| Show r Back Sac From the f Past Ben Franklin Visits Students By Theresa 0 Connor Feature Editor ft Vie r This February students faculty and staff will get an extraordinary extraordinary extraordinary nary opportunity the chance to meet Benjamin Franklin The idea t. ti may sound strange for those who realize that the American tradesman has been dead more than one hundred years however dont don't be surprised if you see someone walking around campus who bears a striking resemblance resemblance resemblance blance to the legendary leader This years year's Distinguished Faculty Lecture The Legacy of a T Tradesman Tradesman Trades Trades- man will feature Pau Lerdahl Associate Associate Asso Asso- date Professor of Electricity as Franklin Four of five years ago had Clay Jenkins a doctorate in English come Dome from the University of Nevada portrayed Thomas Jefferson Lerdahl said The he idea just hit me that it would be fun to be Ben Franklin Since that time he has performed in a replicate of traditional clothing providing a look into the life of a great man manI I 7 did some presentations last year in philosophy classes and political science classes I have been to high schools junior high schools and even elementary schools Lerdahl saidI said 7 I I enjoy telling stories the most For instance he Franklin loved chess with Madam Bourbon in France after the war broke out trying to get help for the United States Lerdahl said Filled with stories of an intriguing man and his life Lerdahl is also a aman aman aman man rich in ideas and life Watching his eyes light up as someone walking down the hall calls out to him Hi Benjamin Benjamin Benjamin Ben Ben- jamin Franklin is quite the ence He brings Franklins Franklin's knowledge and philosophies to his students in a unique way Lerdahl explained why he brings Franklin into his classroom it t gives another frame of reference I am another electric professor The philosophies of Poor Richard had a alot alot alot lot to say about human nature and affective goals such as work ethic fairness good study habits and effective effective effective tive citizenship Franklin had a lot to say about those issues 7 I 1 usually share with my students what I l am doing with it Ive I've gone as Benjamin Franklin to demonstrate cul cul- cul- cul tural turn attitudes and feelings about lightning lightning lightning light light- ning prior to the lightning rod he said People go ring the church bells to ward off the lightning he explained d ye Lerdahl an alumni of electricity electricity electricity elec elec- program emphasizes that a tradesman can make a difference He points out the many duties and jobs that Franklin held throughout his life and the surprising difference he made in each Franklin was probably one of the most diverse people of his age he did not allow other people to determine what he would be Lerdahl said He explained that every new field of interest that Franklin delved into he received harsh criticism He was told that because he was involved in the theone theone theone one area for instance science that he should not become involved in another er area for instance politics Lerdahl tries to point out that if Franklin had listened to what others said many of the inventions we live by today would never have come about Franklin once said I 7 wish to have lived usefully rather than to have died diedrich diedrich diedrich rich III Lerdahl said He also tells many stories about Franklin that help to show a more human side to the leader Ive had a lot more advantages than Benjamin Franklin has ever had my parents were better off financially Whereas there were sixteen people in Franklins Franklin's family Lerdahl explained Lerdahl a tradesman in his own right has many similarities to Franklin For instance both Franklin and Lerdahl are musicians both enjoy politics both enjoy chess and reading They even ever have similar physical characteristics approximately approximate approximate- ly the same height body build hair hain color and eye color Both men are Scandinavian as well wel Some of the appearance is not by accident rather by design Lerdahl explained He lets his hair grow out looking like a man from the colonial era His appearance is as authentic as ashe ashe he can m make ke it right down to the buckles buckles buckles buck buck- les on his shoes So if you find yourself yourself yourself your your- self taking a second glance at a man who looks much like Benjamin Franklin you may have just met established tradesman and electricity professor Lerdahl The Legacy of a Tradesman will willbe willbe willbe be held February 3 at Redwood campus campus campus cam cam- pus in TB at am a.m. and 7 pm p.m. The free lecture will include traditional music played before and after the presentation presentation pre pre- sound effects of cannons fifes glass harmonicas church bells as well as the music of Handel and Dvorak |
