Haskell plans performers for commencement

More than 1,000 people are expected Friday in Lawrence for commencement ceremonies at Haskell Indian Nations University.

According to the latest count, 170 students are expected to graduate.

“The number changes a little every day, but it looks like 111 will receive their two-year degrees, and 59 will get their four-year degrees,” said Ralph Reed, an instructional assessment coordinator at Haskell and head of the commencement planning committee.

Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. at Haskell Memorial Stadium. In case of bad weather, ceremonies will move to Coffin Sports Complex.

This year’s commencement coincides with meetings of the Haskell Alumni Assn. and Haskell Board of Regents, and the annual Haskell powwow, which begins 7 p.m. Friday at the powwow grounds and ends Sunday afternoon.

Graduating seniors Carlene Nofire-Morris and Erika Washee will present the commencement address. They share 2002 Haskell Student of the Year honors.

Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway has been invited and is expected to attend.

Special guests include:

 A delegation  two administrators, two professors, four students  from Gorno-Altaisk State University in Russia. Based in the Altai Republic, the university last year was host to several Haskell students and faculty during a visit coordinated by the Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center.

 The Yun Shu Ka Dancers, representing the Tlingit, Haida, Aleut, Tsimshian, Inupiat and Athabaskan nations of Alaska.

Based in Juneau, Alaska, the dancers’ approach, music and regalia are considerably different from those usually seen in the Midwest. Instead of feathers, fringe and beads, Yun Shu Ka Dancers’ costumes feature wool blankets and tunics.

Warm temperatures may pose problem for the nine dancers, said Carolyn Noe, president of Yun Shu Ka Dancers.

“Today, where we are, it’s 40 to 50 degrees,” Noe said. “And because we’re on the ocean, the breezes make it colder, really. We are still in our warm coats.”

Yun Shu Ka dancers are scheduled to perform Thursday evening for the alumni association at the Holiday Inn Holidome, 200 McDonald Drive; Friday during commencement, and Saturday at the powwow.

Yun Shu Ka is a Tlingit term, meaning “people away from home.”

Plans call for the new Haskell Cultural Center and Museum to be open for visitors Friday. Also, the newly refurbished Haskell Stadium Arch will be available for inspection.

Miss Haskell 2002 will be crowned Friday during the powwow.