Wescoe—past, present, future...
By RICHARD LOUV Kansan Staff Writer
Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe leaned back in his chair, smiled around the big cigar and placed his hands behind his head. A student Easter bunny from McCollum Hall had just hopped in and out of the Chancellor's office, leaving an Easter basket on the desk that Wescoe will soon leave for good.
"That's the kind of memory that will sustain me after I'm gone from the University," he said. This is the last semester that Wescoe will remain at KU as Chancellor.
medical structure in the United States is that I could go back to my practice if I wanted to, and I wouldn't be prepared."
Contemplating
"The job will put me back with what I started—the medical profession. People ask me why I don't return to practicing medicine, but I would have to go back to school and get retrained. One of the weaknesses of the
"The best place in the world to stay young is in a university," he leaned forward and pointed with the cigar. "For instance I'm wearing a flashier sport coat than you are. You can't do that in business."
Wescoe may have to rearrange his wardrobe when he becomes vice-president of Sterling Drugs Inc. after leaving the University.
Treated carpenter
career
Wescoe treated a stage carpenter suffering from a heart attack last year after a ballet in Hoch Auditorium. Because of the treatment the man lived.
"I wouldn't be a bad doctor," Wescoe said, "but I wouldn't be a good one."
He said his worst moments as Chancellor have been when monetary appropriations for the University weren't what he thought necessary for quality education.
"I've said before that a million dollars would make all the difference between a quality institution and something less."
His 14-year old son David, home for spring break from prep school, walked into the office.
"Can I have some money, Dad?"
"How much do you need."
"Well, that's better than the last time." Wescoe reached into his pocket. "You owe me fifty cents now."
"Well, that's better than the last time." Wesco reached into
his pocket. "You owe me fifty cents now."
His son walked out the door and the interview continued.
Last home game
The familiar cigar
"I think the moment I will remember most of all is being down on that basketball court during the last home game, when I was presented with a plaque and gavel. Everyone stood up. I'll remember that because these are the days when students are usually mad at administrators."
Wescoe said that he has been out of touch with students because of mounting responsibilities in national and administrative areas.
"This place has almost doubled in size in the last few years. That puts you out of touch. And then you start getting national responsibilities, and you can't decline them because the University has to be represented. KU has to be in the middle of all decisions made concerning universities. We can't be outside of those decisions. Fund 'aising also takes a lot of time,' Wescoe said.
Wescoe is now serving as chairman of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. He served as president last year. He was chairman of the Council on Medical Education for several years, and in 1967 -was commended by the American Medical Association for service to the organization "with distinction and dedication" since 1957.
Wescoe also served as chairman of a 15-member advisory committee on higher
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20 KANSAN Apr.16 1969
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