Chancellors

Black-and-white photograph of three men standing as a group and wearing white shirts, bow ties, and black overcoats.
From left to right, KU Chancellors Joshua Lippincott, Frank Strong, and Francis Huntington Snow with Spooner Library in the background, May 1906. Featured in "On the Hill: A Photographic History of the University of Kansas." Call Number: LD2688 .O5 1993.

As the repository of the University’s official documents, University Archives houses the papers and correspondence of the chancellors. The majority of the important issues in the development of the University are represented in this collection, which has an online finding aid. The collection has photographs as far back as Chancellor Oliver (1865–1867) and as recent as Chancellor Gray-Little (2009–2017), although good coverage does not begin until Chancellor Strong (1902–1920).

Selective indexing has been done up through Chancellor Chalmers, and the papers are all arranged in series which makes access relatively easy. The papers of Chancellors Gray-Little and Girod require written permission of the Chancellor’s Office for access. Personnel and student records are closed in accordance with applicable law. All requests are subject to review by the Archives staff to determine accessibility.  

Biographical information about each Chancellor can also be found in the collection and on the Office of the Chancellor website. You can also search Spencer's finding aids for personal paper collections of the Chancellors. 

University Archives Contacts

Molly Herring, Associate Archivist: mollyherring@ku.edu | 785-864-0113

Letha Johnson, University Archivist: ljohnson18@ku.edu | 785-864-5088