University celebrates 139th commencement

Sunday, May 22, 2011

For thousands of students in the class of 2011, the traditions of commencement, held on campus this morning, mark the end of one period of their lives and the exciting beginning of another.

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Commencement program

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Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little called the day a milestone in the journey students took "in keeping a number of promises — to yourselves, to your family and friends and to your respective communities."

She went on to emphasize the need to use education to serve a greater public good by "making a life as you make a living" by serving others.

The events of the day are a massive undertaking for the University — a culmination of efforts from many different departments and led by a committee of about 40 faculty and staff that began planning work last May, according to the University Communications office.

Departmental graduation ceremonies began at 1 p.m. on Friday, leading up to today's traditions of University-wide recognition and the procession into Memorial Stadium.

Many tweeted sights and sounds witnessed through the festivities and Chancellor Gray-Little embraced social media, asking graduates to take and send photos to be posted later today on Facebook.

Check back to Kansan.com for extensive photo galleries of events throughout the day, including a time-lapse video of the graduates' walk down the hill.

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Journey ends, begins on hill

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