Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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Showing off her newly grown blac beard, Lynn Tavernaro, Roland Par senior, and grey bearded Terri Patt} Towanda senior, smoke their cigar while being part of the PSU homecorr ing parade. ▲ Steve Rosebrougl PSU Head Football Coach Dennis Franchione introduces the senior foot- ball players at the Yell-Like-Hell homecoming competition. ▲ Steve Rosebrough Alpha Gamma Delta sorority portrays a computer keyboard encouraging the gorillas to printout a victory at the Homecoming football game. ▲ Steve Rosebrough

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Homecoming Queen candidates appear before the student body for voting during Convocation. Shellie Lawrence, Independence senior, was voted Home- coming Queen. A Ragan Todd J Homecoming Reaction Left of Center? Q V— uzanne Vega (of Luca fame) has a song out entitled Lelt of Center The chorus goes like this: If you want me You can find me Left of center Off of the strip in the outskirts And in the fringes In the corner Out of the grip This seemed to accurately express the feelings of the inde- pendent students during Home- coming. They stood off to the side, whether left or right, to observe Homecoming activities. They did manage to participate in Homecoming, but mainly as spectators. “Homecoming capitalizes on the ‘Greek Experience.’ It cuts out the general student population,” commented Carolyn K. Didier, Frontenac freshman. Not everyone wants to be a Greek, which is good because not everyone can be a Greek. Most students don’t mind being independents,” but they do want to participate in fun, exciting university activities, which happen to be solely Greek-like Homecoming. High school homecoming was something every student could participate in if they chose to do so. It was uncomplicated, also. All of the activities usually took place on the same day. “They make a big deal out of it. High school homecoming was so simple, a game and a dance,” one sophomore was overheard saying. It's all Greek here. There’s not much of a chance for the rest of us to get involved.” Left of center, right? On the up-side, Homecoming wasn’t exactly a walkthrough the park for the Greek students. An entire week of activities takes a lot of planning. The fact that Homecoming took place during mid-term didn’t help much, either. The Greeks managed to pull off a successful week, though, but not without sacrifice. It’s hectic,” Alpha Sigma Alpha member Liz Taylor, fresh- man, explained. Her roommate was busily preparing her costume for the parade at the time. I wish the university could have a dance for everyone. The 'GDIs' (inde- pendents) should have more of a chance to get involved. Grin- ning, she added, It’s worth it, though, because the Alpha Sigs won Homecoming Queen!” A whole week of games, dinners, and other social func- tions is a lot. Homecoming is a part of what life at PSU is about, though. Students lose sleep because of the extra activities and studying for mid-terms. It took its toll on a few Greek students. Maybe it was too much. “I don't think Homecoming can be overrated,” Sherry Reasons, senior, remarked. It's very special. I think it’s neat that there’s so much involvement in Homecoming. Also, it relieves some of the tension of mid-term.” International students can be found 'left of center,’ also. They are really no different than the rest of the independents.” Homecoming activities are new to them, as is the case with many American pastimes. Cultural differences can be hard to accept. Whether Homecoming is a new concept to them or not, it is still different. I’m not a native American, so it’s weird to me, commented Dan Attia, graduate student. It's a good idea, but I don’t like all of the noise. The alumni returning and school spirit are great, but it’s a lot going on. Dances, banquets, Gorilla Games, and every other part of Homecoming is mostly Greek, but it’s also tradition. Whether independent”, Greek, apathetic, or intensely school spirited, it affects the lives of many. Home- coming may be the best thing that ever happened to some students. On the other hand, some may not even realize it’s taking place. Whatever the case, Homecoming is, and always will be, part of what university life is about. ▲ Kim Littleton

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26 ▲ Uniforms that are worn One Size Fits All? The PSU nursing program has several male nurse students who like Michael Ross, Columbus junior, wears the standard white uniform with a black shirt. A Steve Rosebrough ardly a day goes by on campus when you encounter something that you take tor granted. For example, you don’t notice the University Police until they ticket your car, or you don’t wonder what the Pride of the Plains Marching Band would wear if they didn’t have their uniforms... matching jams and t- shirts, perhaps? It is a thought-what would the Marching Band, University Police, or other groups be without their uniforms? Uniforms are everywhere on campus, from the ARA assistant who checks you out in the Gorilla Grill to the officer who patrols the campus. Even the jerseys worn by the athletic teams and outfits worn by the PSU Spirit Squad can be counted in the list. In short, that is a lot of uniforms, which leads to some obvious questions- •what makes them unique, how are they alike, and most impor- tant Of all, WHO CLEANS THEM!? The personnel at ARA Food Services in the Student Center know that their aprons and uniforms do make a difference, for in their case, it not only identi- fies them as ARA employees, but protects them from stains or splattering grease. For those on the athletic teams, stains and smells are common to their uniforms. After a football or basketball game, jerseys are sweaty or mud-caked, leaving their cleaning a tough task for Nancy Margrave, equip- ment manager for the athletic programs. The uniforms are inspected after every game, said Margrave. We have a sewing machine in the equipment room if they need repaired. After that, we launder them. Margrave added that total replacement of the uniforms would be too expensive. Students who serve with the R.O.T.C. on campus also have to be careful about keeping their uniforms in order, because for them, wearing it is a military requirement. Marc Fry, Topeka, KS sophomore, has served in the R.O.T.C. for three years--most of that time spent in uniform. We wear our Class A’s (fatigues) on Mondays and the B.D.U.'s (Battle Dress Uniforms, or camouflage gear), on Thurs- days, said Fry about his different uniforms. Fry also noted two things that happen when he wears his uniforms on campus: Other students tend to treat me with more respect ... it also makes me feel good about myself, because I’m looking my best. That’s also the reason why the Pride of the Plains Band wears their uniforms, but at times it’s hard to believe when the collar is biting into your neck, the chin strap is giving you lockjaw, and the pants are one size not enough. To make things worse, the uniform is made from a wool- blend, guaranteed to cause maxi- mium discomfort during halftime performances. “We’re working on getting new uniforms,” said Dr. Gary Corco- ran, PSU Director of Bands. The request for new uniforms was approved three years ago, but the money-almost $35,000 never came through from the state.” Corcoran also mentioned that band members also run into prob- lems when being fitted for uniforms, as Greg Decker, Admire, KS senior, discovered. Decker solved his problem by wearing a jacket similiar in color to the uniform, but he commented that, When they give you a size forty-four jacket and you need a size fifty-four-it doesn’t work.” Although his was a special case, the problems with the uniforms will continue to occur until they are replaced or new uniforms are purchased. In spite of their problems, the uniforms do serve a purpose. They identify, protect, or show off their wearers. However, there is one thing about them which does stand out: it's not fhe uniform which makes the difference, but the person who is wearing it. ▲ Rick Steffens