KU's First Lady at 'home'
By CAROLYN BOWERS Kansan Staff Writer
The position of chancellor's wife is also a full-time job, according to Mary Chalmers.
Since arriving in Lawrence from Florida August 26, the wife of KU's 11th chancellor has been caught in a whirl of redecorating the chancellor's mansion, attending social functions and getting to know Kansans.
In addition, she, her husband and oldest son, Chip, are boning up for their written driver's test to qualify for a Kansas license.
Carrying out her many activities in a calm, assured manner. Mrs. Chalmers has initiated several changes in her home's decor. A terrace in back of the mansion has been transformed into an informal family room decorated in orange, green and yellow and featuring bamboo furniture.
KANSAN
A downstairs study has been converted into two lounges and the kitchen and service kitchen have been remodeled.
The family brought their furniture from Florida and Mrs. Chalmers already has begun to arrange it.
The Chalmers' two sons, Tom, 13, and Chip, 16, have their own "pads" with psychelic lights, a stereo and
ping-pong and pool tables in the basement, their mother says.
Surprised to learn that many KU students never have seen inside the mansion, Mrs. Chalmers plans to show it off after remodeling is completed.
In spite of her many appointments, telephone calls and
Mary Ann Chalmers
A high school junior, Chip plays the electric organ in a local band. Tom, an eighth grader, last summer built a hydraplane with his father which he plans to try out on a nearby lake.
consultations with repairmen, Mrs. Chalmers manages to keep up with her sons' activities.
After she settles down to a regular schedule. Mrs. Chalmers says she hopes to travel
Born in Atlanta, Ga., Mary Ann Chalmers grew up in a suburb of Redding, Pa.
with her husband. Both left today for the KU-Texas Tech football game in Lubbock.
She calls the romance with her husband "one of those corny stories." Both attended the same high school and dated throughout college, although she attended Wells College in Aurora, N.Y., where she studied sociology, and Chalmers went to Princeton.
Small World, Inc., which helps foreign women adjust to living in the United States, will begin fall activities with a reception to meet and register new members.
After they married, Chalmers worked with the civil service in both the Air Force and civilian life. He returned to the academic field accepting a position with the psychology department at Florida State University at Tallahassee where the family lived 12 years before moving to Kansas.
The reception will be 2 to 4 p. Sunday in Fellowship Hall
"Leaving Florida was difficult," says KU's First Lady, although the decision to move was easy.
"Of course, it (Florida State) was home to the boys," she says.
Small World helps women adjust to United States
After living just a short time in Lawrence, she finds Kansans "unbelievably kind and considerate . . . they are a very warm people."
of the First Presbyterian Church, 2415 W. 23rd.
12 KANSAN Sept. 19 1969
Beginning Oct. 7 special interest groups will meet 9:15 to 11 a.m. each Tuesday and classes in English ranging from beginning to advanced conversation will be each Thursday at the same time. A free nursery school program is provided for the children of those attending classes and of the volunteer staff.
The University of Kansas is now in the process of selecting a candidate to represent KU at the American Royal, October 9-12, 1969.
All applications must be returned to the Dean of Women's Office by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 1969.
AMERICAN ROYAL QUEEN NOMINATIONS
1) If you have a 1.00 cumulative grade point average and have attended KU for at least one semester . . .
Please contact the Dean of Women's Office, 220 Strong Hall for further information.
2) If you live off-campus and would like to be considered in the competition . . .
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