Student faces hills
Wheelchair no problem
Photo by Zoe Medlin
Neither snow, nor sleet, nor KU hills . . .
The confines of a wheelchair and thoughts of winter weather do not discourage Roger Keffer, Lawrence senior, from attending classes at KU. Keffer has found shortcuts to buildings and help from students to keep him going.
By MARCIA MITCHELL Kansan Staff Writer
The confines of a wheelchair and wintry thoughts of a slick and sliding hill did not discourage Roger Keffer, Lawrence senior, from attending the university of his choice.
Upon graduation from Hutchinson High School, after two years in his wheelchair, Keffer and his entire family moved to Lawrence. As a freshman, he learned the usual ropes of shortcuts from building to building
"There are two shortcuts to Malott and I take the back way into Strong where there are no stairs at the basement door."
Getting to school poses no problem. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Keffer and neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Edmondson, provide the needed transportation. There is also an emergency parking place reserved in the loading zone behind Strong Hall. From there on, however, Keffer depends upon himself.
Majoring in American studies and political science, Keffer found his classes widely distributed in Strong Hall, Blake Hall, Fraser Hall, Carruth-O'Leary Hall and Malott Hall. Although the only ramp on campus is in front of Blake Hall, Keffer finds students very willing to assist.
"Foreign students most often go out of their way to help," said Keffer.
As Keffer was wasting time on campus between classes one day, a student offered to push him somewhere. When Keffer explained that he wasn't going anywhere in particular, the student said he must hurry to his
NEGRO SCORES TWO FIRSTS
NEW YORK (UPI)—Benjamin Banneker, the first watchmaker to make a clock in America, also was the first Negro to receive a presidential appointment, according to researchers, for a watch company.
President George Washington appointed Banneker, who was born a free man in Maryland in 1731, to assist in the survey of what was to become Washington, D.C. Banneker, who was also an expert on astronomy, the science on which time keeping is based, began to issue annual astronomical almanacs, starting in 1791, the Bulova researchers report.
Nov. 7
1969
6 KANSAN
own class, but sent Keffer on down the sidewalk with a hefty shove.
"I appreciated his thoughtfulness, but my wheelchair almost tipped before I got control of it," he said with a chuckle.
KU enrollment proved to be the biggest problem. Although Keffer usually had his class cards pulled for him, two years ago, he and brothers Clark, 12, and John, 8, faced the ominous threat in the Kansas Union Ballroom alone. The only mishap occurred when John caught his finger in the wheelchair.
Because of Keffer's lack of coordination, his tests were usually oral or instructors increased the length of time needed for written tests.
"I have had an awful lot of help here, especially from instructors," said Keffer.
"They usually ended up sending the tests home with me," Keffer laughed.
In January, Keffer applied for work at the University Extension
Office in the Extramural Independent Studies Center (previously the Correspondence Bureau). John R. Willingham, professor of English, suggested that Keffer apply.
Carrying only three hours to graduate, Keffer is now a regular student employee. Besides editing, he also grades test papers for three students taking correspondence courses.
He began in March, editing and publishing course syllabi and was on the work-study program until August.
Although Keffer enjoys his work at the Extension Office, he jokingly admitted that the road to it is "naturally the worst hill on campus."
But things look well with graduate school in American studies for next semester's plans. And Keffer will be there in his well-known cowboy hat.
"I wear a cowboy hat because I like it. I'd wear cowboy boots if I could afford them, too," he smiled.
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