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

Page 24 text:

Honor societies add prestige to KSC s growing influence esides providing an opportunity for leadership and growth» KSCs four national honor societies prove the fact that KSC is growing in numbers and in- fluence. Mortar Board became KSCs fourth honor society in 1988. Lon Weber, vice president for academic affairs, said he feels that having the honor societies available speaks to the quality of KSC. The honor societies provide a way to recognize students who have distinguished themselves by al- lowing them to be members, he said. The further recognition of the institution by these societies... sends a message beyond the bound- aries of our state that our institution is growing in the quality aspects that further reinforces that we deserve recognition as a state university.” These are the kind of quality honor societies that are found on state university campuses,” Weber said. KSCs honor societies include Phi Eta Sigma, the honor society for freshmen; the Xi Phi chapter of Mor- tar Board, a senior honorary; Nebraska Alpha Phi Theta Kappa, the transfer student fraternity; aiid Spurs, a sophomore honorary. Phi Eta Sigma membership is based on grade point averages for the first semester of one’s freshman year, or an accumulative GPA of 3.75 for the freshman year. Membership is by invitation only, and special programs include fund-raising projects, fall initiation and scholarship awards. Nebraska Alpha Phi Theta Kappa is open to transfer students who were members of Phi Theta Kappa at their previous institutions, according to Wayne Samuelson, director of admissions. Mem- bers are selected on the basis of academic achieve- ment, Kim Sitzman, president of KSC's Nebraska Al- pha Phi Theta Kappa, said the chapter mainly helps make the transition to KSC easier. Some of their activ- ities include helping with Transfer Day in the spring and helping other state chapters organize the regional conference. The chapter usually has about 25 mem- bers. Spurs is open to sophomores who have a 3.0 over- all GPA, according to Leah Lindner, president. The organization strives to serve KSC and the community through various service, social and fund-raising pro- jects. f These are the quality honor societies found on state universities, f Weber KSC also has another special organization, but it’s not for students. Sigma Xi is made up entirely of faculty, and its purpose is to promote scientific re- search, according to Dr. David Clark, president. Two types of members are in the organization. Associate members have to demonstrate potential in order to be elected, and full members have carried out legitimate and primary research. Membership in Sigma Xi is made up of about 30 KSC faculty and about 12 faculty members from other institutions and research centers in Nebraska, he said. The organization has only been at KSC for three years, and is Nebraska’s most recent chapter. Sigma Xi meets about twice a semester, and speakers are usually invited to discuss topics of scientific interest, Clark said. By Diane Moravec

Page 23 text:

o wm plore intellectual areas that are changing about gender, according to Kathryn Benzel, associate pro- fessor of English and chair of the committee. Courses for the minor will involve several de- partments, Benzel said. Courses will be in literature, history, sociology, biology, and humanities. The departments are cooperating to create new courses for the minor, according to Benzel. Some new courses would be Women and the Mass Media, Women’s Health Perspectives, and Senior Seminar in Women’s Studies. Some existing courses on campus already deal with women’s studies and have been implemented in the minor. One of these is Sociology of Women. “I learned how society treats women now and how women were treated in the past. Society still treats women as if they are to stay home and raise children,” said Kris Larsen, Hastings junior. By Pam Wood Helen Stauffer, as Mari Sandoz, meets Caroline Sandoz Pifer, Mari’s sister and Ron Hull of Sandoz Heritage Foundation during the Third Conference on Women's Studies, courtesy photos n a short, dark wig and a black hat, Helen Stauffer, English professor, set the stage for Mari Sandoz to speak at the Third Annual Conference on Women’s Studies. In these props, Stauffer assumed the role of Mari Sandoz, and spoke from her viewpoint. “I wasn’t really acting, I was just conveying the thoughts of Mari Sandoz,” she said. Stauffer has studied the works and life of Mari Sandoz for many years and first portrayed her at a Great Plains Chautauqua festival in Nebraska. The festival is a traveling series of presentations that pro- vides recreation and educational presentation to resi- dents throughout the state. The Great Plains Chautauqua program has re- ceived national recognition by the National Endow- ment for the Humanities as as exemplary model of state programs in the Humanitites. As a Great Plains Fellow, Stauffer has played the roles of Mari Sandoz and Elizabeth Custer in the se- ries. The hardest part of the performance was speak- ing in front of friends and Mari Sandoz’s sister. San- doz’s father was an oppressive patriarch. “I was worried about some of the things I said about their father,” Stauffer said. “But when I looked at her sister, she didn’t seem upset with me.” Stauffer identifies with Sandoz’s interest in Western history and the history of the Plains Indians, having studied these topics for several years. Speaking about these topics in the role of a noted author is a “wonderful teaching device because it gives a sense of authority,” she said. “It’s a real responsibility,” Stauffer added. “You have to be true to the person’s ideas and characteris- tics.” “She (Sandoz) was independent and thought if you really want to do something you can do it no mat- ter what sex you are,” Stauffer concluded. Stauffer: Woman of many faces By Lisa Reese Women’s studies

Page 25 text:

Vinitia Mathews and Stephanie Walker don big smiles after the in- stallation ceremony. Photo by Tami Jones Tapped for honor hen the two figures in black gowns and caps swooped down, their un- suspecting victim wondered what was going to happen to her in Thomas Hall. Stephanie Walker, Eustis senior, wanted to go home and end a bad day at school that afternoon last spring. But, the day wasn't over. As she left the Antelope newspaper staff meet- ing, Shelly Heinz and Kris Tynan, dressed in the for- mal Mortar Board attire, greeted her and led her back into the classroom. ‘‘I went back in the room and sat down and they said, ‘Congratulations! You've been tapped for Mortar Board,”’ she said. “It made me feel really special. It was one of those ‘tingly’ feelings.” Walker joined the Xi Phi chapter of Mortar Board, a senior honor society. The chapter is one of only two in Nebraska. It became the nation's 201st chapter in 1988. Before receiving Mortar Board status, the honor society was recognized as the Xi Phi chapter. After applying for Mortar Board status several times, the chapter finally qualified. “Just because we were accepted as a Mortar Board is a sign KSC is growing,” Walker said. “I don’t think that even five or 10 years ago we would have been accepted.” Mortar Board is different from other honor soci- eties because not only are members required to be leaders and be active in other organizations, they are encouraged to grow individually, she said. “It’s such an honor, but yet it’s such a responsibil- ity at the same time,” she said. By Diane Moravec d- New honorary members, ps Thomas Tip” O’Neill and v- Dr. Philip Holmgren chat ig with Mortar Board advis- ial er Jackie Rosenlof after the ceremony. Photo by Mi- chelle Thompson ar he ity 'O- ir e ut of re- )n. in ed 30 ler id. ree na rre ;st, ec Honor societies 21