Tower-Fall-2020

22 TOWER | FALL 2020 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT If you’re searching for a portal into the past, look no further than the concourse in Old Main, which features a historic display lovingly curated by KU Professor Emeritus Bill Bateman and Jason Graver ’92, M’18. The eclectic collection contains original paintings by Henry Sharadin, director of KU’s art department and painting from 1902–1916 and 1925–1939; sculptures by acclaimed artist Klaus Ihlenfeld; baseball memorabilia from every era; historical campus photographs; and an original Bruce Springsteen concert photo from 1975. Graver, who received his secondary education and library science degrees from KU, was browsing an antique shop with his wife, Karin (Levengood) Graver ’92, when he discovered a 1968 Keystonia yearbook. The find sparked his passion for KU memorabilia, and in the years since, his collection has grown to include original artwork by Sharadin; school pennants; diplomas; hundreds of photo postcards; class rings; and, most prized of all, a panoramic photograph of U.S. Army Air Force cadets who were training at KU prior to World War II. “Objects always help us connect to the past,” Graver said. “When I hold an artifact, I can’t help but wonder what the person was like who owned it or used it. Photographs are especially valuable, because we can look at a place we’re familiar with, and see what it looked like at the time, and both how it’s changed and remained the same.” Graver teaches social studies at Northern Lehigh Middle School, Slatington, Pa. Jason Graver ’92, M’18 BY ESTHER SHANAHAN Above photo: Students and faculty in front of the Keystone State Normal School’s gymnasium (today’s Risley Hall) in 1922. Right: Bruce Springsteen concert poster from 1975.