Staff Spotlight: Le-Thu Erazmus Campbell
From Baby Jay to Beloved Staff Member
This month the College spotlights Le-Thu Erazmus Campbell, Office Manager and Course Scheduling & Undergraduate Officer in Anthropology. Le-Thu has a rich history at the University of Kansas, including a stint as Baby Jay!
Le-Thu Erazmus Campbell
Office Manager | Course Scheduling & Undergraduate Officer
Department of Anthropology
B.S.E. Health Education & Community Health
M.S.E. Health Education & Community Health
Q: Tell us a bit about your background and why you decided to attend KU.
A: Born in Da Nang, South Vietnam, I was in a Catholic orphanage, then adopted and came to Lawrence, KS in 1966. I am one of five adopted children of Edward and Dorothy Erazmus. My father was a professor in the Applied English Department. He came to KU in 1963 from the University of Michigan to start up this new department at KU. I ran around campus with my dad as a kid, so KU was the only school I considered.
Q: What is your favorite memory from your time at KU?
A: Oh my gosh, so many wonderful memories! Being a Baby Jay mascot for six years (1993 to 1999) – long enough to be called Geriatric Jay, the 100 Years of Basketball celebration, being awarded employee of the month, meeting Wilt Chamberlain when he had his jersey retired, getting to know all the Chancellor’s during my time at KU, doing the Wheat State Whirlwind tours, participating in Staff Senate, and meeting all kinds of wonderful people along my journey.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your time as a student at KU.
A: I graduated from a small, rural high school with 72 in my graduating class. I came to KU feeling overwhelmed with large lecture classes for intro courses in math, science, etc. In my English 101 class, the instructor couldn't pronounce my name and asked if I had worked with the Applied English Center for English for my language proficiency. Unfortunately, he had never heard me talk, just assumed and told me what I needed to do. My dad at the time was the Director of the AEC, and he wasn't happy.
I ended up leaving KU in fall 1982 and pursuing other things. I came back to Lawrence in the summer of 1990 and started taking classes part-time that fall. The summer of 1993, I saw a flier for mascot tryouts, and thought this would be something I could do since I had been a cheerleader in high school. I was 30 years old when I tried out for Baby Jay. There were more than 60 students trying out for Baby Jay! There were three returning Baby Jays trying out, which meant only one spot was ‘open’ since we all knew the returning Baby Jays would most likely get their spot back on the squad. When I found out I was the only new member of the Baby Jay team, I was so excited. I told my folks that I had just landed the KU ambassador job of Baby Jay. All my mother could say is ‘Why would you want to do that? Being a mascot is for young people!’ I told mom, it’s not the age that matters, it’s what I was willing to do - put in the time, creativity - to be the best Baby Jay mascot ever.
It took me longer to complete my degrees since you have to be a student to be on the spirit squad. My plate was full as I worked part-time on campus, attended classes, had mascot practices and coaching duties. I did not have a ‘social life’ outside of the spirit squad. That WAS my life – which I loved!
Q: What was the best and worst thing about being Baby Jay?
A: The Best:
The best thing was being able to interact with the players and coaches – stretching out with Paul Pierce in the middle of the KU basketball court, shining Coach Roy Williams shoes with my red rally towel, and giving him a shoulder massage before each home game.
Traveling with the football and basketball teams was so much fun. The players LOVED Baby Jay. Coach Williams was always looking out for the KU mascots. After KU won the Maui Classic, the players started slapping Baby Jay’s beak, causing my head to bounce up and down. Coach Williams told the players – ‘Be careful guys, there’s a girl in there!’
A: The Worst:
When someone would get sick in the costume or wearing the costume after someone had worn it the whole first half of a football game. The costume stunk, and the sweat soaked through the entire costume. Back then, we only had one costume for each Baby Jay and Big Jay to share. You always wanted to do the first half!
Q: Tell us about your career journey.
A: I always wanted to work in academia. However, I did not want to teach. During my undergrad years, I started working part-time working as a keyboard operator for the School of Social Welfare. I have worked a variety of positions on the KU Lawrence campus: speech-language-hearing, TRIO, School of Business, and a 7-year stint at KUMC working in Preventive Medicine as a program manager. In 2011, I started working in my current position in anthropology. I have been with KU 33+ years.
Q: What has remained true about KU over all the years?
A: People are passionate about KU whether it’s sports, research, teaching, and love to get involved (organizations, clubs, volunteering, community service, etc.).
Q: Best thing about working at KU?
A: I get to see undergraduate and graduate students be successful in the classroom and in their research. I also am blessed to work in a department that supports each other’s views and contributions at work.
Q: If money didn’t matter, what would your job be?
A: I'd be a world traveler – listening to other people’s stories and journeys. I'd return to Da Nang to see if I have any family still living.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: Pampering and walking my 15-year-old, 3.5 lb. Morkie (half Maltese and half Yorkie), Bella. Spending time with family, traveling, listening to music, eating delicious food (my husband and I are foodies), reading, and watching TV. And, of course, watching college and professional mascots on TV.
Q: Dream dinner party guests?
A: Martin Luther King, Oprah, Taylor Swift (and of course Travis Kelce has to be there!), Robin Williams, Stephen Colbert, Gilda Radner, Tina Fey, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Presley, and Magic Johnson. Mostly the funny and musically talented folks. Humor and good music go hand in hand.
A Lifetime of Rock Chalk
Le-Thu l’s journey – from a young girl adopted from Vietnam to a key administrative pillar in the Anthropology Department and, of course, a beloved Baby Jay – is a phenomenal story of dedication to the University of Kansas. Thank you, Le-Thu, for your decades of service and for sharing your amazing stories!