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KU, Fort Leavenworth join educational forces

KU has announced a new initiative linking KU and the Army's premier educational center, the Command and General Staff College and other organizations at Fort Leavenworth.

The goal, said Chancellor Robert Hemenway, is to help educate the next generation of Army officers through advanced-degree programs aimed at faculty and students at the CGSC.

"This program will help Fort Leavenworth and the Army meet the need for advanced academic training at a time of unprecedented challenge for our armed forces. It will be good for the Army, good for KU and good for the country," Hemenway said.

David Lambertson, a former ambassador to Thailand, will direct the KU-Fort Leavenworth Program. Lambertson said the program will encourage more of Fort Leavenworth's faculty and students, both military officers and civilians, to pursue master's degrees and doctorates at KU.

The university is exploring such options as the development of special degree programs as well as offering classes at times that would accommodate the schedules of personnel at Fort Leavenworth, which is 40 miles northeast of Lawrence. The initiative will also facilitate other forms of cooperation, such as joint courses, symposiums and research.

The KU-Fort Leavenworth Program builds on an agreement signed three years ago by Hemenway and Gen. William Wallace, then the Fort Leavenworth commander, in which the two institutions agreed to step up their cooperation. Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, current commander of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, praised the new KU program.

"I am excited to continue our partnership with KU and the Command and General Staff College. The graduate studies initiative immensely benefits our efforts to develop adaptive leaders and creative thinkers for the challenges of the 21st century," said Caldwell.

James B. Martin, associate dean of academics at the Command and General Staff College, and Lambertson both stressed the value this initiative brings to the two institutions.

"Both KU and Fort Leavenworth have much to gain from this relationship," said Martin, particularly given their proximity.

Lambertson added that he hoped an increased interchange of people and ideas between KU and the fort could make a real contribution to the Army's efforts to respond successfully to the many difficult situations the United States faces around the world. Echoing Hemenway, he added "there is no doubt in my mind that it will also be good for KU."

Fort Leavenworth is the Army's leading center for teaching tactics, leadership development, battle command and staff procedures. Founded in 1881, Command and General Staff College graduates include President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gens. Omar Bradley, George Patton and Colin Powell and many other prominent leaders. Many international officers have studied there as well, and have risen to prominence in their own countries, including 26 presidents and prime ministers.

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For the 30th consecutive year, KU had a strong presence at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. Reno County, where Hutchinson is located, also has a strong presence at KU. In fall 2006, 269 students from the county were enrolled across all KU campuses. For a list of KU’s volunteers, see page 7.