University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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PLAYGROUND M. Boyette Individuals of a religious persuation other than that of Jed Smock also roam the Plaza. The members of the Hare Krishna Temple visit the Plaza of the Americas several times during the school year. Aafron robes and shaved heads usu- ally characterize this controversial sect of Hinduism. The Hare Krishnas also differ from other relgions ' visitors of the plaza in their activities. Instead of lecturing, the Hare Krishnas talk to students on an indi- vidual basis, hand out literature, offer food, play music and take donations. We give people something better to eat, says Manusrestha, Secretary of the Temple, which is beneficial spiritually and Along with handing out food, the Hare Krishna devotees chant the Mahamantra , commonly known as the Hare Krishna Chant . The chant contains the names Krishna and Rama, which are the two human forms of the Hindu god Vishnu, the sustainer of life. Music played on the harmonium and the karatals usually accompany the Maha-mantra . The religiously-inspired individuals share the Plaza with one of the area ' s most frequent visitors, William Webb Selley. For seven years, Selley has entertained the students with his guitar and harmonica. Once a University of Florida student, the Brooklyn native decided to take up at the plaza. Through his music and his youthing concept, William Webb Selley hopes to change the present culture from a polluting, industrial society to a more agricultural one. The Plaza commonly serves as a for students. However, the of frisbee-throwing, sunbathing, and socializing combine with the causes of the Plaza ' s people of notoriety to give the area a unique personality all its own. A trio at the Plaza experiences yoga. A student combines sunbathing and studying. Plaza 39

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THE PLAZA: SOAP BOX AND Students at the University of Florida are not the only ones who frequent the famed Plaza of the Americas. The large park-like area facing the libraries is also graced with a host of evangelists, religious groups, and wandering musicians. It is these types of people that give the Plaza its notoriety, which in turn causes many students to go out of their way to visit the Plaza. Perhaps the most notorious individuals who catch the eyes of the students are evangelist George Jed Smock, the members of the Hare Krishna Temple, and guitarist William Webb Sel ley. George Jed Smock, like other evangelists, speaks publicly about the Gospel and how it affected his life. What separates Jed from the others who profess their faith, however, is the unique, contemporary character of his story. Mr. Smock describes himself as an excessive hippie of the late 1960 ' s who later made the decision to become a Christian while inside a popular hamburger place. George Jed Smock has acquired a large following among the University of Florida students as a result of his visits to the Plaza every winter. Jed always draws a crowd of students who cheer during the key points of his story. Mr. Smock also draws his share of hecklers, but that doesn ' t seem to bother him. Once he was confronted with a heckler ' s paradox: Who created God? That, Jed merely replied, is a stupid question. .1. Raley Jed Smock: before Jed Smock: after Hare Krishna devotee greets students at the Plaza. Squirrels will always accept handouts from kind- hearted students. M. Klarman 38 Plaza

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IT ' S A HECTIC Two students take a break to practice guitar. After getting through all the paperwork of drop and add, all frustrations are gone. Sometimes it ' s hard even to find time to do laundry. It ' s nice to find a familiar face between classes. M. Klarman M. Klarman C. Fox 40 Student Life