Section A·Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, April 20, 1998
Visitors take plunge into annual Museum Day
Event entices adults, children to explore sea
By Sarah Hale and Seth Jones
Special to the Kansan
Possibly for the first time, a mermaid helped kick off the 18th Annual Museum Day, which attracted more than 500 people yesterday.
"Dive into KU Museums: Stories of the Sea" was this year's theme in celebration of the international year of the ocean. The Natural History Museum, Spencer Museum of Art, Anthropology Museum and Wilcox Classical Museum had treasure hunts, special exhibits and ocean creatures to honor the sea
"Most of the kids are scared of me," Kneib said. "The ancient mariners used to confuse manatees for mermaids. That's why they needed a mermaid: It's because of the new manatee exhibit," she said.
The history museum also had nine scientific divisions displaying specimens not usually available to visitors. From fossils to penguins, all were available for touching if the children were brave enough.
Kim Bostwick. New York graduate student, displayed a bird that sleeps while flying. The bird shuts down one hemisphere of its brain and operates with the other, she said.
Dressed as a blue mermaid, Kelley Kneib, Kansas City, Kan., junior, graced the steps of the history museum blowing bubbles to the kids who entered.
The anthropology museum showed how North American cultures used the ocean as a tool for survival. Kids could eat seaweed or make canoe paddles just like North Americans did hundreds of years ago.
"When I get home, I'm going to make pretend that it's a real paddle, but it's just a toy," she said. Sheridan's mother, Nancy Daniels, said that the family has visited Museum Day for about nine years.
Children also had the opportunity to become anthropologists by answering 10 questions about items within the exhibit.
Five-year-old Sheridan Daniels made a red and purple paddle with a fish on it.
The Spencer Museum of Art
offered an ocean scavenger hunt for prizes. Children searched for different art pieces and then answered questions.
Beth Huerter, membership director of the Natural History Museum, said she wished Museum Day could be every day.
The Wilcox Classical Museum did not see as many people as the other museums, but they still were happy.
"Since we're so small, we're not something that all the yellow buses stop at," said curator Betsy Banks. "But any little bit of publicity is a plus."
"I wish people could see the science aspect of the museum more often," she said. "This gives people the chance to see what really makes us tick."
Above left: Lisa Ball, New Braunfels, TX doctor student, shows bird specimens to museum visitors. Museum Day involved four museums around the KU campus. Photo by Roger Nomer/KANSAN
Above: Kelley Knieb, Kansas City, Kan., junior, greets visitors as a mermaid outside the Natural History Museum. Knieb handed out color books at the entrance of the museum. Photo by Roger Namer/KANSAN
Environmental celebrations begin with wetlands walk
By Graham K. Johnson gjohnson@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Earth Day is not until Wednesday, but some people could not wait to get out and experience nature.
The Baker Wetlands Field Day, which took place yesterday afternoon at 35th Street and Haskell Avenue, gave those curious about the local environment an opportunity to learn about it. The field day was sponsored by Baker University; Earth We Are, a Baker University student association; and the Jayhawk Audubon Society.
Roger Boyd, Baker professor of biology and wetlands manager, said the field day was part of a continuing effort to save the area from the proposed South Lawrence Trafficway.
"What we've discovered is that people will protect things that they've had personal contact with much more than if they have just read about it." Boyd said.
The event included a walk
"This is the only remains of the wetlands. There are probably 600 acres left."
Roger Boyd
Baker University professor of biology
through the wetlands and 19 educational stations. The stations were exhibits and information tables ranging from the ecological importance of the area to the processes of beekeeping. There also were events such as canoe rides.
Ann Jacobs, biologist with the Environmental Protection Agency, conducted one station. She emphasized the environmental benefits of wetlands, which are important because they protect water quality, she said.
Jacobs said plants and soil native to wetlands absorbed water in times of flooding.
Some communities, such as Columbia, Mo., have constructed artificial wetlands to purify water
before it returns to the rivers, she said.
Just down the path from Jacobs, Megan Miller, Lawrence graduate students, joined Damian Powell and Anthony Johnson-Powell at the beekeeping station.
Miller said that although they had visited the wetlands many times, they learned something new yesterday.
"There's hardly any poisonous snakes," said Johnson-Powell, a 7-year-old.
Boyd said that educational value was one of the most important reasons for protecting the Baker wetlands.
The wetlands also are important because they are home to rare species of animals, such as the Northern Grayfish Frog, which was recently on the endangered species list, Boyd said.
Despite their importance, the wetlands are in danger of becoming extinct. Boyd said.
"This is the only remains of the wetlands," Boyd said, "There are probably 600 acres left. Historically, there were 16,000."
By Carl Kaminski
Alumni events crown fraternity's 75th year
ckaminski@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity celebrated 75 years at the University of Kansas this weekend.
The fraternity held a barbecue from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at its house at 1645 Tennessee St. The fraternity also sponsored a pub crawl in Lawrence from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Brian Roberts, Overland Park junior and chapter president, said that about 200 KU Sigma Phi Epsilon alumni and their families participated. Alumni from all decades came, even some who graduated in the 1930s, he said.
"There were always a good 100 people there," he said. "It was interesting to see some of the people and talk to the alums."
Roberts said he was surprised to hear how little the fraternity had changed during the years.
During the barbecue, the house was open to the alumni. Many alumni had not seen the house since they graduated from the University, Roberts said.
Saturday morning, the fraternity hosted a golf tournament at Alvamar Golf and Country Club. About 50 alums and chapter members participated.
The fraternity also sponsored two bus tours. One tour featured historical Lawrence and visited the grave of James Naismith. The other bus toured campus.
Alumni, chapter members and prospective members attended a banquet Saturday night at the Holiday Inn Holidome, 200 McDonald Dr., said Jayme Uden, anniversary committee member and Overland Park freshman.
During the banquet, the award for most outstanding alumnus was presented to Bob Hopkins. During his acceptance speech, Hopkins spoke about a time he and a few other fraternity brothers were arrested for attempting to steal the Kansas State Wildcat.
The banquet also included swing music performed by the Dave Stevens Band and a video, assembled by John Mondi, a Sigma Phi Epsilon alumnus.
The video chronicle the history of the KU chapter and featured interviews with members from different eras. The anniversary events will be added to the video, Uden said.
Proceeds from the sale of the video will pay for production costs and shipping and handling. The money also will help reimburse the chapter for the weekend's events. The total cost of the weekend came to $26,000, Uden said.
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