Old traditions were honored and new traditions began at the 89th annual Kansas State Family Day. Saturday’s festivities began with the Legacy Pinning Ceremony and a breakfast in the K-State Alumni Center.
Pat Bosco, vice president of student life and dean of students, made the opening announcements for the ceremony before introducing a performance by Cadence, the K-State men’s a capella group.
“It’s been a great K-State tradition, and the family theme has always been special to us,” Bosco said. “Family Day is a very unique event — not only at K-State, but in higher education.”
While the legacy pinning is a far younger tradition than Family Day, it establishes its importance by honoring those who have graduated from the university and those who are currently enrolled, as well as family members who had no previous ties to K-State.
“We started the legacy pinning about a dozen years ago and it continues to grow,” Bosco said. “It’s not only for those generations who have graduated from K-State, but for those parents and grandparents that have students here who have never graduated from K-State.”
Each family proceeded with the pinning while repeating a series of oaths led by Stephanie Bannister, assistant vice president of student life.
“The next K-State legacy begins with me,” Bannister said. The audience repeated her.
Sally and Charles Hively, K-State alumni, were in attendance at this year’s legacy pinning to support their grandson Conrad Hively, sophomore in architecture.
Conrad Hively followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, who also studied architecture at K-State.
Sally and Charles Hively agreed that the atmosphere of K-State was their favorite thing about the university.
The 19th annual Family Tailgate was held indoors prior to the football game at the Chester E. Peters Recreation Complex due to inclement weather.
As per tradition, the tailgate was paid a visit by Willie the Wildcat and featured a photo booth, door prizes and a drawing for $2,000 toward tuition.
After the tailgate, despite the rain and delays, K-Staters and their families cheered on the Wildcat football team against Texas Christian University at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Those who preferred to stay dry had the option to watch the game on TV in the Student Union courtyard.
Families and students were invited to attend several other events around campus, including a breakfast with the College of Business Administration, a performance by the Latin Jazz Band in the Union and the K-State volleyball game versus Baylor at Ahearn Field House.
The first tours of the newly renovated Union after its official dedication celebration were offered throughout the day.
