Topeka ? Burdett Loomis, long-time outside observer of Kansas politics, will now be on the inside.

Loomis, chairman of the Kansas University political science department, was named director of administrative communications for Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Friday.

Loomis will coordinate the flow of information within the Sebelius administration and between state government and the public, the governor’s office said.

“Burdett Loomis has spent a career studying state government,” Sebelius said. “He is uniquely qualified to help agencies within the administration work together, and help them better communicate with the public.”

He replaces many of the duties of Jim McLean, who took a job as vice president for public affairs at the Kansas Health Institute.

The appointment of Loomis represents the second time in recent months that Sebelius has looked to KU for key leaders.

In July, Sebelius appointed Lee Allison, who was then director of the KU-based Kansas Geological Survey, to serve as a science and energy adviser.

Loomis will give up his chairmanship and teaching at the university but will continue to direct the internship program that allows 20 KU students to work in the Capitol during the legislative session.

He said he expected the job with Sebelius to last no more than two years at which time he would return to KU.

Loomis

Loomis said that while he is an academician, he is experienced in the world of politics.

“I’ve always been much more involved in the day-to-day of politics,” he said.

Since coming to KU in 1979, Loomis has written or edited 25 books, including a study of the Kansas Legislature and a manual for helping newly elected members of Congress learn the legislative ropes. He also had served as interim director of the Dole Institute of Politics.

Recently, he has been a column writer for Harris News Service.

His $88,000 salary will be shared by KU and the governor’s office — $54,000 by KU and $34,000 from Sebelius’ budget.

His son, Dakota Loomis, worked as a research assistant for Sebelius before attending law school in New York.

David Shulenburger, KU provost and executive vice chancellor, said Burdett Loomis’ appointment “demonstrates the range of service that KU faculty and staff can offer to the state.”

KU.edu: Professor Burdett A. “Bird” Loomis

Loomis said he would not take part in any deliberations concerning university-related funding or policies, and that he would play no political role in Sebelius’ campaign for re-election.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to continue serving the state,” Loomis said. “I look forward to finding ways to help the state government work more effectively, to connect it to the people of Kansas, and to help it be as responsive as possible to their needs.”

A new chairman of the political science department will be named next year, university officials said. Loomis starts his new duties in January.