Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway announced Dec. 8, 2008, that he would retire from KU June 30, 2009. He will be remembered for his efforts to strengthen KU Hospital and KU Medical Center — including separating the hospital from direct state oversight — and setting a goal to achieve designation as a National Cancer Institute. His tenure will also be remembered for the increasing stature of Kansas Athletics. He was replaced by Bernadette Gray-Little, the first African-American and the first woman to be KU's chancellor.
Biographical Information
Full name: Robert Emery Hemenway
Born: Aug. 10, 1941
Age: 67
Family: Eight children, including two with his wife, Leah, and seven grandchildren.
Education: Hastings (Neb.) High School, 1959; University of Nebraska at Omaha, bachelor’s degree in English, 1963; Kent State University, doctorate in English, 1966.
Academic Experience: 1966-68, assistant professor of English, University of Kentucky; 1968-73, assistant and associate professor of American studies, University of Wyoming; 1973-81 associate professor and professor of English, University of Kentucky; 1981-86, chair, department of English, University of Kentucky; 1986-89, dean of Arts and Sciences, University of Oklahoma; 1989-95, chancellor, University of Kentucky, Lexington Campus; 1995-present, chancellor, Kansas University.
Books Published: “Zora Neale Hurston: A Literary Biography,” 1977. Contributed to several others, both as an editor and by writing forewords, chapters and introductions.
Salary as Chancellor: Three months ago, the Regents gave Hemenway a 2.5 percent pay raise, taking his potential salary compensation to $340,352. Of Hemenway's compensation, $267,177 is provided by state funds. The remaining $73,175 represents the maximum he can receive from the KU Endowment Association. When he was hired in 1995, Hemenway was paid a base salary of $160,000 — plus the chancellor’s residence, an $18,500 residential spending allowance, a $15,000 expense account and a leased vehicle.
Chancellor Robert Hemenway's career at KU
Chancellor Robert Hemenway will resign as Chancellor on June 30, 2009.
Hemenway, Sebelius storm press conference
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway deliver a press conference in reference to the March 14, 2006 storm.
Photo Gallery
Photos from Chancellor Robert Hemenway's career at KU.
Photo Gallery
Hemenway announces his retirement
In a press conference Monday, KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway announced he would retire June 30, 2009.
- Life sciences building at medical center to be named for Hemenway
- November 19, 2009
- Former Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway’s name will front the Life Sciences Innovation Center at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.
- KU Med Center honors Hemenway, Sebelius
- October 22, 2009
- Kansas University Medical Center honored two Kansas leaders at its recent annual gala celebration.
- Hemenway awarded Star of Excellence
- October 17, 2009
- Former Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway received Lawrence Bank’s Star of Excellence Award in August.
- A Lew Perkins contract one of questions raised in KU management audit
- Auditor gives university an overall clean bill of health
- 04:39 p.m., September 17, 2009 Updated 05:52 p.m.
- An audit of financial dealings at Kansas University and its affiliated groups found no major problems, but did question an $18,000 per-year contract between KU Athletic Director Lew Perkins and a private company that does business with Kansas Athletics Inc.
- KU management review expected to be made public next week
- September 9, 2009
- A much-anticipated management review of Kansas University likely will be released next week, a Kansas Board of Regents official said Wednesday.
- Hemenway’s compensation package to include $340,352 per year, plus sports tickets
- 07:22 p.m., August 27, 2009 Updated 08:15 p.m.
- Former Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway will earn $340,352 per year during the next two academic years, and will get other fringe benefits, according to a memo from the Kansas Board of Regents.
- His story: Retiring chancellor champions teaching literature
- June 29, 2009
- “Storytelling is powerful, literature is life-inspiring, and narrative is a great teacher,” Robert Hemenway says.
- Hemenway’s legacy
- Many goals achieved in 14 years
- June 28, 2009
- Observers say Kansas University’s 16th chancellor will be remembered for his contributions in medicine, athletics and academics.
- Regents pay tribute to retiring chief executives
- June 25, 2009
- 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.
- Attorney general expects KU audit to be made public
- June 23, 2009
- Attorney General Steve Six’s office said Tuesday that a Kansas University audit should be made public once its finished.
- Work continues on KU audit
- June 22, 2009
- An audit of Kansas University, being done as part of the changing of the guard at KU, is still under way, a higher education official said Monday.
- KU Chancellor receives U.S. Army citation
- May 9, 2009
- Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway has been awarded the outstanding service medal, which honors individuals not employed by the Army for service and support.
- Kansas Legislature honors KU chancellor
- May 8, 2009
- The Kansas Legislature honored Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway on Friday.
- KU pays tribute to chancellor
- May 3, 2009
- From the straw hat Kansas University Chancellor Bob Hemenway donned during commencement ceremonies to a ceremonial hat all the way from Nigeria, tribute was paid to the many different hats the retiring leader wore both literally and figuratively.
- Chancellor Hemenway discusses many changes at KU during his 14-year tenure
- April 27, 2009
- Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway told the Lawrence Noon Rotary Club on Monday that KU has changed for the better during his 14-tenure as chancellor.
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