4—The Daily Collegian Monday, Jan. 10, 1983
University historian's poll rates past presidents
By CHRIS NOONAN
Collegian Staff Writer
With a penny, a dime, a dollar and a nickel
in your pocket, you have the greatest presi
dents of the United States in the palm of your
hand.
According to the results of a recent poll of
historians conducted by Robert K. Murray,
University professor of American history,
those pieces of U.S. currency feature the
faces of the four greatest presidents in Ameri
can history.
Historians agree that Abraham Lincoln,
Franklin D. Roosevelt, George Washington
and Thomas Jefferson, in that order, can be
classified as great.
Ironically though, one of the greatest fail
ures to occupy the Oval Office is valued
higher than any of the great successes you
can find the bearded visage of Ulysses S.
Grant on any $5O bill.
The greatest presidential failures in history
were Warren G. Harding and Ulysses • S.
Grant, whose administrations were riddled
with corruption; Richard Nixon, the only
president ever to resign; James Buchanan,
Lion's Guard
Drill Team
New Members Welcome
Meeting Thurs., 13 Jan. •
Room 31 8 / 3 19 HUB 7:00 p.m.
For more info., call 234-0937 or 237-8420
Men's, Women's & Co-ed teams competing
intercollegiately in various basic and trick drill
exhibitions
R• 126
Tenn State `Bookstore
on campus
Owned and operated by the Pennsylvania State University
the only president from Pennsylvania, failed
to prevent the Civil War; and Andrew John
son, who took office after Lincoln's assassina
tion and was almost impeached.
Surveys asking historians to simply classify
presidents in categories ranging from great,
near great, above average, average, below
average to failure have been around since
1948, Murray said.
Through the years, rankings of the best and
worst presidents have been much the same as
above Lincoln is consistently the best
except that FDR has moved ahead of Wash
ington, he said.
That bothers some people, Murray said.
Since an article on the rankings was pub
lished in Parade Magazine last month, Mur
ray has received an• average of 75 letters a
day from as far away as Taiwan and West
Germany.
"Some people were incensed that Washing
ton was not first, figuring that because he's
the father of our country, the children can't
come before the father," Murray said.
"There's a lunatic fringe of Americans who
immediately want to make contact with peo
ple."
Attention Winter
Graduates!
Friday, January 14 is the
deadline for ordering your
Cap & Gown.
Don't Delay!
The list of the near great presidents
Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, An
drew Jackson and Harry Truman was a
little surprising, Murray spid.
"It's surprising that Harty Truman is in the
near great category, despite the fact that he
was much maligned dhring his presidency
and was considered tb be a mediocre presi
dent after leaving offiCe," Murray said.
With time, history and historians tend to be
kinder to recent presidents, Murray said. Of
the 36 presidents included in the survey,
Eisenhower was ranked 11th; he was 22nd
after he left office in 1960. Lyndon Johnson is
ranked 10th, despite the Vietnam controver
sy.
But John F. Kennedy, ranked 13th, is drop
ping in the above average category, Murray
said. As contemporary historians seem less
affected by the shock of the assassination,
they are able to more objectively judge his
two and a half years in office.
Even Nixon's ranking has improved. After
resigning his ranking dropped, Murray said,
but now he has risen above Johnson and
Buchanan in the failure category. As his
resignation becomes less of a factor he might
RAIN STATION RESTAURANT
rO n0 x 0 ROIL.e?')t•OILOIt.O'IL01‘01t0)c.P)
GRAM G 8 GL UN
GRecitals
Tuesdays
aVoort
'Eisenhower Chop
bag linich follows
Jan. 11 COLLEGIUM MUSICUM
Jan. 18 PIANO & CLARINET
Jan. 25 ORGAN
Sponsored by The School of Music & the Lutheran Campus Ministry at Penn State
t.6.15.6.,t0at0-h01t.60)t~v4.149u-~u~x.ontouoltouox~R.o)
preparch.
