Colonel's Kernel
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The Colonel's Kernel |
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| Spring 1998 | Volume 2, Number 1 |
Our "Careers" Issue
Since our first issue of the Colonel's Kernel two years ago, we have received numerous letters from our alumni telling us about their careers and their lives after finishing their degrees at Eastern. So we decided to focus this issue on careers and showcase several of our alumni from different decades and different career fields.
The last issue of the Colonel's Kernel dealt with memories, and this issue shall focus on other alumni and their careers. There are so many outstanding and accomplished EKU graduates that only a small percentage can be highlighted in each publication; so if you have not already done so, please send us information for future use.
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Ken Barksdale, Class of 1967 in his office in the Crabbe Library |
Ken Barksdale, 1967 EKU - BS in Mathematics (with teaching certification) and minor in History; 1968 UK - MS in Library and Information Science, with additional graduate work at EKU and UK in Statistics, Higher Education, and Library Science.
Ken is the Coordinator for the Library Technical Services and Collection Development at EKU. He served as Acting Director of the Libraries 1991-92. He has served as President of the EKU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi and the UK Chapter of Beta Phi Mu, International Library Science Honor Society.
He quotes Lawrence Clark Powell (l958): (The essence of) librarianship - "that books are basic, that people are good, and that bringing the two together, so that books are more useful and people more fruitful, is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences on earth."
Ken further says to truly express Powell's feelings today, one should substitute the phrase "both books and information in electronic form" wherever the word "books" appears. As an academic librarian who has been in the field of library and information science for nearly 30 years, he has observed that a background in mathematics or computer science is extremely valuable. In planning facilities or services for students and faculty, in analyzing data, in projecting equipment needs, in preparing budget documents, in seeking, organizing and disseminating information (by books, journals, microfilms, CD-ROMS, or on line) - mathematical skills and an appreciation of the "power" of numbers are very, very beneficial.
He says his previous courses in statistics, probability, and analysis have
been especially useful in tasks which involve first predicting the use of
materials and then allocating appropriate resources. And Ñ as computers, the
Internet, and electronic databases become even more important in the
acquisition, transmission, and utilization of information Ñ computer science
and library/information science almost blend together. Finally, the
magnificent structure of mathematics and the rich history of mathematical
achievement definitely appeal to those (such as librarians and information
professionals) who value the organization and storage of knowledge for decades
and even centuries of use.
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| Mrs. Estelle (Collins) "Sis" Jackson
mathematics major, class of 1933 |
On February 11, 1998, Drs. Greenwell, King, and Tennant visited with Estelle (Collins) Jackson at her home (877 W. Main, Richmond, KY 40475). She is a 1933 graduate with a major in mathematics. Her favorite saying is "OK" and her nickname is "Sis".
She graduated from high school in 1928 and started EKU that year. She first earned a 2-yr. Certificate. At one time she taught in a mining camp in the mountains, where her classes included children from all grade levels and socioeconomic backgrounds
In 1935 she married Sam Jackson, a Richmond man she had met in high school. After her three children were a little older, she first substituted at Big Hill and then in Valley View. She was substituting for a principal, so this became a new position for her. Finally she taught at Madison Central and stayed there until she retired. She taught mathematics classes and utilized the slide rule to aid in mathematical calculations.
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| Estelle with Amy King |
She started out in home economics, but always liked mathematics, and Dr. Caldwell influenced her to become a mathematics major. One of her required courses was agriculture for a mathematics major?!! She played some basketball, but liked the boys rules better.
Her husband worked as a mechanic for Coca Cola in Lexington. He contracted typhoid fever and was not well for the rest of his life. They moved back to Richmond where he worked for the city. Her hobbies include the Homemakers Club, making crafts with her daughter, and Beanie Babies - she has about 100 of these - some of which are now retired. She says she puts them in cages. When we first made an appointment with her, she called to cancel it because it conflicted with a Homemakers meeting and she was providing Mexican food.
We had a very pleasant visit, and she said she was grateful we had not asked her to work a mathematics problem, because she was out of practice. Apparently her son had teased her that this was something we would request her to do. We were invited to return. When we left she said "When my friends say go, then I go, and when they don't say go, I say, 'Why not?'"
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