THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012
PAGE 15
MEMORIES
Seniors recall favorite University memories
AVALON COLE
acole@kansan.com
As the end of the year comes closer seniors are getting ready to take the final step in their college career: graduation. This is an emotional time for students who realize this era of life is ending and another is about to begin.
"It was worth the wait because we got second row seats and experienced the action first hand." Morello said. "We got on ESPN every two minutes and I felt famous."
Tony Morello, a senior from Overland Park, said his time at the University went by too fast. Morello said one of the best experiences he's had was camping outside overnight at Allen Fieldhouse for the game against K-State.
Morello said he knew that night that he went to the best
school in the nation. He said win or lose KU's school spirit is like nothing else in the country.
Kevin jackson, a senior from St. Louis, said one of his favorite pastimes at KU has been tailgating by the stadium for football games.
"I love being outside and going from house to house cheering for KU" Jackson said.
He said tailgating is something both students and alumni bond over and that he looked forward to visiting with old friends every game. Even though Jackson is sad to leave he looks forward to coming back to tailgate as a KU graduate.
"I love getting together with family and friends and grilling out." Jackson said. "We always have a great time messing around outside and socializing."
Ashley Deluca, a senior from Leawood, said one of her favorite memories about KU is going
to Dempsey's every Tuesday with her friends.
"My favorite thing about Demsey's are the hamburgers, they are absolutely amazing." Deluca said.
Deluca said there are so many great places to go in Lawrence but those Tuesday nights at Dempsey's are something she will never forget.
"You just connect with some places more than others." Deluca said. "I had some of the best nights just hanging out at the bar with my friends."
KU is one of the best schools in the nation to be and although seniors are ready to graduate there are many great experiences that will be missed.
"KU has given me so many memories and great stories." Deluca said. "KU will always be my home."
- Edited by Kayla Banzet
CAREERS
Students start their future after University years
ANNA WENNER
awenner@kansan.com
Life changes fast.
Almost in an instant, graduating seniors will cease to be students and start to be something else, somewhere else.
Some will be professionals living in Los Angeles, Chicago or rural Kansas. Others have found a life for themselves in Lawrence, for now, or will go back to school again. Some seniors will decide to continue their education by going to graduate school to help their chances of job placement after school.
Gates said he felt his last four years have gone really fast.
"I decided I didn't want to go to medical school anymore and I know I'll eventually get paid more if I go to grad school," said Michael Gates, a senior from Coffeyville. "Plus it's more fun to go to school than working all the time and I've learned all the basics for my major and area of study, which will help because I want to be a GTA."
"I look forward most to having my degree," he added.
Some seniors have also decided to remain at their current jobs and will use their education later on. Jori Krenzel, a senior from Chanute, enjoys her work as florist.
"Technically I'm already doing what I want to do for my career," Krenzel said. "But my education from here will help if I ever decide to get a different job. These last four years have gone really fast."
Other seniors have decided to enter the work force after school. One example is Tyler Wayne, a senior from Kansas City.
"I'm going for an analyst job in Chicago," he said. "I really want to be a DJ but I need financial backing for what all I want to do so this will help. I've enjoyed the last four years but I'm ready for a change and I most look forward to the extra time I will have."
Matt Mendelsohn, who plans on taking a job for the clothing company Pink Dolphin in his hometown of Westchester, near Los Angeles.
"They offered me a paid internship and I plan on starting my own clothing company someday," he said. "The life lessons and experiences I've had living here in the Midwest for the last four years will help me.
Mendelsohn also added what he looks forward to most about graduating.
"I took forward to getting back to the nice weather in L.A." he said.
Another senior who's choosing this route is Rachel Mulford, a senior from Lawrence. She plans on helping her dad's business as a bookkeeper and later seeking a similar job.
TRADITIONS
"Even when I was younger, that was always kind of my passion there was never really any other option," she said. "I basically went to school to find out what I really wanted to do, and what I've done here will help when I'm interacting with people and dealing with others along with my lessons from my teachers."
So whether graduation is a happy or stressful time for seniors, they can be sure to find success in whatever they decide to do and leave KU with valuable lessons and experiences.
Graduation ceremony part of Kansas tradition
Edited by Ian Cummings
editor@kansan.com
STELLA LIANG editor@kansan.com
From the moment that they step on campus, University students are immersed into century-old traditions like the "Rock Chalk" chant and Waving the Wheat. There are a few traditions, though, that are less visible but just as special. One of the most anticipated traditions is to walk through the campanile and down the hill to Memorial Stadium for the commencement ceremony.
"I'm looking forward to walk
ing down the hill with my friends," said Julia Bernard, a senior from Lawrence. "I've been watching others walk down the hill since I was a kid, and I can't believe it's finally my turn."
According to a University news release, the first commencement ceremony took place in 1873 with four graduates, and students have been a part of a graduation process since 1907. Back then, they would walk from Fraser to Robinson Gymnasium, or where Wescoe is now. In 1923, the graduation ceremony was held in a
tent because there wasn't a building that was large enough to accommodate everyone, but when Memorial Stadium was built in 1924, the procession was moved there. The class of 1950 started the tradition of walking through the campanile even though it wasn't finished until the following year.
Etter Hoang, an alumnus from Wichita, said that he understood the significance of walking down the hill on graduation day.
"[My favorite tradition] was]
probably walking through cam-
panile and emerging to cameras flashing like you're someone special." Hoang said.
Bernard grew up familiar with the hype that surrounds the graduation tradition, and that makes it even more special for her.
"I've been watching the ceremony since I was a little girl," Bernard said. "So I truly feel like I've been waiting for it for over 20 years."
Edited by Taylor Lewis
Graduation Ceremony History
1873 — First KU commencement
1923 — Ceremony held in tent
1924 — Ceremony moved to Memorial Stadium
1950 The class of 1950 started walking through the campanile
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