KU's week of review, challenge
It will be another 100 years before KU can have another celebration like it's had this week, but if some Oreadites have their way, we won't have to wait that long. Commented James E. Gunn, a member of the centennial committee, "I've been asked many times why we don't do this every year."
Judging by student support of this week's activities, an annual centennial might come off. Repeatedly students swelled Hoch Auditorium almost to capacity. The Kansas Union, Swarthout Recital Hall and Dyche Auditorium also saw the results of KU's population explosion.
When they weren't hearing the speakers, the students were talking about them. Panels were popular discussion topics and some of the most distinguished speakers in the U.S. had their speeches evaluated by thousands of opinionated KU students.
Former Chancellor Deane W. Malott said he was pleased with student turnout. "I was pleased, but not surprised, at student
support for the events. I would expect KU students to want to hear distinguished speakers."
James R. Surface, provost of the University, termed student participation "good," but said he was sad that schedules did not permit student attendance at all events. "The student attendance seemed very good to me at the sessions I attended," he said. "The entire centennial has gone splendidly, a very successful program. I was really quite thrilled by what I saw and heard."
Perhaps the University could not afford another centennial next year, but if some campus brains have their way, KU will have another centennial just like this one in 2066. According to Gunn, "there have been some suggestions that the centennial committee might be placed in suspended animation for 100 years, to be reawakened in time to plan the next centennial. They are resisting this."
Maybe if the students would circulate a petition. . .
THIS WAS A WEEK OF STUDENT PARTICIPATION...WELL, ALMOST One young scholar chose to doze at Potter during convocation.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS FOUND EAGER SOUNDINGBOARDS FOR THEIR IDEAS. Dinner speaker expounds his view of the future.