University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

KU f s History On September 12, 1866, the University of Kansas became the first university on the Great Plains. When KU opened its doors that days55 students were enrolled in classes taught by three professors. The university was located in North College hall, a three story building on the north end of Mount Oread that had a spectacular view of the Kaw and Wakarusa river valleys surround- ing the growing town of Lawerence. The university ' s original curriculum was tra- ditional to colleges of its day. Latin, Greek, mathematics and philosophy were taught to the 29 men and 26 women in the student body. When the first class enrolled in 1 866, not one student was ready for college work. Hence, the university initially also functioned as a prepara- tory school, adapting itself to the times and cir- custances. For that reason, the first commence- ment was not held until 1873. World ' s Greatst College Cheer The University Science Club officially adopted the famous " Rock Chalk " chant in 1886. A chemistry profes- sor, E.H.S. Bailey, and some of his associates were returning from a conference by train to Lawrence. As they travelled, they talked of the need for a good, rousing yell. The click-clack of the train wheels passing over the rail jonts suggested a rhythm and a cadence to them. At first, their version was " Rah, Rah, Jayhawk, KU " repeated three times. Later, in place of the rahs, an English professor suggested " Rock Chalk, " a transposi- tion of chalk rock, the name for the limestone outcrop- ping found on Mount Oread, site of the Lawrence cam- pus. The cheer became known worldwide. Teddy Roosev- elt pronounced it the greatest college chant he ' d ever heard. It was used by Kansas troops fighting in the Philippines in 1899, in the Boxer Rebellion in China and inWorld War II. At the Olympic games in 1920, the King of Belgium asked for a typical American college yell. The assembled athletes agreed on KU ' s Rock Chalk and rendered it for His Majesty. KU ' s Colors KU ' s colors have been crimson and blue since the early 1890 ' s. Originally, the Board of Re- gents had decided to adopt the University of Michigan ' s colors maize and sky blue. Maize and blue were shown at oratorical meets, and they may have colored Kansas crew in rowing competitions in the mid-1880 ' s. But in 1890, when football arrived at KU, a clamor arose for Harvard ' s crimson to honor Col. John J. McCook, a Harvard man who had given money for KU ' s athletic field. Faculty members who had graduated from Yale insisted that their academic lineage and Yale blue not be overlooked. In 1896, crimson and blue were adopted officially. The University Seal KU ' s first chancellor, Rev. R.W. Oliver, chose the seal in 1866. It pictures Moses kneeling in awe in before a bush that is engulfed in flames but is not burnt. The story of Moses ' vision is from the Bible ' s third chapter of Exodus. Fire symbolizes knowl- edge in many stories and myths. Moses is throught to represent the humble attitude of the scholar who recognizes the unquenchable nature of the pursuit of truth and knowledge. 71