De Oliveira: The other Chalmers

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Former KU Chancellor E. Laurence Chalmers died Nov. 24 — 40 years after he was hired. Though it’s safe to say not many students have ever heard of Chancellor Chalmers — the only Chalmers they’re aware of is the basketball hero — he was one of the most charismatic chancellors this University has ever had.

Larry, as he was kindly referred to by students, was hired to head the University during a period of immense tensions. The Vietnam War and Civil Rights Movement had inspired the American youth to become politically active. Protests, sometimes marked by violence, were taking place across the country.

Things were no different in Lawrence. In his first year at the University, Chalmers faced several protests against the ROTC program, the burning of the Kansas Union and an impending student strike. On May 6, 1970, the National Guard came to campus to end a protest that had turned violent. Chalmers intervened before the National Guard was able to confront the students. One only has to remember Kent State to imagine what the outcome might have been without such an intervention.

Without Chalmers, things would have been much worse. His calm demeanor and understanding approach toward students helped prevent a further escalation of violence. The Board of Regents didn’t always agree with Chalmers. He resigned on Aug. 8, 1971, after a period in office plagued by controversy.

It’s now 40 years later, and Chalmers still hasn’t received the recognition he deserves. He is the only chancellor without a building named after him (Robert Hemenway is getting one at the KU Medical Center and Bernadette Gray-Little is fresh in the pond).

Maybe Chalmers’ death and the 40th anniversary of his arrival at the University will put some sense in the heads of those in charge. If not, I hope he would have at least been happy just to know that there are still students who are familiar with the contributions he made to this institution.

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