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SUMMER E D. I T I O N
Tuesday, May 29, 19S4
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Vo. A3 No. 158
Good teachers never die . . .
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By George Davis
ril some people the notion of life after death
I is far-fetched. But unknown to many, sev-
oral men at UNL have everlasting life. These
men live on because of their dedication and ser
vice to UNL, dedication that has been rewarded in
structures built in their honor. The names Selleck,
Oldfather, Hamilton and Baker are best known to
most UNL students and faculty as buildings.
Behind the bricks and mortar, however, are
legends of service and dedication that have
molded the future of UNL.
John Selleck was business manager for athletics
and student activities from 1922 to 1941. He then
became comptroller for the University of Nebraska
in 1942 and in 1948 was named NU business man
ager. During his nine years as business manager
he also served as acting chancellor and chancellor
between 1953 and 1955.
During his career as business manager, Selleck
saw the final construction of Memorial Stadium
and began band day and season ticket sales to
bolster attendance at the then 30,000-seat
stadium.
Selleck also supervised the construction of the
university Coliseum to house both, the men's bas
ketball team and graduation excercises and began
plans for Schulte Fieldhouse.
People also remember Selleck for his plans for
the future of UNL student housing and was
honored by having Selleck Quadrangle built in his
name.
esides Selleck, other men were also plan
ning the future of the university in their
specific areas. Cliff Hamilton and Charles
Oldfather were both professors at NU before
becoming chairmen of their departments.
Hamilton became a full professor of chemistry .
in 1929. In 1939 he became chairman of the chem
istry department, a post he kept until 1955.
During his career at UNL, Hamilton authored
more than 100 research publications. He also
researched chemical warfare during World War II.
He was widely regarded as the world's foremost
expert on the chemical compound arsenic. His
personality was not poisonous, however, and he
became known to his students as "Uncle Cliff."
Charles Oldfather, also known for his good
nature and teaching ability, began his career in
1912 at the American Univeristy of Beirut and
came to Nebraska in 1926 as a professor of
ancient history. In 1929 he became the chairman
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of the history department and in 1932 became
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He kept
the position until 1952.
Oldfather is remembered for his leadership of
Arts and Sciences College through the Depression
and World Waril and his ancient Greek
translations.
aker Hall on UNL's East Campus was
named in honor of educator, scientist and
administrator Marvel L. Baker, who was a
member of the university's faculty from 1924 to
1928 and 1930 to 1963. He was professor of
animal science from 1941 to 1963.
Baker, who was a dedicated teacher well-liked
by students, was an Illinois native and also was
active in several research projects.
He participated in developing projects in swine
as well as beef cattle breeding.
He was dean of an NU group in Turkey until his
retirement from the university; the University of
Erzurum, Turkey, was established under his lead
ership. Baker died in 1977.
v ,1,
University Archives
Clifford Hamilton
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Charles Oldfather Hall
David TroubaDaily Nebraskan
tSais week in Ccimmo
By Jeff Goodwin
A decision by the state Claims Board is expected
to be made this week in the Commonwealth Savings
Co. case, Claims Board Chairman Mike Dugan said
Friday.
Dugan made his comments at the conclusion of a
two-hour hearing Friday at which M. J. Bruckner,
attorney for the Commonwealth depositors, and
state Banking Director Roger Beverage attempted
to prove the state's liability to Commonwealth dep
ositors. . As part of the evidence, they submitted 1,262
affadavits, all gathered within two days, from Com
monwealth depositors. Each depositor said they
believed their account was insured up to $30,000.
Beverage said the affadavits indicate the deposi
tors believed their accounts were safe.
"I think these affidavits show without question
that the depositors relied on the state of Nebraska,"
Beverage said.
Beverage said his examination of Common
wealth's books showed the institution had been in
trouble for some time.
"What I found in looking through the reports of
examinations was a deteriorating situation that
was deteriorating rapidly and markedly he said.
nwealtHa case
The institution was basically living and paying its
depositors on new accounts. There was a precipit
ous decline in which the institution was no more
solvent in 1978 and '79 than it is today in terms of its
ability to function."
Beverage said the state, if it liquidates Common
wealth's assets during a period of eight to 10 years,
may be able to recoup $28 to 30 million.
He said that would still leave a shortfall of $30
million. He said if the assets were liquidated right
away which some depositors are pressing for
because they need the money immediately the
shortfall would be about $47 million.
Beverage said Commonwealth's assets include
about one-third of Lincoln's real estate market.
On paper, Commonwealth's assets are listed at
$75 million Beverage said, but he added, "they aren't
anywhere near that. We've got $27 million worth of
loans that they won't even touch with a 10-foot
pole."
Beverage said it was the state's responsibility to
meet its obligation to Commonwealth's depositors.
This thing is not going to go away," he said. "It
didn't just fall out of thp sky. We let it happen and
that's the basis of our claim."
Regardless cf what decision the Claims Board
may make, the final decision cn paying any claims
will be decided by the state Legislature.
