KU News Release

KU Bookstores to reveal new showroom during annual Holiday Bash

LAWRENCE — An addition to the KU Bookstore in the Kansas Union will be unveiled at the KU Bookstores’ 18th annual Holiday Bash for students, faculty, staff, retirees and alumni from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Activities at the holiday event will include:

— Live music by the Shop
— 25 percent off KU merchandise, supplies and general books
— Free “Jayhawk Santa” lapel pin with purchase
— Cookie design station
— Pictures with Santa with a special KU touch
— Hors d’oeurves and desserts
— Special discount programs for faculty and staff
— Cider, cookies and discounts available all day for retired faculty and staff
— Drawings for gifts and prizes

More about the addition:

The expanded space in the KU Bookstore, called the KUniverse, is part of the soon-to-open Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center. The showroom will house new KU clothing and collectibles. The 6,000-square-foot space connects directly north of the existing bookstore, adding nearly 20 percent to the display floor.

The addition needed to open with a bang — a big bang, in fact. The architectural design of the new showroom was inspired by the big bang theory on the origins of the universe.

From the service counter radiate the fundamental elements of KUniverse — the largest collection of KU apparel and gifts anywhere. Twenty-five floor tiles spiral outward from the center, capturing notable and whimsical elements of KU history. Other astronomical touches include planet-like lighting globes as well as blue light beams that streak across the ceiling.

KUniverse was designed by Gould Evans Associates.

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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.