University of Tennessee Knoxville - Volunteer Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

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-Iim Sexton Hours after John Lennon was shot in front of the One person at the inauguration reveals his joy at the Dakota apartment building, fans gather to share their release of the American hostages from Iran The grief A week later, an international silent vigil was hostages were freed only a few hours before Ronald held at the request of Yoko Ono, his wife, Reagan was sworn into office. 7Larry Maloney Students show their displeasure with proposed tuition hikes by staging a protest march. Avery 0055. SGA vice-president, Michelle Warner, a junior in liberal arts, David Bradley, SGA president, and Steven Hyers, student member of the board of trustees from UT- Chattanooga, lead the students around campus. -Larry Maloney Communityhzg

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-Larry Maloney cont. Community In Tennessee, Gov. Lamar Alexander, to promote good university relations. ap- peared at the Music Hall for a brief per- formance 0n the piano. However, in his state of the state address. Alexander presented a fiscal budget that called for drastic cuts in higher education. Students angrily pointed out that Alex- ander promised to give education top priority in his campaign speeches. In response, SGA Vice-President Avery Goss led students on a campus march to protest. An even larger storm broke in Nashville as the clemency-for-cash trial began in the state capital. Former employees and ex- governor Ray Blanton each took the stand on charges of bribery. illegal sales of li- quor licenses and the granting of pardons for prison inmates. Blanton and co- defendants Clyde Hood and Jim Allen were each found guilty of extortion. con- spiracy and mail fraud on lune 9. While the trials were in progress. con- victed murderer Steven Iudy was elec- trocuted in Indiana, marking the first ex- ecution since Gary Gilmore's in 1979. Nashville police chief Ioe Casey, stirred up a state controversy on the subject of capital punishment by remarking that he believed the death penalty should be in- voked for convicted drug dealers. Concern over the Violence of crime changed to worry over the violence of war as the US. took first-step measures toward arming itself. The draft registration of four million 20-year-old males turned troubled minds toward controversies taking place in Poland, Afghanistan and El Salvador. For the first time since Vietnam, the threat of war loomed as more than a mere possibility. The western world closely monitored the labor strikes in Poland and the guerrilla warfare being staged in El Salvador and wondered what would hap- pen if Russian intervention became a reality in allied countries. Ann Wayburn, a second degree student in computer science, said she thought America should stay out of any problems in Poland. 'tI've already lived through one war. We should not get involved especially if we don't have any business there. The front steps of the capitol are cluttered before the inauguration. The Pride of the Southland Marching Band performed in the inaugural parade. eLarry Maloney News of Ronald Reagan's election causes an outbreak of cheering at Reagan headquarters in Knoxville, Knoxvillians and students alike gathered at the head- quarters to watch the election returns.

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Community Press freedom became a national issue as Carol Burnett sued the National En- quirer for libel in late March-and won. She was awarded $1.6 million twhich was later reducedl in punitive and Civil damages. A joyous Burnett said, HI feel like I've been pregnant for five years. But the baby is beautiful. The case once again brought into the limelight never-resolved arguments over the right of privacy and the public's right to know. Many questions remained un- answered. but the Burnett win spurred other stars. notably Shirley Jones, to press suits against the Enquirer, that if won, could force the tabloid to pay up to $60 million in damages. On the social scene, the engagement of 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer to Prince Charles of England, finally satisfied his British subjects. It brought to an end ram- pant speculation the London Times referred to as Prince Charles Hmatri- monial stakes. The wedding, set for July 29, took place in Westminster Abbey with all the pomp and circumstance that any country could desire for a royal monarch and his bride. The space shuttle began its voyage into space with astronauts John Young and Bob Crippen aboard. The April 12 take-off marked the beginning of the greatest iliarry Malnney A visit by candidate Ronald Reagan gives Lamar Alex- ander an opportunity to address the people of Knox- ville, Later in the year. Alexander came under fire for his proposals for drastic education budget Cuts. 30eCommunit3' NASA project since Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1968. The event was also importantbecause it was the first time a shuttle was attempted without the benefit of an unmanned trial first. The momentous event brought about a renewal of the space program after several years' lapse from the public eye. It served once again as a reminder of the enormity of the universe and how small the world is in relation to it. The stories of the year, whether they centered on issues like inflation, or human interest like the HWho shot I.R.? question, a public obsession to learn the identity of the person who tried to kill the HDallas Character, must surely have touched each person in some way. These events have been woven into the fabric of history. On March 6, Walter Cronkite signed off Charlie Daniels sings t'ln Amerit:a tlt1ring halftime of the Alabama football game, The patriotic song gave a clear message to the world that Americans still have pride in their country the air for the last time after 19 years as anchorman for the CBS evening news. For many, Cronkite was a familiar figure who offered continuity to millions in the face of a changing nation. He, perhaps more than anyone, became part of America's present history because he understood the importance of the ordinary day's news. Cronkite covered the news from the Middle East to Vietnam and was con- sidered by many to be the most trusted man in America. He stepped down from the desk in March, but he will not be forgotten. Every time a big story breaks, the public will remember him. Because in contemplation of the day's news, his im- mortal line seemed to say it all. ttAnd that's the way it is. -Debbie Burleson Dale Ellis and other members of the basketball team wore green ribbons on their jerseys at the NCAA tour- nament in Atlanta to show their sympathy for the 28 murdered black children of that City, 2