is maintained and operated by student fees. A 44,000-square-foot addition is scheduled to open in summer 2008. The $6.3 million addition will include a gymnasium expansion, a running-track extension and a new multipurpose area including two racquetball courts.

“David has been a champion for all students,” said KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway. “His dedication and leadership made a huge impact on the lives of many Jayhawks. It is only fitting that a facility for improving the health and lives of students bears his name.”

Ambler credits KU students with the success of the recreation fitness center, particularly Kevin Yoder, student body president in 1998-99 and now a Kansas state representative from Overland Park.

"I am extremely flattered and honored by the decision to place my name on this important student facility, but the real dedication of this center must be to the students who worked to make it possible,” Ambler said.

During his tenure at KU, Ambler oversaw a comprehensive restructuring of the student affairs division that brought to a close the original dean of men and dean of women organizational structure. As vice chancellor, he established many offices and services on campus, including the Student Development Center, Student Organizations and Leadership Development Center, New Student Orientation Office, Counseling and Psychological Services, Services for Students with Disabilities, Career and Employment Services, Legal Services for Students and the Multicultural Resource Center.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.