University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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Carson t of excellence Mary Jane Neatef proudly watches her husband assume I he role of president af KSC. President Hester and his wife Mary Jane greet guests at a reception following the inauguration ceremony. Nester, 54, enjoys art, music, sports and all forms of outdoor activity. He is also a voracious reader and a man who enjoys people, particularly students and faculty. He is fascinated by the art of politics. Nester and his wife Mary Jane have four sons. Bill, 26, teaches English in Japan; Mark, 24 lives in Houston, Texas; Brian. 22, coaches tennis in Columbus. Ohio; and Steve, 17, is a junior at Kearney High School Liz Watti waits in line with other KSC faculty. INAUGURATION 19

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A celebration c The activity-filled week of Sept. 12 com1 memorated the inauguration of KSCs seventh president, William R. Nester, Activities centered around tester's in- auguration theme 'A Celebration of Excellence,” The inauguration ceremony, which con' eluded the series of activities, was con- ducted Sept. 17 in the Fine Arts Recital Hall. Keith Kemper, president of the Nebraska State College Board of Trustees, performed the investiture. With the presentation of a token medallion, Nester officially assumed presidential responsibility. During the ceremony Nester praised KSC for what it stands for. 1 believe that Kearney State College is well on its way to becoming one of the truly special colleges not only of Nebraska, but of the Midwest,” he said, Nester agreed that KSC is the best kept secret in Nebraska, and said, We will let it out in a continuing flow of who and what we represent. Individually and col- lectively we are a special college — one in which the citizens of this state are beckoning us to a broader and greater rote in Nebraska's higher education ’ Nester said a will to succeed will have to preside in order for KSC to survive as a successful college. Also featured as platform guests were Milton Hassel. former president of KSC; Jane Trower, a representative of Gov. Bob Kerrey; Cynthia Lauritsen, student member of the Board of Trustees; Scott Spiehs, vice president of Student Senate: Jerry Fox, chairman of Faculty Senate; Scott Nelson, president of the KSC Aiumnl Association: and Carl Easterbrook, faculty emeritus. — Kevin Donovan and Tori Meeker 18

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Celebratiori... In honor of inauguration, the 100 member St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performed classical pieces before a capacity crowd. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and historian Frances FitzGerald spoke on campus and criticized American history textbooks, saying the recording of knowledge has somehow become a marketing test with very little emphasis placed on the actual academic value of the product. FitzGerald is the author of “Fire in the Lake and “America Revised. Two KSC faculty members, Philip Holmgren and Larry Sawyer, presented the history of KSC. The college began in 1905 as the Nebraska State Normal School, with A. O. Thomas selected as its first president. Thomas left his position in 1913 and George Dick took the office in 1914. Dick resigned four years later; his position was then filled by George Martin, who served until 1936. The years also resulted in a facelift. The college grew from one building and 20 acres to 32 buildings and 235 acres. One of the most recent structures was dedicated in mid-September during inauguration. President Nester described the Calvin T Ryan Library as “the crown jewel in the lovely crown of excellence. The library was dedicated to Velda Jeanne Ryan Rouillard, daughter of Calvin T. Ryan. Four white ribbons which hung from the second floor were cut in her honor. Reconstruction on the library began Aug. 31, 1981, and was finally com pleted 757 days later, at a total cost of $3.8 million. The new building now has an area of 122,308 square feet, a seating capacity of 1,250 and shelf capacity of 314,154 volumes. — Cyndi Loescher and Cindy Toline Dr. Philip Holmgren Herbert L. Cushing added a special touch to the list of presidents after he took office in 1936. Cushing served for 25 years, the longest period for any KSC president. He retired in 1961, at which time Milton J. Hassel took over for the next decade. Hassel's term was turned over to Brendan McDonald, who guided the college until 1982. During the ‘20's the school itself began a rapid growth. The first four-year bachelor degree in education was of- fered and the school's name was chang- ed to Nebraska State Teacher School at Kearney. For the first time on campus, dancing was permitted and sororities and frater- nities became part of the scenario. 20 Four white ribbons stretch gracefully across the second floor balcony of the Calvin T. Ryan Library.