The University of Kansas

Ambler announces retirement plans

After a long, distinguished career in student services, KU’s vice chancellor for student affairs for the past quarter-century, David Ambler, has announced plans to retire on Aug. 1, 2002.

Ambler came to KU in 1977 from Kent State University in Ohio, where he was a student affairs official when National Guard troops killed four students during an anti-war protest. At age 33, he was named Kent State’s vice president for student affairs shortly after the shootings. At that time, he was one of the youngest people ever appointed a chief student affairs officer at a major state university.

Provost David Shulenburger lauded Ambler as an “exemplary leader.”

“His calm, deliberative style has served this university very well indeed, and he is one of the most respected individuals in the nation in the field of student issues,” Shulenburger said. “David is the primary advocate for students on this campus, and he has always taken that role with the utmost seriousness. His continuing close bonds with student leaders from past years is a great testimony to the esteem he has earned from his primary constituency. He has been a great friend and mentor to me, and I will miss working with him on a day-to-day basis, but I know that he and Mary Kate will continue to be among KU’s best friends and champions.”

At KU, 64-year-old Ambler is responsible for the university’s student services program including student housing, health services, the Kansas Unions, recreational services, financial aid, employment and career services, counseling services, student activities, multicultural affairs, child care services and other programs to assist student development. He also is a courtesy associate professor in the Department of Teaching and Leadership, where he works with graduate students interested in pursuing careers in higher education.

Former student leaders who worked with Ambler admire him with great affection.

“David Ambler was a great mentor to student leaders across campus,” said Alison Young, editor of the University Daily Kansan and the Student Senate executive secretary in the late 1980s and now an editor at the Detroit Free Press. “Whether they were in student government, on the Kansan, in the Greek system or members of some other group, Dr. Ambler knew when to offer support and guidance, and when to let us find our own way. He gave us the freedom to make decisions and to learn from our mistakes and was a great believer in the important role extracurricular activities can play in a KU education.”

Petra “Tedde” Tasheff, who was student body president in 1976-77, when Ambler came to KU, remains in touch with Ambler today.

“Dave brings his fine mind, gentle soul and big heart to bear on the work of student affairs. He confidently leads the university in taking a holistic approach to each student’s development,” said Tasheff, now general counsel for litigation for Citigroup Global Consumer Business in New York. “Every student matters to Dave, and he works hard to make sure all students have the resources they need to excel.”

Added Kevin Yoder, student body president in 1998-99 and now a third-year law student at KU: “This is a great loss for the student body. Dr. Ambler has served as our chief advocate, as our mentor and most importantly as our friend. His leadership and guidance will be irreplaceable.”

During his tenure at KU, Ambler oversaw a comprehensive restructuring of the student affairs division that brought to a close the original dean of men and dean of women organizational structure. As vice chancellor, he established many offices and services on campus, including the Student Development Center, Student Organizations and Leadership Development Center, New Student Orientation Office, Counseling and Psychological Services, Services for Students with Disabilities, Career and Employment Services, Legal Services for Students and the Multicultural Resource Center. He also created the current student housing department by combining two operations.

Ambler also initiated a three-phase $20 million expansion and renovation of the Kansas and Burge unions, initiated an estimated $125 million renovation of all student housing units, completed a $6.5 million addition and renovation of Watkins Student Health Center and secured student approval to build a $17 million student recreation and fitness center.

Other programs Ambler initiated include Hawk Week, the fall orientation program for new students; the Presidents’ Roundtable, a student advisory board; and services for sexual assault prevention and alcohol education and abuse prevention.

A national leader in student services, Ambler served a three-year term as president of the Foundation of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, an organization that promotes research and development in student services. In 1999, he was designated a Pillar of the Profession by the NASPA Foundation and received the Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA at the 2000 national conference in Indianapolis.

In 1983, the KU Student Senate selected Ambler to receive its Higher Education Distinguished Service Award, and in 1987 he was the first recipient of the CLASS Award, established by the senior class at KU to honor staff members in the Division of Student Affairs. That same year, he was recognized by his alma mater, Indiana University, when he received the Robert H. Shaffer Distinguished Alumni Award.

Ambler also is involved in the Lawrence community, serving on the boards of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, Hilltop Child Care Center, Friends of the (KU) Theatre, Friends of the Lied Center and other groups.

Ambler has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a master’s degree in public administration and a doctorate in educational administration, all from Indiana University.