Retired IU Faculty, 1985
A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at Indiana University
Bloomington
Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for
the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the
Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002
Overview of the Collection
Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu
Creator
Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory
TitleRetired IU Faculty, 1985
Project No.
ohrc091
Interviews
15 interviews. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral
materials.
Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University
Archives.
Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews
from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.
Language
Materials are in English
Abstract
This project consists of fifteen interviews with former professors
of Indiana University. Each interviewee discusses his or her childhood,
education, career progression, time at Indiana University, and thoughts on
retirement. In addition, most professors comment on the tension, rivalry,
friendship, strength, and upward mobility within their respective university
departments. The Great Depression and World War II are also widely discussed
with regard to the impact they had on the interviewees' careers. The results of
this project were published in a book,
Academic Memories:
Retired Faculty Members Recall the Past at Indiana University
,
by Hanna Griff, Mary Deane Sorcinelli, and Joan Zirker.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains fifteen interviews conducted over two years. The interviews range from one to five hours. All interviews
consist of audio tapess and typed transcripts.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the
history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open
to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies
are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any
restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier
(pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript
(deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for
patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that
interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview.
Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be
used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession
number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last
name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University,
Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape
number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].
Interview List
Interviewee
Bern, Henry A.
November 14,
1984
Call Number
85-008
Physical Description
59 pages; 5 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 4 hours 15 minutes;
index
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Henry A. Bern, born in 1918, discusses emigrating from Russia to
the United States, his childhood and family, and the great impact his Jewish
faith had on his life. He talks about his education and the importance placed
upon it by his parents, as well as the divergence he perceived between learning
and practical occupation. Bern describes his employment history and his
involvement with the military. In addition, he speaks of coming to Indiana
University, entering academia and working in research. He expresses his great
interest in cybernetics and discusses technological advances and the
disillusionment he feels accompany such advances.
-
Keywords
-
-
Personal Names
- Larson, Ole
- Weiner, Norbert
-
-
Place Names
- Bloomington, Indiana
- New York, New York
- Russia
- Soviet Union
-
-
Subjects
- cybernetics
- education
- educational psychology
- educational technology
- Judaism
Interviewee
Carmony, Donald F.
November 1,
1984
Call Number
85-009
Physical Description
43 pages; 3 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 180 minutes; index
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Donald F. Carmony, born on January 18, 1910, discusses his early
life, family background, and his career as a history professor and university
administrator in Indiana. He comments on his education, his abiding love of
teaching, the dangers of academic over-specialization, and the importance of
studying local history. In addition, Professor Carmony shares his philosophy of
education, his views on the university's duty of public service, and his
perspective on retirement.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana Central College
- Indiana University
- Indiana University Extension Division
- Indiana University-Purdue University Fort
Wayne
- Indianapolis Extension Center
-
-
Occupation Names
- history professor
- university administrator
-
-
Personal Names
- Briscoe, Herman T. "Kay"
- Hall, Ford P.
-
-
Subjects
- academic specialization
- education
- educational philosophy
- grading policy
- Indiana University regional campuses
- local history
- partisan politics
- retirement
- teaching
- teaching vs. research debate
- university faculty
- university salaries
Interviewee
Edmondson, Frank
July 6,
1985
Call Number
85-010
Physical Description
38 pages; 3 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 156 minutes; index
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Frank Edmondson, born on August 1, 1912, speaks of his youth and
education, his interest and career in astronomy, and the development of the
astronomy department at Indiana University. He recalls his experiences with
major figures from Indiana University's past, including William Lowe Bryan and
Herman B Wells. In addition, Professor Edmondson describes changes in the
university's administration over the years and his own role in the creation of
an astronomy library.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy,
Incorporated
- Indiana University
- Indiana University Department of Astronomy
- International Astronomical Union
- Lowell Observatory
- McDonald Observatory
- National Science Foundation
-
-
Occupation Names
- astronomy professor
-
-
Personal Names
- Bryan, William Lowe
- Cogshall, Wilbur A.
- Norvelle, Lee
- Payne, Fernandus
- Wells, Herman B
-
-
Subjects
- astronomy library
- education
- retirement
- university administration
Interviewee
Eikerman, Alma R.
