Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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Dear SantaL It is that time of year when students are hustling and bustling on campus as they finish term papers and study for finals. But amongst all tills academic activity, the spirit of Christmas is still in the air. Since most of the students are ail suffering from, acute writer's cramp and nursing head- aches from late-night study sessions, 1 thought that it would he appropriate for me to write you a letter. As mascot of this swinging campus, I thought who but Gus could bet- ter explain to Santa the University's wishes and hopes for this Christmas season. After talking with students on campus, I found that good grades rank high on their wish list. Jennifer Odell, Fredonia junior, would like to get A's on all her finals. If you don't think it is too much to ask, Santa, could we manage that for all the students? They have all been so good and have worked so hard this semester! No one is ever too old to par- ticipate in the joys of Christmas. Although sitting on Santa's lap is generally reserved for younger children, some college students still enjoy lelfing Santa what they want for Christmas. — Dale Bratton Along the same academic line, Paul Mayberry, Cleveland, Okla., senior, would like to have his master's degree in psychology. But please, don't bring him anything like the ceramic donkey he received that one year. He doesn't mean to complain, but all that donkey is good for is sitting on the floor looking silly. Shawna Wallace, Winchester freshman, has only two requests. The first is a car, any kind, as long as it starts. After having shared a bedroom with three sisters and now experiencing dorm life, Shawna would like to have her own room. Maybe you could invite her to the North Pole and let her have the guest room? This next present may be a little hard to wrap, but Tami Dodds, Parson senior, would like to find Mikhail Baryishnakov sitting under her tree on Christmas Day. Please wrap him well so he doesn't freeze on the long trip from the North Pole, Santa, the weather has been really awful here in Pittsburg and everyone is concerned about traveling home for the holidays. Kaye Lynne Webb, administrative assistant to the president, has requested good weather so that everyone can be home for Christmas, including her grandchildren. Students are sometimes considered to be too materialistis, but Santa, that is not always true. Kevin Mangan, Derby graduate student, is feeling sentimental this Christ- mas and wants to spend more time with his wife, Yvette. He thinks that would be a much better gift than those doggie toys he got that one year, after his pet had already died. He also likes his wife better than those icky round fruit cakes, that people think make such nice presents. The fraternity guys in the Lambda Chi Alpha house do not mean to be greedy, but they have two wishes. They want a bus so they can go places and a Civil War cannon so they can take it to the football games and make lots of noise. Could you also bring those hungry boys some food too? Two of the guys, Jay Weaver, Independence junior, and Rob Greathouse, Crown Point, Ind., freshman, both said the best things they like about the holidays is the good food. Maybe you could leave them a few extra bananas in their stockings. Steve McLaughlin, director of the Student Center, would like more money for renova- tions - a new air conditioning unit, dishwasher, tables, chairs and lounge furni- ture. 1 know that sounds like a long list, but these gifts would benefit everyone at PSU. Since Steve is also the Lambda Chi adviser, how about giving him a helmet? There is no telling what those fellows will do with that cannon. Santa, there is no way to write down everyone's wishes, but in general, I think everyone this year wishes for happines, goodwill and the chance to be with loved ones. Take care Santa, and could you throw in extra bananas for Gussie and me this year? Love, Cus Christmas 29

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Although there was no snow on the ground to remind students that it was winter, the wreath hanging on the Overman Student Center was a sure sign that Christmas was coming. — Dale Bratton The bright lights of Kansas City attract students alJ year round, giving them opportunities for enjoyment that are not found in Pittsburg. However, the beautiful Christmas lightes at the Kansas City Plaza hold a special fairland attraction, luring students to the big city during the Christmas holidays. —Dale Bratton 23 Christmas

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Please be gentle It s my first time The girl lay down slowly, not at all sure she wanted to go through with it. ''This is my first time. It won't hurt, will it? she asked, a tremor in her voice. Not at all. I do this all the time, and I've never had any complaints. Although the words were reassuring, the girl still turned her face away fearfully as the face above her came closer, and the needle slid slowly into her vein. Giving blood is one contri- bution to society that either people do not mind making, or it is one they absolutely refuse to make for various reasons. Perhaps they are scared of needles, or they are, for some physical reason, unable to donate. But another reason for not donating blood has recently come to light — fear of contracting AIDS. Gilbert Clark, executive Director of the American Association of Blood Banks, said that more than one third of Americans falsely believe that they can contract AIDS by donating blood. Because of this belief, we are having a serious blood shortage across the country. Most places have enough blood to take care of their immediate needs, but if we had a national emergency and needed 50,000 to 100,000 units of blood, it would not be available, he said. Jane Fedora, head nurse for the Springfield Red Cross Center, which handles the PSU blood drive, said that fear of AIDS is having a negative effect on blood supply in the Kansas area. However, she feels the problem is beginning to lessen a little bit as people become more educated and less panicked about the AIDS problem. There is absolutely no chance of contracting AIDS from donating blood, Fedora said. We use completely sterile equipment. Every person gets a new, sterilized needle, which is thrown out after their donation. The chances of contracting AIDS from receiving a blood donation are also very slim because extensive testing is done on each sample, Fedora said. First, every sample is tested twice at the Springfield lab. If there are any irregularities in the test results, the unit is thrown away and a sample sent to another lab for yet more testing. If the further testing reveals the presence of AIDS, notification is sent to the donor. The sooner people realise that there is no danger of contracting AIDS by donating blood, the better it will be for all of us. There is an urgent need for blood all of the time. U Our Red Cross center in Springfield serves 54 hospitals in a 150 square mile radius by itself, Fedora said. Tom Johnston, Coffeyville senior, is a regular blood donor. In fact, at the spring blood drive, where 274 total pints were collected, he donated his eighth pint and received a special gallon- donator pin. The thought of contracting AIDS never entered his mind when he considered donating. I guess it's kind of a family tradition to donate blood. Everyone in my family does. I give mainly for two reasons. First, so that there is hopefully blood there available should I ever need it, although I hope I never do. And second because if I can help someone in need, I want to help them. Johnston said he has never felt any after-effects following his blood donations. The first time I gave I may have felt a little dizzy, but that was the only time. OStacey Sanderlin 30 Blood Drive