Delbert Shankel came to the University of Kansas in 1959 as a professor of microbiology and later held a variety of administrative positions in addition to teaching duties, including serving twice as Chancellor of the university. Shankel's personal papers include correspondence, committee meeting information, speech materials, articles, and reviews.

This collection is comprised of the records of the Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of Kansas, which also serves as the Provost, and is the second in authority after the Chancellor of the University.