Mount Oread Scholars to make symbolic walk up the hill Aug. 21

LAWRENCE — Continuing a meaningful tradition, the 2011-2012 Mount Oread Scholars will make a symbolic walk up the hill known as Mount Oread at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21.

As KU graduating seniors celebrate their academic accomplishment by taking a symbolic walk down Mount Oread, Mount Oread Scholars, a high-ability freshman program, mark the beginning of their KU career by carrying the 2011 graduation banner while wearing their Mount Oread Scholar shirt that states, “What Goes Up, Must Come Down.”

Leading the 204 scholars up the hill, Kathryn Nemeth Tuttle, assistant vice provost for Student Success and published historian, will provide commentary about campus history and Mount Oread, pointing out landmarks along the way.

Since 1996, the Mount Oread Scholars Program, part of KU’s University Advising Center, has facilitated academic connections on campus for students who qualified by applying and graduating in the top 20 percent of their high school class and receiving an ACT composite score of at least 28 or a minimum SAT score of 1240.

Mount Oread Scholars work closely with an adviser in their field of interest, share class schedules to form study or discussion groups, and attend scholar support sessions. In addition, there are some small class options reserved for scholars. The retention rate for Mount Oread Scholars after one year averages 11-15% higher than the overall first-time, full-time freshmen.

The walk up the hill will be followed by a continental breakfast reception at Spencer Research Library. Library staff, including Beth Whittaker, head of Spencer Research Library, will greet the students and invite them to learn more about all of KU’s libraries as they enjoy a commanding view of the Kaw River Valley from the gallery.

The KU Libraries house scores of internationally significant collections and offer a variety of innovative services to support learning. Spencer Research Library, for example, is dedicated to the preservation of diverse collections ranging from medieval manuscripts and other rare books to Kansas historical records to national political documents.

During the breakfast, Nemeth Tuttle, along with Dean of Libraries Lorraine Haricombe, Professor James Carothers and Rachel Gilman, sophomore in Computer Engineering and Mount Oread Scholars Student Board Coordinator, will address the scholars.