thursday, august 21, 2003
news
the university daily kansan 3/4
3A
HAWK Link recruitment strolls out with a stepping start
By Johanna M. Maska
jmaska@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
In a synchronized welcome, Delta Sigma Theta strolled onto the stage for a step show that emphasized educational development. As they danced and chanted, they reminded entering freshman women that the Delta sorority focus was on grade point average, community service and a solid moral standing.
The Deltas were one of more than 20 organizations that participated in yesterday afternoon's "Take Over the Beach," inviting students to learn about the University of Kansas' multicultural organizations. The event was one of two programs, the other being the Tuesday night "Block Party," also on Wescoe Beach. Together, they served as a dual-part introduction to HAWK Link, a freshman retention program run by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
"Failure is not an option," was the HAWK Link T-shirt motto. And an atmosphere of open invitation was the goal. Hundreds of students attended each of the two events.
The music was part of a casual social introduction to HAWK Link, Lase Ajayi, Lawrence senior and HAWK Link guide, said.
On Tuesday night at 9:45 p.m. sand and volleyball nets from a previous event were cleared and replaced with a sound system.
Members of Delta Sigma Theta sorority (from left) Alisa Lewis, East St. Louis, Ill., senior, Charlee Fits, Kansas City, Kan., senior, Jennifer Morrow, Kansas City, Kan., senior, Yana Delkah, Lawrence junior, Marina Buton, Topea senior, and Magan Pearson, Lawrence senior, perform their step routine in front of Wescoe Hall. The step show was part of Take Over the Beach yesterday, which focused attention on the University's multicultural organizations.
Eric Braem/Kansan
Decked out in an oversized cowboy hat, Ajayi said she was aiming to create a welcoming environment for entering students.
HAWK Link is a peer mentorship program targeted at students of a multicultural background, but open to all students, Ajayi said.
Among other things, HAWK Link provides training sessions dealing with new student issues such as filing FAFSA applications, living on your own, getting free tutoring through the Step Peer Mentoring and Tutoring and enrolling in a faculty mentor program.
Ajayi, along with other members of HAWK Link, has worked to call, e-mail and check in with entering students who chose to denote minority status on their application. Ajayi said social events like this were the way they targeted the general student population.
Ali Mallare, Leawood freshman, said she was at the Block Party because she wanted to go to all Hawk Week events. Thus far, Mallare said, her favorite was the Union Fest.
Nathan Navrat, Zach Schaug and Jared Scriven, all Newton freshman, walked up from McCollum Hall to check out Tuesday night's event. Although Navrat and Schaug were hesitant to dance, they enjoyed the welcome,they said.
"They do a pretty good job of giving students information and services they need," Scriven said.
LaPourchea McConico, Boner Springs freshman, was already enrolled in the HAWK Link pro
gram.
"I expect good tutors, great friends and support for my academic and future endeavors," McConico said while at the Block Party.
Link from friends who entered the University and had success in the program. She said she had already met her peer tutor and was excited about the upcoming year.
McConico heard about HAWK
— Edited by Katie Nelson
Chancellor's convocation address offers insight on University life
By Maggie Newcomer
mnewcomer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
A mostly freshmen crowd of 1,520 was surprised last night when Chancellor Robert Hemenway's Opening Convocation address wasn't a snoozer.
freshmen fraternity members and freshmen living in residence halls.
Mallory Gadell, St. Louis freshman, was required to attend the event with her sorority recruitment group. All freshmen women participating in recruitment had to attend along with
Gadell said she was pleasantly surprised by the Chancellor's light-hearted speech.
caused the picnic's cancellation.
"I thought coming here was worth it," she said.
This year's Opening Convocation at the Lied Center was the University of Kansas' '138th. The convocation was supposed to be preceded by the first-ever University Picnic outside the Lied Center, but triple-digit temperatures
The Lied Center was full long before the convocation began at 8 p.m. Restless students entertained themselves by doing the wave through the balconies.
Andy Knopp, student body president, was the first to address the audience. In his speech, he urged the University's new students to do their part in improving the University's ranking of ninth on Playboy's list of the nation's top-10 party schools.
"Is that really the best we can
do?" Knopp asked.
Hemenway tried to calm the nerves of college newcomers awaiting their first classes today.
"Everybody's cool right?" Hemenway said. "No fear."
The audience also got Hemeway's guide to life at the University. He said there were five experiences every KU student should
He blasted the commonly held belief that college is simply a waiting room of sorts for people 18 to 25 years of age about to enter the "real world."
have before graduation.
The first was the temptation to cheat in class. Hemenway advised against this.
Run-ins with drugs and alcohol were second. The Chancellor strongly discouraged the use of drugs. He also warned students about the risk of losing brain cells because of alcohol.
"They go, they're gone folks." Hemenway said. "I can testify."
The opportunity to interact with people of different racial backgrounds was next on the list.
The "lightbulb experience" is something every student should have at least once, Hemenway said, when a student's brain clicks with an algebra problem or biology experiment.
The one experience Hemenway guaranteed every student would have was understanding what it meant to be a Jayhawk.
He said being a Jayhawk meant being a part of something larger than yourself.
- Edited by JJ Hensley
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