University Daily Kansan, May 7, 1985
CAMPUS AND AREA
Page 3
Commencement traditions endure test of time
By KEVIN LEATHERS Staff Reporter
Ceremonies conjure up thoughts of history and tradition. Weddings, birthdays and anniversaries all have their own traditions KU's graduation ceremony is no different.
On May 19, the University of Kansas will have its 113th commencement ceremony in 119 years of existence.
The first commencement was in 1873, when four students received diplomas on the front lawn of the newly built administration building, Fraser Hall. This year, more than 3,500 people will walk down the hill in one of the school's largest graduation ceremonies.
The faces change every year, but the regalia and many of the traditions stay the same. Caps and gowns are the most traditional mace and collar, symbols of authority.
UNIVERSITIES around the world have their own mace and collar. KU's mace is a staff made from a piece of wood taken from the
journey of old Fraser Hall and 10 pieces of silver, representing the 10 schools that existed when the mace was designed during the University's centennial. The ceremonial collar, the chancellor, also is made of silver
But the regalia hasn't always been there. Although the use of gowns and ceremonial dress for academic gatherings dates back to as early as 1321, the university has already faculty for all students, faculty members and administrators until 1925.
Until 1897, graduates wore street clothes to commencement. The chancellor and vice president of the University wore street clothes until 1906, a year after the coronation as president of the university in 1925. A petition by some unhappy students pressured faculty members into wearing gowns.
ONE TRADITION that no longer is part of graduation is the smoking of the peace pipe, which was done by all faculty members and graduates to symbolize the burying of the hatchet between faculty members and students as well as between competing professional schools.
The oldest of all traditions, which lasted until 1950, was the planting of the vine, initiated by one of KU's first four graduates, Murray Harris. He thought that if every future graduate also planted a vine, the campus soon would be one of the most beautiful in the country.
Two other traditions that started during the first 50 years, such as class yells and formal goodbyes to buildings, have vanished. These traditions, said Raymond Nichols, chancellor eremitus and a commemorator since 1922, were appreciated only by graduates of the more romantic past.
The changing times, Nichols said, have prompted a move away from tradition and toward practicality.
"The traditions that were cherished in my day are no longer around, and they haven't been replaced," he said. "This generation of graduates are, however, established." We just have to realize that the times, and the number of students, are changing."
Graduates' paths made easier
By MICHELLE T. JOHNSON Staff Reporter
One foot in front of the other - it will seem so easy to this year's graduates.
But the organizers of Commencement 1985 started their walk down the Hill months ago. They wore the ceremony meticulously.
"It has to work," said Steve Grabow, the commencement committee and professor of architecture and urban design. "You can't get 3,000 students to the stadium to practice."
But at least graduates don't have to worry about the ceremony. A University committee handles preparing for a smooth graduation.
"I'm always stunned that it actually comes across," said Grabow. "For most students it's the culmination of their years at SJ and hopefully they have on graduation night is the one they have with them when they leave the University."
About 15 people serve on the commencement committee, Grabow said, including representatives from University Relations, the KU Police Department, the office of the chancellor, the office of business affairs, the Kansas Union, the office of student life, parking services and the University of Kansas Alumni Association Students also serve on the committee.
GRMROW SAID the ceremony would cost an average of $1.50 for each of the 20,000 people expected to attend ~ or about $45,000.
The committee meets about a month after each graduation ceremony to discuss how the ceremony and the preparation could be improved or modified for the next graduation.
DESPITE ALL the work and coordination by the committee to plan the events, most committee members cross their fingers on graduation day and hope nothing goes wrong.
Grabow said two graduation ceremonies were planned, one at Memorial Stadium and one at Allen Field House, in case of bad
weather. A separate graduation in Hoch Auditorium for the graduates of the College of Health Sciences also will be held.
Station Muckey, assistant director of maintenance, said about 30 to 40 people from the department of facilities operations would be on hand for graduation day.
Setting up for graduation usually takes about four days, Muckey said, and cleaning up afterward usually takes about three days.
Three stages have to be built for graduation ceremonies; one on the north end of the bowl at the stadium, one in Allen Field House and one in耳鼻喉 Auditorium for the graduation ceremony.
Providing a memorable day for the graduates, their families and friends requires a whirl of arrangements, Gabaw said.
Among other things, the committee must make sure ambulances are present during the ceremony, see that ushers are trained, provide flowers and musicians, operation concussion stands and distribute caps, gowns and diplomas.
university Archives photo
Members of the class of 1928 smoke a peace pipe, a tradition that all faculty members and graduating seniors used to perform to symbolize the burying of the hatchet between faculty and students.
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