Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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A Little Differently Since I cannot walk and have problems with hand coordination, I do need help doing some everyday things that most people have little trouble accomplishing by themselves. The people in Handicapped Student Services help me to select and interview personal attendants who help me with activities which enhance the quality of my life. Although I have trouble deciding what to ask of my attendants (because of my sometimes too submissive personality), I become good friends with them and respect them for their loyal and caring attitude. The people in Handicapped Student Services also play an important role in helping me interview academic aides. Since I cannot write very well with a pencil, my academic aide goes to my classes with me and takes notes for me. He also writes for me on tests and writes any homework that I dictate to him. My present academic aide not only helps me in my classes, but also has become a good friend. I still run into several problems that stem from my handicap. Although my academic aide writes most of my homework for me, I type all of my English papers in my dorm room. I have been typing for many years, but I am not very fast. I spend approximately six hours typing a paper that most of my classmates write in an hour. This additional time can be attributed to my slow typing as well as to the care that I put into the structure and content of my papers. I do become frustrated when I think of the extra work I must put forth, but I feel somewhat compensated when my efforts result in an A. Also, cold weather, an incon- venience for all students, is especially hard for me. I need assistance putting on and taking off coats, gloves and hats. Even with assistance this frequent dressing and undressing takes time - time which I can rarely spend between classes. Thus, if I do dress so I ' m comfortable outside, I ' m sure to get hot in class; if I dress so I ' m comfortable in class, I freeze when I venture outside. Left with such an undesirable choice, the best I can do is hope for warm weather. However, I enjoy most of my experiences at Memphis State. My friends give me moral support when I need it, and many people whom I don ' t even know, are happy to assist me when they think I can use their help. I make many mistakes in my college life, but I try to learn from the mistakes. With the help of my family and friends I hope to achieve independence. L A Ricky Davis ' Towers room has all the comforts of home. Ricky also has the help of his assistants Bruce Gittleman and Steve Crenshaw. Mike Farmer, Photo Services Mike Farmer, Photo Services M Handicapped Students Ml j.{J

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By Ricky Davis | I I am often asked why I decided to | j I attend a university that is so far L mJ away from my Chattanooga home. I usually respond by saying that I want to see how well I can live on my own — assert my independence. Leaving home and going off to college is a great challenge for any young person just graduating high school. Since I am physically handicapped, the challenge is even greater for me. Before coming to Memphis State, I had heard that the university provides an office of competent and concerned people who help insure that physically handicapped students have as much chance for a rewarding life and education as students who don ' t have obvious physical handicaps. I have a very difficult time trying to express in a few words how much help Donna Sparger, Sue Atkins, and other devoted people in Handicapped Student Service have been to me. Don Moy, Photo Services ► With the help of her friends and sorority sisters, Candy Love has no problem getting around Memphis. I l , xr ;

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vernight Where can more than 2,000 diligent students be located between midnight and 4 a.m.? If you guessed Overton Square, you ' re only half right. If you guessed Federal Express, you ' re absolute- ly right. Federal Express corporation, which specializes in the overnight door-to- door transporation of packages and docu- ments, employs about 2,000 sophomores and juniors from campus for part-time work. Students from Rhodes College, Christian Brothers College and State Tech are also hired for part-time work. Occasionally, representatives will visit the campus to interview students with specialized majors. Federal Express does not hire fresh- men because the corporation believes the first year should be a time for concentrating on grades, gaining a sense of responsibility and getting settled in. By the second year, the corporation feels the student has demonstrated a commit- ment to school. Sophomore ToddGilreath waited five months before he was called in for an interview. After working for IV2 months, Todd feels that the hours can become tedious. It ' s good pay for a college student, but it is a bit hectic and inconven- ient as far as studying and sleeping goes. Darron Dockery appreciates the possibility of promotion from within. If there ' s an opening in marketing, I ' ll have a good chance of getting the job because I ' m a marketing major. ► Students sort packages according to cities and regions as they are moved down a conveyor belt. The addresses are read by an electronic scanner and pushed down the chute to the appropriate belt for sorting. ► Packages are sent down the conveyor belt for shipment to the correct region. Ensuring that the addresses are on the top of the package provides quick and easy sorting. ▼ One of Federal Express ' many planes awaits loading at its terminal on the horseshoe. 20 Student Life