8A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2005
HOMECOMING
Jayhawks' perspective changes over years
"Hi Mom, I'm a Jay hawk. I'm convinced that my mother still doesn't know what I need to learn to
doesn't know what I was trying to tell her on Traditions Night.
My road to becoming a KU student was an arduous one. It involved receiving letters from other schools and receiving insufficient financial aid. Finally, I received my scholarship offer and happily donned the crimson and blue. My KU alumnus uncle sent me a gift bag when he found out.
FRESHMAN PERSPECTIVE
I was very active in high school and wanted to continue to be involved in college.
The two-and-a-half months that I've been here have flown by; it's hard to imagine that the year is already one-fourth over. I've seen Carlos Mencia and Salman Rushdie at the Lied Center in the same week.
KELSEY HAYES
EDITOR@KANSAN.COM
At this early point in my college career, KU still means a lot of things. It's going to Yello Sub before hitting the Friday night movie at the Union. It's stepping on battered and rotten pears in front of Marvin Hall and wondering what the hell the Class of 1947 was thinking. It's saying I'm going home to Lewis rather than simply going back "to the dorm."
I know that as quickly as high school flew by, college is bound to be even faster. The last thing I want is to leave KU with regrets about not taking advantage of what I was offered.
We all have different definitions of time well-spent. In the end, what will matter most are people.
The atmosphere at KU is
almost overwhelming. Experiencing it for the first time as a student is a little like what I imagine regaining sight after twenty years of blindness might entail. There is so much going on that it's impossible to do everything — but you can try.
This week's Homecoming events surpassed my expectations greatly. I'm the kind of person that appreciates school spirit and abhors showmanship.
I believe that at no other time in our lives will we be in an environment that challenges us, nurtures us and encourages us to push ourselves to be our best, more than the years we'll spend at KU.
We'll never be this carefree, spontaneous and open-minded again. Embrace it.
Mom, we're all Jayhawks.
Hayes is a Lenexa freshman in journalism and political science
Last week I was at the Student Recreation Fitness Center when I saw a throng of people standing in the entrance. With name tags, parents nearby and plastic bags in hand, there was no question that these were visiting high school students.
SOPHOMORE PERSPECTIVE
The scene immediately transported me back two years when I stood in those very same shoes, eager to know how I might become a KU student.
I eventually chose the crimson and blue for a number of reasons. After comparing senior visits with other schools, my father and I felt the University left us with the best impression.
The beautiful campus, wonderful community and strong tradition helped strengthen my decision; I would become a lavhawk.
My hometown is small and, although the change in the number of my peers was a positive factor
BETSY PROFFITT
EDITOR@KANSAN.COM
behind my decision, attending a campus of more than 28,000 students after graduating with only 52 was quite intimidating.
This year, I'm enjoying the University more than ever because many first experiences have passed. I remember my first day of biology lecture last year. Sitting in a classroom with more students than my entire high school student body was initially overwhelming.
I recall the memorie of my first campus tour and am amazed by my changed perception of campus.
My freshman year has afforded me so many opportunities. I
finally have a sense of the University environment by creating my own experiences.
I've had my first taste of Lawrence nightlife, waited in line for my basketball tickets outside Allen Fieldhouse, sung the alma mater at Traditions Night and eaten my first slice of Wheel pizza.
I've written my first article for the Kansan and am no longer only visiting the house on Monday nights but am living in Kappa Kappa Gamma. I've taken final exams and waved the wheat following a victory.
This year I've realized as I've walked along Jayhawk Boulevard and seen hundreds of other students that I am one of them.
I no longer feel like an outsider looking in, but like part of the community.
Proffitt is a Lyons sophomore in journalism
You can find outstanding health care right here in Lawrence.
Former head football coach Don Fambrough knows a thing or two about what goes into a winning team. That's why he has always counted on Lawrence Memorial! Hospital for his health care needs.
"I have a great deal of confidence in the staff at LMH, from the doctors and nurses to the administrators and everyone else," he said. "To me, they're just like good coaches. They know what they're doing and they know how to do it."
When you need to find an outstanding health care team, take a close look at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. To learn more, log on to www.lmh.org.
The Right Care. Right Here. Right Now.
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