a century of leadership
by 50' building entitled North College Hall three stories high was opened for the first day of classes. Oliver left KU to go to a parish in Nebraska in 1867 after having served the University for 4 years free of charge.
Another minister, Rev. James Marvin, was selected the third Chancellor in 1874, after the Regent's first choice, S. H. Carpenter, an educator from Wisconsin, came to Lawrence, took one look, and went back home. Marvin served during a difficult period including droughts, grasshopper invasions, and the silver panic of 1873. The whole faculty was serving under reduced salaries during this period, but despite the low wages, such greats as James Green in law, Frank Snow in life sciences, and Frank O. Marvin, (the chancellor's son) in Engineering came to KU to establish their departments.
War years pose problems for a university, but, instead of allowing KU to lose momentum during World War II, Dean W. Malott brought in large groups of Navy machinist's mates for training, the navy V-12 contingent for combining university studies with preparation for Navy officership, and some Army trainees too, thus keeping enrollment and activity up. Occupational therapy and physical therapy curriculums were also established with women in mind, and engineering drawing also became a popular women's course.
Malott was the first Kansan to
be Chancellor, and also the first KU alumnus to hold the position. During his tenure, a program of state-supported research was modestly but firmly established; a series of gifts were received from Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Pearson; faculty salaries were raised 50 per cent, the first such raise since the turn of the century; and a program of campus beautification was personally undertaken by Chancellor and Mrs. Malott.
For the first time, the south side of Mt. Oread where Malott and Summerfield halls are now located, was landscaped. Shrubs and trees were transplanted all over campus, sidewalks were relocated, and what shrubs there were before this time were trimmed and cleaned out. The Class of '45 planted flowering crab trees around the top of the hill, and Mrs. Malott went
personally and watered them to be sure they grew. Malott served from 1939 to 1951.
Another Kansan, Dr. Franklin Murphy, was selected Malott's successor. Murphy, the first faculty member to be elevated to Chancellor, had been Dean of the KU Medical School. Under his leadership, as Chancellor, faculty salaries increased another 60 per cent, and student advancement was aided by the establishment of the gifted student program and the honors program. The professors received encouragement through the founding of distinguished professorships, whereby a chosen professor receives the income from a $100,000 fund in addition to his state-provided salary. The Greater University Fund was also established to bring increased gifts of money to the university,
Franklin D. Murphy, 1951-1960
Deane W. Malott, 1939-1951
whose thoughts were broadened by the area studies programs including Latin America, the Far East, Russia and East Europe.
In 1960, after serving for nine years, Murphy became Chancellor at UCLA and turned the position over to W. Clarke Wescoe, the 10th Chancellor.
Chancellor Wescoe has overseen a vast building program on the campus during the past six years, and has had to deal with widespread moves towards greater student and personal rights. Under his leadership, KU will undoubtedly continue its first century tradition of progress and achievement.