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.

Lawrence Adult Learning Center graduates, families and supporters celebrate
It’s been 20 years since Kattie Ferguson dropped out of high school. Earning her GED was a dream placed in the periphery until a couple years ago, when she set her sights on going back to school.

Free State High School graduates challenged to find ‘clarity in moments of darkness’
As the sun set behind the Free State High School press box on Wednesday night, the light created a backdrop nearly as beautiful as graduate speaker Solie Edison’s speech to his fellow graduates.

Lawrence High graduates, like their school building, emerge stronger than they were 4 years ago
Lawrence High School graduates found themselves, like their school building, thrown into disarray during their high school years. But the building and graduates had one thing in common: they made it through the challenges stronger than before.

Lawrence Virtual School graduates celebrate, prepare to move on to their next adventures
Kelley Lowe told fellow students graduating from Lawrence Virtual School Saturday that no matter what brought them there, they made it their school home, found acceptance and made connections.

C-Tran Program graduates celebrate, surrounded by family and friends
Friends and family of C-Tran Program students gathered at Lawrence school district offices Friday morning to celebrate the program’s five 2023 graduates.

Native American Student Services honors graduating seniors; history made with eagle feather dedication
Lawrence High School senior Inila Brave is set to give a speech at her school’s commencement ceremony next week, an honor that she said the Lawrence school district’s support program for Native American students helped prepare her for.

KU graduates told to ‘sow more unity and peace, less discord’ as they go into the world
Higher education leaders made clear Sunday that they have high hopes and expectations for the University of Kansas Class of 2023 to make the world a better place.

Haskell graduates encouraged to take a chance on themselves
Life experiences can be turned into opportunities if one chooses not to wait, the keynote speaker at Haskell Indian Nations University’s commencement told graduates Friday morning.

Students persevere to overcome obstacles and graduate from Lawrence’s adult education program
A gymnasium filled with friends, families and supporters on Thursday evening celebrated the accomplishments of local students who overcame adversity to graduate this year from the Lawrence school district’s Adult Learning Center and Diploma Completion Program.

Lawrence High’s 148th class graduates to life’s ‘next chapter’
The sun set Friday evening on the high school careers of 375 Lawrence High Chesty Lions as family members, friends and faculty filled the outdoor stadium to celebrate the class of 2022’s accomplishments.

Free State High School celebrates resiliency of 2022 graduates
A light breeze Thursday evening blew the tassels of Free State High School’s graduating seniors as some supporters donned winter coats – an unusual site for a late-May ceremony. With temperatures hovering in the high 50s, family, friends and faculty filled the football stadium to honor Free State’s 25th graduating class.

Students celebrate graduating from Lawrence Virtual School, ‘where everyone can find a home’
Dozens of Lawrence Virtual School graduates crossed the stage to collect their diplomas Saturday, and dozens of others not present in person were celebrated along with them.

KU graduates celebrate finishing college careers that were ‘upended by a global pandemic’
A stormy morning made way for smiles, champagne and just enough sunshine Sunday afternoon as the University of Kansas graduates of 2022 celebrated all that they’ve accomplished.

Haaland, national leaders stress importance of history and representation during Haskell commencement ceremony
U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland called the graduates who attended Friday morning’s commencement ceremony at Haskell Indian Nations University “a dream that our ancestors had.”

Free State graduates celebrate triumph over pandemic adversity
The Lawrence Free State High School class of 2021 donned mortar boards and face masks under cloudy skies for their commencement Wednesday night.

Lawrence High graduates persevere despite pandemic
Amid a backdrop of basketball lore and behind face masks, the students of Lawrence High School’s class of 2021 celebrated their commencement Tuesday evening in Allen Fieldhouse.
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