Topeka ? The Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday honored Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway, Kansas State University President Jon Wefald and Pittsburg State University President Tom Bryant, who are all stepping down from their positions.

Regent Jarold Boettcher said the three chief executives share a trait. “Their first priority in almost everything they’ve done is to the benefit of their students,” he said.

Regent Dan Lykins kidded Hemenway that he thought Hemenway would have made a good priest or cardinal. “I would feel good confessing my sins to Bob,” he said.

Regent Christine Downey-Schmidt handed out gag gifts. Bryant got a pair of work gloves, Wefald a flyswatter and Hemenway a writing tablet.

The regents showed a video homage to the three officials and gave them plaques.