Friday, May 1, 2009
Chancellor Robert Hemenway is well-known for the straw hat he wears to commencement. But he has worn many other “hats” during his 14 years as chancellor.
Friends, colleagues, students and alumni will celebrate all of Hemenway’s hats on Saturday during “Hats Off to Hemenway,” a program commemorating his time as the University’s leader.
There’s Professor Hemenway — the English teacher with a passion for literature whose office shelves are filled with hundreds and hundreds of books.
But there’s also “Chancellor Bob” — the approachable man, a parent and grandparent himself, who keeps his door open to students and faculty and supports their activities and research.
And then there’s Chancellor Hemenway — the University’s 16th chancellor, who has held office since 1995.
The free program will be held at 3 p.m. in the Lied Center. It will feature video clips, speakers and mini-performances from the Oread Singers and Marching Jayhawks.
“The focus of the program is the amazing growth that occurred at the University across the board during his 14 years,” said Mary Burg, executive assistant to the chancellor and the event organizer.
Burg said the program would feature the areas the chancellor has influenced during his tenure: academics, research, service, campus development and traditions.
Burg wouldn’t reveal too many details about the program — many of the guest speakers and performances will be a surprise even for Hemenway.
Bob Dotson, a 1968 graduate who studied journalism at the University, will emcee the program. He is an NBC news correspondent whose special reports, “American Story with Bob Dotson,” tell of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
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Hats Off to Hemenway
What: A program commemorating Hemenway’s 14 years as the University’s chancellor
When: 3 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 2 p.m.
Where: Lied Center
How much: Free. Seats are first come, first serve.
Dotson has worked with Hemenway during his tenure, and has returned to the University for several speeches and journalism events. Dotson said he was impressed with Hemenway’s style as a teacher and mentor, and the way he related with others.
“I think people will remember him as a seemingly ordinary guy who had wonderful ideas and got them done,” Dotson said. “The supposedly ordinary people are the ones who make this country what it is. They’re the ones who get things done.”
More than 200 students, faculty and staff have been preparing for this program since shortly after Hemenway announced he was stepping down. Jack Wright, professor of theatre and film, will direct the program.
“He’s a student’s chancellor,” Wright said. “He has always made himself available to students and has become one of their favorites.”
Student body president Adam McGonigle agrees. McGonigle, Wichita junior, and several other former student body presidents will offer a few remarks at the end of the program about the mentorship Hemenway has provided for students.
“It’s important that the community and the University at large have the opportunity in one large setting to thank the chancellor for his work and personally celebrate everything he accomplished,” McGonigle said.
— — Edited by Justin Leverett
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