Page 2 Daily Nebraskan Tuesday, November 23, 1982 Professor honored for service By Rebecca Stingley As a UNL professor of educational administration, director of the Barkley Memorial Center, 42nd and Holdrege streets, and director of a federally funded research project, Robert Stepp Jr. wears many hats. Stepp recently was awarded the Walter K. Beggs Award for outstanding service to education. The Ne braska State School Board Association and the Ne braska Association of School Administrators presented the award. During his 38 years at UNL, Stepp has published 54 papers and has given 91 presentations on the subjects of educational media and technology, special education and. instructional materials for the hearing impaired. Since 1964, he has received more than $7 million in federally funded grants and contracts. "We are in our 19th conseuctive year of funding. This money has been put to use (for his current project) P 9 ' i -M 4 w 'r v w w - m m 7on.Tue6.'Vwl.Ti.n(t Sat. 10-50 Sunday and tvcninqto hj appointment & zi iiw wed&tu free 2??0 O"; 5tt Lincoln, Tie 66510 parking in back designing learning materials for the deaf and hearing impaired," he said. Cataloged 15,000 items Stepp and his staff have searched for and cataloged all existing instructional materials for the hearing im paired - some 15,000 items. In recent years, he and his staff have been responsible for the development of a new approach to instructional reading. They are now involved in preparing microcomputers for use by the hearing impaired. "When using computers, deaf people are no longer handicapped by the lack of sounds," he said. Stepp began his professional career as a music in structor with the UNL School of Music. In his early years as an instructor, he taught both Dennis Schneider and Jack Snider, both of whom are now professors with the music school. When called to the Navy in 1953, Stepp worked for the Navy's Bureau of Audiovisual Instruction. He was a member of the Admiral's Staff and designed instruct ional materials for the Navy's Amphibious Training Section. Joins UNL staff After returning to UNL at the end of the Korean War, he became an instructor in UNL's department of educational administration. Currently, Stepp is responsible for a graduate-level educational media course as well as the programs at the Barkley Center. The center consists of the department of special education, the department of speech pathology & audiology and the educational media production pro ject for the hearing impaired. Stepp said he is concerned about UNL's funding reduction, and he fears the worst for the programs he is involved with. "The instructional staff will be severely hurt by the ( M-"-H l''1"1 Staff Photo by Jane Knapp Robert Stepp Jr. cuts in state funding," he said. "At present, our clinic income is not sufficient to operate without reduction, unless additional funds are received. For us, a cut in state funds means a cut in the program." In his years in education, Stepp has seen many changes. He advises students currently in school to stay in school until the economy improves. "Right now, students should get their degrees and maybe even a second degree. Then they can enter the job market when the economy 'has returned to a more stable state," he said. "Students also need to be aware of opportunities that might change the direction of their career." A 7 DON'T FORGET TO ORDER YOUR CAPS AND GOWNS! NO ORDERS TAKEN ON ANY OTHER DAYS BESIDES NOV. 30 & DEC. 1, 10 am - 4 pm AT SUPPLY STORE CITY CAMPUS Student veteran spokesmen: Education benefits lacking By Eric Peterson The 1981 and 1982 presidents of the UNL Student Veterans agree that the lack of a GI Education Bill for post Vietnam veterans has made things more difficult for people coming to the uni versity from the armed forces. Although Student Veterans President John Koopman and former president Dave Bauer both are receiving GI bene fits because they entered service before 1976, they have noticed that things are different for some of the newer veterans. "The GI entitlement "each month basically gives me enough to live off of," Koopman said. "Many of the veterans we're starting to see now don't have that, and they're hurting." For Koopman, nhe bill was a great help. "I was out of the Marines and work ing a nine-to-five job," Koopman said, "and 1 had ihe GI Bill waiting there for my use." But the GI Bill, which provided for free education through a monthly entitle ment to Vietnam veterans, has been superseded by an arrangement in which an individual in the services can set aside money for education that the armed forces will match with an equal amount. Koopman said this isn't enough money for many people. "A guy spends four years in the armed forces and gets out," he said. "How do you decide what this person is worth?" Koop man said he believes the armed forces owe more than just some kind of tempor ary employment to its veterans. Koopman said the UNL veterans organi zation is hoping to relieve the financial situation of some veterans by establish ing its own scholarship fund. At present, the group has a temporary loan fund that can provide any student veteran up to $150 within a 'couple of days. Koopman said the UNL organization of about 50 veterans hopes to have some kind of fund raiser, such as a film program, to get money for scholarships. The organization also helps with needs of veterans other than financial ones, Koopman said. "We're 90 percent a social organiz ation," he said. "A lot of people get out of the service and just don't fit into the standard college life of dormitories and fraternities. The main difference you encounter with going to college after the military is that you're older than other students." Koopman said the group publishes a newsletter called The Plagiarist and meets twice a month in their office in Nebraska Union 236. For Bauer, the key factor in what the Student Veterans provides for people is a chance to be with people who have had some of the same experiences. Bauer said many veterans returning to school have problems adjusting to civilian life. "Many don't have friends, but the veterans' organization provides a group with some people who have a common backgiound. It's kind of a support, really." Bauer said the group directs people who need help to the right sources. "We have people who are knowled geable and have been through all this before . . . We're a liaison between the military and the university," he said. I. 121 (Mmi 4779567 WiUulf J III City Campus Nebraska Union East Campus Nebraska East Union 1 FREE DELIVERY SUN. 3 10 PM MON.-THUR.6-10PM FRI. & SAT. 611 PM 4 Sandwich minimum Featuring Tha HOT PHILADELPHIA STEAK SANDWICH HAM BARBECUE HAM ROAST BEEF BARBECUE BEEF SUN-THUR 11 ,n -10 pm FRI-SAT 11 am 11 pm SUNDAY 12-10 pm EAT IN OR CARRYOUT FRENCH DIP POLISH 'N KRAUT POLISH ITALIAN VEGETARIAN