Wichita State University - Parnassus Yearbook (Wichita, KS)

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Kristi Camien You want to interview me for the yearbook because I'm blind, right? Kristi asked. She knew. She's always known that sighted people are curious about a blind person's educational endeavors. But Kristi, holding her slight build in perfect posture on the edge of her chair, explained that she is curious about her fellow students, too. She wonders how they'lI react when she approaches them for help. It's not that Kristi gets lost all the time. She's attended WSU since 1972 and knows her way around the campus. But she says she still needs assistance sometimes. Like when she needs a bulletin board notice read aloud or has to buy something in the bookstore. l'm curious about their reactions because, often, a sighted person doesn't know how to refuse a blind person. Kristi said. They don't know how to say they are busy or just say no. Kristi has thought about this problem for a long time. When she went to high school at the Kansas State School for the Visually Handicapped in Kansas City, they preached independence constantly. They told Kristi's class that a blind person should always use a cane and not depend upon others for help. So for awhile Kristi used a cane. But she didn't like to use one, it got in her way too much. When she graduated and took a college preparatory course for blind students at the Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Topeka, the same thing happened. The counselors there also stressed the importance of independence. Again, Kristi rejected their personal behavior code for the blind. She doesn't want to be forced into social interaction. She wants to approach people and talk to them on her own. t, ,, .. , , .gestion gg ,,. f . . .5 tg 5 + z 2 l've come to believe that you're really a stronger person if you can ask for heIp. Kristi said in a soft voice. Now, I just want other people to realize that we'd both have more control over the situation if they'd learn to respond honestly. I mean, if someone's class starts in five minutes I don't want their help. Because neither one of us would enjoy it. Kristi wants to enjoy everything she does in college. She says that's why she likes to get readers for her classes instead of sending off to New York for tapes. I want to be directly involved in a class. Kristi explained. I don't like an impersonal tape that explains a picture in a dull voice. And it takes the Red Cross too long to braille books for me. So I like reader service best, you know, someone from my class to read the assignments to me. But I also take braille notes during classes with my slate. My notes and the reading sessions, together, help me study. After Kristi graduates this spring and receives her psychology degree, she plans to be a court reporter. She hopes to use her career to study the free expression rights of mental patients during trials. I'm changing all the time. Kristi said. And I like the freedom of it all. Mom always had a sterotype that blind persons should work in a shelter shop, making tennis rackets or something, or work at the IRS. But now it's good to know that I have a choice of action. That I can make my own decisions and have control over my life. u Press on People!41

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Webster Walker As I walk up the entrance to his office, Webster Walker is waiting for me by the door. I notice his black suit and tie immediately, and hope I'm not dressed too casually in my blue jeans. After we're seated lVIr. Walker Ihis straight posture told me I should call him this, instead of Websterl looks at me calmly and waits for the interview to begin. Well, how does it feel to be a 87-yr-old student at WSU? I ask him, in a voice that seems a little loud for the small room with bird calendars on the wall. l think education is essential for everyone. He replies, still looking at me with calm, relaxed eyes. Oh, I say, well, do you think our education system has changed any since the last time you went to college? Yes, I think it's changed. he answers. He continues to look at me steadily, and without knowing why, I begin to feel that my prepared questions are all wrong. Some form of silent communication is taking place. By looking at his face, I can see that Nlr. WaIker's ego is not involved in this interview. He's waiting to talk to me and suddenly I want to talk to him--not interview him. Tell me what's it's like to be 87-yr-old. I asked. Are you healthy, happy? Oh yes, he says, l've only been sick 5 days in my life. Never used liquor or narcotics, either. You see, I'm a Christian. I live by the Bible, I read the Bible, and I believe every word it says. I asked Mr. Walker if he ever got upset over our changing times--like inflation, or more crimes. He's smiling at me now, and tells me he just answered that question. He says he never worries about anything, not even money, because he turns all those things over to God. We continue to talk for another half hour about anything that comes to our minds. During this half hour IVIr. Walker express the following viewpoints: There's no generation gap, just a communication problem. Parents don't communicate with their children. And how are you going to know what a child thinks, unless you let him taIk. -X-'X--X--X--X--X-4-'X' The black people have opportunities now, that never existed 20 years ago. There's still discrimination, that's a fact. But the doors are open now. 4O!Press On People -K'-l'X--I--I--I--INK I brought my first car when I was 68-yrs-old. A young man hit me five years ago and I haven't dirven since. I just gave it up and walk every where now, or ride the bus. 'X-'l X X'-X'-l--X--X- When I was 8-yrs-old, they made me a little plow and I helped chop and pick cotton and all that stuff down in Mississippi. And l've been working every since. 'l'4l l-X'-I--X'-X X' The time has gone by so fast. l've really enjoyed talking to this wise man, but I feel I should end our talk. Then I look down and see my unanswered questions. You never did tell me why you think our education system has changed or why you think education is essentiaI? I say. The courses aren't as difficult now, as they were in 1955 when I was working on my B.A. in Education, he explains, it used to be a Platonic system, on a one-to-one basis for each student. Now the system is bigger and more efficient but students get less out of their education. I believe education is essential for the sake of society. To be a good citizen we must keep pace with the times. What have you received from your two classes at WSU this semester, then. I ask. I've learned a lot about what's going on now, enjoyed the atmosphere immensely--I'm just glad I went back. ni i X xv I K.: I x,,,.:f

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Beverly Goodsen Why does a 38-yr-old woman with two children, ages 8 and 10, decide to go back to college? For Beverly Goodsen the answer is simple, she wants to share the experience with her husband. When my husband decided to return to WSU and get his degree, I decided to go with him. the green-eyed, attractive mother explained. We both have about four more semesters of night classes in Business Administration left before we get our degrees. We really enjoy the academic life, Beverly continued, besides that, we feel like it's our night out on the town, so to speak. Going to night classes together has really developed a closeness between us--it's something we do together without the children. Beverly also pointed out that studying is really fun with her husband as a partner in the same classes. But she is especially pleased that her children are benefiting from their parents educational endeavors. They have picked up so much of our terminology unconsciously, like by listening to our dinner conservations' or just being in the same room when we are studying. Beverly says. Our study discussions have helped them with their math classes and more recently they both showed an increased interest in music after my husband and l took a music appreciation class at WSU. Beverly believes, that beyond her 42lPress on People husband's and childrens' interests in education, her own personal satisfaction is also being achieved since she's returned to college. l'm pursuing a goal which can be satisfied without cheating my husband or family. Beverly said. And even though l only work part time as a secretary now, l can see reentry into the business world on a more full time basis when the children get into high school. Because Business Administration makes so much sense. lt's a way of life for me. It shows me how to earn a living in the competitive business world which I already enjoy. Beverly says she didn't mind stopping her education after only two years when she Q01 married. Financially, she and her husband could not afford to waste money renting some place to live and go to school at the same time. So they decided to purchase land and build their own home. Then, six years later they decided to have a family. l Now after sixteen years of marriage they are back in college and couldn't bey happier. There's no strain or stress, involved. They both have perfect attendence and high grade point averages. l guess, l feel someone my age should keep progressing in their own education! so they can stay tuned into the problemsj of today's society. Beverly said. It's curl duty to stay on an even keel or level withl today's youth so we can help them achieve their projects by lending ourl experience to their way of thinking. j When asked if her own values had beeny changed by returning to WSU, Beverlyl quickly shook her head no. l haven't changed my values at all. j she said looking at her husband. And ll don't think l should go into what myl values are because they're kinda oldl fashion. y ,,,,,, as, 24, ,...gQ- .1 Q? T393