University Daily Kansan, August 20.1981
Page 5
Outlook offers gracious setting for KU functions
By LISA PROCTOR Staff Reporter
The residence of the KU's chief administrator is aptly called the Outlook.
The roof-top walk of the chancellor's residence overlooks both the campus and the city. Much of the Kansas and valley valleys can also be seen from the main, which is located east of Blake Hal on the southeast edge of Mount Oread.
The Outlook was a private home built by J.B. and Elizabeth Watkins in 1912. Even as it was being constructed, the couple reportedly intended to be the home of KU cancellors.
J. B. Watkins, an industrialist and one of the richest men west of the Mississippi River at the turn of the century, purchased the land for the
home from Charles Robinson, Kanaa" of the leaders who helped establish KKU.
Watkins died in 1919 and Mrs. Watkins lived in the home until her death in 1939. It was bequeathed to KU and Chancellor and Mrs. Deane W. Malott were the first KU officials to move into the 26-room home the same year.
KU CHANCELLORS PREVIOUSLY lived in a wood and brick-weneer house at 14th and Louisiana streets, built in 1843. That house was demolished in 1853 so Douthart Scholarship Hall could be built.
The original chancellor's residence cost $12,000, financed by part of a $81,000 bequest in 1893 to then-chancellor William B. Spooner, a uncle-crown, Bigtoon merchant William B. Spooner. The remainder of that bequeath built the University's first
library, the present Spooner Hall Museum of Anthropology.
Mrs. Malott had little to work with to transform the Outlook into a chancellor's residence. No drapes or curtains were left in the home. A rug, a hall mirror and one couch were the only furnishings left.
The state of Kansas provided no furnishings for the home then, as it does now. Mrs. Malott had no help and no budget for entertaining, according to Carol Shankel, former Acting Chancellor Del Shankel's wife.
Mrs. Malott solved her problem, however. She let students live in the residence's basement apartment in trade for their services as gardeners, cooks, meal servers and drivers, Mrs. Shankel said.
It was during the Malotts' stay that much of the landscaping was done at
the residence and on campus, Shankei added.
Residents of the Outlook have always had a busy social calendar.
MANY UNIVERSITY functions are held at the residence, including receptions for graduates and their parents during commencement and other events, as well as members. Official University guests live hospitality at the chancellor's home.
Mortar Board initiation ceremonies and capping ceremonies for other scholarship societies are also held there. Breakfasts, lunches, brunches, teas, dinners and tours are also held in the home.
Sixty events were held at the residence during the last academic year, according to Mrs. Shankel.
Although she has not had time to finalize her social calendar Gretchen
Budig, wife of Chancellor-designate Gene Budig said she planned to hold all the traditional events.
The first floor of the Outlook is used mostly for official University entertaining. The chancellor's family lives on the second and third floors.
She will certainly have room for entertaining in the residence, which has 6,179 square feet of living area, not including the basement.
THE FIRST FLOOR consists of a dining room with a fireplace, an enclosed sun porch, a kitchen and breakfast areas. At the rear of the central hall are two powder rooms. An open stairway leads to the upper floors.
The second floor has three bedrooms, two with fireplaces, two baths, a living room with a fireplace, a study and a sun porch.
Furnishings on the second floor belong to the chancellor's family. First floor furnishings belong to the University.
The third floor has another living room, two bedrooms, two baths and a storage room. The entrance to an open air widow's walk is also located on this floor.
The basement includes a three-room apartment, storage and laundry rooms and a room for mechanical equipment.
Few changes have been made to the home, Mrs. Shankel said. The heating systems have been modernized, as have the kitchen, pantry and baths.
The sun porch was enclosed by Laurence Chalmers' stay. Powder rooms and closets were added at the rear of the main entrance hall in 1973.
1912 The Outlook, once the private home of J.B. and Elizabeth Watkins, is now the residence of KU's chancellors and their families. Chancellor and Mrs. Deane W. Malott were the first KU officials to move into the 26-room home in 1939. It was during the Malott's stay that the home's barren surroundings were landscaped. Photo courtesy of the University Archives.
1981 Sixty-nine years and many chancellors later, The Outlook's lines have been softened by lush landscaping, awnings and a circular drive. A warm and inviting setting for many KU functions, the home has undergone few structural changes since its construction. The heating and cooling systems, as well as the kitchen and baths have been modernized.
MARTI FRUMHOFFIKansan Staff
Welcome Back Students!
DELICATESSEN
For the taste of Old Fashioned Hot Foods, a variety of meals are cooked daily and Golden Brown Fried Chicken is cooked seven days a week, for eat in or carry out. A complete line of cold salads and desserts is also available. You will find an exciting line of Gourmet Cheese both international and Domestic. For your parties we have a variety of Cheese Balls and Party Trays.
FRESH BAKERY
in our bakery we have the finest oven, imported from Sweden. We offer a large variety of fresh, oven baked bread, hard rots, sweet rolls and cookies. Beautiful cakes are decorated, just the way you like, for any special occasion.
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We have an outstanding selection of health foods, processed without preservatives. Among our selection you will find Hodgeson Mill flour and mixes, Health Valley Crackers, Westbreea Natural Wheat Spaghetti, R&F Spinach Noodles and Natural Baby Food. In our delicatessen you will find fresh ground peanut butter and Natural Snacks in the produce department.
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88
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With over 150 varieties of fresh bulk produce, you can select the exact fruits and vegetables you want—as many or as few as you need. We receive six produce deliveries a week, as a guarantee to you that freshness and variety are No. 1 at Kroger. Our variety includes many exotic foods for your dining pleasure.
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