KU Chancellor Laurence Chalmers and John Spearman Jr., chairman of the Black Students Union, tug for control of the microphone in this photo from May 1970.

Kansas University plans a special event this weekend for the renaming of the Art and Design Building to E. Laurence Chalmers Hall.

The dedication and naming ceremony is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday at the Forum in Marvin Hall, 1465 Jayhawk Blvd. A reception will follow in the study area of Chalmers Hall, next door at 1467 Jayhawk Blvd.

Chalmers, the last former KU chancellor to have a building named for him, led KU for a short but tumultuous time that saw war and race protests turn violent on campus, 1969 to 1972. According to a KU news release, “He remained focused on students — never bowing to the pressure of the state to suppress students’ ability to protest, yet always maintaining campus safety.”

Chalmers later was director of the Art Institute of Chicago. He died in 2009.

“Chancellor Chalmers was an integral figure in KU’s history,” KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little said in a statement. “He created a precedent for resilience in times of hardship, and we are so pleased to have this opportunity to honor his legacy.”

Sunday’s ceremony will feature remarks by Gray-Little and professor emeritus of American Studies Bill Tuttle, according to a university announcement. Chalmers’ sons Laurence Chalmers III and Thomas Chalmers are expected to attend, as are former KU chancellors Del Shankel and Archie Dykes.

KU considers the event a kickoff to the university’s yearlong 150th anniversary observation.