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Two short-lived traditions at the University were festivities centered on May Day. According to Robert Taft in his book The Years on Mount Oread, the Maypole scrap between freshman and sophomores first occurred May 1, 1891. This riotous and often…

Blanche K. Bruce is recognized as the first African American to graduate from the University of Kansas. In 1885 he earned his A.B. and was a candidate for an A.M. in 1891 from KU. Bruce was appointed principle of Sumner School in Leavenworth in 1885,…

Carrie Watson, also a survivor of Quantrill's raid, graduated from KU with an A.B. in 1877. In 1878 she was hired as an Assitant Librarian in Spooner Library, where she corralled unruly students such as William Allen White. She was promoted to…

Women were actively involved in sports including tennis, basketball, and swimming and learned to fence under the tutelage of James Naismith.

The KWIR BOOK was the annual of the class of '96--"The earth we'll move, The stars we'll fix--Rock Chalk, Jay Hawk! Class of Ninety-Six!" The contents are printed on the title page "A Kwir Book, with a dedication, introduction, preface, and appendix,…

Pictured here in the 1903 Jayhawker yearbook is Lela B. Ford and Inez E. Wood. They are among the earliest African Americans to have their photos in a KU yearbook.

Published by Authority. Lawrence, Kansas: "Kansas State Journal" Steam Press Print, 1863. The act to locate the State University was approved by Governor Thomas Carney on February 20, 1863.

Ephemera from the commencement including the program for the Grand Concert given by the Full Band of the Fifth U.S. Infantry, a ticket for the Commencement Banquet on June 11, and a ticket for a reserved seat on Class Day June 10, 1873 in the new…

Small scrapbook with newspaper clippings from the first commencemnt program including valedictory exercises. "At the appointed time the juniors being drawn up in due array, were confronted by Miss Flora Richardson, who discoursed them in a serious…