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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 24, 1984)
Tuesday, April 24, 1934 Daily Ncbraskan Pago 9 Inmate elected club ys governor By Judi Nycren He has been labeled a murderer. Prison officials know him as No. 27521. Fellow inmates call him the "Great Askia" after the African warrior chief. But as of last Wednesday, he answers to "governor." Keith Askia Russ was elected Toastmasters' Area " governor at an area-division speech contest in Lin coln. Toastmasters is an international organization designed to develop communication and leadership skills. Because it was not his turn to attend aToastmas ters' event, Russ did not accept the governorship in person. Instead, he said, he waited at the dorm's front door for the inmates who competed in the contest to return with the election results. "Yusif (an inmate) gave me the thumbs up sign and I clapped my hands.J was elated," he said. As Area 7C's governor, Russ will oversee foilr clubs. The clubs include three Lincoln organizations and the prison's Innovators. The governorship re quires that Russ attend at least two meetings at each club and write reports. During his term, Russ said he hopes to reach many goals. He said that although he does not know the conditions of the clubs yet, he plans to deliver a state of the area address for his first club visit. Russ said he also wrants to express the power he expe-. riences through the club to other members. During his term, Russ said, There will be mistakes made, but nothing malicious...theyH be building mistakes." Barbara Houghton, a club member and friend of Russ, said Russ will need civilian help to serve the club properly. "Askia is hoping the administrators will give him passes for all his visits, she said. "But because of his status (life sentence), I don't see that happening." Although Houghton said she thinks Russ needs outside help to do his job, she thinks he will be a good governor. Russ enters his term with many Toastmaster accomplishments behind him. Among them is the Able Toastmasters' award, which is the club's se cond highest award. Russ also served as the Innova tors' president in 1983. Under Russ' leadership, the club received the President's Distinguished award. Russ became involved in Toastmasters through a friend in 1973, he said. Once he joined the club, he said he skipped meet ings to avoid responsibilities. But all that changed in 1980 when the club received its charter, he said. At that point, he said he became an active member. Today, Russ said he realized the Innovators "are men of action. We have proven there is more behind our words than bad breath and crooked teeth." Russ said Toastmasters has helped him overcome the speech problems he had when he entered prison. , - Russ came to the prison with a ninth-grade edu cation. He did not think he needed an education when he was young, he said. "When I was young I was attracted to the false gutter and glamour of the streets," he said. "My only interest was feeling good, and feeling good meant being high." Russ said he spent his youth in Omaha hustling and sometimes holding a job for a month or two. At 17, Russ went to the reformatory on burglary charges and probation violations. He said the expe rience did not move him to change his life. "I was young," he said, "and my blood was hot." In 1973, he went to prison for first-degree murder. When he originally entered prison, he said he had given up hope. "I didn't see any light at the end of the tunnel, and if I had any thoughts of seeing the end, it was of meeting the train head on," Russ said. "I would look in the mirror and ask, 'Do you like yourself?' and the answer usually came back, Well, no.' " . He decided he needed to change his life, he said, and in 1975, he met the woman who motivated him to make those changes. The woman was a teacher at the prison's school, he said, and she encouraged him to do something with the Graduation Equivilency Diploma he al ready had attained. With the" teacher's assistance, Russ earned two associate degrees in general studies and business administration through Southeast Community Col lege's prison program. lie started his college education by reviewing reading and comprehensive skills, Russ said. Russ' Problems Have You TIED DOWN? r "--.Tar OMBUDSMAN We strive for confidential fe"3 , . , , 472-3633 and equitable resolutions. first college course was philosophy, "I was so intimidated by the words and concepts the professor used, but I loved it," he said. "I squeezed out a C and that encouraged me to go on." His efforts paid off. Russ was valedictorian ofboth his graduating classes. He said the first time he was valedictorian, his entire family showed up. "I was so delighted, it inspired me," he said. "It kept me going because I know how much pain I have caused. I'll have a difficult time making it up to everyone, especially to Momma; but this may be a beginning." Because he is serving a life sentence, Russ said he cannot make definite plans for the future. But he said he wants to continue his education at UNL. Currently, he is working with a counselor to determine which fields would be best if he is given educational relief someday. The relief would allow Russ to live at a community center and attend school. Russ can get the relief if administrators vote for his commutation in 1985. Russ said he thinks his chances for commutation are good, but his record has not gone unscathed. In December 1982, Russ and five other immates were accused of initiating a strike among workers. They were sent to the adjustment center. After they went on a hunger strike, the men were returned to the dorms. All charges against him were dropped with the exception of a disorderly conduct violation. Since the incident, Russ has returned to the trus tees' dorm and is working in the prison school as a clerk. He makes $3.05 a week for filing, typing and assisting in the office. Russ may not be getting rich in prison, but he said his experiences in prison have helped him realize that he can do something productive with his life. "When people think of prison, they think of rapists and murderers. I want to evolve above that," he said. nlMlnnnn.l3i u MM, Mr. Paul Beveridge (C.P.A.) will conduct a one hour sample class presenting our proven technique for passing the C.P.A. exam. Instructors will be available to answer questions. Accounting Majors are cordially invited! Saturday, April 28 10:30 a.m. YIV1CA Board Room 4th Floor 430 S. 20th St. Omaha NE. A free buffet luncheon will be served. Reservations ' are not necessary but pre ferred. Come and bring a friend. 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