Robert Khayat

Robert Conrad Khayat (born April 18, 1938) was the 15th Chancellor of the University of Mississippi. He was appointed in 1995. Khayat, a former student of the University of Mississippi, is the only Chancellor of the university to be a member of the Student Hall of Fame there. He has B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Mississippi and a LL.M. degree from Yale University.
He was born in Moss Point, Mississippi. His brother is Ed Khayat, former NFL defensive lineman and Philadelphia Eagles head coach.
Professional football career.
Khayat was born in Moss Point, Mississippi, to Lebanese parents. He played American football in the National Football League from 1960 to 1963. Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1960 along with Ole Miss teammates Bobby Franklin and Johnny Brewer, Khayat never played for the Browns. He was packaged with offensive tackle Fran O'Brien in an April 1960 trade with the Washington Redskins for running back/placekicker Sam Baker. Khayat played for Washington through 1963, primarily as a placekicker. He was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 1960.
University of Mississippi chancellor.
In one of his first acts as chancellor, Dr. Khayat arranged for a $5.4 million gift from Jim and Sally Barksdale to establish an honors college at the university. In 1996, with enrollment declining, Chancellor Khayat retained the public relations firm, Burson-Marsteller, to conduct a survey of public perception — including university symbols. When The New York Times reported on the review, which included the Confederate Flag and other Old South symbols, a media frenzy ensued.
On January 6, 2009, Dr. Khayat announced his retirement effective June 30, 2009. He was succeeded by Dr. Daniel "Dan" Jones on June 15, 2009.
Chancellor Khayat's memoir, The Education of a Lifetime, was published on September 10, 2013.