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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1997)
UNL awards Olson for 40 years of service OLSON from page 1 since. “A lot of my career has been at the univer sity, but it hasn’t been inside the university,” Olson said. Although many of Olson’s semesters have been packed with classes — this spring he has taught two and part of another — Olson, 64, has always had time for outside projects. One such project is the Annenberg Rural ^Challenge in Nebraska, a project to revive rural schools. Olson still works with it today. The project gives young people maximum responsibility for their intellectual development and allows for the cultural and economic well being of their towns, he said. As a result, young people invest in their small communities and are less likely to leave later in life. “There’s a quality of life that exists in rural towns that is rapidly disappearing in urban America,” Olson said. Preserving community is important, Olson said, in small towns and at the university. It’s one of the biggest challenges the university faces, he said. First, graduate students should feel more a part of the teaching community. They should be paid what they’re worth, he said. Often gradu ate students make high-quality, knowledgeable teachers. Another step is creating residential living learning environments at UNL, he said. Such an environment would be a residence hall floor where a faculty adviser lives and works along side students. But even with a sense of community, he said, students will not be successful later in life with out a sense of understanding and appreciation for other cultures. “It’s really important in terms of plain job skills,” Olson said. “If you can’t tolerate having a black or Chinese person ... a lesbian or gay student sitting around you, you’re sort of crippled in the present job market.” Today’s students care passionately about the people around them, he' said. Many have a highly developed social conscience, he said, but little spare time. Students should use their course work as a channel to explore their own passions and views on life, Olson said. Then, through education, they can appreciate other cultures, not just show acceptance on the surface by using correct lan guage. Olson said the university could help students by giving them a week off from classes to seek - in-depth advising. They could then make better decisions on their path in education and in life. “I’ve had an incredibly joyous life, and the reason is I’ve never done a damn thing I didn’t want to do,” Olson said. Month $19.95 Save 20% on'all _Qhpjir California Tan Lotions --—■— ^-4^ A (Congratulations (graduates! ^ ◄ ► ◄ Celebrate your achievements ► ◄ with t a lunch or dinner t a at t i INN HARMS WAY i ^ 7th & P Streets £ A HISTORIC HAYMARKET DISTRICT ^ ◄ ► j WE ACCEPT RESERVA TIONS FOR ANY SIZE PARTY £ < 438-3033 ► ◄ ► ◄ ► \ Saturday, May 10th £ ◄ Lunch 11:30 ^ «| Dlnner5:00_| Times... They are a-changin! As the semester quickly draws to a close, remember the University Health Center professionals are here to serve your healthcare needs throughout the summer. . Woman, son prepare to receive degrees together at UNL’s graduation ceremony GRADS from page 1 a scholar,” she said. Peter Lavin, 26, said he didn’t view the idea of his mother returning to col lege as out of the ordinary. He said his father’s job as a professor has always kept the family around campus. “We’re all more or less in college,” he said. Stephen Lavin, a UNL associate professor of geography, said he was excited and supportive of his wife when she returned to school. “I knew she was talented, and I knew she had an ability to go back to school,” he said. Stephen Lavin said his wife shared many common characteristics with non traditional students he had taught. “They’re more motivated, more serious. They tend to be good stu dents,” he said. Ruth Lavin graduated with a teach ing degree from D’Youville College in New York in 1965. She decided to re turn to college in the mid-70s after finding her teaching job didn’t give her the opportunities she had hoped, she said. “I felt I was stifled,” she said. “I had a lot of ideas, and there wasn’t a way to make them go anywhere.” The Lavins moved to Nebraska in 1981, and it was at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that Ruth Lavin be gan her studies in earnest, receiving her master’s degree in 1989. Although Ruth Lavin said she was initially worried about competing with younger students, she said her time away from school made her more fo cused. “You find that your life experiences have prepared you,” she said. Questions? Comments? Ask for the appropriate section editor at 472-2588 or e-mail dn@unlinfo.unl.edu. Editor: Paula Lavigne Managing Editor: Julie Sobczyk Assoc. News Editors: Erin Schulte Rebecca Stone Assignment Editor: Chad Lorenz Opinion Editor: Jessica Kennedy Copy Desk Chief: Nancy Zywiec Asst Copy Desk Chief: JohnFulwider Sports Editor: MikeKiuck A&E Editor: Jim Goodwin Design Chief: Joshua Gillin Photo Director: RyanSoderlin Art Director: Aaron Steckelberg Web Editor: Mary Ann Muggy Asst Web Edtor: Amy Pemberton General Manager: Dan Shattil Advertising Manager: Amy Struthers Asst Ad Manager: Cheryl Renner ClassifiedAd Manager: Tlffiny Clifton Publications Travis Brandt Board Chairman: 436-7915 Professional Don Walton Adviser: 473-7301 FAX NUMBER: 472-1761 The Daily Nebraskan (USPS 144-080) is published by the UNL Publications Board, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St., Lincoln, NE 68588-0448, Monday through Friday during the academic year; weekly during summer sessions. Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas and comments to the Daily Nebraskan by calling 472-2588. The public has access to the Publications Board. Subscription price is $55 for one year. Postmaster; Send address changes to the Daily Nebraskan, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St., Lincoln, NE 68588-0448. Sec ond-class postage paid at Lincoln, Neb. ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 1997 DAILY NEBRASKAN : * La Mexicana J market and deli l Treat yourself to some delicious food l during finals week! • • l 1637 P Street ; (402) 477-0785 • ••••••»•>»••• ••• UjtULLb,AGAIN! ■8|d:iawK[B^ Grade A Notes at Nebraska Bookstore ir • n IMmwP Call 477-7400 1300 Q Street _ Lower Level