2B the university daily kansan
friday, October 17, 2003
CONTENTS
homecoming
Being a fourth-generation Jayhawk has its quirks For instance, I don't know if the rest of your families break into the rock chalk chant before Thanksgiving dinner, but in my family, it's an expectation, a duty.
Although the homecoming special section traditionally covers homecoming events, this year, the focus is its theme; "Jayhawk Generations: Bringing Back
the Classics." The staff roped off KU history into intravals including overviews, interesting dates and insights into specific stories. Read this section as a jumping-off point, a mere introduction.
For me, the section has given a better understanding of my quirky family and KU tradition. Learning more about the origins of the rock chalk chant (page 4) and knowing that the generations that came before me embraced it as well, will enhance my time here. So this year, Mom, I promise not to roll my eyes the at next Thanksgiving's dinner. "Rock chalk, Jayhawk, KU."
Archives house University history memorabilia spans nearly 150 years
Kit Leffter/Kansan
Bill Crowe, Spencer librarian, and Becky Schulte, university archivist, displayed the Board of Regents minutes from March 1865 in the Spencer Research Library.
By Cal Creek
correspondent@kansan.com
Kansan correspondent
The history of the University of Kansas and much of the rest of the state resides in a simple square building behind Strong Hall. No, not the small parking garage. The Spencer Research Library, home of the University Archives.
Bill Crowe, Spencer librarian, said the archives served one purpose: preservation for access. The staff of the archives preserves all University business documents, student records, chancellors' papers and alumni and faculty's publications for access by current students and faculty.
Crowe and Becky Schulte, University archivist, don't like the word "dusty," at least not when it comes to their work. They prefer to think of the archives as a place of human records where today's generations can connect with those of the past.
Crowe said many people became emotional when they searched for information about family members who attended the University. Crowe remembered a professor from South Dakota who found a lot of information about a deceased uncle. The information revealed the professor's
"People come back alive," Crowe said. "We get you as close as possible to that voice."
"People come back alive. We get you as close as possible to that voice."
uncle was student body vice president and a football player.
As University archivist, Schulte helps students and faculty navigate 2.5 million pictures,
"Suddenly this man who was dead before 1940 was alive," Crowe said.
Bill Crowe Spencer librarian
450,000 rare books,
hundreds of video and audio tapes and documents written in cuneiform and on papyrus.
family for Schulte. Her uncle, John Nugent, was the first University archivist when the archives were established in 1968.
Schulte also catalogues new items the Library receives to be preserved.
Archival work runs in the
Schulte said many students were hesitant or afraid to touch some of the documents in the collection.
"It's here to be used," Schulte said.
Some of the more interesting research items available are: hand-written minutes from the meetings of the Board of Regents dating back to 1865, a first edition of Charles Darwin's Evolution of the Species, audio recordings of Langston Hughes, and documents that belonged to Paul Wilson and Elisha Scott's opposing attorneys in the Brown v. Topeka Board of Education case.
recently the archives staff has taken steps to move into the digital age. The staff has begun a three-step process which will convert its card catalog system, finding aids and some raw material into online data.
There is no browsing allowed at the archives, but the staff will help anyone find the materials sought, provided the visitor follow the rules and regulations established to preserve the documents.
The University Archives are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m.Saturdays.
Fifth-generation Jayhawk following family's tradition of spirit, excellence
— Edited by Andy Marso
By Kelly Hollowell correspondent@kansan.com Kansan correspondent
Few people can claim the lineage that Else Levy can.
The Overland Park freshman is a fifth generation Jayhawk and was presented on Traditions Night of Hawk Week to the student body at the Lied Center.
Elise Levy, Overland Park freshman, stood in front of her great-great-great-grandfather's bust in Strong Hall. Levy, a fifth-generation Jayhawk, grew up surrounded by University of Kansas traditions and stories.
The Levy family's list of alumni seems endless. Some of the most prominent in the University of Kansas' history include her great-great-great grandfather who was on the founding board to start the University. Another great-great-great-grandfather, Professor David Robinson, can be found in bustform in Strong Hall.
Jared Soares/Kansan
Elise is studying journalism and is a new member of Gamma Phi Beta, the same sorority that her mother and three aunts were involved with.
Levy said she thought the University lived up to everything she had heard from her family.
"My grandpa still tells us stories about himself in college," she said.
Levy hails from a household that truly appreciates the University's traditions. Her family attended many football and basketball games as she was growing up. Levy remembered loving to wear her Jayhawk cheerleading outfit to the games. University spirit was always around her.
"My mom would even sing the alma mater at night when I was
going to sleep," Levy said. "She says it worked because I came to KU."
Her mother, Alice Levy, said she was excited to see the University's traditions live on through her daughter. She encouraged her daughter to keep her options open and look at other universities, but deep down she said she would have been disappointed had Elise chosen another school.
"I feel a sense of tremendous pride for KU," she said. "It's so
beautiful and has so much history that surrounds you."
The family shows this pride in other parts of the country as well as in Kansas. The family's boat in Connecticut is named the Jayhawk.
Elise and her mother agreed that student life was similar to what it was like when her mother was a student. Her mother laughed when she heard of a recent streaking incident on campus.
Although many things are the
same, Alice Levy does notice some changes.
"We hitchhiked to get to campus," she said. "I don't think any girls would do that now."
Elise Levy said she thought briefly about going to another university but was happy with her decision to become a Jayhawk.
"I feel so at home and comfortable," she said.
Edited by Michael Owells