KU News Release

Longtime KU faculty member earns distinguished professorship

Don Deshler

LAWRENCE — Don Deshler, a nationally recognized expert in education for youth with disabilities, has been named the first Williamson Family Distinguished Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas.

The professorship was created by Delbert L. “Del” and Barbara Ossian Williamson of Wellington, Fla., who made their gifts to KU Endowment. Del Williamson studied engineering at KU in the 1950s and graduated from Finlay College in Kansas City, Mo., in 1959. Barbara Williamson received a bachelor’s degree in education from KU in 1963.

Deshler, who directs KU’s Center for Research on Learning and is the Gene A. Budig Professor of Special Education, has been at KU since 1974. He will assume the professorship on Jan. 1.

Chriss Walther-Thomas, chair of the Department of Special Education, said Deshler was the natural choice for the professorship.

“Don Deshler is one of the most highly respected researchers in special education,” she said. “Over the past 30 years, his work has changed the way in which schools address many literacy challenges low-achieving adolescents face.”

Walther-Thomas said that by working closely with school partners across the country, Deshler and his colleagues have developed academic interventions and classroom enhancements that facilitate effective learning for students with learning disabilities and other academic problems. His national leadership and advocacy efforts on behalf of these students and their families have improved school outcomes for millions of struggling students.

“In addition to being an outstanding scholar, Don is also an exemplary teacher, a generous mentor and colleague and dedicated public citizen,” Walther-Thomas said. “His selection as the first Williamson Family Professor sets a high bar for those who will follow.

Del Williamson said he and his wife had met Deshler on several occasions.

“We have the utmost respect for his career of teaching and leadership in the field of special education,” Williamson said. “Dr. Deshler has gained national prominence for his work and we are extremely pleased and honored that he will be the inaugural recipient.”

In addition to establishing the special education professorship, the Williamsons earlier created the Williamson Family Distinguished Professorship in Counseling Psychology, held by KU professor Barbara Kerr. The Williamsons created these professorships by establishing two $500,000 endowed funds through KU Endowment.

The Williamsons also have made estate plans to leave an additional $1 million to KU. Half of their planned bequest will create the Williamson Family Scholarship Fund for students interested in teaching at the secondary level who need financial assistance. The other half of their bequest will be divided equally between the two professorships they have established.

“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” Deshler said. “The Williamson’s generous investment in the Department of Special Education will build our capacity and better enable us to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.”

Deshler has long been recognized as a leader in the field of education for children and youth, including young people with disabilities and adolescent literacy. Earlier this year, he was instrumental in securing a $700,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation to help the Center for Research on Learning develop a tutoring curriculum that can be implemented nationwide at Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

“Don Deshler is as deserving as any faculty member at KU for recognition as a distinguished professor,” said Rick Ginsberg, dean of the School of Education. “His work is nationally and internationally recognized and has impacted students, K-12 practitioners and researchers across the globe. Moreover, he works tirelessly with colleagues at KU to strengthen our research-to-practice efforts in fields related to his areas of expertise. He is a real gem, and this recognition is long overdue.”

The funds are managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management foundation for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

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