University Extension at The University of Kansas during World War II and the Immediate Postwar Years: 1940-1947

Abstract

The decision of Extension at Kansas to emphasize diversified non-credit·instruction in its adult education program stemmed largely from the successful institutes initiated for bankers and insurance men in 1940. The program was interrupted by World War II and then was resumed soon after the end of that conflict. The changes which occurred in other Extension fields in 1940 were not significant -but the direction taken by Extension classes and conferences led to such a substantial growth in adult education projects as to make 1940 a turning point in Extension history. In 1940, only one eighth of the salaried staff in Extension was found in the Bureau of Extension Classes; in 1947, the Bureau accounted for almost one third of the staff and in 1963 it contained approximately one half. The special problems created by World War II, in themselves, would warrant treatment of the war years as a separate chapter in the history of Extension at Kansas. Two postwar years are included in the present report to bring the account down to the close of the period during which Harold G. Ingham served as director of Extension. In many ways it seems fitting that, after confronting other crises during his long term of office, Mr. Ingham concluded his directorship after guiding his Division through the major crisis posed by total war.