April 2, 2003

Contact: Kevin Boatright, University Relations, (785) 864-7100.

MEDIA ADVISORY: KU yellow ribbon ceremony to show troop support will feature soldier's father

Click here to read Chancellor Robert Hemenway's remarks from today's ceremony

LAWRENCE -- The father of a University of Kansas graduate on the front lines in Iraq will join Chancellor Robert Hemenway today at a ceremony to show support for U.S. troops, especially KU students, staff and alumni who have been called to active military duty.

The ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. today on the south lawn of Strong Hall, the main KU administration building. Yellow ribbons will be tied around the two large trees that flank the Jayhawk statue in front of Strong Hall, following brief remarks.

"When the lives of American soldiers, sailors and airmen are on the line and in harm's way, we are compelled, as a community and a country, to support them and keep their families in our thoughts and prayers," said Hemenway, who will speak at the event.

He will be joined by Byron Loudon, a KU alumnus from Overland Park whose son, 1997 KU graduate Brad Loudon, is serving in Iraq as a captain with the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division. Also speaking will be Student Senate President Jonathan Ng, Lenexa senior, and Kirk Cerny, senior vice president of the KU Alumni Association.

Janet Murguia, executive vice chancellor for university relations, will host the ceremony, which will begin with the playing of the national anthem and the raising of the colors by a joint service contingent of KU students in the Air Force, Army and Navy ROTC programs.

Also on Wednesday, the KU Student Senate is expected to adopt a resolution thanking and supporting KU students -- past, present and future -- deployed in military service, and wishing them a safe return home.