Kenneth R. R. Gros Louis (December 18, 1936 – October 20, 2017) was a university official and English professor at

Indiana University Bloomington Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington, Indiana University, IU, or simply Indiana) is a public university, public research university in Bloomington, Indiana. It is the flagship university, flagship campus of Indiana University and, with ...

. Born in

New Hampshire New Hampshire is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...

, he attended

Phillips Exeter Academy (not for oneself) la, Finis Origine Pendet (The End Depends Upon the Beginning) gr, Χάριτι Θεοῦ (By the Grace of God) , location = 20 Main Street , city = Exeter, New Hampshire , zipcode ...

and

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

, graduating in 1959. In 1964 he was awarded a PhD in English and

comparative literature Comparative literature is an academic field dealing with the study of literature and cultural expression across linguistic, national, geographic, and disciplinary boundaries. Comparative literature "performs a role similar to that of the study ...

at the

University of Wisconsin–Madison A university () is an educational institution, institution of higher education, higher (or Tertiary education, tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. Universities ty ...

. His research dealt with

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the Post-classical, post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with t ...

and

Renaissance literature Renaissance literature refers to European literature which was influenced by the intellectual and cultural tendencies associated with the Renaissance. The literature of the Renaissance was written within the general movement of the Renaissance, ...

. His teaching methods were brought together in ''Literary Interpretations of Biblical Narratives'', which appeared in 21 editions published by

Abingdon Press Abingdon Press is the book publishing arm of the United Methodist Publishing House which publishes sheet music, ministerial resources, Bible-study aids, and other items, often with a focus on Methodism and Methodists. History Abingdon Press w ...

between 1974 and 1982. He became an assistant professor in the departments of English and Comparative Literature in 1964 and taught courses on

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

and medieval literature. He chaired the English department, 1973–1978, and served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1978 to 1980. He was the campus executive officer as Vice President of the Bloomington campus from 1980 to 1988 and as Vice President of Indiana University and Chancellor of the Bloomington campus from 1988 to 2001. He retired in 2001. He returned as Interim Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Bloomington Chancellor from 2004 to 2006. He reported to system presidents

John W. Ryan John William Ryan (August 12, 1929 – August 6, 2011) was an American academic administrator who most notably served as the President of Indiana University for sixteen years. Early life and career Ryan was born in Chicago, Illinois and earned ...

Thomas Ehrlich Thomas Ehrlich (born March 4, 1934) is a consulting professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. He has been married to Ellen R. Ehrlich since 1957. They have three children David, Elizabeth, and Paul, and nine grandchildren. They live ...

Myles Brand Myles Neil Brand (May 17, 1942 – September 16, 2009) was a philosopher and university administrator who served as the 14th president of the University of Oregon, the 16th president of Indiana University, and the fourth president of the Natio ...

and

Adam Herbert Adam William Herbert, Jr. (born December 1, 1943) is a United States retired academic administrator. He served as President of the University of North Florida from 1989 to 1998, as Chancellor of the State University System of Florida from 1998 t ...

. The university grew rapidly in enrollment, endowment, and reputation. Gros Louis set up the Office of Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Student Support Services in 1994, and the departments of Film, Jewish Studies and Afro-American Studies. He expanded the department of journalism into the School of Journalism.Costello, 2017.

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Further reading