Skip to content

Our history in stars

New Kansas Union arch honors Jayhawks who died in the Great War

On April 30, 1926, thousands of community members and students, faculty and staff gathered for the solemn laying of the cornerstone at the Kansas Union, a tribute to the 129 students and alumni who perished in World War I. More than 93 years later, KU once again honored those fallen Jayhawks in a rededication ceremony on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

A highlight was the unveiling of the reconstructed arch at the Union’s Jayhawk Boulevard entrance featuring 129 inscribed stars for those who died. Later, at 11 p.m., a new nightly feature illuminated the stars. A longstanding roster of those who lost their lives in the Great War still stands in the Traditions Tower loft on the Union’s sixth floor.

Union staff members reimagined the arch as part of a project to restore its limestone. “It’s something we wanted to bring to the forefront with the current generation of students on campus,” says Kara Stucky, b’09, director of marketing. “The archway is a symbolic place to remember that this is truly part of our history.” 

TAGS
SHARE:

RELATED ARTICLES

Issue 6, 2019

/

SHARE:
You may also like: