In the fall of 1960 I began
attending the University of Omaha. I could afford it as I continued to live at
home and had a great job. Unlike entering high school I left for college with a
sense of excitement. I was off to pursue my dream. No fear.
The campus seemed huge to me. When
my buddies and I use to bike to Elmwood Park we would ride by the edge, but
never through the campus. It was a new world to explore. Only five classes
stand out in my mind. Since I cannot separate the semesters I can’t remember
what was taken when, but these stood out: Architectural Drafting, Algebra,
Psychology, Interior Design and Art with an emphasis in commercial drawing.
Psychology and Algebra were both
held in large lecture halls. I knew I was in trouble the first week of classes.
For some reason we were seated alphabetically in both those classes. That meant
I was at the back and top of the tiered room. One could enter from the second
floor right into a large landing. I sat one row down from that landing. There
were about half dozen students usually stretched out and sleeping up there. I
stayed in my seat, but I had never seen Algebra or any math class taught as a lecture. No
questions were permitted. If you wanted to talk, go to his office and make an
appointment. I never went because I never knew what I didn’t know or how I
would ask — except maybe to say, “Its all Greek to me.” I tried, but
continually fell behind. By the grace of God I got through the first semester,
but the second was a killer.
Psychology was much more
interesting. The professor was always conducting various experiments with
volunteer students. I especially liked the one with three blindfolded students
biting into an onion and being asked what it was. The consensus was an apple.
The right crunch! His point was sight and touch influences perception. They
were not permitted to see it or touch it. Great class. He kept me spell bound.
Of course, I loved Architectural
Drafting. Our instructor was a rancher from western Nebraska who flew his plan
to Omaha to twice a week to teach the class. While surprised at his occupation,
he was very knowledgeable an enjoyable. Must have been my attitude.
Interior Design was taken to fill
a class space. I decided if I was going to design houses I should know more
about designing the inside. There were 100 students and only one was a boy —
me. I liked the class. I wanted more about design, color compliments and room arrangement.
A lot of time was spent on learning types and names of various furniture
styles. All I know is there were too many Louis 14, 15 and 16’s lurked around that
class. And aren’t Chippendales male dancers.
Commercial Art was part of a back
up plan in case drafting fell though. Of course, I wanted to take some class
that might raise my grade point. Without the aid of computers, we practiced
duplicating and creating unique styles of lettering. It was all done by hand,
very tedious.
I met several of my old friends in
the student center from time to time. I wasn’t real regular as I was pulling
away. But I kept contact. They were still very special to me. They seemed to be
going on with God and I knew I wasn’t.
I often saw Peter Fonda around
campus. I never saw him with anyone. He was always by himself. I usually spotted
him on the grass, or bench or leaning against a tree as I went to my car after
classes. He never looked up or made eye contact with anyone that I ever
noticed. He was a loner.
The year started great!
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