R. Keith Lawton, former vice chancellor for Kansas University campus planning and development, was honored Friday for his commitment and dedication to making the university landscape what it is today.

About 60 people gathered on the west side of Wescoe Hall to applaud Lawton as a plaque on the building was unveiled to honor the man so influential in expanding KU.

“I feel privileged to have been part of it these years,” Lawton said. “There have been dozens and dozens of people who also participated in my time, too many to name.”

Lawton retired from KU in 1982. During his 34 years, he saw acquisition of what is now West Campus, construction of Allen Fieldhouse, residence halls and other buildings. He worked for seven chancellors and two interim chancellors during that time.

“I think it’s very important to recognize that at any one time there’s a multitude of generations that have supported the university,” said Chancellor Robert Hemenway, who came to KU in 1995, 13 years after Lawton left the university.

Hemenway said people on the campus now often get “caught up,” and don’t always recognize those who paved the paths before them.

“In honoring Keith we are able to honor the ones who have made this a special place,” he said. “It’s a way the university kind of pays its respects to the previous generations that’s walked these walks.”

Tom Waechter, assistant director for design and construction management at KU, said Lawton was a leader in considering the academic research emphasized at the university and the space required for it.

“He’s one of the innovators nationally,” Waechter said.

Evelyn Swartz, a longtime friend of Lawton’s, said Lawton has been integral to KU.

“I think he had great forethought on planning for the future needs” of Kansas University students, staff and faculty, she said.

For Lawton, planning is a process.

“Planning is not an event,” he said.

“It’s a very beautiful campus we can all be proud of,” Lawton said.