KU celebrates 140th annual commencement
Surrounded by thousands of family members and friends, the class of 2012 took the long walk down Campanile Hill and into Memorial Stadium to celebrate KU's 140th Annual Commencement. Students say the last several years have flown by, but they paused Sunday to remember the time they've spent in Lawrence.
"It's just an amazing feeling going through this journey with these guys right here," said international business major Alex Small. "Law school comes off as kind of a competitive place, but I really made some great friends," said Anna O'Connor. "I'm looking forward to keeping in touch with them over the next few years."
Ford Motors Co. CEO Alan Mulally delivered the keynote address. He used a run-in with Wilt Chamberlain when the two men were classmates as the foundation for what he called a pep talk to the graduates. "My goal today was to make my remarks just as effective as my pep talk I gave Wilt Chamberlain all those years ago," he said. "I am confident that you are going to be successful in your life not because of what I have said today, but because of who you are and the education you've received"
The commencement concluded with Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little giving the class a final farewell. "Your rewards will be so much greater if you can commit yourself to something world changing," Gray-Little said. "As Jayhawks we expect nothing less from you, and you should expect nothing less from yourselves."