Section B- Page 1
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, May 10, 1999
The Campanile, as seen from Walnut Grove by Potter's Lake, lights up the campus at night. On May 23rd, about 4,000 graduates are expected to take the traditional walk down Campanile Hill and into Memorial Stadium for Commencement. Photo by Dan Elvasky/KANSAN
Ceremony steeped in tradition symbolism
By Doug Pacey Special to the Kansan
Tradition will be alive and well during graduation this year with events such as walking
University of Kansas students have been taking the walk since 1924, when the first class of graduates walked down the Hill for the commencement ceremony. Although students did not walk through the Campanile until its dedication in 1951, the walk down the Hill was still a rite of passage.
down Campanile Hill and eating lunch with the chancellor.
"When you take the walk down the Hill, it symbolizes the end of a journey," said Steve Hacklman, Overland Park senior. "It's part of tradition."
Legend has it that if a student walks through the Campanile before commencement day, that person will not graduate from KU. Though University officials do not have proof of this on record, many underclassmen are not willing to risk it.
"If there is some legend that says I might not graduate if I walk through something, you can be sure that I won't do it," said Brian Hughes, Great Bend freshman. "You can't mess with tradition and things like that."
In past years, the walk down the Hill has taken graduates more than two hours. However, that amount of time has been cut to 30 minutes in recent years. The change started in 1995 when the traditions committee suggested that the graduates walk in two lines down the Hill instead of one. The reason the committee decided to quicken the pace of the ceremony was because the heat in mid-May caused some observers to suffer from heat exhaustion.
Even though to speed of the walk has increased, there is plenty of opportunity for fun. Groups of graduates still carry canoes and other odd items down the Hill.
Another tradition at KU is not having a commencement speaker.
"If we had a former president or secretary of state here, all of the focus would be on them and not the students," said Jeff Weinberg, assistant to the chancellor.
The newest tradition at the University was started last year by Chancellor Robert Hemenway and his wife, Leah. They open their house to all graduates and their guests for a commencement day luncheon.
COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION
Ceremonies will begin May 23 at 2:30
n. m. and end at 4:15 p.m.
Busy weekend approaches for May graduates
Medical Center graduates can get their diplomas or certificates at the student records office at the KU Medical Center after May 19.
Photo identification is required to pick up all diplomas.
- Graduates can pick up their diplomas at 1213 Stron Hall after June 9.
A commencement day lunch will be held at Chancellor Robert Hemenway's residence, The Outlook, 1532 Lilac Lane, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Graduates should assemble about 2
at 12:1 strong Hall after June 9.
p. m.on Memorial Drive near Campanile
By Doug Pacey Special to the Kansan
On May 23, graduates of the University of Kansas will bid farewell to the University and Lawrence with a turning of the tassel at the commencement ceremony.
Commencement will begin at 2:30 p.m. and conclude at 4:15 p.m. Though the ceremony itself is less than two hours long, awards and recognition ceremonies brunches, lunches, dinners, receptions, initiation ceremonies and hoodings for the degree candidates are planned for the weekend.
A commencement day lunch will be held at Chancellor Robert Hemenway's House, The Outlook, 1532 Lilac Lane, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A brief program including the Chancellor's Awards, the presentation of the Class of 1999's gift and banner, and recognition of honorary class members will begin at 11:30 a.m. The lunch is open only to graduates and their guests.
"This is a new tradition that the Chancellor and his wife have started," Jeff Weinberg, assistant to the Chancellor, said. "The
luncheon began last year and will become a tradition."
Graduates will assemble on Memorial Drive near the Campanile at 2 p.m. to prepare for their walk down the Hill into Memorial Stadium for the commencement ceremony.
One difference from last year that will affect the family and friends in attendance is the lack of seating in Memorial Stadium. Because it is being renovated, people will not be allowed to sit on the west side of the stadium. Graduates still will be seated in the
In the event of rain on commencement day, an announcement will be made at noon regarding the status of the ceremony or specifications for a postponed ceremony. Announcements will be made through the KU Information Center and on local radio stations.
north bowl section, but all guests will sit on the east side.
"Rain wouldn't be the greatest," said Chuck Henderson, Overland Park senior. "But I'd just bring and umbrella. I think it would affect the parents and friends more than the graduates."
0
1