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1. Interview with Ludmila (Mil) Voelker (?- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1990-06-11
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Archivist Jerry Westby on June 11, 1990, Ludmila (Mil) Voelker discussed her background. She was born in Dodge, Nebraska in the 1920s. Her father emigrated from Czechoslovakia, settling in Nebraska and later South Dakota, where he lost his farm during the Depression. The family eventually moved to Litchfield, Minnesota. Voelker attended the College of Saint Benedict, where she received her Bachelor's degree in English, with a minor in speech and philosophy. She then taught English for three years in Holdingford, Minnesota, until 1954 when her future husband Fran, returned from Korea. They married that December, and for the next 10 years Ludmila stayed home to raise their five children. In 1965, she began working part-time at St. Cloud State while also beginning work on her Master's degree. She eventually began teaching full-time at the St. Cloud State. Voelker worked as teaching assistant while pursuing her master's degree, but because of the surge in enrollment, had to take on more freshman composition classes than originally planned. Voelker discussed how important it was for faculty to be involved in other activities besides teaching. This led to her involvement with the Inter-Faculty Organization (IFO), as well as the publication of a book on Mass Media with her husband Fran. Voelker talked about the changes undergone by the university as well as the impact of some important national events, such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Voelker chronicled the highs and lows of her career at St. Cloud, claiming that being selected as the university's affirmative action officer was a great high, while getting burnt out on teaching was her low. She then discussed the rise in percentage of women professors on campus as a result of affirmative action, and her feelings on that subject in general. Finally, she offered some thoughts on the progress St. Cloud State University has made, calling it a wonderful institution, but also suggested some areas for improvement.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
2. Interview with Robert Coard (1921-2001), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1990-05-21
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Archivist Jerry Westby on May 21, 1990, Robert Coard discussed his educational background. He detailed his college and graduate educational background at the undergraduate and graduate level. Before arriving at St. Cloud State in 1960, Coard described his various teaching experiences, and explanations for why he chose to move on. After five years at the Minot State Teacher's College in Minot, North Dakota, he taught for three years at the University of Alabama, but grew ever more uncomfortable with the tense racial situation and integration. Needing a more stable work environment, Coard accepted a position at St. Cloud State. Coard described his time at St. Cloud State and the changes that occurred on campus. He said that there was no English department when he first arrived, and discussed the power George Budd had in expanding the curriculum and faculty. He also described the physical changes undergone by the campus. Coard briefly described what the campus looked like when he arrived and then what changed. He also mentioned Fifth Avenue South, where he lived for 30 years, and how it really went from a peaceful residential area to what he terms an area in ""shambles."" Coard explained his ideas about students at St. Cloud State University, and how they have changed. He claimed that the university used to be much stricter with students, taking attendance and sending grades to parents if the student was under the age of 21. Overall, he felt his work with these students was a positive experience. Coard retired in 1990.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
3. Interview with Herb Goodrich (1926-2006), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1990-05-15
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Archivist Jerry Westby on May 15, 1990, Herb Goodrich explained his family and educational history. He was born in Manhattan, and raised in Brooklyn, New York. His father emigrated from Russia, while his mother was from Poland. Goodrich attended the City College of New York, where he received his bachelor's degree in Education. Goodrich then went to Penn State, where he received his master's degree and then earned his doctorate in Mass Communications from the University of Illinois. He highlighted his upbringing in the very urban Brooklyn, New York, and the vast differences between that world and St. Cloud, Minnesota. Goodrich arrived at St. Cloud State in 1964. He discussed his first years at St. Cloud State, comparing them with the university in 1990. For instance, he talked about how the huge growth in student population was accompanied by a failure of the state of Minnesota to provide sufficient funds and resources to deal with that growth. He claimed that the growth contributed to a decline in familiarity and personal connections among staff, as well as a greater focus on publishing rather than the classroom. Goodrich described how the students themselves changed during his time at St. Cloud State. He claimed that when he arrived in the 1960s, students were very demanding and not afraid to question what was being taught. In 1990, he felt that students were much quieter, and that there had been somewhat of a withdrawal from active learning. Goodrich discussed the St. Cloud State's perception as a ""party"" school, and how that has affected both students and faculty. Goodrich discussed the relationship between the university and the community of St. Cloud. Here he felt his ideas about universities was often seen as a threat to a conservative community, and how St. Cloud State fit into that idea. Goodrich discussed the highs and lows he experienced as a teacher, and how both relate to his impact, or lack thereof, on his students. Overall, he gave an insightful analysis of how the school changed, both on a large scale, and on a smaller scale by discussing changes within his own department, and credited the university for 26 years of wonderful academic and teaching experience. Goodrich retired in 1990.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
4. Interview with Patricia Hoffman, St. Cloud State University Oral History Collection, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1990-05-10