You wouldn't go camping without a tent, show up at an exam
without a No. 2 pencil, or go to registration without your bursar's
receipt, would you?
And you wouldn't dream of going to an interview without a
résumé prepared by Collegian Production, right? Unless, of course
(check one):
The choice is yours. But, before your life's ambition and ex
periences roll out of your old typewriter, check out your options at
Collegian Production.
Come browse through our résumé portfolio. Imagine your name
at the top of one of our many samples and think of how much bet
ter you'll feel about yourself with one of our résumés. Not to men
tion how much better you'll look.
collegian production
Résumé Service
126 Carnegie Building
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
or by appointment
863-3215
move up even more, Murray said.
And contrary to popular opinion, the mod
ern era has produced some great presidents,
he said.
"No other 50-year period save that of the
Founding Fathers has produced so many
highly-ranked presidents," he said. "One
failing president for every nine is par for the
course.
The survey questionnaire was sent to 1,997
American history professors with doctorates.
Each was at least an assistant professor at an
American university. Past polls surveyed
only 55 professors. Murray was surprised to
receive 970 replies, about 50 percent of those
sent, because usually only about 10 to 15
percent of mail surveys are returned. .
But unlike past polls, this survey spon
sored by the University's Institute for the
Arts and Humanistic Studies directed by
Stanley Weintraub is more than a simple
ranking of presidents.
Murray, who is a Humanities Institute
Senior Research Fellow, and his assistant
Tim Blessing, a computer specialist who has
worked for professional pollsters, are using
❑ you choose not to be remembered for your initiative
in having your resume professionally typeset and
printed.
❑ you'd rather not have your résumé stand out on a
desk crowded with ordinary typewritten résumés, or
❑ your uncle happens to be president of the company
that's interviewing you. -
UNIVERSITY CALENDAR
Monday, January 10
Focus on Sweden meeting, 1 p.m., Room 319 HUB.
Sports: men's fencing vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
NSSLHA meeting, 7 p.m., Rooms 318-319 HUB.
College Consumer Party meeting, 7 p.m., Room 316 HUB.
Student Society of Student Social Workers meeting, 7 p.m., Room 308
Boucke.
USG Senate meeting, 7 p.m., Room 225 HUB.
P.S. Aikido Club workout, 7 p.m., IM Wrestling Room.
Astronomy Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Room 445 Davey Lab.
Student Foundaton for the Performing Arts meeting, 7:30 p.m., Room 227
HUB.
Lamb Fellowship meeting, 7:30 p.m., Room 174 Willard.
Monty Python Society meeting, 8 p.m., Room 221 Boucke.
the University computer to compile and cor
relate the results of the 19-page question
naire.
Murray said he does not want to simply
rank the presidents, but wants to find why
historians agree that certain presidents are
great,and others failures.
The ranking question is only a small part of
the survey, and is one of the few sections that
has been completely fed into the computer.
The results of the rest of the survey will not be
published until this spring.
The detailed questions are designed to
determine what factors historians consider
important to a president's greatness his
administration's accomplishments, personal
ity traits, physical characteristics, style,
what degree of honesty and integrity, moral
and ethical considerations, agressivesness or
passiveness in relation to events, ability to
mold public opinion, and the temper of the
times in which he presided.
Murray said he hopes that the answers to
the 155 questions can help him learn what no
one has been able to pinpoint before exactly
what it is that makes a president great.
collegian notes
• The Nutrition Peer Education Program Brian Walker of the Internal Medicine Asso- film "From Russia with Faith," a program
and Free University will sponsor a workshop ciates of State College will speak. Admission about a Soviet teenager's escape from Rus
on "Supermarket Survival and Nutrition • is free. sia, at 8 tonight in 104 Eisenhower Chapel.
Snacks" at 7:30 tonight in 111 Sackett.
• The Centre County Women's Resource
Center will offer free training in phone coun-
seling skills. Applications are avaliable now
at the Centre County Women's Resource
Center, 111 Sowers St., Suite 210. The deadline
for completed applications is Wednesday.
