Emily Franzenberg had sung the Kansas University alma mater dozens of times at events she attended with her brother, a former KU student.

It meant much more Monday night, when she was joined by more than 3,000 new students who were gathering for the first time as Jayhawks.

Matt Losee, a Wichita graduate student, joins other new Kansas University students in learning athletic traditions at Traditions Night at Memorial Stadium. Monday night's event taught new students the various rituals of KU.

“It gave me goosebumps when I sang it,” she said.

The alma mater was one of many KU customs taught to new students at the university’s annual Traditions Night at Memorial Stadium. The gathering was part of Hawk Week, a series of events leading up to the first day of fall classes, which is Thursday.

Monday’s “class” included learning to “wave the wheat” after football touchdowns and opponent foul-outs in basketball, and learning the words to cheers.

“We’ve got to teach you how to cheer because we’re going to score so many touchdowns we’ve got to get our cheers ready to go,” Chancellor Robert Hemenway said.

Perhaps the most time was spent teaching students to clap properly to “I’m a Jayhawk,” a KU fight song.

“I got it right once or twice, I think,” said Lucas Foley, a freshman from Nashville, Tenn.

6News video: Thousands of freshman gather for Rock-Chalk learning Hawk Week to teach KU spirit (08-15-04) KU Today 2004

Other speakers reminded the students of other, nonathletic traditions — such as going to class, studying and performing community service.

“You will not be limited by your age, gender, ACT scores or high school grades,” said James Carothers, an English professor. “If you can find and ask what the university has to offer to you, you’ll find the best that’s in yourself.”