April 8,
1985
Call Number
85-011
Physical Description
33 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 80 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Alma R. Eikerman, born in 1908, discusses her youth, family, and
education, leading to a career as an art professor specializing in jewelry
design. A professor at Indiana University from 1947 until her retirement in
1978, she founded the university's jewelry department and remained dedicated to
expanding the department. In addition, Professor Eikerman discusses the
significant growth of the craft field in higher education after World War II,
including jewelry design, ceramics, and weaving.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University
-
-
Occupation Names
- art professor
-
-
Personal Names
- Schertz, Helen
-
-
Subjects
- art equipment
- education
- jewelry design
- retirement
- women professors
Interviewee
Ellson, Douglas
July 15,
1985
Call Number
85-012
Physical Description
35 pages; 4 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 4 hours; index
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Born in 1913, Douglas Ellson came with his family from England
to the United States at the age of six. He discusses his father's career, his
own education, and his career as an experimental psychologist and psychology
professor. Professor Ellson began his work at Indiana University in 1945, and
he comments on the research grants he received, the contracts he worked on, and
his relationship with the faculty and his students.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- experimental psychologist
- Institute of Human Relations
- psychology professor
-
-
Personal Names
- Hull, Clark
-
-
Subjects
- education
- psychological research
- public opinion surveys
- research grants
- Spitfire airplanes
- teaching
- teaching vs. research debate
- World War II
Interviewee
Gaither, Mary E.
February 9,
1985
Call Number
85-004
Physical Description
36 pages; 3 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 2 hours 30 minutes; index
Interviewer
Cohen, Cheryl B.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Mary E. Gaither, born on May 1, 1917, talks about her childhood
education and undergraduate education in teaching, which she thought she would
not use. She discusses joining the WAVES in the United States Navy during World
War II to avoid teaching in high schools. After the war she was offered a
position as an English teacher at the University of Louisville her alma mater.
She then pursued a Ph.D. at Indiana University. Gaither discusses becoming a
professor of English, with a speciality in comparative literature at Indiana
University and the many other roles she played in academia as well as the level
of social interaction in the school. She discusses the changes in the students
over the years as well as those in universities in general. Finally, she
discusses retirement.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University
- United States Navy WAVES
-
-
Subjects
- childhood
- retirement
- teaching
- university changes
- university teaching
- women's rights
Interviewee
Lambert, Louis
November 10,
1984
Call Number
85-013
Physical Description
26 pages; 3 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 180 minutes; index
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Louis Lambert, born 1909, was a professor of political science.
He speaks about his early life, including his education and jobs during the
Great Depression. His background had been journalism, but he received an
assistantship in the Government Department and remained there, except for his
service in the Navy, until his retirement. He also discusses the change in
students and the university during his time teaching.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana Board of Accounts
- United States Navy
- University of Iowa
- Valparaiso University
-
-
Occupation Names
- political science professor
-
-
Place Names
- Albia, Iowa
- Chicago, Illinois
-
-
Subjects
- childhood
- class preparation
- education
- fraternities
- Great Depression
- tutoring
- university changes
- university salaries
- World War II
Interviewee
Lundin, Charles L.
February 15,
1985
Call Number
85-005
Physical Description
50 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 120 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Cohen, Cheryl B.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Charles Lundin, born 1907, began teaching in the History
Department in 1937. He speaks about his early life, particularly his education,
and his work in the Army during World War II. After the war, he returned to
teaching, and became active in many campus activities. He discusses the changes
in students' attitudes, the women's movement, and the effect it may or may not
have had on faculty hiring. Though he conducted research, he admits his
greatest enjoyment was teaching and the interaction with the students.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University
- NAACP
- Simmons College
-
-
Occupation Names
- history professor
-
-
Personal Names
- Wells, Herman B
-
-
-
Subjects
- campus activities
- censorship
- education
- faculty discrimination
- Finnish research
- racial inequities
- retirement
- Socialist Party
- students
- teaching
- women's movement
- World War II
Interviewee
Mee, John F.
February 21,
1985
Call Number
85-014
Physical Description
76 pages; 5 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 300 minutes; index
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
John F. Mee, born 1908, was a professor of business at Indiana
University. He speaks about his childhood and education in Ohio, particularly
his progression from literature, to psychology, and finally business. He
discusses his time in the United States Army and Air Force during World War II,
the numerous connections he made there, and other business pursuits. Mr. Mee
comments on his life's ambitions. He also goes into detail about the
differences in students and faculty between his generation and those of
post-World War II.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University
- Ohio State University
- University of Maine
-
-
Occupation Names
- business professor
-
-
Personal Names
- Truman, Harry S.
-
-
-
Subjects
- education
- psychology
- travel
- university faculty
- World War II
Interviewee
Miller, Delbert C.
October 22,
1984
Call Number
85-015
Physical Description
70 pages; 4 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 4 hours; index; interviewee's
c.v.
