To the editor:

The well-deserved kudos for KU’s School of Pharmacy in the Saturday Column (Oct. 24) are greatly appreciated; the aspersions cast on other programs and search committees therein are not. 

With the suggestion that university appointments are filled based on convenience, cost or political correctness, rather than “seeking the very best individuals,” Mr. Simons unjustifiably impugns every administrator from the chancellor (yet again!) on down and the committees that selected them. In the next paragraph he implies that the rest of the university are not doing their very best to “hire outstanding faculty and attract top graduate students.” The next paragraph laments that “the university doesn’t seem to capitalize on the talents” of the Foundation Distinguished Professors. The first FDPs arrived at KU only last fall and have apparently failed to provide instant gratification.

With friends like this, who needs enemies!