To the editor:

I was astonished to read your editorial (Opinion, June 3) concerning the KU Alumni Association and replacing Fred Williams. Your editorial was a cheap shot at someone who cannot respond.

Your assessment of the KU Alumni Association as an organization was incorrect. Until Fred Williams came and led the organization out of financial ruin, it was not regarded as a very good organization no matter how many good and loyal alums you had. Just because you feel that KU can run its alumni on autopilot doesn’t make it so. Strong leadership is needed to plan, organize and execute. Fred Williams did those things with great loyalty to KU and the organization he served. His program was used as a model by me on many occasions. Your editorial should thank Fred for putting KU on the map, not the other way around.

Examples abound where there are large associations with poor programs. As a retired alumni director at the University of Southern Mississippi, I think I am far more qualified to make that assessment than you. It is a pity that a board would act in such an irresponsible manner as to fire Fred without recognizing what a high-class program he ran.

The truth of the matter is that a leader is a leader because he has followers. Fred had a lot them too. Fred was an exceptional leader whom every KU alum should thank.

Ron Phillips,

Hattiesburg, Miss.