LAWRENCE, Kan. – From the 102-year-old man who plans to send a videotape of his remembrances to the Alumni Association to elementary-school age pow wow contestants through graduates of all ages, reports were that Haskell Indian Nations University scored with its five-day spring celebration.
The only complaints were that it will take two weeks to remember everything they saw May 11 to 14.
The all-school reunion, organized by Martha Houle, president of the Alumni Association, kicked off the observance. Former students from and alumni joined in tours and a sock hop on campus.
Staff was busy all over the campus, presenting certificates to outstanding students and staff members who had contributed to a successful school year. During presentations Dean of Students Esther Geary announced that Jim Tucker, acting head of housing, was now officially in charge.
Fourteen teams competed in a softball tournament at nearby Clinton Lake while a golf tourney was in progress elsewhere.
Commencement saw new grads hugging each other and crying as they separated to embark on new ventures which will take them off the familiar campus.
In her commencement address to the millennium’s first Haskell grads, Buffy St. Marie urged students to never stop learning.
An official announcement confirmed that Dr. Karen Swisher is the new president of the university. She had served in an interim capacity over the last year.
Blalock Hall, a residential dormitory, was rededicated in memory of a long-time Haskell employee.
The three-day commencement pow wow, Friday through Sunday, drew dancers of all ages from throughout the United States, competing for prize money.
Alumni Billy Mills strolled the grounds, greeting old friends.
