Section A · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, June 9, 1999
Graduation
Graduates face future at turn of the century
1. 一杯牛奶，一片面包
Continued from page 1A
Hemenway said that he felt especially close to this year's graduating class because he came to the University four years ago, when many of the graduates were freshmen.
Hemenway made reference to the traditional mortar board caps worn by graduates, saying, "How did we get you to buy those funny-looking hats?"
"For some of you, walking down that hill was a relatively easy task," he said. "These four years have been a steady march, a series of goals met, one foot ahead of the other. For others there have been stumbles and stutter steps, many obstacles, some financial, some personal, some academic. Some of you even took detours — detrous into marriage, into parenthood, into full-time employment — to earn enough to re-enroll. One thing that we all know, nobody walked down that hill alone. Friends and family walked with you."
On a serious note, he asked graduates to think about what
hats they would be wearing in the near future. Quoting Semisonic's hit song "Closing Time," Hemenway said, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
After all the degrees had been conferred, the graduates enthusiastically tossed their "funny-looking hats" into the air. In a final display of school spirit, the crowd joined together for "Crimson and the Blue," "The Rock Chalk Chant" and "I'm a Jayhawk."
Graduates then streamed out of the stadium. Some said they had jobs already lined up. Others were uncertain about what the future would hold.
Clay Greeson, a Liberal biology graduate, said he wasn't sure what he was going to do.
"But I'm ready to be done," he said. "I've been ready for a long time."
Top:Professor Robert Anderson gives the graduates some final guidance as he directs traffic on the field.
Another line from Semisonic's song echoed the graduate's challenge: "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here."
Edited by Chad Bettes
Or maybe you can. There's always graduate school.
Left: Many graduates use their caps to express thanks or their plans for the future.
Right: The force is with students as they celebrate both commencement and the opening of the next Star Wars movie.
Photos by RogerNomer/Kansan
Above left: Friends and family of graduates wait on the other side of the Camponile as the traditional procession passes underneath.
Above right: Brent Hanson visits with his sons Colton, 6,and Jace,4, after the commencement ceremonies.
Right:Martha Dodge Nichols, class of 1936, stands and receives recognition for her citation for distinguished service from the University and Alumni Association. Nichols received the award for her devotion to the fine arts in Kansas and at KU.