University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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git 0' , wg' nr .. I , 7141 I Mijn y I if ,, J H. W if' -I II' 'it U- ' v 7: 'i I' DON JOHNSON, STAR OF MIAMI VICE AND, MORE RECENTLY, Nash B rid ges, attended the University of Kansas on a full scholarship for his acting ability. Other act- ing alumni included Dee Wallace Stone, Scott Bakula, Kirstie Alley and Tony award winning performer Mandy Patinkin.-photo courtesy Qf llizi- versity Archives WILT CHAMBERLAIN, ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS NfxMEs IN the history of the NBA, was a KU graduate. His record of top scorer for seven consecutive seasons stands as a testament to his ability, In 1998, Cham- berlain returned to KU to retire his jersey at a cer- emony in Allen Field House.-photo cozzrtvsy Qf Uni- versity Archives J II NANCY KASSEBALM-BAKER poses with her father Alf Landon, on his 100th birthday. Kassebaum- Baker was the first woman to be elected on her own to the U.S. Sen- ate, following in her father's political foot- steps. Alf Landon served as Kansas Gover- nor and also ran against Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1936 presidential election,-photo courtesy Qf Uriiziersity Arclzizves famous alurnnl I7

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I4 campus life wheat ...and waving the were a way to Shcw ku Spirit. Rock Chalk Jayhawk! Iayhawks were notorious for their school pride. From the Rock Chalk Chant to the Wav- ing of the Wheat, the University of Kansas has had a long tradition of pride. But some stu- dents wondered where these expressions of spirit originated. The Jayhawk mascot was one of KU's greatest traditions. The name was originally used to descibe robbers and thieves, but it took on a completely new meaning during the Civil War, when a regiment adopted the term Iayhawker. Their fearlessness and cameraderie turned the title Iayhawker from a shameful name to a proud one, and that heritage has been carried on since. The University of Kansas adopted the Iayhawk as its mascot in the early 20th century, and even named its yearbook after the mythic bird. There were many other traditions on the KU campus. The Rock Chalk cha.nt,which was one of the most famous college chants in his- tory, was praised even by former president Teddy Roosevelt. With the chant came the Waving of the Wheat, a longstanding garneday tradition. Basketball games had their own series of traditions, including fans who held up news- papers when opposing teams took the floor in Allen Field House, followed by a shower of paper confetti when the Iayhawk players took the court. Other less official traditions are associated with different groups on campus. The frater- nities were known to coerce their fraternity brothers to jump naked into the Chi Omega by scott. fountain on their twenty-first birthdays. These traditions were a link between gen- erations and a way of showing pride in KU.

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I8 Campus life ...dancing was back in a big way, and ku students were ready to jump and jive. Many KU students were surprised to see their local dance halls turn into swing clubs. The clubs were full of people jiving to modern bands like Squirrel Nut Zippers and Cherry Poppin' Daddies, or even to old big band sounds like those of Glen Miller. Disco was dead, techno was yesterday's news, and even line dancing could not keep up with the swinging times. Swing dancing seems to be the new dance fad, Tesia Hostetler, Topeka senior and co-president of the KU Ballroom dance club, said. Everyone is really enthusiastic about it and you can certainly tell because our class sizes have doubled since last year. Many students at KU took lessons through the university or through various dance studios around Lawrence. My sister and I decided to take lessons because it looked interesting, Tiffany Mohr, Lawrence freshman said. I liked the style of music because it's upbeat but not like the regular hip-hop music. Local clubs took advantage of the swing craze by designating swing nights. I went to the Bottleneck every Sunday night and when I first started going the crowds were fairly small, Audrey Roberts, Leawood freshman said. But as soon as the word got out it started to get a lot more crowded and eventually they had to start moving tables because the dance floor wasn't big enough. Even the students who never quite mas- tered swing dancing could have a good time. Even if you aren't very good at dancing it's still tons of fun trying, Hostetler said. by megan hogan. photos by krystie scott.