Graduation
Congratulations to all graduates of Lawrence’s past, present and future!
This is where to find our coverage of graduation ceremonies from when The Lawrence Times started publishing in 2021 through present.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
‘It’s never too early, it’s never too late’: Lawrence adult education graduates earn GEDs, diplomas
Joseph Johnson found there’s more to his story after he attempted to end his life at age 20. Collecting his high school diploma on Thursday, six years later, was a testament.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Bishop Seabury Academy celebrates graduates and all students at Stepping Up ceremony
Seventeen seniors at Bishop Seabury Academy graduated Thursday evening alongside their peers and loved ones with a Commencement and Stepping Up ceremony.
August Rudisell / Lawrence Times
Free State grads urged to be lifelong learners at 2025 commencement
Free State High school graduate Elle Cormaney offered a gift of new shoes to the graduating Class of 2025 — not a physical pair, but a pair offering a lesson for the Firebirds to run to create their futures.
Bishop Seabury Academy announces the Class of 2025 (Announcement)
“The 17 members of the Class of 2025 have received 120 acceptances to 80 different colleges and were offered more than $10 million in four-year renewable scholarships and institutional grants,” Bishop Seabury Academy writes.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence High Class of 2025 graduates, prepares to seize a changing world
Adele Erickson imparted some advice from a fortune cookie to her fellow Lawrence High School graduates: “One must look back to learn to look forward.” The Chesty Lions Class of 2025 graduated Tuesday night.
Nathan Kramer
‘Uncertainty is always full of opportunity,’ KU chancellor tells Class of 2025
KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod told the Class of 2025 graduates that they’ve been educated and trained for this moment in time, and they will rise to the occasion.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Virtual School grads told to ‘be the best you that you can be’
The Lawrence Virtual School Class of 2025 heard a lot of advice from speakers during their graduation ceremony Saturday, including some pearls of wisdom from their classmate’s time working at a nursing home — “Don’t be a snitch,” for instance.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Project SEARCH students graduate from KU and Lawrence Memorial Hospital internships
Anthony Watts said he’ll most likely have to get a job soon because he’s “too young to retire.” Fortunately, Project SEARCH helped him and his fellow graduates prepare.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Community Transition students embrace growth as they graduate
Students graduating from the Community Transition, or C-Tran, program in Lawrence were praised for their perseverance and resilience this year.
Pancho Metz / Lawrence Times
Graduations for Free State, Lawrence High, KU and more coming up
Ceremonies are beginning this week for graduates from Lawrence high schools and specialized programs, and KU’s commencement is set for Sunday.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Haskell graduates encouraged to press on while leaning on community
There’s no place like Haskell Indian Nations University, the university’s commencement speaker said Friday, speaking from experience. Nearly 180 graduates were recognized.
Pancho Metz / Lawrence Times
‘It is a beautiful thing’: Lawrence adult education graduates celebrate earning GEDs, diplomas
Thursday marked Timothy Shoulderblade’s second graduation in as many months. He recently graduated from the drug court program, completed his GED, and he’s rapidly approaching two years clean from drugs and alcohol.
Pancho Metz / Lawrence Times
Bishop Seabury Academy graduates told to ‘be both happy and good’ in their lives
Bishop Seabury Academy graduates and their families and supporters spent a joyful evening Thursday at the school to recognize the Class of 2024 and those who will follow in their footsteps.
Pancho Metz / Lawrence Times
‘Our story is undeniably permanent’: Lawrence High Class of 2024 celebrates graduating
Time waits for no one, but time must pass to write a beautiful story together, Finn Lotton-Barker told his fellow Lawrence High School graduates Wednesday.
Pancho Metz/Lawrence Times
‘We are excellent. We are Firebirds’: Free State graduation celebrates unique journey of each student
Ava Rivera started writing her graduation speech while crying on her bedroom floor. But she made it — to graduation and to the lectern. She said her story was similar to many of her fellow Free State graduates.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Virtual School graduates encouraged to embrace adaptability, be their true selves
Lawrence Virtual School graduate Gloria Worthington told her classmates that things don’t always go as planned, but they will go forward to change the world anyway.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Students and community celebrate C-Tran, secondary therapeutic classroom graduates
Gratefulness was the theme Friday as families, teachers, paras and students celebrated this year’s group of C-Tran and secondary therapeutic classroom graduates from Community Connections at Pinckney.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Project SEARCH interns graduate, secure jobs with KU, Lawrence Memorial Hospital
A staff member described this year’s nine graduates from Project SEARCH, the Lawrence school district’s program for young adults with disabilities who are entering the workforce, as “our group of character.”
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Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
City study on North Lawrence corridor, Grant Township to progress with open house, survey
A city team is planning an open house to present the findings of last month’s North Lawrence corridor visioning session. The project also encompasses tracts of land from unincorporated Grant Township.
Lawrence Holiday Homes Tour, benefiting Habitat for Humanity, to return
An annual holiday homes tour that helps fund a nonprofit’s efforts to create affordable housing is coming up Sunday, Dec. 7.
Construction on Bob Billings to reduce road to one lane for multiple blocks
Starting Monday, a construction project will reduce traffic on Bob Billings Parkway to one lane in each direction between Monterey Way and Kasold Drive. The city expects the work to take a year.
Wulfe Wulfemeyer/Lawrence Times
‘By hook or by crook,’ the Lawrence Public Library’s collections team gets books, materials in patrons’ hands
Even as the library world experiences turbulence with the closure of a major book distributor, the oft-unseen denizens of the Lawrence Public Library’s basement remain steady in delivering materials to their patrons.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Crafts, hobby horses and scavenger hunt at Watkins Museum to get kids in the holiday spirit
Although Lawrence’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade won’t take to the streets this year, the show will go on for the Watkins Museum’s accompanying Tails and Traditions Holiday Festival.




