Remembering Jerry

Sean Lee

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

9-2011

Campus Unit

University of North Dakota

Abstract

Members of the University community were out last Friday to remember Gerald "Jerry" Pokrzywinski, a campus ledgend who passed away last spring.

Tony Trimarco, director of the Memorial Union, was on hand to deliver a remembrance and to dedicate a tree planted on the west entrance of the Union to Pokrzywinski.

Jerry, best known as head barber at the campus barbershop in the basement of the Memorial Union, was known and loved by all.

"In 1965 I had my hair cut by Jerry for the first time," said former UND Vice President Gordon Henry. "Right away, I got hooked."

Henry spoke about the barbershop being the true nucleus of campus life. Many of the University's key leaders would check in with Jerry from time to time to pick up on the latest rumors. "If you wanted to get a secret on anything all you have to do is head to the barbershop," Gordon joked.

Before unavailing the tree's plaque, Jerry's son Todd Pokrzywinski addressed the crowd. "Jerry was a simple man," Todd said. "He could always look at his hands at the end of the day and say 'look what I've done with them.'"

Jerry the barber served the university for over 53 years.

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