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GRADUATION GUIDE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008
STUDENT-ATHLETES
What graduation means to KU athletes
BY JASON BAKER
Jeff Foster celebrates with teammates after winning the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3, 2007. Foster said he had made lifelong friendships in his time at the University of Kansas. After graduation, Foster hopes to attend medical school to become a team doctor.
jbaker@kansan.com
For four years, this group of students had to deal with more than just going to class, doing homework and taking tests.
They had to deal with training for and participating in competitions with rival schools in the Big 12 conference and other schools across the country.
This groups of students are KU athletes and for 4 years, they excelled in and out of the classroom.
This year many of the KU athletes traveled and competed in many different yet memorable places. The track and field team competed in New York City during their indoor season. The basketball teams had a lot of success, with the women making it to the WNIT and the men's team winning the national championship, the first in the last 20 years.
Even the KU football team had one of the best seasons to date. Going 11-1 and heading down to Miami, Florida and winning the Orange Bowl was one of the most memorable moments for the team and for KU fans everywhere.
"It was the perfect way to go out on top," said Jeff Foster, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, senior. Foster was a wide receiver for the Orange Bowl champs and said that was one of the most memorable moments during his career.
Foster said there were a lot of memorable experiences off the field, too.
"Whether it was traveling for away games, working out as a team or just goofing around in the locker room, I will remember those things forever," he said.
Foster said that he wouldn't trade anything for those things and that the people he met had made
an impact on his life.
"I have made lifelong friendships with coaches, administration, trainers, academic support and, of course, my fellow student-athletes," he said. After graduation, Foster said, he plans on going to osteopathic medical school to specialize in physical medicine to become a
team doctor.
Although the track and field season doesn't end when school does, Matt Baysinger has already accomplished a lot during his time at the University.
Texas Relays and set the school's indoor record in the distance medley relay his sophomore year.
Baysinger, from Stillwell, is a middle distance runner who during his freshman year won the
But Baysinger said that outside of track, meeting his fiancee, Emily, was his best experience. Baysinger said his time at KU had been a positive one.
"I was not sure if this was the
place for me before I got here," he said. "But now I could not imagine being anywhere else."
After graduation, Baysinger plans on getting married this July and then looking for a job working at an athletics department, he even said maybe at KU's athletics department.
The athletes at KU have big dreams, whether it's going pro in the sport the play now or going into the real world and finding their dream job.
And come May 18, they will start that journey as they graduate from the University of Kansas.
》 ALTERNATIVES
Take some time off before starting a career
Summer music festivals are a way to let loose and relax after a stressful four years (or more) of college. The Wakaraus Music & Camping Festival will be held this year from June 5-8 at Clinton Lake.
BY MICHAEL HOLTZ mholtz@kansan.com
So you've walked under the Campanile, been handed your diploma and are wondering what now? You have your degree and are ready to conquer the world. But before you run off to graduate school or your first career, here are some ideas to consider when trying to decide how to spend your first summer as a KU graduate.
Jon Goering/KANSAN
BACKPACKING ACROSS EUROPE
Let's be honest, everyone talks about buying a plane ticket, packing a bag and heading to Europe on a wing and a prayer. But how many actually go through with their plan? Don't make it wishful thinking; make it a reality. Gather up your close buds, make a tentative plan (as detailed or non-detailed as you wish), and make your way across the pond. Sure, it may be a bit expensive, a bit daring, and maybe even a bit risky, but when will you ever again have the opportunity to have this experience of a lifetime?
Cities to visit include Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin and London (if you don't mind the extra flight or making your way through the infamous Chunnel). Make sure to pack your passport, good walking shoes and maps. This is your chance to put those four semesters of a foreign language to use.
maybe you'd rather head to Chicago to see Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine and in case you missed him in Tennessee, Kanye will be performing his encore in Grant Park next to the beautiful Lake Michigan. You could even keep it local and attend Wakarua here in Lawrence to see The Flaming Lips, Ben Folds and Cake (sorry, no Kanye).
SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVALS
So maybe you aren't enough of a daredevil, don't have the funds or were one the few who took Hostel a bit too seriously to make your way across Europe. That's OK; there are still plenty of things to do here in the States. For this next option, all you'll need is a few hundred dollars, a spare weekend, and a dying love for music. This summer is being predicted to be one of the best for summer music festivals. Make your way to Manchester, Tenn., for Bonnaroo — the closest thing to the original Woodstock you'll find. Artists include Pearl Jam, Metellica and Kanye West at arguably the biggest hippie-fest of the summer. Or
JOIN THE PEACE CORP
Here's your chance to have the experience of a lifetime as well as give back to the world. Although a bit more time consuming than the previous two options, it goes without saying that you are bound to appreciate life so much more and feel great about yourself once you join Peace Corp (or any similar organization for that matter). Make your way to all corners of the earth on your mission of better humanity. Joining the Peace Corp takes commitment, courage and a sound heart. Yet in doing so the experience you'll inevitably gain is priceless. Not to mention you'll have some pretty sweet stories to share with your
family and friends once you return. If youd rather do something a bit more gratifying and productive than traveling across Europe or listening to days of music then joining the Peace Corp may be worth considering. I'm sure it
looks good on resumes as well.
So if you're not ready to jump back into school or go career hunting just yet, consider any of the three options above. It may be cliché to say, but you only live once. You'll have plenty of
time left to spend conquering the world, why not live a little first? Make the most of your time after graduation. Who knows, maybe you'll even learn something about yourself in doing so. Congratulations, seniors.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2008 Celebrate your 4,5, or 6 years of college ...only at THE HAWK
OPEN ALL GRADUATION WEEKEND & EARLY ON SUNDAY, MAY 18
You will always be welcome home at The Hawk
THE PINE ROOM • THE MARTINI ROOM • THE BOOM-BOOM ROOM • THE PATIO
1340 Ohio WWW.JAYHAWKCAFE.COM 843-9273