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COMMENCEMENT
Monday, June 3,1963
Editorial
Commencement
Today marks the culmination of the priceless gift of higher education.
We have fulfilled the opportunity and its implied challenges successfully, as symbolized by cap and gown. But the mark of this achievement lies within. The diploma can be seen on the wall, but the permanent signs of the four years cannot be seen. Having been given the tools, we have served four years' apprenticeship. Henceforth, we will show that we "know how."
We will have a chance to prove that the hopes of those who will watch us graduate this evening will be honored.
MORE THAN an opportunity, however, we have an obligation. An obligation to serve.
I say serve because only through service to traditions greater than ourselves may we be free. Freedom is found only through service and obedience. Let us serve and obey what has been established as right, whether it be the institutions of integrity and justice, or the traditions of honesty and truth. We are not free now to choose whether or not to serve them. We are obligated because of the past years of study. To refuse our duty will be to diminish what we have become.
Some say that we are stepping into a very cold world, one that is "rougher than ever." But, hasn't the world always been hard? If the earth
were supposed to be like Heaven, then we would have cause to lament our plight, but it simply is not Heaven. It is the world.
AND HAS IT really gotten worse? Is there any difference between destruction from a calderon of hot tar poured over a battlement and a caldron of death dropped from the sky? If we wish for total disarmament, we must not only take away all clubs, but remove all combatants' arms and legs (though I imagine that men would then fight with their teeth).
WERE THE good old days really good? Would anyone choose to live in the "Lawless West"? Do we realize just exactly is implied by Lawless?
These times are not the worst of all possible worlds. The scenery has changed over the years, but the actors are the same. The challenges, and the obligations to meet those challenges, are still there. The Frontiers are more subtle than "the next hill" of the past, and therefore more demanding in their challenge. It is easier to fight a communist with a gun than with words.
We know our challenges and we are both prepared and duty bound to meet them. Commencement: a French word for Beginning.
Let us begin.
—Phil McKnight, editor
Signs Of Progress
Engineering building
Memorial Stadium addition
Dean William Moore of the Kansas School of Religion delivered the 1963 Baccalaureate address at ceremonies Sunday night.
President's Message
Today marks the end of four long years of hard work toward a goal that has now been achieved. I am sure all of you realize today is a milestone in your lives.
Fellow Seniors;
Today is your last day as a Senior. In just a few hours your days as a student will be over and you will take your place as alumni of the University of Kansas.
During the past year there has been a collective effort to instill in each of you a spirit of class consciousness, a class consciousness that is not found in your earlier years at KU. There has been an attempt to develop an association with your class and KU, rather than a particular living group or major field. This brings us to the purpose of the Senior Class.
The Senior Class has one important purpose—to make you feel a loyalty and appreciation for KU and what she represents, a loyalty that will always remain with you.
To develop this loyalty we have had parties, coffees, and other class functions. We have tried new ideas and used some of the old. We can only hope we have been successful in our efforts and by your response we feel we have.
Each class is as successful as its members want it to be. I know you will agree the Class of '63 has never had an equal in spirit or loyalty.
Sincerely.
MIKE MEAD, President
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Watson Library additions