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University Daily Kansan Monday. Sept. 12. 1955
J. R. Pearson Dies; Donated KU Halls
One of the University's greatest benefactors, Joseph R. Pearson, 75, of Corsicana, Tex., died in the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn., August 15.
Mr. Pearson was born in Wakefield, Kan., July 4, 1880. He never attended the University, but on July 12, 1905, married Gertrude Sellards, formerly of Lawrence, who had been graduated from KU in 1901.
Mr. Pearson became interested in the development of oil production in the Kansas fields, and then moved to Texas, where he played an important part in developing some of the large East Texas fields.
Because of his desire for anonymity, only those who worked with him can fully realize the void Mr. Pearson's death leaves in the University of Kansas family." Chancellor Franklin D. Murphy said. "Although a private citizen, he felt a strong responsibility to give generously both of his money and time to speed the betterment of student housing."
A desire for anonymity marked Mr. and Mrs. Pearson's gifts to KU, but Irvin E. Youngberg, secretary of the KU Endowment Association, estimated the total for the past 10 years as "in excess of half a million dollars."
Gifts to Dormitories
However, even after moving to Texas, Mr. and Mrs. Pearson remained loyal to Kansas. Their gifts made possible Pearson and Sellars scholarship halls, the Grace Pearson dormitory, and the nearly-completed Gertrude Sellars Pearson women's dormitory.
Mr. Pearson had been a frequent visitor, with Mrs. Pearson, in Law-
yland. He took a personal interest in the planning and building of the various dormitories.
Pearson and Sellards halls, each accommodating about 50, are operated on a scholarship basis with the scholars sharing all work and expenses. This plan produces awards worth about $300 a year for each individual. The halls were opened in 1952.
Grace Pearson Hall, named for Mr. Pearson's mother, accommodates 48 women, and was completed last fall. Gertrude Sellars Pearson Hall now houses about 150 women, and is to be completed, with space for 445 women, in February of 1956.
Tax Levy Up In 11 Counties
The counties and school districts pleaded before the commission that statutory tax limitations prevented collecting revenue sufficient for general fund obligations this year. They brought to 44 the number of Kansas counties which have come before the commission for additional education levies.
Topeka—(U,P)P—the tax burden of a group of Kansas property owners was made temporarily heavier recently.
The State revenue and taxation commission approved emergency tax levies for 11 counties and six school districts. It also authorized issuance of tax credits to warrants by Wyandotte township outside Kansas City for road repairs.
Granted were these county general fund tax increases:
Russell .243 mill to a total of 1.575 mills; Montgomery .3915 to 2.3313 mills; Atchison .468 to 2.339 mills; Republican .37 to 1.87 mills; Coffey .55 to 2.75 mills; Wallace .875 to 4.375 mills; Chautauqua .69 to 3.44 mills; Comanche .68 to 3.43 mills; Crawford .482 to 2.411 mills; Osage .52 to 2.76 mills; and Cherokee .48 to 2.43 mills.
Russell county also was authorized to raise its jail fund levy one-quarter mill to 1.25.
Much larger emergency increases
Folding Doors In Ballroom
Folding doors have been built into the north end of the Student Union Ballroom to increase the capacity for small meetings. The Student Union has been pressed in accommodating small groups.
The doors of plastic fabric are under the balcony of the ballroom in front of the entrance to the Jayhawk room. The area can be separated into five rooms for small groups or with the folding doors pushed back it can be part of the ballroom.
The doors on the ballroom side of the area are light green and those leading to the Jayhawk room are light tan to fit into the decor of the rooms.
were approved for school districts, five of them in Sedgwick county.
Biggest raise was 15 mills to a total of 45 mills for the general fund of Riverside school district No. 136 of Sedgwick County.
Other increases:
BOSTON — (UP) — After reappointing George E. Proulx of Leominster as a master in chancery, Governor Herter was embarrassed to learn that Proulx had been dead for four years.
Farm real estate values remained generally firm in most areas of the country for the four months ended March 1, 1955, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Olatehe board of education general fund 3.534 to 19.534 mills; Joint school district No. 44, Sedgwick County, 6.-07 to 20.07 mills, and school districts 69, 170 and 171, Sedgwick County, all 5 mills to 15 mills.
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