KU News Release

Hawk Week events offer fun, information for new and returning KU students

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas campus will come alive next week as more than 10,000 students gather for the university’s annual Hawk Week.

The festivities begin at the opening of the residence and scholarship halls Sunday, Aug. 12, and run through Saturday, Aug. 18. Classes start Thursday, Aug. 16.

In addition to helping students ease back into the school year, the events are designed to smooth the transition to college life. Students will receive tips for achieving academic success as well as tours of the university’s libraries and personal class schedule tours.

At night, students are invited to the Student Alumni Association’s ice cream social, Traditions Night, free movies, concerts and an arts festival.

A complete schedule of Hawk Week events is available online. Check the online schedule for any changes in times or locations.

Highlights include:

Sunday, Aug. 12
Unionfest
8 p.m., Kansas Union
Visit the Kansas Union for games, giveaways and free food at the kickoff for Hawk Week. Student Union Activities will sponsor live music and the opportunity to win a grand prize package valued at more than $1,000, along with many other giveaways. This year’s theme is Wild Wild West.

Monday, Aug. 13
Ice Cream Social
6:30 p.m., Adams Alumni Center
Enjoy free ice cream and lots of giveaways. Tour the alumni center, learn about the Student Alumni Association, Tradition Keepers and much more.

Traditions Night
8 p.m., Memorial Stadium
Waving the Wheat. The Alma Mater. The Rock Chalk Chant. Join the marching band, students, faculty, staff and the Lawrence community in exploring KU traditions. You’ll learn all the songs, cheers and yells to be a true Jayhawk.

Tuesday, Aug. 14
Beach ‘n’ Boulevard featuring the Info Fair
7-10 p.m., Wescoe Beach
This annual party on Wescoe’s “beach,” sponsored by Student Union Activities, will feature sand volleyball, badminton, a pepper eating contest, sno cones, cotton candy, giveaways and live music. Representatives from KU’s 400 student organizations will be available at the Info Fair. Check out the Student Success carnival and free pizza at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Welcome.

Wednesday, Aug. 15
Take Over the Beach
1-4 p.m., Wescoe Beach
This HAWK Link event is a chance to interact with student organizations, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Multicultural Resource Center and other departments, staff and students. Enjoy music, entertainment, prizes and much more.

Convocation
7:30-8:30 p.m., Lied Center
This Hawk Week event is a tradition of its own. Convocation is the coming together of all parts of campus — students, faculty and staff — to mark the official beginning of the academic year. This ceremony will feature addresses by Chancellor Robert Hemenway, Student Body President Hannah Love and others.

Friday, Aug. 17
Free Outdoor Concert: Trout Fishing in America
7 p.m., Lied Center lawn
Trout Fishing in America play “music for people who take their fun seriously.” This unique duo, bassist Keith Grimwood and guitarist Ezra Idlet, engage audiences of all ages with their wit and musical skills. Their fun and lively mix of folk, pop and family music has earned multiple awards and a Grammy nomination. This concert kicks off the Lied Center’s 2007-08 season.

Saturday, Aug. 18
Community Service Project
10 a.m., Kansas Union lobby
Volunteers will be bused to community organizations to spend the day on service projects and learning about volunteer opportunities at KU. Lunch will be served. Sponsored by the Center for Community Outreach.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.