Cara Grin is excited for her first day of classes — if she can figure out where on Kansas University’s 950-acre campus they are.

“I’m nervous about where to go,” the Leawood freshman said.

Grin will be one of more than 26,000 students headed to class today as KU opens its fall semester.

More than 1,500 students, mostly freshmen, gathered Wednesday night at the Lied Center for the university’s 139th opening convocation, the formal start to the academic year.

“If you were not here, we would be diminished, running on last year’s ideas without sufficient imagination,” Chancellor Robert Hemenway told the gathering. “The potential for a continuing, annual rebirth would be lost.”

Hemenway included two stories from last year in urging the students to “protect each other” and to “think about each other’s safety.”

One was the story of Andy Marso, who in April was diagnosed with meningitis. Marso’s roommate realized he was ill and rushed him to Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

“Andy Marso’s roommate saved his life because meningitis can kill within 12 hours,” Hemenway said.

The other was the story of Eric Wellhausen, a freshman who was killed after falling from the ledge of his Oliver Hall dorm room. He had been drinking, and he was on the ground for 30 minutes before someone called the authorities.

“Please don’t let this happen to you — either through use of alcohol or through your neglect of someone,” Hemenway said.

Jessica Male, a freshman from Leawood who attended convocation, said she was eager for her college career to get under way.

“I’m more excited than nervous,” she said. “I’ve known I wanted to go to KU for a long time. Meeting new people is my main thing.”

6News video: KU convocation opens new semester New Jayhawks welcomed to the roost, taught chants at KU’s Traditions Night (8-17-04) 6News video: Thousands of freshman gather for Rock-Chalk learning Hawk Week to teach KU spirit (08-15-04) KU Today 2004