Aug. 21, 2002

Contact: Mary Jane Dunlap, University Relations, (785) 864-8853.

Let the 137th year begin! Convocation opens new term at KU

LAWRENCE -- The 2002-03 academic year at the University of Kansas officially begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the Lied Center during the convocation ceremony for KU's 137th year.

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway will offer students his 10-step program for success "that starts at KU, proceeds through a lifelong adventure and ends in success." He also will advise them how they may qualify to win one of 25 $1,000 scholarships provided through a gift from Dick and Jeanne Tinberg of Leawood to the KU Endowment Association.

The ceremonial event opens with a procession of deans and administrators led by Mabel Rice, university marshal and professor of speech-language-hearing, carrying the university mace. The mace and a ceremonial collar worn by Hemenway are traditional symbols of authority used by universities around the world.

"Convocation is a time for faculty and administration and students to come together and begin a new year," Hemenway said. "We encourage students to dress comfortably and let their year at KU begin with this traditional gathering."

Before the academic procession, a 10-minute video, "Once a Jayhawk ÿ," will be shown. The video reviews KU's history and traditions and showcases opportunities for student involvement in campus and community activities. KU's Office of University Relations and KU Continuing Education produced the video.

Jonathan Ng, KU student body president and a Leawood senior, will join the KU chancellor and other administorators onstage at the Lied Center to greet the students. Kimberly S. Bates, Topeka senior in speech-language-hearing, will provide sign language interpretation.

Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost David E. Shulenburger will give the welcome and make introductions. Laurence Draper, chair of the University Senate Executive Committee and professor of biology, will offer greetings from the faculty.

The Kansas Brass Quintet will perform the academic professional march and the music for the alma mater and "I'm a Jayhawk." Genaro Mendez Jr., assistant professor of music and dance, will direct the singing of the alma mater and other songs.

Eleven of KU's 14 academic deans will participate in convocation. KU's three schools -- allied health, nursing and medicine -- in Kansas City, Kan., will be represented by Donald F. Hagen M.D., executive vice chancellor at KU Medical Center. Lawrence campus deans attending will be:

Stuart R. Bell, engineering
Diana Carlin, graduate school and international programs
Jack E. Fincham, pharmacy
William L. Fuerst, business
John C. Gaunt, architecture and urban design
James K. Gentry, journalism and mass communications
Angela Lumpkin, education
Stephen R. McAllister, law
Toni-Marie Montgomery, fine arts
Ann T. Weick, social welfare
Kim Wilcox, liberal arts and sciences

Administrators and staff in the processional march will include:

Robert E. Barnhill, vice provost for research
Stella Bentley, dean of libraries
Allen R. Bohl, director of intercollegiate athletics
Robert M. Clark, vice chancellor and dean of the Edwards Campus in Overland Park
Lindy Eakin, vice provost for administration
Sandra Gautt, vice provost for faculty development
Richard S. Givens, vice provost for scholarly support
Marilu Goodyear, vice provost for information services
Mary Lee Hummert, interim vice provost for student support (formerly known as student affairs)
Kathy Jansen, president, Classified Senate
Richard A. Johnson, dean of students
James A. Long, vice provost for facilities planning and management
George F. McCleary Jr., associate marshal
Kathleen A. McCluskey-Fawcett, senior vice provost
Janet Murguia, executive vice chancellor for university relations
James M. Owen, executive director, Graduate and Professional Association
Thelma M. Simons, president, Unclassified Professional Staff Association
JoAnn A. Smith, vice provost for university outreach and dean of continuing education