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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 31, 1981)
Photo by Gail Folda of the Lincoln Journal-Star Reagan's son leaves President Reagan's son, Ronald Reagan Jr. and his wife Doria arc pictured leaving t ho Lincoln Hilton Monday afternoon. They flew to Washington D.C. to be with his father. Reagan's son had been in Lincoln to perform witli the Joffrey II Dancers this week. Ron Bowlin, director of Kimball Recital Hall, said that members of and director of Joffrey II were "in no condition" to comment on the shoot ings or the reactions of Ronald Reagan Jr. on Monday. The dancers will continue with performances as usual, Bowlin said. Shooting spree sparks feelings of shock, rage By Kim Hachiya Reactions to the Monday shooting of President Reagan were mostly ones of shock and anger, according to an in formal survey taken on campus Monday afternoon. Although the interviews took place about 3:15 p.m., several students by then had not heard the news and were surprised. Mary Batenhorst, a senior business adminisration major from West Point, Neb., had not heard. "That's pretty amazing news, are you kidding?" she said. "That's just a real shocker. You just don't think about that happening, even though the Kennedys were shot and it's happened to other presidents." Bruce Hudson, a senior in business administration from Lincoln, said, "I kind of expected it. Anyone who constitutes radical change was in for it. I was afraid some one was going to try." Mike Pitney, a freshman business major from Lincoln, said, "It's tragic. It's a shock. Of course we feel anger to wards anyone who does something like that. "I've heard people joking that it's a good tiling, but I don't think it's a joke at all. Anyone with compassion would feel sadness and anger. It's kind of like when John Lennon was killed," he said. Kirk Wolgamott, a senior social studies major from Curtis, said, "I'm more concerned about what Hinkley (the alleged assailant) stands for. This could be one of the worst things to happen to the left in a long time. "There are a lot of ways to deal with politics, but that's not one of them," he said. Mike Meyer, a freshman political science major from Norfolk, said, "At first I thought well, finally he's been shot. But then 1 realized how ridiculous to think that way because he's our president and he's supposed to change things. "Apparently he's not hurt too badly which is good be cause we need someone to change this country," he said. Continued on Page 3 Mr If I w Ju z- 1 If' I 4 'V- ' ' i", " , f 1 AP Laserphoto President Regan waves as he leaves the Washington Hilton Monday moments before being shot and wounded in an assassination attempt. This photo was taken from an ABC-TV network monitor. Reagan was reported to be in ex cellent condition after a .22 caliber bullet was removed from his chest in surgery. Press Secretary James Brady was doing better after brain surgery, but was still in critical condition. A Secret Service agent was listed in serious con dition and a District of Columbia policeman in critical condition as of II p.m. Monday night. The alleged assassin, John W. Hinckley, 25, of Evergreen Colorado was in FBI custody in Washington D.C. tuesday, march 31, 1981 lincoln, nebraska vol. 106, no. 52 Rut ford returns to former post after Massengale 's appointment By Patti Gallagher Ending speculation that he will resign from the NU administration, Interim Chancellor Robert Rutford said Monday he will return to his position as vice chancellor for research and graduate studies June 1. Rutford said he spoke Monday afternoon with Martin Massengale, vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources announced Friday as the new UNL chancellor, confirming he will stay at UNL. "It is apparent that I will return to my position as vice chancellor as of June 1," Rutford said. "As for how long, we'll just have to wait and see." Rutford said earlier in the day "it would be difficult for me to continue with the University of Nebraska," add ing "it would be better if I left." Rutford has served as interim chancellor since the position was vacated last May by Roy Young. He was being considered for the permanent chancellor position. The Lincoln Journal reported Thursday that Rutford and Massengale were the finalists for the chancellor position. However, NU President Ronald Roskens said at a Friday press conference announcing Massengale's appointment that nine persons were finalists for the position, Rutford said. He said Roskens said only one local person was in the final running; apparently that person was not him, he said. The president's announcement is expected to be approved by the NU Board of Regents next month. Rutford said he was not actively seeking the chancellor post. Because of the day-to-day operations of his interim chancellor position, he said he did not think it appropriate to campaign for himself. Rutford credited Massengale as having a "strong repert oire in the state of Nebraska and in the agriculture com munity." He said Massengale has done an excellent job as director of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Re sources since assuming that position in 1976. "There is no reason to believe he won't continue doing it," he said. Continued on Page 2 Governor, senators react to shooting Mary Batenhorst Photo by Mark Billingsiey Kirk Wolgamott By Tom Prentiss Nebraska politicians expressed shock and disbelief about the attempt on President Ronald Reagan's life in Washington, D.C. Monday afternoon. Gov. Charles Thone, a longtime supporter of the presi dent, was at the Governor's Mansion when he heard the news. Thone said that, "Someone who attempts an assassina tion isn't very logical." Thone, who served on the House committee that in vestigated the assassinations of president John F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., said there is no way to protect public officials from attempts on their life. Rep. Doug Bereuter of the 1st District said in a phone interview from Washington that the assassination attempt was a "sad commentary of violence through the world which seems to be especially expressed against public officials." Bereuter said that assassinations are a special problem of a democratic society. He said that the people want con tact with public officials but have to be cautious because a "few nuts do exist." Bereuter said he wrote former President Gerald Ford after an attempt was made on his life in Sacramento, Calif., urging Ford to take extra precautions against attempts on his life. Nebraska Sen. James Exon's office released a prepared statement read by his secretary Adele Hanson. "The tragic event here is another sorry chapter in our history." the statement read. "Man's inhumanity to his fellow man is as astonishing as it is shocking. I hope and pray that the president and the other victims can recover quickly." On the floor of the Nebraska Legislature, Speaker Richard Marvel read a bulletin at 1 :30 p.m. announcing the news of the attempt on the president. Several senators expressed surprise and called their offices from floor phones for more information. One senator asked his aide to try to bring a television to the floor. Business continued as usual.