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Alumni reunite to celebrate memories of years at Kansas
By Jaime L. Mann
Special to the Kansan
It has been years since they were students at the University of Kansas, but alumni still feel the Jayhawk spirit when they return for Homecoming Day.
Robert Boyer, 1958 KU graduate and Kingman physician, is one of more than 100 KU alumni who is planning to attend his 40th reunion at homecoming this year. He said visiting the University makes him remember all the experiences he had here.
"Reunions are especially important to me as they bring back memories of people, whether they are there or not," he said. "I can still remember sitting with a friend of mine studying on the Hill below the Campanile some 40 years ago."
In the late 1950's, Burton W. Martin was the dean at the University, Earth Angel and The Hop were hits, drive-ins were the places to take a date and Elvis Presley graced the covers of popular magazines.
Donna Neuner, director of membership services of the Adams Alumni Center said reunions were a great way to keep lasting relationships with KU alumni.
"The class reunion program is one of several programs that the alumni association conducts," she said. "The
"Reunions are especially important to me as they bring back memories of people, whether they are there or not."
Robert Boyer
1958 graduate
alumni who come back have a wonderful time together. Oftentimes, they write letters to us to express their feelings of appreciation."
The weekend-long reunion will start at 6:30 p.m. today at the Adams Alumni Center with a social gathering and dinner. Alumni will also attend the KU parade and football game together.
Eugene "Gene" Paris,1958 KU graduate and Overland Park resident,said he loved reunions.
"I get a nostalgic feeling as I walk across campus again," he said. "I am really looking forward to seeingsome of the friends I made some 40 years earlier."
According to Neuner, the reunion should attract between 100 and 150 guests.
Some KU students of the class of 1998 said they hoped there would be
reunions for them 40 years from now.
Sarah Scherwinski, 1998 KU graduate, said reunions were magical.
"There is something about class reunions that are so special," she said. "You get the opportunity to travel back in time. The reunion reminds you of a place or environment that means a lot to you and still does. It's as if you are traveling in a time machine. Your age is different, but the structures are all the same. It is quite surreal."
Kelly Leyden, also a 1998 KU graduate, said she would always be a Jayhawk in spirit.
spirit.
"KU has a special place in my heart," she said. "I will always have a spirit for this school. It is wonderful to have been a part of such strong tradition."
The class of 1958 reunion marks the class's second reunion in 40 years. The first reunion was 25 years after graduation.
The class of 1966 helped fund the mosaic wall in Robinson Center's natatorium. Photo courtesy of University Archives
CLASS GIFTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
dugouts and score board
1950: $3,795.43 donated for a Campus Information Booth on Jayhawk Boulevard
1956: $2,500 donated for a bronze statue of a Jayhawk, now located in front of Strong Hall
1961: $2,000 donated to Spencer Museum of Art for Seymour Lipton's "The Avenger" sculpture
1960: $2,500 donated to Quigley Baseball Field for
1962: $5,500 donated for a campus map display board located in the Kansas Union
1964: $3,400 donated for purchase of rare books and manuscripts for Watson Library
1966: $4,500 donated for Jayhawk mosaic tile work for natatorium wall in Robinson Center
1985: $1,395 donated for enlargement of HOPE award
Friday, October 23, 1998
The Hill
Homecoming 11