Ackers, Deane Emmett, 1893-1966

Deane Ackers was born September 22, 1893, in Abilene, Kansas. He attended schools in Abilene, where he was a classmate of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Ackers enrolled at the University of Kansas in 1912, interrupting his studies in 1916 to work as assistant engineer for construction of a new concrete arch bridge across the Kansas River at Lawrence. He graduated from KU in 1917 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in civil engineering and enlisted in the Army. From 1917-1919, he served in World War I and was a member of the 16th Infantry of the American Expeditionary Forces' First Division. For bravery in combat, Ackers was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre.

In 1920, Ackers joined the United Power & Light Corporation, which later became the Kansas Power and Light Company. In 1934, he was named president and director of the Kansas Power and Light Company, and from 1956-1966 served as its chairman of the board. From 1941 to 1949, Ackers also served as president and director of the North American Light & Power Company and was a director of the Northern Natural Gas Company, the Missouri Power & Light Company, the Blue River Power Company, the McPherson Oil & Gas Development Company, and the Kewanee Public Service Company.

Among his many service activities within the state, Ackers served as chairman of the Kansas Emergency Relief Administration, president and director of the Kansas Free Fair Association, chairman and commissioner of the Kansas Industrial Development Commission, chairman of the State of Kansas Crusade for Freedom, and as vice president and trustee of the Menninger Foundation of Topeka. He also served as director of the National Association of Electric Companies and of the Edison Electric Institute. Ackers received the KU Alumni Association's distinguished service citation in 1948 and received the KU Chapter of Sigma Tau's meritorious service award in 1954. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Washburn University of Topeka in 1962.

Deane Ackers died on April 18, 1966. A bequest from Deane Ackers and his wife, Vinnie Drake Ackers, endowed three professorships in KU's School of Engineering, which has since 1971 named scholars and teachers to Deane E. Ackers Distinguished Professorships.

From the guide to the Deane Emmet Ackers papers, 1912-1966, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)