Apple Day, also known as Commemoration Day,
is PSU's oldest tradition.
It is celebrated the first Thursday each March
Apple Day 2013 is on March 7th
03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Sharon Kay Dean Recital Hall in McCray Hall
Ed McKechnie, Chair of the Board of Regents, was the speaker for the 2012 Apple Day Convocation at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, in McCray Recital Hall. Mr. McKechnie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from PSU in 1986. He was appointed to the Board of Regents in February 2010.
Apple Day is PSU's oldest tradition and at the Apple Day convocation, the University honors Outstanding Faculty, Golden Gorilla Award and Distinguished Service Award recipients. Faculty will distribute apples to students as part of the tradition.
For information, contact the Campus Activities Center at 620-235-4795.
What is Apple Day?
On February 21, 1903, Governor William J. Bailey signed the bill creating the Kansas State Manual Training Normal School Auxiliary, the first name of what is today Pittsburg State University. Classes began the following September in the city-owned Central School building at the northwest corner of Fifth and Walnut. Very soon the growing enrollment created a need for a larger facility.
Senator Ebenezer F. Porter of Pittsburg led a successful fight for a building appropriation with the assistance of Principal Russell Station Russ, the faculty, and community leaders. After the funding bill was passed, Clarence Price, then mayor of Pittsburg, was fined a barrel of apples for lobbying on the floor of the legislature. Senator Porter, it should be noted, graciously donated two boxes of cigars to the House for passing the bill.
Upon their triumphal return to Pittsburg, the story of the fine was told. In those days, students were disciplined for their absences.
In the spirit of the celebration, Principal Russ and members of his faculty were fined a barrel of apples by the students because they had been gone to Topeka to help lobby. Thus, with the funding of the building we now call Russ Hall by the Kansas Legislature, the tradition of Apple Day was established in 1907.
