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Show May 9, 1978 Signpost Page 3 Gerontology expanding to help senior citizens by Mike Reberg Signpost Staff Reporter According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are roughly 22 million persons in the U.S. that are considered senior citizens people over 65 years of age. Twenty-two million is about the total population of California, or one tenth the total population of people in this country. Ten percent has been pretty constant over the years, according to Roy VanOrman, assistant professor of gerontology at Weber State. But he feels, as well as many others in the field, that the percentage will increase to 15 percent or more by the year 2050. With so many people considered senior citizens, their needs cannot be overlooked by Weber State College or the nation's leaders, says VanOrman. Needs were not met Until six years ago, the needs of older people were not being met in this area. Before that time, there was no center for gerontology in the Rocky Mountain States. It wasn't until 1972, with the help of a grant from the Administration on Aging, that the Rocky Mountain Gerontology Center was established in Salt Lake City. With the work of geron-tologists and others, programs were developed on five campuses in the state. Awards finalists named Listed below are the finalists in each catefory for the ASWSC Awards and Honors. Tickets for the awards program, with entertainment featuring "The Amazing Kreskin," are now on sale at the Union Building Main FRIENDLIEST GIRL Sue Acree Gloria Gallegos Tammi Hamer Julie Hawkes Gayle Williams FEMALE ATHLETE Penny Wanberg Mechell Fowden Kathy Miller Ann Avondet PROFESSOR 1. Lowell S. Adams 2. Alma F. Harris 3. Kiyotoshi Iwamoto 4. Bert Winterton TALENT, PERFORMING ARTS 1. Ned Butikofer 2. Roy Brinkerhoff 3. Timothy M. Farr 4. Ann Seamons ORGANIZATION Campus Activity Board Cheerleaders Good Company Varsity Basketball Team Program has increased Under Dr. Jerry Borup and others of the WSC faculty, the program at Weber has seen a steady increase since its beginning six years ago. "In 1972 we had no more than a dozen to 15 students in the program, now we have 46 students," said VanOrman. Last year 13 certificates were given to students who completed requirements in gerontology. The program consists of class work and actual field experience. Field experience involves working both on a one to one level with older people and in administrative duties. The students may work with the Housing Authority, senior citizens centers, nursing homes, or they might help in meal preparation programs. Students do not have to be seeking degrees to be certified in gerontology. A nutrition major can take 21 hours of course and field work and be certified. He or she can use their background in nutrition to obtain jobs helping the old, according to VanOrman. Those who graduate with their certificates can find work as social workers in nursing homes, direct senior citizens centers or develop and carry out meal programs. "The attempt at Weber is to Desk. The program, to be emceed by Danny Kramer, is scheduled for May 17 at 8 p.m. in the Val Browning Center auditorium. Tickets are free to students with valid ID, and $2.50 for the public. SILVER CHALICE Shanna Keeter Marilyn McCormick Donna Shultz Ofelia Wade Susan Williams MALE ATHLETE Lynn C. Strong Dennis Duncanson Bruce Collins Mike Gove SCHOLAR Robert Dalley Richard Eberle Brian L. Gould Doug Wade TALENT, CREATIVE ARTS 1. Margaret L. Call 2. Carla Corrigan 3. Dee Anna Ito 4. Clyde Mueller WILDCAT ACHIEVEMENT Robb Alexander Mike Hunsaker Marilyn McCormic Judy McCree Colleen Packer provide the campus and community student with the background in gerontology to help serve the old people," said VanOrman. Field must increase He thinks the field of gerontology will have to increase because of the greater number of old people that have to be served, and because senior citizens will be expecting better and better programs as more information is obtained. VanOrman says, "The older people of today are much more demanding than they were 10 to 15 years ago." And in 15 years from now they will be even more demanding than they are now, he said. FREE-FREE-FREE Dance at Ogden's newest and most exciting disco ! DANCE-DANCE-DANCE 18 Yecrs & 1 EGYPTIAN 1 mmmm j4t ' now 3C3i reduce priced ticEiets. the WSC Credit Union. Laughing 6yp 2546 WASHINGTON BLVD. OSDEN. UTAH 84401 801 - 399-3703 GRAND OPENING of the Laughing Gypsy Disco May 11, 1978 8:00 p.m. Older No Smoking o Appropriate Dress Laughing Gypsy 2546 Washington Blvd. 399-3703 1(1 Vmhm Motor-Uu Drive- t4 lOWTN IB'-OWHI 1394 171 I No Drinking -V syfj r |