6D
Wednesday, August 16, 1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Traditions at KU
Chi Omega Fountain: Donated by alumni and current members of the Chi Omega Sorority's KU chapter in 1955. Fraternities and sororities
have been known to throw their brothers and sisters in the fountain on their birthdays.
Potter Lake: Built in 1910 as a reserve water supply in case of a large fire, Potter Lake, named for former Senator T.M. Potter, was instead used as a reserve bathing area by many students in the early 1920s. During that time, three students drowned in the lake.
Campanile: The 120-foot high Campanile was completed in 1950 as a memorial to the KU students who died In World War II. Graduating
students walk through the tower during the graduation ceremony to begin their walk down the hill. It is considered bad luck to walk completely through the tower before graduation.
Bronze Jayhawk: the bronze Jayhawk statue that rests in front of Strong Hall was donated by the KU graduating class of 1956. It was
sculpted by Elden Tefft, erected in the Kansas Memorial Student Union in 1959 and moved to its current location in the early 1970s. Legend has it that the bird will fly away from its perch if a virgin graduates from KU.
Wescoe Beach: The front area outside Wescoe Hall was completed along with the building beginning in 1974. Wescoe Hall was named for
former KU Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe, who served from 1960 to 1969. The area in front of the hall is called the "beach" because of the large number of students it attracts.
Hoch Auditorium: Completed in 1927, Hoch was to be used as a lecture, concert and basketball arena. The building was named for
summer E. W. Hoch
A plan to install lightning rods was a month too late. Lightning struck the roof on June 15,1991, causing a fire that gutted the inside of the building and destroyed the roof. Reconstruction is expected to be completed by Fall 1995.
Lindley Bust: A metal bust of former Chancellor E.H. Lindley, who served from 1920 to 1939, was a gift of the class of 1929. Located
In Lindley Hall, the bust was sculpted by Bernard "Pooo" Frazier in 1954.
The bust's nose is shiny and smooth as a result of a decades-old tradition of students rubbing it for good luck before big exams.
Source: Kansas archives, Dan Engtand, John Paul Fogel
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