2C THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN COMMENCEMENT
GRADUATION
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2006
Hawks graduate with history
Commencment steeped in long-standing tradition
BY BETTY KASPAR
editor@kansan.com
KANSAN CORRESPONDENT
After four hard years, making the walk down the hill is one of the most cherished traditions at the University of Kansas. It also marks the first time an undergraduate should walk through the Campanile. Of many superstitions and urban myths on campus, the belief is that if you walk through the Campanile before graduation day, you will not graduate. Even if you are not one to believe in superstition, the history of how we have reached the graduation procession we see today has been a long road.
Graduates and their friends and family, enjoy this 1991 commencement.
Photo courtesy of Spencer Research Library
APEAK AT THE PAST
The University of Kansas commencement ceremony on May 21 will continue traditions that have been carried on by thousands of students, faculty and staff.
First commencement: June 11,
1673, with four graduates, which
included one woman, who was
the valedictorian, and three men.
Ceremonies that lasted several days: baccalaureate sermon, class day, commencement procession into the chapel of University Hall (cld Fraser), commencement oration, banquet and conferring of degrees.
The University confers 199 degrees at the 1893 com-
momentum, it was the first time above our comfort be more than 100 degrees.
Students first wear cwps and gowns; about 1897.
Commencement in a tent 1923. Because no campus building could accommodate all the guests, the University held commencement in a tent that seated 3,400.
First march down the Hill: 1924. Graduates marched into Memorial Stadium, where commencement ceremonies occurred.
Commencement program out to two days 1943. The Graduate Magazine reported that "the ruining of trees and gas and the conditions of travel on train and bus were not conducive to travel, but surprising numbers attended the various events."
Memorial Campanile dedicated; 1951. In 1950, the Graduate Magazine reported that "the graduating class marched through the base of the campanile by dint of some removal of scaffolding and other debris around the tower. As the cus-
tran for graduating classes to pass through the base of the memorial bolt tower carries on through the years, the class of "50 doubtless will take pride that it was the first to observe the rite."
The new 24-by-32-foot video screen in Memorial Stadium's new 60-foot tall scoreboard becomes part of the commencement in 2000, when spectators in the stadium watched the procession on the screen.
Source: www.oread.ku.edu
CLASS OF 2006:
THERE'S STILL TIME TO LEAVE YOUR MARK!
Join these seniors who already pledged their support for the 2006 senior class gift.*
Abbey Archer
Jennifer Attebery
Jaime Baggett
Theodore Baines
Alexis Bannwarth
Brandon Bartkoski
Shmuel Bergman
Linda Bonebrake
Jason Boots
Daniel Bristow
Emily Brooks
Katrina Bruce
Peter Buchanan
Kaela Byers
Angela Carlon
Michael Carmichael
Dewi Chang
Brian Cole
Nathaniel Collins
Nathan Cooper
Derek Cudney
Robert Davis
Brian Dawson
Clarisa Diaz
Caludia Dietrich
Lauren Dirnberger
Stephanie Dodge
Jennifer Donnally
Elizabeth Erickson
Jonathan Even
Donald Fennes
Ashley Frazer
Angela Fritz
Michelle Gabbert
David Gaus
Lindsay Gehring
Guillermo
  Goicocheap Paulette
Ryan Good
Charles Gordon
Hamid Hajebian
Juliann Harvey
Justin Henry
Christopher Hill
Francis Hitschmann
Yasuhiro Homma
Phil Hood
Ryan Hubona
Steve Iboubidzebangole
Brandon Isbell
Kellie Johnson
Mark Kalusha
Robyn Karlage
Alicia Kerr
Zahra Knott
Lindsey Knox
Cathy Ko
Zachary Kohl
Erika Kuster
Noah Laible
Joseph Ledbetter
Craig Lee
Samantha Lovgren
Megan Macomber
Lara Mann
Melissa Marietta
Lisa Matchulat
Christina McCoy
Bryant Merriman
Salman Mohal
Mckayla Morby
Erin Morgan
David Mutabazi
Brandon Naylor
Anthony Antoverso
Mason Pech
Brandon Petz
Mary Pitman
Cynthia Pizano
Diane Princ
Jessica Rawlings
Sridhar Reddy
Ariane Rhone
Meghan Riley
Jill Rohde
Sasha Schippers
Anna Schrader
Christina Schulz
Jason Schwartz
Arasu Senthl
Scott Shorten
Sarah Stucky
Thomas Szott
Christopher Teefey
Cong Teng
Misha Thompson
Amanda Torbett
Vince Traynelis
Audrey Tullis
Jessica Virtue
Jose Vitteri
Neil Ward
Michael Warner
Bria Wilkins
Dana Williams
Surlena Williamson
Jaclyn Ziegler
* As of May 1, 2006
TO LEAVE THEIR MARK ON KU, THE CLASS OF 2006 HAS CHOSEN TO PROVIDE A
BENCH AND LANDSCAPING AROUND POTTER LAKE -A GIFT THAT WILL ALLOW GENERATIONS OF JAYHAWKS TO ENJOY KU'S BEAUTY.
Seniors can give online at www.kuendowment.org/donate
KU ENDOWMENT