TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2004
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
3A
Accident renews victim's outlook
stu-
ansas.
student
ansan
pur-
a, 119
Blvd.,
Richard Morrell, associate vice provost for student success, was the victim of a near-fatal automobile accident last Christmas Eve. Morrell now tries to live each day to its fullest.
Severe car crash leaves victim with stronger faith
0746
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mail are
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to The
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Bv Ross Fitch
rfitch@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
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After a near-fatal car accident last Christmas Eve, Richard Morrell remains more passionate about his job and life than ever before.
Morrell, associate vice provost for student success, suffered severe physical and brain injuries and was in the hospital for a month last January. He returned to work two hours a day starting June 14, and was back to full time in mid-July. Although he said he still experiences physical pain from the accident — some that his doctors said may be permanent — Morrell is just happy to be here.
"We never saw him coming," Morrell said.
morrow is just happy to be here. On Dec. 24, 2003, Morrell and his wife, Kerry, were driving to church. A sport utility vehicle southbound on Iowa Street broadsided them on 27th Street when the vehicle crossed two lanes of traffic and jumped a median.
Morren said.
Morrill suffered eight broken ribs, a fractured scapula, a skull fracture and a ruptured spleen. His wife suffered a broken collarbone and a concussion, and was released the night of the accident. The SUV's driver, 24-year-old William P. Moore IV of Lawrence, suffered minimal injuries and was also treated and released the night of the accident.
released the night
"I didn't remember the accident for a month after the accident," Morrell said.
dent, Morton His wife, Kerry, had to tell him what happened every day for the three weeks he was in intensive care. The first thing he remember was his last day at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, he said.
As the associate vice provost for student success, Morrell is in
"I think it was definitely a miracle. I just
think it wasn't his time to go."
Kerry Morrell Richard Morrell's wife
charge of enrollment issues, including financial aid, scholarships and admissions.
"People have been really, really good to me since I've been back," he said.
Morrrell's boss, Marlesa Roney, said she had tears in her eyes when she first heard about the accident while spending Christmas Eve in Indiana. She said she and his colleagues covered his work without hesitation.
"We all picked up the work," said Roney, vice provost for student success. "That's just what you do."
His colleagues are still helping him cope, Morrell said. He said his memory loss was a challenge when he first came back.
did.
"I think it was definitely a miracle," Kerry said. "I just think it wasn't his time to go."
"A director would be giving me a report and I'd have a question for him, but I would forget the question by the time he got done talking," Morrell said.
done tanking. Morel Both Richard and Kelly said they were overwhelmed by the outpouring of care they received from the University. Kerry said she never would have predicted people bringing food over to the house and visiting Richard in the hospital as much as they did, and for that, she was appreciative.
think it was his time to come. While recovering, Morrell said his pastor at the time, Bill Vogler, Reverend of Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church, asked him if he was angry at God for the accident.
my said.
Richard and Kelly are Christians and regularly attend the Lawrence Free Methodist Church at 5001 Lawrence Ave, Morrell said. Kerry said she thought both she and Richard were very blessed that he came
for that, she said. "We wouldn't have made it through without their support," Kerry said.
"That was never an issue for me." Morrell said. "This was not a test of my faith; it remains steadfast."
out of the accident as well as he did
Both Richard and Kelly agreed that the accident could have been a lot worse. Kerry said the event was very traumatic, but it brought about good results, including a profound appreciation for the University community.
community.
"You wouldn't wish it again," she said. "But, looking back, a lot of positive things came out of it."
— Edited by Steve Vockrodt
Underground prepares for Thursdayopening
CAMPUS
The Underground at Wescoe is shooting to open Thursday.
The only reason the Underground wouldn't open on Thursday is if a major catastrophe strikes, said Michael Myers, assistant director of retail of KU Memorial Unions. He qualified a catastrophe as sprinklers going off or a fire starting in the kitchen, but he didn't foresee any problems that would delay the opening again.
Chick-fil-A; Pulse, a coffee shop; and the Hawk Shop will open at 7 a.m for breakfast. Pizza Hut; Crustano's, a deli; JUMP Asian cuisine; and the salad bar will open between 9 and 10 a.m. The food court will be open until 5 p.m. Pulse and the Hawk Shop will stay open until 11 p.m. The Underground might open for part of the day Wednesday, if everything is ready to go, Myers said.
ready to go. Myers
To get ready for opening day,
Myers said he is working with contractors to do final inspections of equipment.