• The Office of Student Activities will
present a discussion of cancer in young adults
at 8 tonight in the HUB main lounge. Dr.
police log
• The State College Police Department
reported that a sliding glass door had been
broken early Saturday morning at 924 Bel
laire Ave. Police said an estimate of damage
was not available.,
• State College police reported a bag of
mail was found in Spring Creek Park near
Houserville on Saturday. The mail was appar
ently taken from the Hill Top Trailer Park,
East College Avenue. Police said an investi
gation is being conducted by postal authori
ties to determine if any items are missing.
Tonight at the Wf)fiZOZ`
—;
..-7.14,0 111 1 / 2 E Beaver
Mischief
The Phyrst. Bottle Shop has your brand
Monday thru Saturday
4: k , , ,, t,
~~ R i
I WAY PIZZA
Every Wednesd
Bluegrass Nig
Tonight . . .
Big Screen
Football
No Cover
• The Astronomy Club will meet at 7:30
tonight in 445 Davey.
• The Marine Science Society will elect
officers at 7 tonight in 112 Walker.
• The American Home Economics Asso
ciation will meet at 7 tonight in 204 Henderson
Human Development Building.
• Penn State Overcomers will present the
The letters will be redelivered
• State College police reported the misuse
of a gasoline credit card at Graham's Sunoco,
502 E. College Ave., on Saturday. Police said
a person charged $l6l on the card. The card
was stolen, police said.
• James Horsey of Philadelphia told Uni
versity Police Services on Saturday that his
jacket was missing from the Intramural
Building. The value of the jacket is estimated
at $BO, police said.
• The National Student Speech and Lan
guage Hearing Association will meet at 7
tonight in 318 HUB.
• The Collegiate 4-11 Club will meet at 7
tonight in 301 Agricultural Administration
Building.
• The College of Science Student Council
will hold a mandatory meeting for Expo 'B3 at
7 tonight in the lobby of Osmond Laboratory.
e Darryl Daisey, 404 Geary, told Universi
ty police on Saturday that a window had been
broken on the ground floor of Geary Hall.
Damage was estimated at $75, police said.
• David Mengle, a University photo print
er, told University police on Saturday that his
jacket containing a wallet and keys was
missing from the main gym of White Build
ing. The value of the missing items is esti
mated at $lOO, police said.
*********************
- 3( KINKO'S*
,rn Penn Towers) *
A R T ISTS SERIE S
ALL ABOUT EVE
starring Bette Davis
The penetrating story of an older actress near the end of her fabulous career, doing
battle with a calculating and treacherous newcomer, is shown with perception, wit,
and unfailing candor. A film that pierces the hard shell of Broadway's armor and
lays bare the pulse and heartbeat of the people who inhabit the world of the
theatre.
Lew Mishkin of the New York Morning Telegraph called Miss Davis' portrayal
"the finest, most compelling, and most perceptive she has ever played.".
January 11 Schwab Auditorium 8:00pm
Students: $1.50 All seats unreserved Nonstudents: $2.50
THE LOVE GODDESSES
TUESDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
—by Michael J. Vand
'ENN STATE
.12):Wa-Itinlinn
('l6. 171
Special Olympics needs
volunteer ski
Imagine skiing at a beautiful resort, all
expenses paid, while at the same time
helping an exceptional child. Sound too good
to be true?
It isn't this year's Winter Special Olym
pics, scheduled for Feb. 9, needs volunteer.
Mentally retarded children from Centre,
Clearfield, and Clarion counties will partici
pate in the olympics. Volunteers will serve
as personal ski instructors and chaperones
for the children.
A meeting for those interested in volun
teering will be held at 6 tomorrow night in
272 Rec Hall.
Tussey Mountain Ski Resort, formerly
Skimont, in Boalsburg, will sponsor the
event and supply all necessary equipment
and lift tickets.
