University Daily Kansan / Monday, December 12, 1988
11
Students invent university
By Cindy Harger Kansan staff writer
Two KU graduate students have followed the yellow brick road to McLouth and created a college named after Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.
At Dorothy Gale &M (Agriculture and Meteorology), students can enlighten themselves in courses such as Heel-Clicking 101 and Animals in the Earth, taught by the Toto Gale distinguished scholar.
Gary Allen, Leavenworth graduate student, and Barbara Bichelmeyer, Shawnee graduate student, used skills learned in the School of Education to create a make-believe university.
"It's based on sound educational principles, but it just comes out funny." Allen said. "When we were talking about this, we were laughing so hard I thought someone else might think it was funny, too."
Alen said the idea was inspired by T-shirts denoting fake universities from other areas.
"It's one way for me to get back at people who make fun of Kansas," Bichelmer said. "I'm using something that people rip Kansas for — all those Dorothy and Toto jokes — to let them know that people from Kansas have a sense of humor and can be creative."
Allen said that anyone who is accepted to DG
A&M becomes a graduate, and anyone who applies is accepted.
The $15 application fee buys the student a T-shirt with a cyclone — the school's mascot — on it. The student also receives a course catalog, a fake diploma and a brochure telling about the prestigious faculty, such as the College President L. Frank Baum, author of "The Wizard of Oz"; and the Wicked Witch of the West, who is the dean of women.
"It's not profit-motivated." Allen said. "We only charge enough to cover our initial expenses. It's definitely not a money-making venture."
Bichelmeyer said that she and Allen had researched Frank Baum and the book "The Wizard of Oz," so the college brochure contains factual trivia as well as Wizard of Oz puns and jokes.
Allen and Bichelmeyer decided to place the imaginary DG A&M college in McLouth because, according to the book, Dorothy was from somewhere near Topeka.
"It's a fun diversion from classes," Bichelmeyer said. "We just want to do something in our college careers that we will be remembered for. No one's going to remember our dissertations, but maybe they'll remember this."
Holiday song
Phil Carvatho/KANSAN
The University Choirs sing "O Come All Ye Faithful" as they take their places on stage in Hoch Auditorium. The University choirs and orchestras performed a capacity crowd yesterday in the 64th performance of Vespers.
It's A Wonderful Life
A FREE Holiday Movie
8 p.m. Sat. Dec. 17
Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Unio
Brought to you by the KU Bookstore and Student Union Activities
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