A College Town at Heart

Lawrence is truly a college town with a vitality and diversity uniquely its own. The city is home to two universities: the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. Baker University neighbors Lawrence to the south in Baldwin City.

University of Kansas

Since its opening in 1866, the University of Kansas has had a major influence on the city of Lawrence. With an enrollment of more than 25,000 students on its Lawrence campus, KU is a focal point for numerous academic, cultural and recreational activities. Its beloved mascot, the Jayhawk, is a familiar image all over the city. The campus, situated high on Mount Oread, is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the country.

Put on your walking shoes and discover the beauty of the KU campus for yourself. Self-guided tours of Jayhawk Boulevard are available at the KU and Lawrence Visitor Information Centers.

Campus information is available at the KU Visitor Center, 1502 Iowa St. The Center is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and selected Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Campus tours are available by appointment. For student tours, call 785-864-5135; for general campus tours, call 785-864-2341. http://www.ku.edu/

Learn more about the history of KU at http://www.kuhistory.com/.

Haskell Indian Nations University

Haskell Indian Nations University is the oldest intertribal university in the U.S. whose admission is open to members of federally recognized tribal nations. Opened in 1884 as an elementary school, it has evolved into a university that offers a variety of associate degree programs and baccalaureate degrees in elementary education, business administration, environmental science and American Indian studies. Haskell students represent nearly 150 tribes/nations and 35 states annually.

Haskell's 320-acre campus is a national landmark and contains 12 sites listed in the National Register of Historic Landmarks. Sites of interest on the campus include the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame located in Stidham Union, Haskell Memorial Stadium/Arch, the Medicine Wheel Totem Pole, Medicine Wheel Earth Work and the Haskell Cultural Center. http://www.haskell.edu/

Baker University

Baker University, the oldest university in the state, is located 15 miles south of Lawrence in Baldwin City. Baker was founded in 1858 by Methodist ministers, and the private school has been attracting excellent teachers and students ever since. In fall 2001, for the fifth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Baker among the top regional universities in the Midwest. The ranking is based on criteria including academic reputation, faculty resources and student retention. Four Rhodes Scholars and two Pulitzer Prize winners have attended Baker. General information, 785-594-6451. http://www.bakeru.edu/