MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2016 | VOLUME 131 ISSUE 04
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
New provost plans to use role to further campus conversation
▶ CONNER MITCHELL
@ConnerMitchell0
Neei Bendapudi speaks at her presentation for the position of chancellor. Bendapudi, formerly the dean of business, was selected as the new provost and will assume the position July 1.
Alex Robinson/KANSAN
W when newlyappointed Provost Neeli Bendapudi concluded her presentation for the vacant position in April, she showed audience members her father's 47-year-old University ID to demonstrate what the University has meant to her and her family.
"This is why KU means a lot to me. I want to do this genuinely, because it transformed my life, my family's life, and if I get this opportunity, all I can tell you is my heart and soul will go into this job,"
she said to the audience.
Now that Bendapudi has officially been approved as provost and executive vice chancellor, a role which she will assume on July 1, she wants to use the office to give back to the University.
Bendapudi, who currently serves as dean of business, is the oldest of three children and grew up in a small town in south India. She said her father decided to obtain his doctorate around the time she was five.
"We knew that he was going somewhere far away, and honestly did not know where it was or what it was. But he came to KU," she said. "He
had choices, interestingly. It could've been Iowa, Wisconsin, or [the University of Texas], but he picked KU and he made the best choice possible, in my mind."
Later, Bendapudi and her husband, Venkat, the senior lecturer in the School of Business, had the opportunity to return to the University and obtain their graduate degrees. During that time, she said they served as the University host couple, a former program in which a married couple lived in the Chancellor's guest house and hosted the most distinguished guests to visit the University.
"Every way KU could help
us, they did. So then you feel like you've got to give back to KU," she said. "I've been able to communicate that with a small group of people. Now I
have a bigger platform from which to share it."
One of her first priorities upon taking office will be addressing student retention,
Bendapudi said. She said it is essential to create a pipeline for the future regarding low
SEE PROVOST PAGE 2
Hot Box Cookies closes downtown, will re-open at the Oread
G.J. Melia/KANSAN
The outside of the new Hot Box Cookies location.
► G.J. MELIA
@gjmelia
Lawrence cookie shop Hot Box Cookies has moved from its original Massachusetts Street location to 1200 Oread Ave., in the Oread Hotel. Jimmy John's previously occupied the space, until 2015.
Co-owner Corey Rimmel said the decision to change Lawrence locations was largely based on two reasons: the original store was too big, and the Oread location puts them closer to student housing.
"We would have loved to stay on Mass street, but there really aren't too many openings that met our size requirement," Rimmel said.
The franchise receives most of its business through delivery orders, which is a main factor in moving to a smaller space. In addition to delivery, Rimmel said Hot Box is also looking to boost its catering presence.
"Our space on Mass had a lot
of seating that was under-utilized for the majority of the day," Rimmel said. "We had a decision to remodel the entire space, or find a smaller location that kind of fits our brand more, which we were able to do."
Rimmel said the shop has had a soft opening since moving, and is open during normal hours. The store is still undergoing construction and is yet to be fully furnished. He said he anticipates the store will have its grand opening sometime in the
next week.
Kansas junior Sam Wenstrup said he generally orders cookies for delivery, but is looking forward to going to the new location.
"Now that they've moved, I can just walk there now," Wenstrup said.
The Lawrence location is one of four locations nationwide, and the only one in Kansas. Hot Box Cookies is based out of St. Louis, with two other locations Clayton, MO and Columbia, MO.
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