Southern Illinois University - Obelisk Yearbook (Carbondale, IL)

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One touch ofnature makes the world kint - Shakespeare Touch Story by Kathleen Collins Seibert Editofs note: Kathleen Seibert served as camp-out director and as arts and crafts assistant director at Camp Olympia during summer, 1981. J erry Lower is a. staff photographer at the Southern Illinoisan and part-time SIU journalism student. He spent a large amount of time at Touch of Nature during summer, 1981, documenting the activities at Camp Olympia. It is a naturalistis utopia-a humanitariads dream. It is an atmosphere of sharing-communal living at 2 iinest and at its less than best. It is challenging and creative. It is a supportive environment for individual growth place for reflection and enlightenment. It is intense, positively stressful, exhilarating and fru; trating. It is a center for experiential learning where one can explore the limitless limits. It is a space for good 0P down-home fun. It is magical. It is Touch of Nature's Camp Olympia. Camp Olympia is somewhat different from most summer camps. It is targeted for a special population, usually referred to as the iihandicappedii or the iidisabled. These terms officially describe people who have a iiphysical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. The condition of being handicapped is not unique. All human beings are, to some extent, limited in the full participation of their lives. These signs of disability are less hidden, however, for individuals with conditions like cere- bral palsy, hearing impairment, Downis syndrome or au- tism. At Camp Olympia tformerly Camp Little Gianti an acknowledgement of common human needs is blended with continued

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political research during Nixon,s 1968 presidential campaign. He said he had no idea which fund the money had come from, only that it was money paid to him for doing a service. Upon Derge,s resignation to con- tinue his position in the Political Science Department of SIU in 1974, Hiram H. Lesar, a nationally known law educator took over the office as interim president. Lesar, who was dean of the new law program before becoming the temporary head, retained many of his duties as the law dean. His goals as president were to assist the universityis students in ttgaining the knowledge and insights that are necessary to lead better and more satisfying lives? He focused much of his attention on Southern Illinois in- cluding its culture and economy and helped the region further develop its coal, agriculture and other land resources. When Warren W. Brandt was se- lected president in 1974, Lesar re- turned to guide the formation of the fledgling law program at SIU. Lesar would serve another term as president from 1979-1980. For his dedication to the law program, the new law school building recently constructed has been named for him. President Morris !far leftl dedicates the new Life Science building by placing the corner stone. During Morrisi tenure as president SI U ,8 growth was unsurpassed by any other administration. President Albert Sommit recently entered the presidential family. Before coming to SIU-C, Brandt was a consultant at the largest educational institution in Virginia-the Virginia Commonwealth University. Brandt said he sought the post at SIU because he felt he had accomplished all that he could at the Richmond school and his tttalents were better suited for some other challenge. Brandt said, upon acceptance at the SIU-C presidency, he felt the univer- sity was functioning very well and would make changes only after a thorough investigation of the issues. He said one of his goals was to make students feel lucky to be attend- ing SIU-C. He also wanted to improve the university,s image that had been labeled as one of the biggest ttparty schools in the nation. During Brandtis tenure the SIU Medical School gained accreditation, Faner Hall was completed and a two- story parking garage located near the Student Center was built. Also, a coal research program was developed and the Law School became better estab- lished. Brandt resigned in 1979. Each of these 12 heads added a part of himself to the university. What accomplishments they made or ideas they had helped to sculpture and change this school into the thriving institution that it now is. During the 'past 112 years SIU has changed from a small normal school, to a teacher- producing college, to a major univer- sity. It has endured many hard times and blossomed during peaceful times but has always kept the spirit of up- ward movement. SIU-C will continue to have hardships and faults, but under the guidance of its present leader, Albert Somit, and the future presidents, it will continue to grow and improve. 15

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War lefa Counsellors Jill Bjorndahl, Brenda Boese and Larry Normansell clown-around with camper George Desvoigne of Springfield. mew Counsellor Laura Yambert takes a camper for a ?iggy- back ride.