WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20, 2002
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Past chancellor visits lectures about career
JILLIAN THORPE/KANSAN
Barbara Kelly, Lawrence resident, congratulates former University of Kansas chancellor Gene Budig after his lecture in Joseph R. Pearson Hall. Budig visited campus yesterday to sign copies of his new book, A Game of Uncommon Skill: Leading the Modern College and University.
By Mike Gilligan Kansan staff writer
Add former University of Kansas Chancellor Gene Budig to the list of people who want Drew Gooden to stay another year.
"Bob, I encourage you to graduate your athletes, one in particular," Budig said to Chancellor Robert Hemenway.
Budig, who was chancellor from 1981 to 1994, gave a lecture to more than 125 students, faculty and former colleagues yesterday afternoon in Joseph R. Pearson Hall.
Budig teaches a course on sports and the public trust in Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
He was president of baseball's American League from 1994 until the post was abolished in 2000, and now serves as senior advisor to Bud Selig, commissioner of major league baseball.
The lecture focused on his new book, A Game of Uncommon Skill: Leading the Modern College and University. It was sponsored by the University, along with the School of Education and the School of Social Welfare.
Budig praised the schools at the beginning of his lecture.
"The staff in these schools have made the state of Kansas a better place," Budig said. "They've received national recognition for their work."
Budig spoke about his work as president of the American League and the correlation between owners of baseball teams and higher education.
Budig said owners would seek him out for advice on dealing with universities.
"The owners are not greedy
people," he said. "They donate money to universities for minority scholarships, school internships, and many other things."
The owners also encourage players to get involved in volunteer work and education, Budig said.
"Owners are like members of a university community," Budig said. "They enjoy heated debates in structured settings, they voice their opinions, and they are aware of and sensitive to minority concerns."
Budig said many major league teams encourage players to pursue their academic goals as well because a baseball career could be short.
Budig closed his lecture by giving advice to audience members interested in working in higher education.
"You should offer a clear vision and repeat your goals often," Budig said. "Never lose your appearance of inner confidence and enthusiasm, and don't forget students make the University."
Shanda Hurla, Eudora graduate student, said she attended the lecture because she is studying higher education administration.
"It was good to see his perspective on how baseball relates to higher education," she said. "I think he expressed a lot of challenges people faced and gave good advice."
As chancellor, Budig led KU through Campaign Kansas, a five-year fund drive that raised $265.3 million. He also led the effort to rebuild Hoch Auditorium after a fire. The building was renamed in his honor.
Contact Gilligan at mgilligan@kansan.com. This story was edited by Kristi Henderson.
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