Members of Kansas University’s graduating class of 1957 are gathering in Lawrence this weekend for their “Golden Anniversary Reunion.” They will be joined at the annual Gold Medal Club brunch by others who received their degrees more than 50 years ago.

Those who have not been back to the campus – or perhaps even to Lawrence – for many years will notice many changes. The campus footprint has grown considerably, new buildings have been added, and enrollment numbers are much higher.

The highly popular Clarke Wescoe was chancellor during the years the Class of ’57 attended KU. Both he and his wife, Barbara, have died, but their son, David, continues the Wescoe tradition and interest in KU and recently served as national president of the KU Alumni Association.

The major challenge faced by Clarke Wescoe, and most every other KU chancellor over the years, remains the same: adequate funding from the Kansas Legislature.

This year, a huge added fiscal challenge faces KU, as well as other state universities. Infrastructure at the schools has been neglected for years, and current estimates place the price tag to make necessary repairs at more than $600 million.

As the late KU Chancellor Franklin Murphy once said, being a KU chancellor would be a joy if it weren’t for the problems and headaches associated with the medical school, the Legislature, athletics and the media. Current KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway probably would offer an enthusiastic endorsement of Murphy’s observation.

KU is a good state-aided university, more than merely “good” in many respects. Its graduates have every reason to be proud of their school. There are a number of exceptional faculty members who are nationally and internationally recognized. Unfortunately, money is a serious situation.

Fixing buildings is one thing, and that’s important, but money to attract and hold outstanding faculty members – both teachers and researchers – is a critical matter. One problem is the number of state universities in a state with a population of less than 3 million, along with numerous community colleges and private universities and colleges. The state and private money “pie” can only be sliced into so many pieces.

Fortunately, KU enjoys tremendous loyalty, interest and generosity from its alumni. KU alumni are one of the school’s greatest assets, and the KU Alumni Association, under the leadership of Kevin Corbett, has been rejuvenated and will become an even more active, better informed and more helpful organization.

KU officials can talk and write about the excellence of the institution, but that is their job. That is what they are expected to do. Alumni and friends of the university can be an even more powerful and effective voice in support of the school when they tell legislators, their friends and others of their interest in the school and its need for reasonable fiscal support. They also can tout the excellence of the school to talented young men and women considering where they should attend colleges.

Corbett is committed to doing a top-flight job for the Alumni Association and the university. He realizes the importance of alumni and friends being fully informed about the successes and achievements of the university as well as its needs, even recognizing its shortfalls.

It is hoped these alumni, family members and friends attending alumni reunion events at KU this weekend will leave Lawrence enthused about their alma mater and eager to do what they can to help build it into an even finer institution.

KU is indeed fortunate to have so many able, dedicated and interested alumni. As many past chancellors have expressed, there is a rare, true love affair between KU and its graduates. It is important to maintain this truly special relationship, and KU must perform in a manner that continues to merit this support from its alumni and friends.

It’s been good to have members of the Class of ’57 back in Lawrence and on the campus. Don’t wait so long to come back and see us again.