ascending ducks
Daniel A. Williams, president of the ASIA),
is one of the fastest rising Ducks on the horizon.
Dan. a budding politician \\ ho has ne\ er lost an
election, reports he was "frightened by the size
of l of (V* as an entering freshman front
smallish Astoria High School, lie had little
need to worrv for his natural political and or
ganizational ability soon made itself apparent.
He has held an elective position in the ASIA >
since he was a freshman, continuing the tradi
tion he set in high school where he was also
elected to many high posts including president
of the student council. "This is the first spring
in ten years that 1 haven't been running for
something." Dan said.
Dan w ho emulates other leaders—in tacking
up mottos around his office—has a strong mix
of congeniality and perceptiveness that results
in an astute political ability. "You must dele
gate authority in this job." Dan says. And in
the eyes of observers he has delegated authority
while retaining the needed spark to produce one
of the finest ASlO’s in the history of the Uni
versity. A few of the tangible accomplishments
under the \\ illiams' regime have been longer
library hours, combating the cheating problem
at the school, an International Affairs Commit
tee, anti-discrimination housing rules, plans to
make a recreation park out of the Millrace. and
sparking up the Rall\ Board.
"As 11 it* students realize that the ASl'O i>
their voice in l’ui\ersit\ affairs. I believe tliev'll
develop an increasingly stronger interest in it.”
comments 1 )an. He believes that since he came
to the school in 1958. there has been a "strong
revival of interest in the group.”
As president or tlu* \Sl’( > Dan is also chair
man of the student Senate. He also is on a mvr
iad of committees including Student Activities.
Academic Occasions. The budget Hoard, and
Lectures ami Assemblies. Dan joined Theta
C’hi as a freshman ami has added several clubs
and honoraries to his membership roster. He
belongs to the 1’riars. the senior honorary. and
last \ ear recen ed the Coyl Cup as the outstand
ing Junior man.
Dan who spends 35 to 45 hours a week on the
job. also has found time to work his wav
through college. Me has held several jobs, in
cluding w orking as a fish buyer this past sum
mer in Alaska. "1 believe working my wav
through school has been an education in itself.”
he said.
Dan who is a registered Democrat and an
avowed Stev enson supporter is a Political Sci
ence senior w ho will say farewell to U of ()
this June. "1 w ant to go on to grad school and
get a Ph D. and then go into college teaching
and eventually college administration as per
haps a dean of men," he said. Queried about the
chances of throwing his hat in the political ring
he answers "I'll just see what comes along. I’m
interested in politics, but my first interest-is
education and I desire that as a basis for any
electioneering.” He believes politics too "un
stable" to constitute a career goal.
‘"I like Oregon a lot," he says, “but 1 plan on
grad school at Northwestern or Yale and after
I see other parts of the country. I might decide
to settle there." As a political liberal he see
Oregon losing its “fundamentalist” character
and eventually casting a tint favorable to his
political slant.
On Ins philosophy of life Dan states, “people
shirk their responsibilities to others when they
don't maximize their abilities. Kach one of u.~
has a certain ability that others lack and it’> our
duty to develop that ability so we may serve
others with it. A person who doesn't develop
his abilities is not socially responsible."
Reflecting on l of O he said, "this school
has been living down the country club ima;y
for years. Tilings are improving’ measurably
now and the school is reallv a strong one aca
demically. People here don’t realize the national
reputation the I’niversity has in many areas,
such as history, liberal arts, medicine and archi
tecture. The students are self-deprecatory often
dan williams
and they should come around !■ * appreciating
the fact that this i- an excellent cln» I and ha\ e
more pride in it."
Dan's ASl (> presidency lea <•- Dm little
time for recreation but wh relaxing in- enjoy -
a t ame of touch football, s .ft' id or team- H«
also travels widely a- ASI t > head and last
term flew t (>h:o State for a c> of rente. D A
week he \ i-its the Air '•'• .ro ' .elrm i; C< 1
rad-. Spring- a> one >i t’*e - t . udent* in the
nation in..ted t. participate tie ’.t *rian
Assembly on D arn ament, ile ai ■> 11-: i i
around the fate ffiviup >jne« • o.i student
government to high school gp o ...
"I of () ! a- been much t • t' a■> via -
rooms and If ok—it' • been a: e-ritint' social
experience that ha- made me u.n t t<> ham
much, much more. I feel I've jm-t scratched the
surface on education."