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| Mary Lou (Rucker) Weaver enthusiastically accepts her 50-year commemorative medallion from WSU President Don Beggs. |
Members of the University of Wichita’s class of 1952 returned to campus May 16-18 and were feted with tours, receptions, luncheons, picnics — and plenty of “studious” tales about collegiate life at WU.
Former classmates from across the country enjoyed their first day back on campus with many reunion activities, including a welcome reception; a trolley tour of the university narrated by James J. Rhatigan, now former WSU senior vice president; and a tour of Eck Stadium led by former Shocker baseball player Spike Anderson. Reminiscing, though, was on the top of just about everyone’s activity list.
Corinne Davis of Wichita recalls, “I loved the days of walk-outs, which were usually taken after we had won an important ball game. One time we filled the sidewalks and intersection of Douglas and Broadway.” Mary Virginia Major of Lenexa, Kan., remembers that the most exciting Shocker football game she ever watched was “when we upset Houston in the fall of 1951. I think I lost my voice from yelling so much.”
The second day offered reunion-goers the options of touring the Ulrich Museum of Art, attending a traditional luncheon during which class members were inducted into WSU's 50-Year Club and presented commemorative medallions, dressing in caps and gowns and walking in graduation ceremonies held at the WSU Hughes Metroplex, relaxing at a picnic at the Woodman Alumni Center and cheering on the Shockers as they took to the field against Southern Illinois in Missouri Valley Conference baseball action. And, yes, the reminiscing continued.
John Fisher of East Sebago, Maine, says that his fondest WU memories were of “the super people I attended school with, especially those in physics, chemistry and math and the faculty.” Nancy (Lehman) Scriven of Valley Center, Kan., recalls the “Frisky Risky Fair at old Fiske Hall and my beloved piano teacher Adrian Pouliot, who was so talented, musically and as a teacher.
He gave me a background in music and life that has stayed with me. I also remember the production of The Magic Flute and my opportunity to sing and share with so many talented people — Jim Billings, Charlene Dixon and many more.”
The closing day of the reunion weekend featured a brunch and a Shocker baseball doubleheader — and more reminiscing. Herbert Babb of Wyoming, Ill., remembers some of the crazily creative Hippodrome skits and recalls being a member of the Scabbard and Blade drill team, which performed during halftimes of Shocker football games.
And Francis Shruben of Canoga Park, Calif., says simply, “Just attending WU was one of the highlights of my life.”
Other out-of-town reunion attendees included Don Brinton of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Kendall King of Shawnee Mission, Kan.; Loyette (Hollar) Swanson of Springfield, Mo.; Abbie (Troup) Smith Wallace of Charleston, S.C.; and Bob Williamson of Atlanta, Ga.
