LAWRENCE — Former Kansas University chancellor Laurence Chalmers has died.
Famous for his bow ties, Chalmers was chancellor during one of KU’s most difficult periods in its history. Chalmers tried to keep the peace at KU in 1970 after an arsonist struck the student union and racial tension caused two deaths on campus. He averted a student strike by agreeing to grading options that allowed KU to complete the academic year. He later resigned to lead the Chicago Art Institute.
