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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 1999)
Today named in honor of graduate, Latvian president ByIevaAugstums Senior staff writer To celebrate the life and accom plishments of the only known head of state to graduate from the University of Nebraska, Gov. Mike Johanns pro claimed today “Karl Ulmanis Day.” Ulmanis, a 1909 graduate of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Ulmanis Resources, was the first prime minister of the Republic of Latvia in 1918, and the last pre-World War II Latvian president “It does me great honor to recog nize this man,” Johanns said. “I encour age the citizens of our state to com memorate the occasion with appropri ate ceremonies and celebrations ” Ulmanis is the only known student to graduate from the university between 1869 and 1999 to serve as the head of state of any country. He received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree. College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Dean Donald Edwards said he was proud to have had such a man graduate from the university. “The celebration is indicative of the impact that the graduates of this college have on this world,” Edwards said. “University of Nebraska students are indeed a part of the universal world.” Edwards said more than 90 percent of the approximately 16,200 students who have graduated from the agricul ture college decide to leave Nebraska to pursue careers nation and world wide.During his administration as pres ident of Latvia, Ulmanis implemented several programs reflecting credit to Nebraska, including Arbor Day in Latvia and a rural youth organization comparable to American 4-H clubs, as well as improvements in the country’s dairy industry. Lawrence Murphy, a Lincoln attor ney, along with two other Latvian dig nitaries, have written an article further observing the contributions of Ulmanis. The article, entitled “The Graduate,” is expected to be published in the Nebraska History magazine this summer, Murphy said. “The historical significance is great,” Murphy said. “Nebraskans should know more about other Nebraskans’ contributions to world his tory.” As a youth, Ulmanis pursued free dom for his people, fought in the Russian Revolution in 1905 and ended up spending a year in prison. In 1907, fleeing from the Russian government, he came to America to pursue an edu cation. Before returning to his home in Riga, Latvia’s capital, in 1913, Ulmanis worked for Roberts Dairy in Lincoln and for another dairy business in Texas. After the Russian revolution of 1917, he was appointed vice governor of Latvia and a year later helped write the Latvian Declaration of Independence. In 1936, he became the president of his native country. When Germany invaded Latvia in 1940, Ulmanis was wounded in a fight at his castle in Riga, then seized by the Soviet Army. Murphy said little is known about Ulmanis’ death, but documents have shown he died in 1942. He was 65 years old. Latvia remained Under communist control until 1991, when it regained its sovereignty. Current Latvian President Guntis Ulmanis is Karlis Ulmanis’ grandnephew. Murphy said although Ulmanis is dead, his many accomplishments would be remembered, especially by Latvians living in Nebraska. A memorial plaque, dedicated in 1954, can be found in the Dairy Industry Building on East Campus, and a bust sculpture of Ulmanis resides in Love Library. “Karlis Ulmanis was a gentleman. He loved the state and the school,” Murphy said. “It has been said he even sent a $15 donation to help build Memorial Stadium - a true Nebraskan.” Students to attend ‘family reunion’ Yearly Big 12 gathering aims to unite black students By Veronica Daehn Staff writer Some UNL students will attempt to revive the civil rights struggle this Thursday when they travel to the 22nd Annual Big 12 Conference on Black Student Government “The Awakening: Reviving the Struggle” is the theme for this year’s event held Feb. 18-21 at the University of Colorado in Boulder. About 40 University of Nebraska Lincoln students and several faculty members will attend the conference, which focuses on giving black students from predominantly white campuses the chance to interact with other black students. “It’s like a family reunion,” said Kenney Bailey, Afrikan Peoples Union president. “It’s awesome.” Bailey, who has attended the confer ence the last two years, said students gain new attitudes that will carry over into their community. “Students will be able to revitalize community members to take actions which guarantee the survival of cultures and traditions,” he said. Conference events include keynote speakers, workshops and a career fair. A vendor fair will be held where students can purchase cultural items in the African Market Place. For entertain ment, a step show dance competition will be performed. Bailey said funding was provided by various colleges who chose to spon sor a student in their college, and by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs James Griesen. N. Omar Valentine, UNL’s Big 12 coordinator, said he expected 1200 to 1500 people at the conference this year. Valentine, a senior marketing, psy chology and sociology major, said he was disappointed with the low numbers of student participation in campus orga nizations and activities at UNL. “What motivated me (to do this) wasthelack of participation in local stu dent govemment/’he said. While he said low participation could be caused by a lack of informa tion or low minority numbers at UNL, Valentine said he hoped to help others become more involved and more informed about black activities. The greek system also will be repre sented at the conference. Kappa Alpha Psi adviser Erik Lee said four students from the traditionally black fraternity will be going. With nine historically black greek organizations in existence and only one on the UNL campus, Lee said the con ference is one of the only opportunities to enjoy having other groups around. Both Lee and Bailey agree that the conference will educate students about opportunities they have and how those can impact their community. “It’s a great learning experience,” Bailey said. “There are dynamic speak ers and great workshops. It’s one of the most fim things you can go to.” Neihardt, sorority to bowl for charity ■ RHA approves what is called ‘a start to break down the barriers.’ By Bernard Vogelsang Staffwriter The Residence Hall Association Senate decided unanimously Sunday night to support a charity bowling fund raiser of Neihardt Residence Center and Alpha Xi Delta Sorority with $100. Students living in Neihardt and Alpha Xi Delta will bowl on Feb. 25 for The Friendship Home, a shelter for bat tered women in Lincoln. RHA President Shane Perkins praised the cooperation of the residence hall and the sorority. “This event can be a start to break down the barriers between residence halls and greek houses,” he said. Neihardt and Alpha Xi Delta raised $225 with the bowl-a-thon last year. ^■■p Neihardt President Mike Butterfield said he will ask Lincoln businesses to donate money for the charity. Students also will be asked to give fiiinds at the event. Joshua Cowan, member of the RHA Review and Recommendations Commission, endorsed the fund-raising event In other business, the senate tabled the voting until next Sunday on a resolu tion to create a joint committee of RHA and the National Residence Hall Honorary. Perkins said he proposed the resolu tion because the UNL chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary has not done a good job of submitting UNL residence hall programs to the Best Program of the Month, a monthly award for the best residence hall program in the Midwest. A reason for this, said Perkins, is that the residence halls have not put enough effort into submitting their best programs to the National Residence Hall Honorary. Perkins said the creation of a joint committee could stimulate greater interest in submitting more programs to the regional level. The resolution proposes RHA National Communications Coordinator Jennifer Conklin to become co-chair woman of the new committee. But Conklin asked the senate to table the vote on the resolution, because she first wants to discuss it more thor oughly with Perkins and RHA Vice President Jill Beran. Conklin said it would have been a slap in NRHH President Dave Williams’ face if the senate would not have delayed the vote. “I didn’t realize that until I talked with Dave last week. 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