KU News Release

Dec. 8, 2008
Contact: Jill Jess, University Relations, (785) 760-4170.

Press conference statement by Chancellor Robert Hemenway

Earlier this morning I sent KU students, faculty and staff a message telling them that effective June 30, 2009, I will step down as chancellor of the University of Kansas.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being chancellor; it has been a privilege and special honor to serve this great university.

But it is time for me to take on a new role.

I will work every day between now and June 30 as chancellor in my office here in Strong Hall. On July 1, 2009, I will get up and walk across the street and start a transition into work for which I have great fondness: scholarly duties, teaching and writing.

For the first year I will be working on a book about intercollegiate athletics and American values. I will return to the classroom in 2010.

Why step down now, some have asked me.

This coming June, I will have completed 14 years as chancellor — an unusually long tenure in these times, especially for a position that demands 24-7 attention. I’m told the national average for university presidents is about seven to eight years.

There is never a perfect time to step down from a job like this, but in light of where KU is today and the accomplishments of the past 12 months, it is about as good as it gets.

Let me review just a few things we have accomplished:

• We’re on course for the National Cancer Institute designation as a comprehensive cancer center.

• This fall we achieved records in enrollment, ACT scores and diversity of faculty, staff and students; the number of donors to the university and the number of privately funded scholarships.

• We’ve more than doubled research funding to almost $300 million a year.

• And we’re riding on the crest of what arguably has been the singularly most successful year in KU history in terms of performance by our students and faculty — everything from an NCAA men’s basketball championship to the debate team being ranked first in the nation.

I will return to the classroom knowing that the University of Kansas is in excellent shape and ready for the challenges that face our nation’s leading public universities. Several years ago I put together a list of the Ten Characteristics of a Great University. When you review the list, it is clear KU is a great university — well-positioned for the challenges ahead.

I want to thank the regents for the opportunity they gave me 14 years ago and for their continuous support. They have embraced the KU vision.

But day upon week and week upon year, it has been the students, faculty, staff and alumni of the University of Kansas who have made this vision a reality, and I especially want to thank them.

Video of December 8, 2008 press conference

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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.

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