Margie Abrashoff, area coordinator of the
special olympics, said the volunteers are
"just terrfic. They also get to meet the most
interesting kids they'll probably ever
meet."
Eva Smith, a student coordinator, said
she worked with last year's winter olympics
and about .60 University students partici
pated as volunteers.
, \ N . \ \ \ VIZO.VOZIJASOI
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
Enjoy dinner as The Philadelphia Tavern
F.S.H.A.
Maple Room
lower level Human Dev
• copies
business
cards
:ationary
r stamps
) binding
passport
photos *
***
.......................
•
•
Pre-Vet Club •
•
• •
•meeting •
• •
• Monday, January 10 •
•
fp,
7:30 111 A.I. Bldg.
• e
: Nominations for new officers :
• will be taken •
• ••
• Special feature will be movies of
• •
• veterinary practices 8211 • 0
• • •00•0011000041110•00060049
VILLAGE INN PIZZA DINNER BUFFET
ALL YOU CAN EAT
INCL UDES:
• Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
• 4 different kinds of Hot Pizza
• and our fabulous Salad Bar
(with 25 fresh fixings)
For Only $3.95
Monday thru Thursday
5:30-8:00
vdiLLAGE
FREE Pepsi with every
NN dinner buffet ( 1 / 1 0- 1 / 1 3)
PIZZA PARLOR
1767 N. Atherton Street
237-1484
8t °2
Penn State's first National Championship. Well earned. Well deserved. Wear
these items proudly. As a symbol of a great effort by a great team and a great
staff. Preserve them as a pleasant reminder of the season when the Lions
mauled their Sugar Bowl opponent for their first taste of a national. victory.
These items will be conversation pieces wherever they are seen. Handcast
from high grade metal alloy and finished in brilliant nickel and inlaid with rich
blue and white epoxy. These are beautifully sculpted works of art. Inscription
on back of buckle and keytag reads, "SUGAR BOWL, LOUISIANA SUPER
DOME, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, JAN.I, 1983, PENN STATE 27,
GEORGIA 23."
Buckle
Keytag
Lapel pin
Please send
Enclosed is $
Address
City.
* A Celebration of Colonial Independence *
5:45 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 13, 1983
$7.25
PENN STATE
19 82
nn TIONAL
1-1. 4 N 1.1(11,f,i
actual size: 'l.
MOM
NITTANY LIONS
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. COMMEMORATIVES
$9.95 ea. postpaid Two for $lB.OO
$3.95 ea. postpaid Two for $7.00
$3.00 ea. postpaid Two for $5.00
BUCKLE SHOP 210 KEITH DRIVE GREENVILLE, SC 29607
Buckles
State ____
Buckle Shop P.O. Box 1732 Greenville, SC 29602
The Daily Collegian Monday, Jan. 10, 1983
instructors
David Moskowitz (9th-secondary
,educa
tion) is assisting Smith with the organiza
tion of the event.
"It's such a good deal," said Smith (11th
therapeutic recreation).•"Besides getting to
ski for free, you also get to help the kids."
For most of the children, the winter olym
pics is the only opportunity that they will
have to ski. The volunteers also enable the
children to develop "unbelievable amounts
of self-confidence. Their progress is amaz
ing," Smith said.
Volunteers will meet with and instruct
children at three meetings scheduled for
Jan. 16 and 26, and Feb. 2 at Tussey Moun
tain.
Seven athletes will then compete in the
state games against the winners from 19
other Pennsylvania regions.
Smith said she gives her time to these
children "because of the challenge and their
smiles."
Volunteers need not be expert skiers, but
a knowledge of basic ski maneuvers is
recommended.
presents
must
actual size: 2'/. •••3%
BELT BUCKLE
_ Keytags
—by Jeanne Nepa
Reservations
865-1736
...-. .. 2... A
0,._ ..
i v
. .(
1: ,: . ,•; 1 7 \IA.
.: ..
1. ;
actual size: 1 1/2
KEYTAG
____ Lapel pins