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Edwards Campus marks 15 years of achievements

By society's standards 15 years is a relatively short time. However, KU's Edwards Campus, celebrating its 15th anniversary this month, has proven it's plenty of time to put together an impressive list of accomplishments.

The KU Edwards Campus first opened its doors to students on Jan. 12, 1993, extending KU traditions of excellence, achievement and community outreach to Greater Kansas City.

The 15-year-old campus, with its 20 graduate, undergraduate degree completion and certificate programs catering to working professionals, has been committed to providing the community with educational opportunities as well as economic development.

"We bring the academic and cultural programming of a world-class research university to a community that has a great need and interest for our services," Bob Clark, KU Edwards vice chancellor said. "Our partnerships with Johnson County Community College, local school districts, Chambers of Commerce and economic development organizations have had a significant impact on the economy over the past decade and a half."

According to the County Economic Research Institute, the Edwards Campus economic impact on Greater Kansas City is nearly a half billion dollars since its inception.

Recent accomplishments such as the 2005 opening of Jayhawk Central, the student union including the bookstore, and a record setting 12 percent increase in enrollment in fall 2007 have proven the Edwards Campus' significance to the community throughout the last 15 years.

"Our programs interact with the community to provide immediate impact with regard to social and educational services," Clark said. "We offer programming that not only improves the quality of life of each student, but also has an impact on the economy in that we strengthen the skills of the workforce. We look forward to building on this decade-and-a-half and fully expect to see our impact doubled over the next 15 years."

The campus' mission-driven, skilled and diverse faculty and staff are dedicated to continuing KU's traditions in Greater Kansas City.

"It is fantastic KU brings faculty with national and international reputations as teachers and researchers to Johnson County and to the entire Kansas City metropolitan area," Ed Scanlon, professor of social welfare, said. "I think the University has become a resource that has a huge potential to help energize the bi-state region, not just Kansas or Johnson County."

In addition to its economic and educational impact, the Edwards Campus has proven itself to be a valuable asset to Johnson County through its community outreach efforts.

Each semester, the Edwards Campus holds community events from the Lied Center of Kansas, School of Fine Arts, Spencer Museum of Art and Kansas City Symphony. These events take place in Regnier Hall auditorium, opened in 2004 as a result of a proposed $70 million expansion of the campus.

The Professional Edge Breakfast Series is a campus program designed to benefit the community through lectures from experienced KU faculty and staff concerning current business issues. The Edwards Campus also provides an array of meeting spaces, and welcomes community groups and businesses interested in utilizing its facilities to host events.

Edwards Campus highlights from the past 5 years:

2003

  • First County Economic Research Institute study determines the Edwards Campus' impact on Johnson County from 1993-2003 exceeds $208 million.

2004

  • Opening of Regnier Hall, an 82,000 square-foot classroom building with lecture halls, computer labs, office space for faculty and staff and a 240-seat auditorium.
  • The Pathways Partnership between the Edwards Campus, Kansas City Kansas Community College and Kansas City Kansas Public School offers its first Leadership Academy to inner-city Kansa City, Kan. youth.
  • A new undergraduate degree completion program launches in developmental psychology.

2005

  • Opening of Jayhawk Central, a new student union including a coffee house and KU bookstore.
  • A student success center opens on campus with services from the KU Writing Center, KU Career Services and Academic Achievement and Access Center/Disability Resources.
  • New 2+2 social work program launches with classes on the Kansas City Kansas Community College campus.

2006

  • KU's Confucius Institute opens on the Edwards Campus.
  • A 1,900-square foot molecular biosciences laboratory opens on campus, including teaching and research labs, a preparatory area and sterile culture room.
  • A bronze Jayhawk, replica of the Jayhawk in front of Strong Hall, is dedicated on campus.
  • Two new programs launch on campus: an undergraduate degree completion program in developmental psychology and a graduate program in information technology.

2007

  • Fall enrollment increases 12 percent, the highest increase in campus history.
  • A textbook fund for students is created through gifts from Edwards Campus staff.

RESEARCH MATTERS

KU architects and their students are designing relief for New Orleans neighborhoodrravaged by Hurricane. Nils Gore, associate professor, and Rob Corser, assistant professor of architecture and urban planning, are working with students to design structures for the city's Ninth Ward, one of the hardest hit areas. Structures have included a tool shed, a shade pavilion, a mobile stage and an outdoor classroom. For more, or to listen to the original broadcast, visit www.researchmatters.ku.edu.