U Magazine, Winter 1986

Alcala Park Special education was h is life

Dr. Strunk dies Dr. DeForest L. Strunk, an educator whose work with and for the handicapped earned him a national reputation , died September 8 after a lengthy illness. He was 57. "Special education was his life," remembers Dr. Edward DeRoche, dean of the School of Education. "Dee always worked 12- to 14-hour days." Dr. Strunk was a 15-year member of the School of Education faculty. He was a sought after lecturer at special education conferences and on related issues throughout the United States. He was instrumental in obtaining many federal grants for USD's special education program. Dr. Strunk was as popular with his students as with his peers. In 1980, he was nominated for USD 's Outstanding Teacher Award. Recalls Dr. Robert Nelson , professor of education, "Many former students would make a point of dropping in to visit with him. Dee will be sorely missed by students and faculty." A native of New York, Dr. Strunk earned his doctorate, master and undergraduate degrees from the University of Virginia. He taught at eight colleges and universities and one high school during his 33-year teaching career. A DeForest Strunk Scholarship Fund has been established at the university. For more information about the fund , contact Dr. DeRoche at 260-4282 .

More than 500 USO supporters turned out for the

The program is designed both for professionals who write as part of their job duties and for students interested in becoming writing instructors. Graduates will receive a master of arts in English. "There is a real need in our society to improve writing skills," Dr. Thurber says. "The ability to use language as a persuasive tool is imperative in many professions.' ' Students enrolled in the program will complete courses in rhetoric, contem– porary and creative writing, advanced composition, and English language development as well as graduate seminars and conference courses. Reading comprehension in one foreign language also is required. More than 120 students gave up part of their weekend November 16-17 to help San Diego area senior citizens with household chores. The weekend marked the eighth straight year that students helped local seniors mow lawns, wash windows, paint fences and complete other chores during a November weekend. "This is great. The boys are so energetic," said one homeowner, Mary Meiring of Del Cerro, as she watched six members of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity rake leaves and weed her backyard. Meiring said she had been seeking help with yardwork for the past two years without success. She read about USD's program in the newspaper and decided to give it a try. Her husband , Stan, said he plans to use the service again next year. "The students who volunteer have a lot of fun," according to Debbie Dyar, Associated Student Body coordinator of the outreach weekend. She estimated that about 35 senior citizens received volunteer labor totaling nearly 360 hours during the two days. Students lend helping hand

November 15 Deans' Ball, raising nearly $100,000 for

scholarships and faculty research. The black tie dinner and dance, co-chaired by Author and Marge Hughes and Ernest and Jean Hahn, was hel d at San Diego's Hotel Inter– continental.

Phi Kappa Theta fraternity members rake leaves at t he home of Stan and Mary Meiring of Del Cerro during an annual weekend in which students h elp s enior c itizens with h ousehold chores.

Boost wri ting ski lls

Students who complete USD's new master's program in writing introduced this fall may not go on to write the great American novel , but they'll definitely boost their writing skills. ac– cording to Dr. Bart Thurber, English department chairman.

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