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Delbert C. Miller, born on November 14, 1913, discusses his
youth, family, the pressure he experienced from his mother to succeed, and his
education. A professor of sociology, Dr. Miller wrote and traveled extensively,
as well as providing his services as a labor arbitrator and university
mediator. He comments on his activities and trials during the Great Depression
and World War II, his specialization in industrial sociology, and his thoughts
on retirement.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University Department of Sociology
-
-
Occupation Names
- labor arbitrator
- sociology professor
-
-
Personal Names
- Bain, Read
-
-
Subjects
- Great Depression
- industrial sociology
- nineteen sixties
- retirement
- teaching vs. research debate
- university growth
- World War II
Interviewee
Piercy, Josephine
April 7,
1985
Call Number
85-016
Physical Description
17 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes; index; article
about interviewee
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Born in 1895, Josephine Piercy discusses her education, the
support she received from her parents as she pursued an academic career, and
her years as an English professor at Indiana University. She speaks of the
sexism and discrimination she and other female faculty members experienced. In
addition, Dr. Piercy comments on some of the books she wrote and her thoughts
about retirement.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University Department of English
-
-
Occupation Names
- author
- English professor
-
-
Personal Names
- Bradstreet, Anne
-
-
Subjects
- retirement
- sexism
- women professors
Interviewee
Quirk, Robert
February 27,
1985
Call Number
85-017
Physical Description
60 pages; 3 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 175 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Born in September of 1918, Robert Quirk discusses his youth
during the Great Depression, the time he spent in the military during World War
II, his education, and his career as a history professor and editor at Indiana
University. A professor in Latin American studies and a teacher of a wide
variety of courses, Dr. Quirk comments on the post-war growth of Indiana
University, the efforts of several university leaders, and the disparity in
salaries between faculty and administration. In addition, he describes his love
of research and writing, and addresses the teaching vs. research debate.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Ford Foundation
- Harvard University
- Indiana University Department of History
-
-
Occupation Names
- editor
- history professor
-
-
Personal Names
- Byrnes, Robert F.
- Ferrell, Robert H.
- Scobie, James
- Simonson, Emma
- Solt, Leo F.
-
-
Place Names
- Bloomington, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
-
American Historical
Review
- discrimination
- Great Depression
- history faculty
- retirement
- student involvement
- teaching vs. research debate
- university administration
- university salaries
- World War II
Interviewee
Schweitzer, Arthur
October 24,
1984
Call Number
85-018
Physical Description
67 pages; 4 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 4 hours; no index
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Born on November 27, 1905, Arthur Schweitzer discusses his youth
and education in Germany, his memories of World War I, and he and his wife's
departure from Germany upon the ascension of the Nazi Party to power. The
economic depression following World War I spurred his interest in studying
economics, eventually leading to a career as a professor of economics and a
prolific writer on that topic. In addition, Professor Schweitzer comments on
the dynamics of the Indiana University faculty, the salary scale, and his
retirement.
-
Keywords
-
-
Occupation Names
- economic historian
- economics professor
- journalist
-
-
Place Names
- France
- Germany
- Wyoming
-
-
Subjects
- economics
- German economy
- Nazism
- retirement
- university salaries
- World War I
- World War II
Interviewee
Veatch, Henry B.
October 13,
1984
Call Number
85-019
Physical Description
48 pages; 3 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 3 hours; index
Interviewer
Rosecrance, Gail
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Henry B. Veatch, born on September 26, 1911, discusses his
education and career as a professor of philosophy. He comments on the tension
between humanistic and scientific education at Indiana University, the change
in teaching loads over time, and how the faculty is involved in university
administration. In addition, he contrasts the ideas of different philosophers,
including Kant, Aquinas, and Aristotle, and he speaks of his negative
experiences at Northwestern University.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University Department of Philosophy
- Northwestern University
-
-
Occupation Names
- philosophy professor
-
-
Personal Names
- Aristotle
- Jellema, W. Harry
- Kant, Immanuel
- Payne, Fernandus
-
-
Subjects
- contemporary philosophy
- retirement
- Roman Catholic philosophy
- teaching loads
- university administration
Interviewee
Wilson, William E.
March 14,
1985
Call Number
85-003
Physical Description
24 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 90 minutes; index
Interviewer
Cohen, Cheryl B.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Born on February 12, 1906, William E. Wilson discusses his
youth, his experiences as the son of a United States senator, his work as a
newspaper writer, and his eventual career as an English professor. He speaks of
the teaching vs. research debate, his negative views on the student population
of the nineteen sixties, and the increase in female students after the nineteen
fifties. In addition, Dr. Wilson comments on his novels and other writings, as
well as his retirement.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Department of English
-
-
Occupation Names
- author
- English professor
-
-
Subjects
- female students
- nineteen sixties
- retirement
- teaching vs. research debate
- university changes
