the 1954 Parnassus describes the process, above?
Remember “the iron hand of the law” in the form of
“Campus Cop Parsons”? Take time to revisit your alma
mater this spring — and remember…
Donna Reed, poodle skirts, muscle cars, McCarthy and a lot of "sha-na-nas" — these are the stereotypical associations of the 1950s made by people born in the 1980s.
But members of the University of Wichita’s Class of 1954 remember the real deal. What do the ’50s mean to you? Enrollment day, college profs, friends, fashion, studies, sports, new horizons, love — all the best of life.
Class of 1954 members will meet again May 14-15. Every activity on the reunion’s full schedule of events is tempting, but also optional, so you can tailor your visit back to campus to fit your own interests and pace — freeing up plenty of time to plop down with old friends on a Shocker bench and catch up until you’re hoarse.
The fun starts Friday morning with a private tour of the Ulrich Museum of Art between 10 and 11 a.m., when you’ll view Spirit Journeys: Asmat Art.
From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., you’ll be inducted into the university’s 50-Year Club during a special luncheon in the Rhatigan Student Center Ballroom.
Friday afternoon offers a choice of three tours highlighting Wichita State’s latest improvements and acquisitions. All three tours take place between 2 and 3:30 p.m.
Leaving from the RSC will be a shuttle tour of campus, guided by Dr. James Rhatigan, WSU dean emeritus of students. A walking tour of the new Charles Koch Arena, led by Spike Anderson ’93/95, Shocker baseball catcher from 1990-94 and now assistant director of development for athletics, will begin inside the arena’s main, southwest entrance.
Or, after a short walk from the rsc to Neff Hall, tour-goers will view the university’s collection of artifacts from the Asmat people of New Guinea. This tour will be conducted by Jerry Martin, director of the university’s Holmes Museum of Anthropology.
Friday evening from 5 to 6:30, a class reception will be held in the Arst Room of the Woodman Alumni Center, and at 7 p.m., alumni will gather to cheer on the nationally ranked Shockers at a baseball game versus Missouri Valley Conference rival Southwest Missouri State University. Even non-sports enthusiasts will enjoy this outing to one of the premier stadiums in college baseball, WSU’s Eck Stadium Home of Tyler Field.
Saturday commences with a 9 a.m. brunch at the Woodman Center. Then it’s time to dress for commencement and hop a 10:45 a.m. shuttle to Charles Koch Arena — another must-see university venue, Koch Arena is the $25 million renovation of Henry Levitt Arena — to walk in the College of Education’s commencement ceremony.
If you haven’t been back to WSU since the “S” got into its name, it’s high time to visit and check out how the campus has grown — and how your old friends have grown even dearer.
