New Mexico State University - Swastika Yearbook (Las Cruces, NM)

Page 68 text:

9 Nancy Aguilar, another Econ. 253 student, goes direct to General Hugh Milton, Vice President of the First National Bank of Dona Ana County, and discovers the importance of the Federal Reserve Sys- tem. Economics is everywhere — not only in the classroom. Professor Downs broadcasts on the Right to Work Legislation.

Page 67 text:

The Biology Departraent Biology maiors have a wide range of courses open to them in nearly any field they chose to enter. Courses are taught by an especially active, well-informed staff. Nearly all the In- structors In the biology department work on some sort- of research projects. Dr. and Mrs. Anderson (he heads the department), shown In the Beta Beta Beta picture, are working with parasites, and have found two undescribed species so far. The Andersons spend their sum- mers working at the University of Michigan Biological Research Station. Dr. Staffeldt, who made sensational progress on a cure for ring- worm ( athlete ' s foot ) is now in Lebanon study- ing various crops that might be suitable for growing here, hie has done research on cancer, cotton and peanut disease controls. The biology department ' s secretary, Mrs. Hanks, says It Is not unusual for him to hand her eight or ten letters, each about a different project In which he is involved. Dr. Dunford Is doing genetic research on gum weed, and ways to control the fruit fly population. Dr. Dick-Peddle is work- ing with the State Highway Department on ways to keep mesqulte and creosote bush away from the highways, and replace them with more attractive natural plants. Dr. Raitt Is doing research on the hybridization of quail, and Dr. Zimmerman Is doing more or less the same thing with water beetles. Dr. Whitford Is work- ing with spotted salamanders. Both Dr. Zimmer- man and Dr. Whitford have water resources grants and are doing studies on the Rio Grande. Tony Smith, Dave Moore, Dick Mays, Terry Best, Dr. Raltt (at the coffee-pot). Dr. Zimmerman, and Dr. Whitford take a mid-morning break in the coffee-room. David Moore, a graduate assistant, mounts a . . . bug?

Page 69 text:

I The Economics Department Counseling and advice can lead to new thoughts. What about becoming an Economics major? says Dr. Zickefoose, head of the Department, in discussion with Tita Valdez. Students discover some problems a surplus creates in farming. Sid Vin- yard, Steve McDonald, and Tita Valdez inquire as Dr. Beckstead stimu- lates minds. Professors of every discipline on campus tend to believe that their areas of specialization should be of the highest priority in a general education program for undergraduates. Such sentiment is present for math, science, litera- ture, history and social science, fine arts, phys- ical education — and, of course, economics. Since each professor sincerely thinks that a gaping hole would be left in the student ' s education if current ' requirements were reduced, there is a constant tug-of-war as to the content of the general education core. The student Is inclined to feel, A pox on all requirements! Let me pick as I please. Why take dry economics? Look at the headlines of your daily paper. On domestic or international issues note how many require an understanding of economics to interpret them: U. S. Gold Losses Increase; Cost of Living Edges Up; Anti-Poverty Meas- ures Debated. Granted that Civil Rights, International Af- fairs, Crime, and others are critical issues re- quired an informed electorate, the above pri- marily economic issues are high on the nation ' s agenda for workable solutions. The student soon learns that it is impossible to understand the national problems on the basis of his own ex- perience because of the fallacy of composi- tion. The whole is different from the sum of the parts. What is good for General Motors is not necessarily good for the entire country. An enlightened citizenry is essential for a functioning democracy. We must avoid the easy solution of the Bread and Circuses of the Roman Empire as well as the archaic insistence on a balanced national budget each year. Whether you are an Art or Physics major, why not take Econ. 253 with enthusiasm when it comes along in your general education cur- riculum? - -1 :r ' ' 1 Hi V