Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Laurence Chalmers, a former chancellor who led the University during a period of student discontent during the Vietnam War era, died last Tuesday in Durango, Colo., at age 81. He served as chancellor from 1969 to 1972.
Bill Tuttle, who was an assistant professor at the time, said Chalmers’ personable ways were not well-liked by older, more traditional faculty.
Photo courtesy of Spencer Library
Former Chancellor Laurence Chalmers died in Durango, Colo. last Tuesday. Chalmers is recognized for his casual demeanor and unconventional way of dealing with problems.
“He told everyone, ‘Just call me Larry,’” Tuttle said. “And the more senior faculty thought it was quite an affront, such informality.”
During his three years as chancellor, violence and racial tension boiled over at the University and in Lawrence. An arsonist burned down the Kansas Union, and a bomb exploded in Summerfield Hall. But Tuttle said that if it weren’t for Chalmers, the violence could have been much worse.
“I think KU could have been Kent State, had it not been for Chalmers,” he said.
Tuttle said Chalmers invited all students and faculty to a mass meeting in the football stadium in the summer of 1970. By voice vote, he agreed to let students go home before finals, and keep the grades they had at the time.
This decision was not popular among senior faculty. In 1972 Chalmers resigned the chancellorship after being accused of an affair.
Del Shankel, associate dean at the time, said Chalmers was never properly recognized for his service as chancellor.
“It was a very difficult time to be chancellor,” he said. “But I think that we came through that time better than we might have.”
Shankel said Chalmers’ background in psychology helped him deal with student discontent.
Robert Cobb, executive vice chancellor at the time, said he did a good job of keeping peace at the University and forestalling violence.
“Chancellor Chalmers was chancellor during a turbulent time, and he did much to defuse the turbulence,” he said.
The University released a statement in his memory last week, with comments from Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little.
“Chancellor Chalmers led KU during one the most difficult periods in its history,” she said. “He had a distinguished career in the worlds of academia and the arts. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.”
— Edited by Tim Burgess
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