Faculty honor Gros Louis

Bloomington Chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis presided over every Bloomington Faculty Council meeting for 22 years.\nHis last meeting Monday started as usual.\nProfessor Bob Eno began his presentation on transfer credits until he was interrupted by Council President Jim Sherman.\n"I've heard this 32 times, and it is a little boring," Sherman said. "This is my last BFC meeting as president, and I would like to adjourn."\nAbout 15 people then filed in through the back door, all of them familiar faces to Bloomington's retiring chancellor Gros Louis.\nIt was Gros Louis' last meeting, and the faculty, also his friends, wanted to say thank you.\n"We are going to take a break from this meeting for better things, Ken," Sherman said.\nFor the next two hours, friends of Gros Louis took the stage to send their appreciation his way. They also took the opportunity to embarrass him, as good friends do.\nJim Ackerman, professor emeritus of religious studies, has been friends with Gros Louis for 30 years. \n"Ken has been one of my models," he said. "I have experienced a tradition at this university that I have never known at my previous teaching positions, a tradition of collegiality, walking the extra mile for the good of our students and the good of our colleagues. Herman B Wells touched so many lives with his spirit, and for me, Ken has been one of the principle bearers, who continues to nurture that spirit."\nNot everyone was so kind. Chancellor's professor of psychology Jim Craig described what it was like to work with Gros Louis.\n"Before I started working for Ken I had a full head of hair, and I was a few inches taller," he said.\nSome people spoke of Gros Louis' past as an undergraduate, when he was a fraternity member and a math major. It was as a math major that Gros Louis received his education on manipulating numbers.\n"He told me this position was half-time," Craig said. "And it was -- 12 hours a day, 7 days a week."\nCraig gave another example of his administrative qualities.\nSitting in Gros Louis' office, Craig witnessed the chancellor take a phone call from a chairperson. Gros Louis answered the phone and told the chairperson there was a problem within the department that needed to be fixed. Gros Louis told the chairperson a number of professors had been complaining. But Craig didn't remember anyone complaining.\nGros Louis then turned to Craig and said, "Craig, just remember that zero is a number."\nTrevor Brown, dean of the journalism school, wrote a letter that encompassed Gros Louis' administrative philosophy: "Never say no, just create the illusion that you are saying yes."\nFormer School of Music Dean Charles Webb, a professor emeritus, also wrote a letter. So did Mort Lowengrub, former dean of COAS. Maynard Thompson, professor of mathematics, spoke about Gros Louis' compassionate, friendly manner. Former University presidents John Ryan and Tom Ehrlich expressed their appreciation of Gros Louis. \nAnd then it was the students' turn.\nSenior Meredith Suffron, IU Student Association president, thanked the chancellor for his honesty. But senior Jeremy Widenhofer, a member of the Board of Eons, was less thankful. \n"Do not be deceived, my friends, this man is a hoss," he said. Widenhofer worked out with Gros Louis on occasion, and he said it was far from a simple, light jog. \n"This man is very competitive," he said, motioning to his ailing muscles.\nThe faculty then presented Gros Louis with presents from the mayor, the governor and the department of motor vehicles, which granted him an honorary lifetime driver's license, which he has had some trouble obtaining.\nPeople who spoke about Gros Louis repeated several themes. They spoke of his wit, his political savvy, his roots in academics, his devotion to the faculty and his impeccable performance as an administrator.\nBut what might have been most apparent from what was said Monday about Gros Louis is simply this: He is a good friend.