Kansas University is losing its unofficial mayor.

Ken Stoner, director of student housing, has accepted a similar position with the University of Tennessee. He leaves March 3.

“We’re a small city – everything that goes on there, goes on here,” Stoner said Monday, referring to the 5,200 students who live in the university’s three apartment complexes, seven residence halls and 11 scholarship halls.

“We’re in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year,” he said.

At the student-housing helm since 1985, Stoner has presided over:

¢ Construction of three scholarship halls. A fourth is in the works.

¢ Completing the university’s purchase of the Jayhawk Towers apartments.

¢ Major remodeling at Templin, Lewis and Ellsworth residence halls. Similar work is under way at Hashinger.

¢ Construction of Ekdahl Dining Commons, better known as “Mrs. E’s,” on Daisy Hill.

“He has done extraordinary work,” said Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success at KU.

Before coming to KU, Stoner was associate director of student housing at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he earned a doctorate in educational administration.

He’s returning to oversee the university’s response to Tennessee lawmakers putting up more than $200 million in lottery revenues to underwrite scholarships for high-achieving graduates of the state’s high schools.

The scholarships are expected to draw an additional 3,000 to 5,000 students to the University of Tennessee over the next three years. Stoner will oversee the university’s response to the influx.

“It’s a very exciting time,” he said.

Stoner’s fans at KU include dorm residents who have interacted with him.

“I’ve lived in Templin Hall going on two years, and I’ve had a wonderful experience,” said Hannah Love, a sophomore from Dodge City.

A member of KU’s Student Senate, Love has conferred with Stoner. “I’m really impressed with him,” she said.

Though most students crave an apartment or house of their own, Stoner said studies have shown that students who live on campus graduate at a higher rate and in less time than those who live off campus.

The same is true, he said, for students holding part-time jobs and taking more – rather than fewer – classes.

“It sounds backwards,” he said. “Everybody thinks you should get a place of your own, not work and take the least number of hours. But statistics show that the best way to graduate in four years is to take all the classes you can, work part time and live in student housing.”

Stoner has been named a “shaper of the housing profession” by the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International. Only 18 housing officials have received the honor since the association was founded in 1949.

“He’s been a great mentor,” said Eric Grospitch, KU’s assistant director for residence life.

Diana Robertson, associate director of student housing, has been named interim director. She will replace Stoner next month.

Farewell Reception

KU’s Department of Student Housing will host a reception for its director, Ken Stoner, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Friday at Oliver Residence Hall, 1815 Naismith Drive. Stoner leaves next week for a similar position at the University of Tennessee.