Graceland University - Acacia Yearbook (Lamoni, IA)

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28!Year in Review 1982-88 Economy Slumps, Recovery Begins The economic picture for the 1982- 83 school year was mixed. The year started during the worst recession the United States has experienced since the Depression. Inflation was high, about 11070 annually. The prime interest rate was 16070. Homes and cars were not being sold, because interest rates made it impossible for people to afford them. The economy was at a standstill. Student Employment Problems with the economy affect- ed Graceland students in very real ways. The tight money supply made finding the funds to pay for tuition, room, and board quite difficult for some students, and kept others from being able to attend at all. Summer jobs were scarce and loans hard to get. But the students who were affected most were graduating seniors. With unemployment at 1070, jobs were harder to find than ever before. In order to compete in a tight job market, seniors had to work harder and more creatively at finding openings for which they were qualified, and sharpen their skills at selling themselves to pro- spective employers. Career Coun- seling and Placement helps seniors find jobs by offering such resources as a career library, seminars on job-search techniques, and mock interviews in which students can practice their skills. Bob Watt develops job-hunting skills at a mock interview with Ralph Wouters. iPhoto: IPCJ Over the year, some economic indicators improved. The inflation rate fell to 4070 in early 1983. Inter- est rates fell, till in March the prime rate was 10 172 070, home mort- gages were running around 13070, and auto loans were available at 11-16070. As the nation's money sup- ply eased, the country began pro- ducing again. New housing starts were up 36070 in the first quarter of 1983 from the year before. Auto sales jumped from 4.1 million an- nually in late '81 to 6 'million annu- ally in early '83, Retail sales were up. Stock market averages broke all-time highs in March. The con- sensus was that the 17-month reces- sionbottomed out in December of '82 and President Reagan predicted a 3.1070 ladjusted for inflationl in- crease in the nation's output for 1983. But is the economy really recover- ing? Normal growth for a recovery year is 7070, significantly higher than Reagan's predicted 3.1070. In- flation has slowed, interest rates are down, and sales are up, but other economic indicators are still weak. Unemployment, which was 8070 in November, 1981, had increased to 10.470 in Ianuary, 1983-11,400,011 Americans were looking unsuccess- fully for work in the first month of the recovery. The federal deficit is higher than ever before. It is predicted to be S194 billion in 1983, and could increase to S267 billion by 1988. Some economists suggest that this government debt will con- flict with credit needs of private in- dustry, and may push inflation back up. Whether the government will be able to reduce the federal deficit and cut unemployment, while maintaining the gains made this year in the fight against infla- tion remains to be seen. Perhaps 1983 is the beginning of new growth in the nation's economy. Perhaps it is only a slight improve- ment in the midst of a great reces- sion.

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- Proud i parents admire a senior art show. fPhotoT'Rob Andersonl g Many majors at Graceland require something special of seniors-some sort of senior project. Through independent work, seniors are able to demonstrate their- competence in their major area and their ability to work as professionals 'after graduation. The most visible of the senior projects occur in the arts. Music majors give senior recitals. Art majors display senior shows. . i And drama students write and produce their own play. Education majors receive t their acid test through studentiteaching. Many other majors require some sort of independent research presentation.. All of these give seniors an opportunity to show just how wellthey have mastered their discipline. i K ' .1,,.,z , I r SM! Y, , QI A A student teacher checks individual work. iPhoto: IPCI - Q A Senior artists pose for er picture: Ann Klingensmith, Bernie Newcomer, llla Lud- A wig, Kevin Carlile. Alicia ' Duquef iPhoto: Yasuo Nak- anishil V U? cn . I3 H, , O

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v 4. -. p 1 X . 2 K me ,. s 1 . -'l 'L f za ' ' 3 3, 1,1 O . . NA-' ' 5 . 2 1 ,V -'W . V f . Above: H Brettrager. IPhotos: Rob Andersonl COSA calendars. COSA moviesq COSA dances. COSA skates. lust what is COSA, anyway? It's a vital part of life at Graceland, but do Lyou know what COSA stands for? Iust in case you aren't sure, it's the Campus. Organization fore Social Activities. And-social activities are- what COSA is all about. This is. the group that makes sure' that night 'life at Graceland doesn't mean listening for the 6:00 siren and watch- ing the streetlights flicker. COSA sponsors skates, dances. and movies' in the MSC. 10:00 movies at the Coliseum are a good way to get away from campus and studying in thelmiddle of the week. Sometimes, COSA and another organiza- tion, such as the Black Student Organizationpor the Religious Life Office, work together to sponsor an ac- tivity that is fun and also helps us become aware of deeper' concerns. Other events during ther- year in- cluded the Rubik's Cube Smash Contest. in which houses competed for the most creative way to kill a cube: a performance by Tom deLuca, hypnotist: com- puter portraits, a square dance, several live bands, and the Halloween costume dancey ' n . f , -Rebecca Ramsey Leary and. Royal 'Ln . 1 Above , V y Clothierl COSA! 27