The University of Kansas

Inside Spencer: The KSRL Blog

Books on a shelf

Welcome to the Kenneth Spencer Research Library blog! As the special collections and archives library at the University of Kansas, Spencer is home to remarkable and diverse collections of rare and unique items. Explore the blog to learn about the work we do and the materials we collect.

Throwback Thursday: Dog Days of Summer Edition, Part II

August 2nd, 2018

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Did you know that KU’s first mascot was a bulldog? For awhile, the Jayhawk and the Bulldog were both used as mascots. In November 1958, the Jayhawk became KU’s official, and lone, mascot.

Photograph of the KU baseball team with bulldog mascot, 1903

The KU baseball team with the university’s bulldog mascot, 1903. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 66/12 1903 Prints: Athletic Department: Baseball (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

You can see our previous “Dog Days of Summer” blog post from 2015.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Hitch a Ride Edition

March 1st, 2018

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Photograph of Big Jay with a girl riding on his tail, 1970

Big Jay with a girl riding on his tail, 1970. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/25 1970 Negatives: University General: Jayhawk mascot, dolls, etc. (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Hal Sandy Edition

December 14th, 2017

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

We were saddened to hear about the death of Harold “Hal” Sandy, who created the Happy Jayhawk logo while a student at KU in 1946. Sandy’s Jayhawk is still in use today, seven decades later.

Photograph of Hal Sandy with Baby Jay, undated

Hal Sandy with Baby Jay, undated. Personal Papers of Hal and Wilda Sandy.
Call Number: PP 506. Click image to enlarge.

You can learn more about Hal Sandy by exploring the digital version of Spencer Research Library’s 2012 exhibit, 100 Years of the Jayhawk.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Homecoming Prep Edition

September 28th, 2017

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Next week is KU’s 105th Homecoming, which means that students are already busy creating signs, floats, banners, and musical performances for various events and competitions.

Photograph of KU students working on a Homecoming display, 1973

Students working on a Homecoming display, 1973.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 71/1 1973 Slides:
Student Activities: Homecoming (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Jayhawk Edition, Part II

September 7th, 2017

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

We love all iterations of Jayhawks! Fans at this weekend’s KU football game will see Jayhawks that look very different from the one in this week’s photograph.

Photograph of the Jayhawk mascot at a football game, 1923

KU’s Jayhawk mascot at an away football game against
Kansas State University, 1923. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/25 1923 Prints: University General: Jayhawk mascot, dolls, etc (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services