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
‘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.”
Carter Gaskins/Lawrence Times
Lawrence, Free State and more graduations coming up
Graduations are coming up fast for high school seniors and more in Lawrence. Here are the whens and wheres for the big celebrations.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
KU Class of 2024 celebrates graduation despite surroundings under construction
Construction at the football stadium did not hinder thousands of University of Kansas graduates and their families from celebrating their accomplishments Sunday.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
A look at the KU football stadium about 36 hours before graduation
As of Friday evening, KU commencement is set to begin in just more than 36 hours. Here’s a look at the football stadium.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Billy Mills implores Haskell graduates to lead community healing
Olympian Billy Mills said he believes this year’s class of Haskell Indian Nations University graduates will lead the healing of generational trauma in their communities.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Despite ongoing construction, KU is still set to hold graduation at football stadium
With 11 days until thousands of Jayhawks will celebrate completing their degrees, the KU football stadium shows it’s very much in the midst of construction. But KU is “absolutely” holding commencement there.
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Latest Lawrence news:
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Resolution pledging Lawrence would comply with executive orders is no longer on commission agenda
A resolution city staff members were asking the Lawrence City Commission to approve, which pledged to indefinitely suspend enforcement of equal rights ordinances in hopes of maintaining federal funding, is no longer on Tuesday’s meeting agenda.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Screening set for documentary on Sacred Red Rock’s return to the Kaw Nation
A documentary film telling the story of the Sacred Red Rock’s return to the Kaw Nation is set for a screening at Liberty Hall in Lawrence.
Free State senior wins national forensics title
Free State High School senior Anwen Williams added to her impressive list of forensics accomplishments by claiming a national championship in extemporaneous speaking over the weekend.
Lawrence, Douglas County likely to see thunderstorms; tornado watch issued
Eastern Kansas is at an enhanced risk for severe weather Monday afternoon and evening, including possible hail and tornados, according to the National Weather Service.
Kaw Valley Almanac for May 19-25, 2025
The three-petaled triangular blue spiderwort blooms for a day, but there is another bud below it, ready to step up and open the next day. Butterflies and hummingbirds love this plant.
