Rick Doll grew up on a farm just north of Wamego. His family had very few means and stressed education as a way to get ahead.

That’s where a career was born.

“My parents insisted on quality education,” said Doll, who will be leading the Lawrence public school system July 1. “They got me started.”

Doll received his undergraduate education at McPherson College before getting a master’s degree and a doctorate from Kansas State University. His wife, Gayle, is the director of the Center on Aging there. They have three sons, Jake, Caleb and Jesse.

“They are huge KU fans,” Doll said of his sons.

While he has splashes of purple in his wardrobe, he’s ready to join Jayhawk Nation. “I’m very flexible. I’m ready to transition,” he said.

Doll will take over for Randy Weseman, who is retiring.

Doll began teaching at Herington High School in 1976. He was assistant principal there for a year before leading the school from 1980 to 1983.

He then returned to his alma mater, Wamego High, as principal in 1983.

“That was a thrill, being principal to some of the teachers that taught me,” Doll said. “That was actually a wonderful experience.”

Then it was on to assistant superintendent in McPherson before serving as superintendent in Rock Creek, north of Manhattan, for 12 years.

“My youngest son came in as a first-grader, and we transformed that district into just a wonderful, wonderful opportunity for kids,” Doll said. “I just couldn’t move my kids.”

In 2005, Doll set up shop in Louisburg as superintendent. He oversaw the passage of a $30 million bond issue that included the construction of a kindergarten through second-grade elementary school.

“We have made a pretty dramatic move toward teaching and evaluating those skills beyond the bubble tests,” Doll said. “Those skills are important, but those are not the skills that kids are necessarily going to need to be successful in life.”

While Doll has been in administration since 1979, he still teaches an advanced placement government class one semester a year at Louisburg High. And after settling in his new role, there’s the possibility he’ll show up to share knowledge at Lawrence High or Free State High.

“I have a real passion for government and politics,” Doll said. “So, I wouldn’t rule it out totally.”

Doll said even though the interview process was rigorous and confidential, he instantly felt welcome in Lawrence. Now that he’s been announced as superintendent, the influx of congratulations has surprised him.

“I didn’t know that people would really notice or care that there was a new superintendent in town, and obviously they do,” Doll said. He also noted he already received e-mails from people affiliated with Kansas University, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and other residents.

“That means a lot,” Doll said. “The first impression of Lawrence has been very, very positive.”