University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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FALL CAMPUS NEWS ' 85 UA NOTABLE VISITORS In early September, Edwin Newman, former NBC news correspondent, spoke to more than 500 students, teachers, and interested Fayetteville residents about poor grammar and the American language. His humorous examples of our dull, pompous, boneless, gassy language included mobile range technicians for cowboys. Newman ' s visit was part of an experimental creative writing course for engineering students fund- ed by Exxon Education Foundation grants. The program included visits from Jim Harrison, a Michigan writer; Maxine Kumin, a Pulitzer Prize- winning poett Tony award-winning playwright Mark Medoff; and Oscar winner Frederic Raphael. Other campus visitors discussed a wide variety of subjects. In Septem- ber, Marlin Jackson, state banking commissioner, spoke about the state ' s banking crisis; U.S. ambassador to Lesotho, Dr. S. L. Abbott, elected to head the planning committee for a nation-wide study of collegiate math- ematics by the National Research Council and the National Academy of Sciences. Chalon Ragsdale, professor of percussion and associate director of the University bands, was named di- rector of the Razorback Marching Bands. Dr. Willard B. Gatewood returned to his position as alumni distinguished professor in the history department after stepping down from his duties as Chancellor. Jackson A. White belected to head the planning committee for a nation- wide study of collegiate mathematics by the National Research Council and the National Academy of Sciences. Chalon Ragsdale. professor of percussion and associate director of the University bands, was named di- rector of the Razorback Marching Bands. Dr. Willard B. Gatewood returned to his position as alumni distinguished professor in the history department after stepping down from his duties as Chancellor. Jackson A. White became new chairman of the Business College ' s accounting department. Ronald W. Skeith was named depart- ment head of the computer science engineering program. Dr. Donald O. Pederson, physics professor and associate dean of the Fulbright College, was named UA as- sociate vice chancellor for academic affairs. ACADEMIC FOCUS Two new departments were created to offer degrees in computer science. For the first time in fall 1985, the Academic Integrity Committee met to create an academic policy for the University. Dr. J. D. Ewbank, Dr. Lothar Schafer, and Dr. David Paul of the chemistry department were credited with developing one of the 100 most important technological advances of the year with their discovery of an instrument used to study the struc- ture of molecules. In late October, Fulbright College received a $2 million gift to establish the Sturgis Endowment for Academic Excellence. This endowment will provide four-year scholarships valued at $10.000 per year for outstanding students who enroll in the Fulbright College. In November the University College Bowl teams started competing for the chance to match minds with teams from other colleges. Dr. Arthur Fry, University chemis- try professor, was awarded the Southwest Regional American Chemi- cal Society Award for his research of the isotopic effe cts on mechanisms of organic reactions. The University faced a $500,000 cut back this fiscal year. The drop- add fee generated $250,000 from the previous semesters. Professor of English, Margaret Bolsterli, was named to teach courses in Southern fiction and women ' s studies in the spring at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. Dr. William Rader, assistant profes- sor of industrial engineering, devel- oped a laser scanning device allowing faster identification of a truck ' s per- mit, make, color, model and license number. Fulbright College received a $900. 000 challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Some of the grant goes to Old Main. MISCELLANEOUS Construction was evident all over campus. Razorback Stadium was com- pleted by the Texas game but the new engineering center and Water- man Hall remained under major structural work. Old Main was still surrounded by a fence. Early September was the date for the infamous Saturday class. The campus radio station, KUAF. planned to increase its power to 100, 000 watts. Calvin Shaw, former Razorback football player, received a 20-year term for kidnapping, rape, first-de- gree sexual abuse and burglary. In late September, James Shibest, Razorback wide receiver, was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Bobby Joe Edmonds was suspended from the football team for a DWI charge. Celebrity Showcase came under fire for the lack of major concerts at Barnhill this semester. October was the 40th anniversary of the legislation introduced by Senator J. William Fulbright in 1945 that created the Fulbright Institute. The anniversary was acknowledged at the eighth annual meeting of the Ful- bright Alumni Association. The event attracted 136 members, the largest attendance ever. Formal ceremonies officially opened the archives of the Fulbright Institute of International Re- lations. In mid-semester controversy surrounded the 1985 Razorback and its due date. Staff and publishing plant problems were cited for the book ' s late arrival. Sales of the 1986 Razorback were down drastically. Sales campaigns in the Union netted sales of less than 300 books. Private box seats and viewing rooms in Razorback Stadium opened the issue of alcohol policies and state law. There ' s drankin ' in them thar sky boxes! was the phrase on campus. The Athletic Department produced a no alcohol policy before the season ended. IN MEMORIUM August (Gus) K. Blankenship, a junior at the University from Dell, Arkansas. October 13, 1985. Jerry K. Stewart, UA assistant direc- tor of housing operations. October 17, 1985. I