Newspaper Page Text
Page 30 • UGA: An Independent Look • May 1990
L.A. publisher
By Tom Johnson
Reaching back in time, more than 27
years, to recall my “Red and Black years” has
been a journey of nostalgia, mostly splendid
memories, and some pain.
It was a four-year experience for me,
beginning in the first quarter of my
freshman year and concluding with my
graduation in 1963. From reporter to editor
and business manager, it seems as though I
worked most of the desks. What I remember
most, of course, are the wonderful lifetime
friendships which developed on the staff. My
roommate, Don Rountree of Dawson, and I
probably spent more time working on The
Red and Black than we did on our academic
work. He and I tried to make space for other
campus activities, including dating, but The
Red and Black was a dominating mistress
which demanded most of our time. At times,
we arrived back at the Sigma Nu house just
as daylight was breaking.
It was a turbulent time at the University
during my years. The most dramatic news
event involved the desegregation of the
University by Charlayne Hunter and
Hamilton Holmes.
Reporting on that volatile entry of the first
black students into the University was a
SCIENCE
From page 15
environmentally hazardous compounds
produced when wood pulp is bleached
with chlorine.
“I would feel a tremendous
satisfaction if I contributed something
like this for commercial use,” he says. In
cooperation with a major U.S. company,
it is in the process of being patented.
Opthamologist treats dry eye
University associate professor and
veterinary opthamologist Renee
Kaswan has done research during the
past nine years on keratoconjunctivitis
sicca, otherwise known as KCS or“dry
eye,” in dogs. Her most famous patient
was the late UGA IV, who suffered from
advanced corneal scarring and sight loss
from chronic KCS. With the use of
cyclosporine drops, the English bulldog’s
sight, tearing and corneal clarity were
improved. KCS affects not only pets, but
humans as well.
In late April, Robert Laibovitz at Eye
Research Associates in Austin, Texas,
started a 15-week-test of the cyclosprine
drops on humans. Sandoz of Hanover,
N.J. is the manufacturer of the drug.
Kaswan anticipates FDA approval for
reminisces about R & B days
period of my life which I will never forget.
While walking alongside Charlayne Hunter
and Hamilton Holmes, I witnessed
classmates shouting racially offensive
insults. I watched with disgust as a student
tried to spit on Charlayne. I was astonished
to witness a fraternity brother hurl a brick at
Charlayne’s dormitory room window under
the cover of darkness.
It was my first encounter with such
blatant bigotry and racial hatred. I reported
on all of that for both The Red and Black and
the The Macon Telegraph, for which I was
also working part-time during college.
I invited Charlayne Hunter (now
anchorwoman Charlayne Hunter-Gault of
PBS’ MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour) to join the
staff of The Red and Black as a student
journalist. She came down to work with us a
couple of times, but left when she was made
to feel unwelcome by a few members of the
staff. Other staff members befriended her.
I resolved that I would do what I could
during my lifetime as a journalist and as a
citizen to erase the blight of segregation and
racism from our society. Later, during my
years with the Johnson White House, I had a
chance to help do just that Despite sweeping
civil rights laws enacted under President
Johnson, much yet remains to be done.
commercial use in 1994 or 1995.
Test-tube calf
Many advances in in vitro
fertilization techniques have taken
place since the procedure was successful
in the first animal, a rabbit, in 1959, and
in the first human in 1978. In August
1988, Georgia’s first test-tube calf was
bom under the direction of Benjamin
Brackett, head of the physiology and
pharmacology department in the
College of Veterinary Medicine.
Brackett has been out of the country
and could not be reached for this article.
But Abdelmoneim Younis, who did most
of the laboratory work, says the
professors extracted immature eggs
from cows at slaughter and matured
them with hormone treatments in the
laboratory. Twenty-eight days after they
were implanted, an ultrasound
examination confirmed the success of
the closely watched pregnancy.
The birth of the calf is important for
several reasons, Younis says. The in
vitro fertilization procedure —
conception under laboratory conditions
— in animals can be studied to improve
techniques used in human medicine.
Genetic improvements can be made
since the fertilization can take place
outside the cow. Characteristics such as
Except for this painful episode, my
memories of my Red and Black years were
exceedingly warm and wonderful. I loved the
work. I was inspired to pursue journalism as
a profession. In reporting on controversial
events, I saw that journalists really can
make a difference. We have an opportunity
to expose wrongdoing and editorialize
against bad programs and inept politicians.
But, we also have a responsibility to report
on those people and programs making a
positive difference in society. We have a
responsibility to educate and enlighten
readers, not simply to perform our crucial,
traditional role as society’s watchdog.
It is a great profession, almost a calling.
I’ve loved my years in it, including serving as
a reporter, editor, broadcast executive, and
publisher of two major dailies, The Dallas
Times Herald and the Los Angeles Times.
The experiences and the friendships of my
Red and Black years were enormous
influences in my personal and professional
life. HI never forget them.
Tom Johnson was editor of The Red and
Black in 1962-63. During the Lydnon
Johnson’s years in the White House, he served
as deputy press secretary and special
assistant to the president. He is now
chairman of The Los Angeles Times.
leaness, fast growth, and better milk
production can be affected. Sex selection
is also possible.
Savannah River Ecology Lab
Although the Savannah River Ecology
Laboratory located in Aiken, S.C., has
existed since 1951, it has really
blossomed within the last decade,
according to Joe Key, vice president for
research. The SREL, an extension of the
Institute of Ecology, conducts basic
ecological studies as well as the effects of
the Savannah River Plant on the
Savannah River Site, which covers a
250,000 acre area. The SREL focuses on
such things as radiation ecology and
general wetland ecology, says Eugene
Odum, Director Emeritus of the
Institute of Ecology. Odum is founder of
the Institute of Ecology, SREL and the
marine institute at Sapelo Island. He is
known as the “father of ecosystem
ecology,” a study that takes a holistic
view of nature.
The SREL, which has had a $5 million
budget in recent years, has received
research funding from the Department
of Energy since its establishment.
Lisa Gilmore is a former South Campus
reporter for The Red and Black.