+
ARTS & CULTURE
KANSAN.COM
Alumna's book spotlights former chancellor's legacy
▶ HANNAH COLEMAN @hecoleman33
Nancy Kellogg Harper recently published her book, "The Making of a Leader," a biography on former Chancellor Franklin D. Murphy
Baxter Schanze/KANSAN
Franklin D. Murphy was a critical figure of change. At his departure in 1960, roughly half of the student body protested the chancellor's leaving, with 4,000 people gathered in the street outside of his residence, signing petitions and begging him to stay.
The bright, spirited 35-year-old man came to the University in 1951 and made moves to better higher education. The chancellor expanded the University's library collections and was a strong voice in the civil rights movement.
Lawrence resident and author Nancy Kellogg Harper recently published a biography of the beloved Franklin D. Murphy and his years at the University called, "The Making of a Leader: Franklin D. Murphy, The Kansas Years." On April 12, KU Libraries and the Alumni Association held a reception and book signing.
In Harper's book, she tells of Murphy's time at the University, how the tenure was described by many that knew him as a, "glorious rocket ride."
"He has a reputation for being a really magnificent leader,"Harper said.
At the April 12 event, Harper signed copies of her book, and several guests shared their stories and memories of Murphy.
Harper graduated from the University in 1995 with a Master's in journalism and a Doctorate in educational leadership. When tasked to find a topic for her dissertation, Harper found that no one better represented powerful leadership than Murphy.
Harper's dissertation looked roughly like the published biography, but it took her a year or so to expand on it and change it to make it ready for publishing. Harper was even able to show her dissertation to Murphy himself and interview him before finishing it in its entirety.
Before becoming chancellor, Murphy completed his undergraduate studies at the University, and finished medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. He then returned to the University of Kansas Medical Center as an instructor before becoming dean of medicine in 1948.
"As a young dean, Murphy learned that a successful administrator must be a politician,"Harper said. "He must be able to articulate his vision and convince his audience to join him in action."
I think one of the reasons I most admire him is that [Murphy] believed in the free marketplace of ideas. He wanted people to talk about issues that needed to be discussed."
Nancy Kellogg Harper Author
Harper said that Murpny encouraged studying and practicing the arts. One of Murphy's main projects was to expand the book collections at University libraries.
"When he wanted a piece of art or a collection of books or a new university building, Murphy found the money," Harper said. "In the art museum and library, his impact was profound. Murphy found the funds to buy important collections for a library that
had been stagnant the previous decades."
After nine years at the University, Murphy decided to leave and become the chancellor of UCLA after the stress of having consistent political arguments with the governor during his time there, Harper said.
She also added that he was very popular and successful among the students especially after his efforts in the Civil Rights movement.
"Murphy really deserves the credit for integrating public restaurants, theaters," Harper said. "If he knew there was a restaurant downtown that would not serve blacks, he went down there and said, 'I will start a major restaurant in the Kansas Union,' which he did. Same with theaters. He started a first run movie theater on campus and told students not to go downtown to those theaters. That helps."
For her interview and visit with Murphy himself, Harper was able to show him her dissertation to get his opinion on the works.
"I spent two days in his office in California, and it was quite fun," Harper said.
"He had already read the [dissertation] by then. My next of the last chapter where I drew what I considered about his leadership style, he read that and he said, 'You're right. You hit it on the head,' so I was very pleased. And he was really a fun guy, he was interesting, very interested in everything, and welcoming."
Tuttle worked with Harper on her dissertation when he was on Harper's dissertation committee at the time.
"I read her dissertation, and I was very impressed with what I saw, and I encouraged her to get it published," Tuttle said. "I'm very familiar with the biography, it's absolutely wonderful. I think [Murphy] was probably the most important chancellor in the history of KU. Especially because of what he did in the Civil Rights Movement. And also what he did for the libraries and the art museums for standing up for KU. He did some incredible things."
In writing Murphy's biography, Harper hopes that others will be able to see the mark that Murphy left on the University, and the changes
that held up after his departure.
"I think one of the reasons I most admire him is that [Murphy] believed in the free marketplace of ideas," Harper said. "He wanted people to talk about issues that needed to be discussed. That's not the case today. Today, we don't talk about things if they're politically incorrect. [Murphy] truly believed that a great university would make way for discussions in a free marketplace of ideas."
DON'S AUTO CENTER INC.
COME SEE DON'S AUTO FOR ALL YOUR CAR REPAIRS
Great American Bank is currently accepting applications for a P/T teller position at our Lawrence Main Bank location. Hours are 1-6pm M-F, & Sat. 8:30am-12pm.
Send resume to:
resources@greatambank.com.
JOBS
Part time front desk help in busy Dr.'s office. Mon, Wed & Fri, afternoons + every Sat. morning.
Call 785-749-0130 to fill out application.
JOBS
PLAY SPORTSI HAVE FUN!
MAKE MONEY!
Top-rated sports camp needs fun loving counselors to teach all land, water & adventure sports. Great summer in Maine! Call
(888) 844-8080. apply at:
www.campedar.com
HOUSING
LEASE TODAY!!!
We have 1 & 2 BR Apartments with W/D and 2 BR duplexes.
LEASE your home today!
Rental Management Solutions
866-207-7480 www.RentRMS.com
SUBLEASE my 2BEDROOM,
2BATH apt, at the Rockland.
Available 5/1/17 to 7/31/17 $750/
mo. Cable, water, internet, trash
included. Call or text 816-560-
3469.
kansan.com
connect with us // the student voice for you
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
sign up for our bi-weekly email newsletter on our website!
+