Regarding the Nov. 1 article, “UA hands out raises, bonuses to employees,” I am so outraged about this, knowing that current students and those in years past have paid high increases in tuition.
They will be working the rest of their lives to pay these ridiculous tuitions off working two jobs and not even have a chance to spend the money and enjoy life as they should.
I have two children living at home with college loans they will be paying for a long time.
Most graduates cannot even get a job after spending four years to six years in college, but they still have to make the payments, which are growing with interest, as fast as they can save the money.
As for parents who have to pay these loans, they cannot enjoy their lives after working for many years. Some are on fixed incomes, as we are.
Not to mention the employees making money hand-over-fist at the universities. Their children go to college for free. The top two lieutenants for UA President Luis Proenza will be making more money than anyone can actually have the time to spend, at least middle-class people who have to work very hard to make a small percentage of this money.
As for the complete staff, they still are paid way too much money for what some do.
As one person said in the final words of his letter to the editor, it is time to prioritize.
Chrisie Mogilnicki
Lakemore
Special group in specialized care
In response to the Oct. 22 article, “Families, NICU celebrate precious lives at big reunion,” I would like to add a nurse’s perspective.
I was a neonatal intensive care unit nurse for more than 20 years, starting in 1976. A lot of people, especially the patients and their families, as well as nurses, doctors, residents and other hospital personnel (who worked like a family) touched me, making an impression that will last the rest of my life.
Thirty-five years ago, I never would have imagined the progress we would see during my own nursing career. Neonatal nursing certainly has grown. Genetics, developmental care, technology, evidenced-based research, nutrition and everything else that interfaces with improving the outcome of premature birth as well as other neonatal complications have truly changed.
Congratulations to all who had something very special to celebrate at this year’s reunion. My early years in the neonatal unit were the best of my long nursing career. NICU nurses everywhere are a special group of individuals, and I am richer for sharing my profession with them.
Theresa M. Flohr
Akron
Lifted up by song
Kim McMahon, thank you for your Oct. 28 article on music (“Music therapy can uplift the soul”).
I agreed totally with all that was included. I have been entertaining in nursing homes, retirement centers, high-rise apartments and AARP and other civic organizations for many years. My daughter, Janelle (Miss Ohio 2003), and I enjoyed these opportunities for eight years together.
So often when the residents came in (or were brought in because they were in beds or wheelchairs), we thought, “How are we going to reach these people?” Then we started singing their music, and their eyes literally lit up.
So often, the activities directors would say, “That man hasn’t spoken a word for six months, and he is singing all those songs with you.”
These people really enjoyed having Janelle (in her 20s) come and sing their songs.
This provided her platform for the Miss America competition: Bridging the generation gap through music and the arts. As Miss Ohio, she spoke all over the state representing the elderly in these facilities.
She moved to Florida a few years ago, and I retired from the pastorate two years ago. I have been singing in these facilities solo now. I thoroughly enjoy this ministry.
Thank you for keeping these forgotten people in the minds of the community.
The Rev. Bud Couts
Akron