Staff trained yesterday and today, Myers said. Employees will practice preparing food to perfect the taste and look, he said.
Laura Francoviglia
Students arrested for arson at playground
University of Kansas police officers arrested two 18-year-old KU students Saturday night for setting fire to playground equipment by Stauffer Place Apartments, south of 1615 Ellis Road. Capt. Schueller Bailey, KU Public Safety Office, said an officer saw the students start the fire and flee while he was waiting for a phone company to service equipment.
Bailey said an accelerant was used but the damage wasn't extensive. Plastic vinyl on steps leading to a slide was damaged.
aged.
The cost of the damage has not yet been determined.
— Amanda O'Toole
Amanda O'Toole
Construction continued on Lilac Lane entire week
The next phase of construction on the western portion of Lilac Lane began yesterday when workers began cutting sidewalks and curbs for removal, said Sandra K. Benedict, Facilities Operations spokeswoman.
spokeswoman
Access to parking lots will be maintained, but there will be temporary delays because of equipment and truck traffic.
Parking will not be allowed along Lilac Lane in front of Miller and Watkins Scholarship Halls during the week between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The asphalt paving phase is scheduled for completion in mid-October, Benedict said. Amanda Kim Stairrett
All parking will be opened on the weekend. When the west side is complete, the east side of Lilac and west portion around Blake and Twente Circle will be scheduled.
'Kansan'hiresnewsales andmarketingadviser
Jenny Weaver began work yesterday as The University Daily Kansan's new sales and marketing adviser.
marketing advisor.
Weaver, 2000 University
graduate, joins the Kansan staff
for the second time in her life.
Weaver worked at the Kansan
on the advertising staff as an
undergraduate, and has worked
for the Fort Collins Coloradoan
for the past three-and-a-half
years.
years.
"It was the opportunity of a lifetime to come back to my alma mater and work with newspapers, advertising and students," she said.
-Kansan staff report
TALK TO US
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THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS SEPTEMBER 21,2004 PRESENTED BY STUDENTS SENAT
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Monday, Sept. 27
Corbin: 1-7pm
McCollum: 1-7pm
Tuesday, Sept. 28
Union Ballroom: 11am-5pm
McCollum: 1-7pm
Wednesday, Sept. 29
Union Ballroom: 11am-5pm
Allen Fieldhouse: 11am-5pm
Thursday, Sept. 30
Union Ballroom: 11am-5pm
Allen Fieldhouse: 11am-5pm
Friday, Oct. 1
Union Ballroom: 11am-5pm
Allen Fieldhouse: 11am-5pm
Sponsored by:
IFC
Panhellenic
AURH
KUAC
NROTC
Civic Literacy Week
Sunday
Rock the Park
NW Side of South Park
1pm - 4pm
sponsors: Rock the Vote, SLAB
Monday.
Rock the Vote on Wescoe Beach
11am - 1pm
Open Forum
Featuring: Congressional Candidate
Nancy Boyda & Congressman
Dennis Moore
11:30am-1:30pm, Wescoe Beach
Monday Night, Movie Marathon
Showing Dr. Strangeleys & Mr. Smith Goes
to Washington, 6pm, 10pm,
Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Union
Sponsors. SLAB, Civic Literacy Group; SUA,
Student Senate
Rock the Vote on Wescoe Beach.11am-1pm 20 Million Loud/MTY Choose or Lose Wescoe Beach or Kansas Union.11am-1pm With Sunflower Broadband and KLZR 106.9 Student Reception at the Dole Institute with guest speaker Secretary of State Ron Thombrg Sponsors: SLAB, Civic Literacy Committee, Student Senate
Rock the Vote on Wescoe Beach 11am 1pm
Wear Your Favorite Political Slogan Day
Open Forum featuring Congressional Candidate Kris
Kobach
11am-12pm
Political Fashion Show On Wescoe Beach Featuring: College Republicans, Young Dems, KU Greens
Guest Speaker Gary Hart, Lied Center, 7pmidential Debate Watch
Presidential Debate Watch Kansas Union, 8 -10pm Sponsors: SLAB, Civic Literacy Committee, Student Senate, Diana Carlin & Communication Studies, SUA
Friday Rock the Vote on Wescoe Beach 11am - 1pm
School House Rock on Wescoe Beach. 11am-1pm Sponsors: SLAB, KU Theater
Saturday Women's Civic Leadership Conference
Leadership Conference All Day, Kansas Union Sponsors: SLAB Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center Commission on the Status of Women. Student Senate
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