LEAVENWORTH — The University of Kansas and the Leavenworth community celebrated Veterans Week with a dedication of KU’s new Leavenworth location on Nov. 14.

Education and community leaders gathered at the new Marriott TownePlace where KU unveiled its classroom and office space. Recently ranked No. 5 in the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges 2019 rankings, for the second year in a row, KU places high priority on supporting military-affiliated students.

“We are thrilled to serve more local military and civilian students by growing our footprint in Leavenworth,” said KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, a veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserve. “As a university, and particularly through our Edwards Campus and Leavenworth locations, we strive to meet the needs of the current and future workforce. The men and women pursuing the pertinent programming here in Leavenworth will go on to do amazing work for our community and this country.”

In one year, the number of graduates from KU’s off-post Leavenworth programs more than tripled to 30 students, most of whom are active members of the military. Fort Leavenworth is home to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC), in which midcareer officers spend a year furthering their education and training to develop their skills and rise in the ranks. During this year, these officers may complement their training with civilian studies. One such officer is Major Sam Diehl, who graduated from KU’s Master of Science in Business and Organizational Leadership program. He shared his student experience with attendees as a featured speaker during the dedication event.

“I really enjoyed the classroom experience in my program,” Diehl said. “Even after a full day of work on Fort Leavenworth, I looked forward to the interaction with students and faculty. The new facilities will serve to enhance the existing classroom experience for future cohorts. Though mine was primarily military officers, we enjoyed the opportunity to research and solve problems with our classmates in law enforcement, health care and other professional fields. I’ve stayed in touch with several classmates and faculty members since graduation, and I look forward to building on the relationships I started at KU.”

This expansion is the latest in what has been significant growth in KU’s Leavenworth programming. For the past 10 years, KU has offered two programs inside Fort Leavenworth: the Master of Science in Business - Supply Chain Management and Logistics and a Master of Arts in Global & International Studies - Interagency Track. In 2016, the university expanded its offerings off-post to include a Master of Science in Homeland Security: Law and Policy; a Master of Science in Business and Organizational Leadership; and a Master of Engineering and Master of Science in Project Management. May 2018 marked the largest graduating class in the history of KU’s programs in the city of Leavenworth. Enrollment in the off-post programs grew from six students in the fall of 2016 to 59 in the fall of 2018.

On hand to dedicate the new KU space in Leavenworth were KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod; KU Edwards Campus (KUEC) Vice Chancellor David Cook; former KU basketball star and Leavenworth native Wayne Simien; recent U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and KU Master of Science in Business and Organizational Leadership graduate Major Sam Diehl; and other distinguished military, community and education leaders.

Generous donations from key supporters made KU’s new location possible.

“We are grateful to the donors whose generosity made it possible for KU to offer these educational programs, which will benefit military and civilian residents in Leavenworth, as well as the broader community of Northeast Kansas,” said Dale Seuferling, president of KU Endowment.

Learn more about KU in Leavenworth

With accelerated coursework and evening classes, students in Leavenworth can complete a KU master’s degree in as few as 10 months. The programs and class schedules are designed to meet the needs of professional and military careers. KU is an ideal partner for military personnel as they pursue their educational and career goals. Learn more at leavenworth.ku.edu.

About The University of Kansas

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. The university's mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.

Photo: University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, KU Edwards Campus Vice Chancellor David Cook, U.S. Army Command & General Staff College Dean of Academics James Martin, Wayne Simien and Major Sam Diehl gather with Big Jay after presenting during KU’s dedication event for its new Leavenworth location in the Marriott TownePlace.