Wednesday, Oct. 2, 1985
Campus/Area
University Daily Kansan
7
'New raider' Pickens speaks tonight
By Gary Duda Of the Kansan staff
He's president and chairman of the board of Mesa Petroleum, a multimillion dollar Texas oil company.
But T. Boone Pickens still likes to get out of the office and mingle with the masses.
Pickens, known for his recent corporate takeover attempts that set the business world on edge, will be on campus at 8 p.m. today to talk and listen to students.
Public speaking is part of Pickens' life. The so-called raider makes about 100 appearances a year, he said, of which between 15 and 20 are on college campuses.
But unlike speakers who read and run, Pickens likes to let his audience ask questions. He said yesterday in a telephone interview from his home in Amarillo, Texas, that he gained as much from of his appearances as did students — maybe more.
"I really feel like I'm the net winner when I speak at a university," Pickens said. "I'm convinced that the young people are the key to the future of the nation."
Student Union Activities will present Pickens in Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union.
Pickens speech is titled, "You Don't Have to Cheat to Win."
Pickens said he had lived by that motte. He uses it in his personal life
and business dealings, he said. As long as one plays by the rules, Pickens said, things will work out.
He said students weren't as willing to work for big companies as they once were. Today's students are more entrepreneurial, he said.
"People are more interested in going out and working hard and having a good standard of living," he said.
Pickens graduated in 1951 from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor of science degree in geology. He then joined Phillips Petroleum but quit after four years and went out on his own to explore for oil.
One year later, Pickens formed his first company, Petroleum Exploration. The success of that company led to the creation of Mesa Petroleum in 1964.
Pickens gained national attention earlier this year from his much publicized attempt to control Phillips Petroleum and a similar attempt last year with Gulf Oil.
Those merger attempts, along with others, have placed Pickens in the lead of what Time magazine earlier this year called a pack of "new corporate raiders."
The label isn't offensive, Pickens said. He said he had always played by the rules, not only because that was the right thing to do but because it was more fun.
Support groups work
The money raised from the Farm-Aid concert Sept. 22 in Champaign, Ill., may not solve the farm crisis, but it will help farmers to buy food and pay their bills, a representative from a farm support organization said yesterday.
By Jennifer Benjamin Of the Kansan staff
Eileen Elliott, Lawrence junior and a representative from the National Organization of Help the Farmers Inc., said farmers across the country couldn't afford to buy food or pay bills.
"This money will help some farmers get by," she said.
Elliott spoke to about 25 students in the Kansas Union in a speech sponsored by KU Democrats.
Brian Courtney, president of KU Democraats, said the group surveyed its membership at the beginning of the semester to discover what issues students were concerned about.
"The farm issue was one of the most important ones." he said.
to help family farmers
Elliott said the farm crisis was important to everyone, not just the farmers.
A walkie-talkie valued at $350 was stolen from the front desk of McCollium Hall at about 1 a.m. yesterday, KU police said. Two people witnessed the theft and called the police. An 18-year-old man was arrested in connection with the theft and the walkie-talkie was recovered.
"The economical picture is gloomy," she said. "The crisis has devastated over one-third of the farmers. The effect the farm crisis is
parked in the lot, but police have no suspects.
having on our country touches each and every American."
The family farmers produce about one-third of United States' food, Elliott said, and if they stop, food prices will rise for consumers.
Elliott said the farm crisis was caused by a combination of factors. These include such factors as worldwide over-production of food, high interest rates and drought.
"America is starting to listen to the problems," Elliott said. "People will realize the farmers' problems and try to do something about it."
they can make a difference," she said.
Farm support groups are coming un across the country, she said.
One way students can help, Elliott said, is to write to their congressmen to express their concerns about the farm crisis.
Help the Farmers was started this summer by Guy Stedman, of Wetmore, about 80 miles northwest of Lawrence.
■ Audiovisual equipment and other property valued together at $1,243 was stolen between 9 p.m. Sunday and 8:30 a.m. Monday from the Church of Christ, 1105 W. 25th St., Lawrence Police said yesterday. The front door of the church had been pried open with a screwdriver and most of the property was stolen from the pastor's office. Neighbors reported seeing a blue Volkswagen
If people get involved and care,
On the Record
On Campus
The Mt. Oread Bike Club Racing Team will conduct training rides at 3 p.m. today through Friday. The rides will start at Strong Hall.
The University Forum will meet at 11:45 a.m. today - at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries Building, 1204 Oread Ave. Ann Lesch, from Universities Field Staff International, will speak about "Religion and Policies of the Sudan: Comparisons with Egypt."
The KU Dr. Who Appreciation Society will meet at 7 p.m. today in the Walnut Room of the Union.
The Rock Chalk Rowdies will meet at 7 p.m. today in the Cork II Room of the Union.
■ Dungeons and Dragons will meet at 6:30 p.m. today in the Trail Room of the Union.
Chrysalis, a student coalition, will have an organizational meeting at 6:15 p.m. today in the Wheat Room of the Union.
A lunchtime chit-chat, sponsored by the African studies department, will be conducted at noon today in Alcove D of the Union. Arthur Drayton, professor of African studies, will speak about "Socially Conscious Songs of the Caribbean."
This year's first issue of In the Streets is available in distribution boxes on campus.
The Organization of Students of Historical Administration and Museum Studies will meet at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow in Room 602 of the Museum of Natural History.
Senior Meeting Tonight
7:30 p.m., Parlor C, Kansas Union (All Seniors are invited)
Help the Class of 1986 organize:
★H.O.P.E. Award ★Farewell to Bars
★Senior Gift ★Senior Breakfast
★Commencement
German Luncheon Special in Cafeteria $1.90 Polish Sausage, German Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Roll
Free Drawing for Bicycle and other items,
$1.19 film processing on any number of exposures
and more specials at the KU Bookstore
Fire-eating Magician 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Polka Band (Ed Grisneck) and Dance 7:30-10:30 pm Polka Lessons from German Club 7:30 -8 pm
Hand-Carved German Puppets on Display
Renaissance Entertainment on level three 8 - 10 pm Belly Dancers, Magicians, Jugglers, a Fire Eater, Old World Singers, Classical Guitarists, Flutists
Imported German Gummi Bears specially,priced 65¢ for 1/4 lb. at the Information Counter
Burge Bandstand Presents a Dance Concert with "Valentine and The Very Wealthy" in the Party Room on level one at 9 pm
Burge Union This Friday All Activities Are Free
$2.00 Pitchers All day, All night
3 p.m.-midnight Every Wednesday
Birdie King
West Coast Saloon
2222 Iowa
Foosball
4 pool tables 841-BREW