The University Press of Kansas: A Legacy of Scholarly Publishing
The University Press of Kansas (UPK), located in Lawrence, Kansas, stands as a testament to the enduring importance of scholarly publishing. Established in 1946, the press has evolved into a vital consortium, representing a collaborative effort among participating universities. With almost 80 years of publishing experience, UPK has released over 2,500 titles and continues to add approximately forty-five new titles annually to its esteemed collection.
Historical Development and Reorganization
The University Press of Kansas was founded in 1946. Over the years, the press underwent significant reorganizations in 1967 and 1976 to adapt to the changing landscape of academic publishing. These changes were crucial in shaping the press into the robust institution it is today.
Consortium Model and Representation
Today, the University Press of Kansas operates as a consortium with representation from each of the participating universities. This collaborative model ensures that a diverse range of academic perspectives and interests are reflected in the press's publications.
Specialization and Strategic Focus
In 1981, under the guidance of then-director Fred Woodward, the University Press of Kansas strategically cultivated its specialty areas. Recognizing a gap in its catalog, Woodward noted that, aside from a successful series on U.S. presidents, the press had published few works about political science. This realization led to a deliberate effort to expand its offerings in this and other key academic disciplines.
"Kansas Open Books" Initiative
The University Press of Kansas's "Kansas Open Books" initiative is a forward-thinking project aimed at increasing the accessibility of scholarly works. This initiative involves scanning out-of-print UPK books and offering them for free download, ensuring that valuable research and knowledge remain available to a wide audience.
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Key Publications and Subject Areas
The University Press of Kansas covers a diverse range of subjects, reflected in its extensive catalog of publications. Some notable titles and subject areas include:
- Law and Legal Studies:
- Animal Sacrifice and Religious Freedom: Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah
- The Battle for the Black Ballot: Smith v. Allwright
- The Battle over School Prayer: How Engel v. Vitale Changed America
- Before Bostock: The Accidental LGBTQ Precedent of Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins
- Brown v. Board of Education
- Bush v. Gore: The Fight for the Presidency
- Capital Punishment on Trial: Furman v. Georgia
- Dartmouth College v. Woodward: Defending Academic Freedom
- The Detroit School Busing Case: Milliken v. Bradley
- Flag Burning and Free Speech: The Case of Texas v. Johnson
- Fletcher v. Peck
- Gibbons v. Ogden
- Gitlow v. New York
- Griswold v. Connecticut
- Justice Robert H. Jackson's Unpublished Opinion in Brown v. Board of Education
- Little Rock on Trial: Cooper v. Aaron
- Lochner v. New York: Economic Liberty and the Supreme Court
- Loving v. Virginia: Race, Sex, and the Freedom to Marry
- Mapp v. Ohio: Evidence, Search, and Seizure
- Marbury v. Madison: The Foundation of Judicial Review
- M'Culloch v. Maryland: Securing a Nation
- Medellín v. Texas: The President, the Court, and World Affairs
- Mendez v. Westminster: School Desegregation and Mexican American Rights
- Murder in Mississippi: United States v. Price
- New York Times v. Sullivan: Free Speech and Libel Law
- Plessy v. Ferguson
- Reading Law Forward: The Making of a Democratic Jurisprudence from John Marshall to Stephen G. Breyer
- Religious Freedom and Indian Rights: The Case of Oregon v. Smith
- Roe v. Wade: The Untold Story of the Landmark Supreme Court Decision
- Rutgers v. Waddington: Alexander Hamilton, States' Rights, and the Law of Nations
- San Antonio v. Rodriguez: School Finance and the Supreme Court
- Speaking Freely: Whitney v. California
- The Supreme Court and Tribal Gaming: California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians
- The Zoning of America: Euclid v. Ambler
- Political Science and History:
- Advising Nixon: The White House Memos of Patrick J. Buchanan
- Advising the President: Attorney General Robert H. Jackson and Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Ambition, Pragmatism, and Party: A Political Biography of Gerald R. Ford
- Chronic Politics: Health Care Security from FDR to George W. Bush
- Coming to Terms with John F. Kennedy
- The Congressional Journal of Barber B. Conable, Jr.
- The Diplomatic Presidency: American Foreign Policy from FDR to George H. W. Bush
- George W. Bush: Foreign Policy Reconsidered
- Goldwater v. Humphrey: The 1964 Presidential Election
- The Gulf War: George H.W. Bush and the Triumph of Diplomacy
- Harry H. Vaughan: Harry Truman's Whistle-Stop Crony
- Horace M. Albright: The Guardian of the National Parks
- John C. Calhoun: Selected Writings and Speeches
- John F. Kennedy: World Leader
- Lincoln's Informer: Charles A. Dana and the Inside Story of the Union War
- Mr. Social Security: The Life of Wilbur J. Cohen
- Old Tip vs. the Sly Fox: The 1840 Election and the American Two-Party System
- Opposing Lincoln: Clement L. Vallandigham and the Peace Democrats
- The Presidency of George H. W. Bush
- The Presidency of George W. Bush: A First Appraisal
- The Presidency of John F. Kennedy
- The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant
- Rush to Judgment: George W. Bush, the Supreme Court, and the Crisis of American Democracy
- Subverting the Republic: Donald Trump and the Struggle for American Democracy
- The Unorthodox Presidency of Donald J. Trump
- Who Is James K. Polk?: The Presidential Election of 1844
- Other Disciplines:
- Birds, Bones, and Beetles: The Improbable Career and Remarkable Legacy of University of Kansas Naturalist Charles D. Michener
- Clergy Malpractice in America: Nally v. Grace Community Church of the Valley
- General Lesley J. McNair: Unsung Architect of the U. S. Army
- Kansas Boy: The Memoir of A. J. Mellott
- Policing Show Business: J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI's War on Crime and Communism
- The Woman Who Dared to Vote: The Trial of Susan B. Anthony
Leadership and Administration
Kevin Smith, Dean of KU Libraries, was appointed to direct the University Press of Kansas. Following his departure, an interim leadership was announced, and a search for a new dean of KU Libraries was initiated. A K-State library leader served as the interim faculty director of the University Press of Kansas during the transition.
Internship Program
The University Press of Kansas is committed to providing valuable learning experiences for students. Its internship program, formally started in 2017, offers students in-depth, hands-on experience in the publishing world. The comprehensive program is designed to give students real-world experience that complements their academic studies at KU. Two of UPK’s current staff members are former interns, a testament to the program's transformative impact. Student interns complete their internships prepared for various career opportunities, from working as publishing professionals to copyright and scholarly communication librarians to law school students. The press aims to expand its paid internship program, requiring financial support to host more interns.
Financial Support and Future Goals
The University Press of Kansas relies on financial support to maintain its operations and expand its programs. The press actively seeks donations to support its internship program and other initiatives. Each internship costs $2,000 a semester to host. The press is dedicated to supporting KU students in their learning, growth, and achievement of their goals.
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