University of Minnesota - Gopher Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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But daughter Susan has different ideas about her Daddy’s recreation. She wants attention. Susan and Barbara welcome neighbors Carla and Mrs. Byron Olson. Barbara takes care of Carla while Mrs. Olson teaches school. “I think we understand each other because we have similar complaints and problems, says Jerry. “We don’t study together very often because everyone seems to be in different fields, but if we have problems we can go to each other and know we’ll get help,” says Jerry. Both Jerry and Barbara testify to the economy of University living. “We couldn’t be living in such nice surroundings for the price we’re paying here,” says Jerry. “We have everything we need right here, even babysitters. Finding babysitters in a community of scholars could be a problem, “but not here,” says Jerry. “Another wonderful thing about this place is that everyone is willing to babysit if someone wants a night out. Barbara doesn’t work but she does care for a neighbor girl while her father is in school and her mother teaches. Babysitting isn’t too much of a problem regardless of whether or not babysitters arc available because, “University students arc just too broke to do much of any socializing. says Jerry. “My main recreation is putting my feet up and taking 10 deep breaths before 1 go back to what I was doing.” To Barbara, being married to a student is a University education in itself. She especially enjoys the times when Jerry will talk over with her what he’s a

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Gerald Johnson Married student plans for future Weekends are spent in study. On Sunday there’s usually church, a dinner that’s leisurely as it can be with two active children to watch and then back to the books. “The girls do distract me quite a bit. Susan is pretty good about being quiet now, she’s learned, but Julie, that’s another story,” says Jerry. Whenever the girls get too noisy, Jerry goes to the St. Paul Campus library. There he prepares his class-work for the next day. ‘‘I have to have all my work done before I come to school because I have no time before classes, says Jerry. The reason for his busy schedule is that he starts his day at 4:30 a.m. and continues at wear and tear speed until his last class of the day. The early morning alarm is Jerry’s call to work. He owns and operates a window washing business, which with his monthly GI Bill allotment constitutes his major income for the year. Most of his work is con- centrated in a business block in downtown Minneapolis. He works until 8 a.m. and then it’s off to first hour classes at the University. “I try to schedule third hour classes so I won’t have to rush so much, but sometimes it’s hard to get just what I want,” says Jerry. Jerry plans to sell his business when he graduates and go into industrial business management. “Having my own business has helped me understand and realize many of the concepts introduced in my classes and the business training has certainly helped me run a more efficient business, but it’s a lot of work while you’re going to school, says Jerry. Jerry and his family live in one of the 220 University housing units in Commonwealth Terrace on the St. Paul Campus. Their neighbors arc young people who, like Jerry, attend the University. Jerry considers the age factor one of the reasons this is truly a “University community.

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Jerry's window washing business takes him to downtown Minneapolis every morning. Jerry owns and manages the business, but he and his brother-in-law, Bill Miller, often work together. Here Jerry steps back to survey his handiwork. When his work is finished downtown then it's back to campus lor classes. doing in his classes. She feels a certain disadvantage because she hasn't a college education. “Sometimes I feel almost envious when I’m with people who have a college degree. They seem to speak their mind so much better. says Barbara. Barbara intends to become a University student herself this year. She is planning to enroll in evening classes on the St. Paul Campus. “I'd like to take some courses on homcmaking and home planning, so that I’ll be able to have the home that Jerry wants when he gets out of school.” says Barbara. For Jerry and Barbara days arc rushed, but are packed full with living, working, planning for the future. Like almost every student. Jerry finds the University sometimes trying, especially with outside work, but he finds he likes the regularity of irregularity. “I don't lead a normal life, says Jerry, but I like it. When you’re constantly on the move you’ve got to study when and where you find the time. U