Former chancellors establish teaching professorship for business school


LAWRENCE — Two former University of Kansas chancellors and their wives — Archie and Nancy Dykes of Leawood and Gene and Gretchen Budig of Isle of Palms, South Carolina — have jointly established a new teaching professorship in the School of Business.

The Dykes-Budig Teaching Professorship in Business provides salary support and funds for travel and other costs associated with professional advancement. Each recipient holds the professorship for one academic year.

The inaugural recipient of the professorship is Suman Mallik, associate professor of supply chain management and decision sciences. He joined the faculty in 2008.

“Nancy and I are very impressed with the enormous progress of the School of Business under the leadership of Dean Bendapudi. We’re very pleased to help in this small way,” said Archie Dykes.

“The School of Business is essential to the future of Kansas, and I was honored to join with Chancellor Dykes in helping to advance the strength of the School and the University of Kansas. KU has never been more important to so many,” said Gene Budig.

Dean Neeli Bendapudi expressed her appreciation for the gift.

“The School of Business is honored by this gift from two KU luminaries. Both chancellors made considerable contributions to KU during their tenures, and this gift is another sign of their commitment to the KU student experience. Both recognize the importance of teaching and instruction at the university. Chancellors Budig and Dykes are true role models who embody the Jayhawk spirit.”

Archie Dykes, KU’s 13th chancellor, served the university from 1973 to 1980. Gene Budig was KU’s 14th, chancellor, serving the university from 1981 to 1994.

The gift counts toward Far Above: The Campaign for Kansas, the university’s $1.2 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. Far Above seeks support to educate future leaders, advance medicine, accelerate discovery and drive economic growth to seize the opportunities of the future.

The campaign is managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.