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Archivist Jerry Westby on May 10, 1990, Patricia Hoffman described her upbringing and education, including some discussion on her life as a "change of life baby," a child born late in her parents' lives, and how that affected her life decisions. Growing up in Indiana, Hoffman discussed her college education, and how she moved from Indiana to Minnesota to attend Carleton College, marrying soon after. Hoffman also discussed what led her to return to school at St. Cloud State after having five children, and how that led her to gain employment there. Hoffman described her career as a counselor and faculty member at St. Cloud State, and how things changed in the 25 years that she worked at the university. She claimed that faculty used to be much closer and familiar, and that there never used to be as much confrontation as she perceived later on. Hoffman claimed that the students she counsels now tend to have much more serious problems than those students she worked with in her earlier years, citing drug use and institutionalization as frequent among those students. Hoffman explained her ideas about the relationship between St. Cloud and the university, stating that the college had a greater impact on the town than vice versa. She also discussed how during a time of rapid growth at the university that the lack of planning had a negative impact on students. Hoffman described the highs and lows of her counseling career. She claimed that the years during the Vietnam War were very difficult, as she would often talk to young men who were going to fight for something they did not believe in. She said that her favorite part of the job was working with and talking to her clients, the students.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
5. Interview with Donald Sikkink (1928- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1990-05-01
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Archivist Jerry Westby on May 1, 1990, Donald Sikkink described his early educational background and career. He was born in 1928 in Minnesota. He grew up on a farm in southeast Minnesota, just south of Rochester. He graduated from Harmony Public High School in Harmony, Minnesota, in 1945, and then attended a Dutch Reformed College, Central College, in Pella, Iowa, until he was drafted in April 1946. Sikkink attended the University of Minnesota on his G.I. Bill. He received his bachelor's degree in 1949, his master's degree in 1951, and his doctorate in 1954. After teaching for two years at Stanford in Palo Alto, California, he received a job in the Speech Department at South Dakota State University. Sikkink arrived at St. Cloud State in 1963, explaining his first impressions of St. Cloud State. He claimed that he was surprised at how reluctant students were to speak up in class and express their thoughts and opinions. On the other hand, he was also surprised by how freely and openly the faculty spoke of their beliefs, causing him to believe that there was a greater sense of freedom among the faculty at St. Cloud than at the previous schools he had taught at. Sikkink discussed St. Cloud State president George Budd and his policies. In addition, he described the ways in which the speech department has changed. Sikkink explained the way that the city of St. Cloud had changed thinking of St. John's as their university to adopting St. Cloud State as the city's college, due to the tremendous growth and change undergone by the school during Sikkink's time there. Sikkink described what he considers to be his highs and lows while at St. Cloud State. He mentioned certain classes he enjoyed, such as the class he taught on parliamentary procedure. He also talked about the establishment of bachelor of Elective Studies degree, which he says was done as sort of an experiment. He explained his work in administration over the years. Sikkink expressed disappointment at the then-current situation where the faculty and administration were not getting along, claiming that the fighting was hurting the institution. Finally, Sikkink shared some anecdotes that describe some of his most memorable experiences at St. Cloud State University. He retired in 1990.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
6. Interview with Lawrence Smelser (?- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1990-04-24
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Archivist Jerry Westby on April 24, 1990, Lawrence Smelser discussed his family and educational background. He was born and raised in the Ozark Region of Missouri in the late 1920s. He was encouraged to attend college by his family, and after he graduated from high school, he took an exam and was licensed to teach in rural schools in Missouri. While he did this, he took classes at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardo, Missouri, before transferring to Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield. After graduating with a bachelor's degree, he taught fifth grade in University City, Missouri, for 12 years. While doing teaching, he attended St. Louis University for his master's degree in Educational Administration. Smelser then earned his doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. Smelser who arrived 1969 at St. Cloud State, chronicled his time at the university and discussed some of his favorite things. He mentioned how much he enjoyed working with graduate students, as he was able to work with them more closely and get to know them better than undergraduate students. He also mentioned taking a group of students to London for the 1979-80 academic school year, where he directed a program. In addition, Smelser described his experience of being a division leader in the Learning Resources and Technology Services. He expressed how the library changed from books to electronic equipment, and how the college has grown along with that change. Smelser discussed the changes that occurred at the university, as well as the highs and lows during his time there. He talked about developing new programs in Information Media, such as the three-track program. Smelser believed that the growth in enrollment was very positive thing for St. Cloud State, and improved many programs available. As far as lows, Smelser claimed that some budget and equipment problems as difficult to deal with. Smelser felt that he had an incredibly positive experience teaching at St. Cloud State and living in the city of St. Cloud. He retired in 1990.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
7. Interview with William Nunn (1922- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1989-05-11
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by Robert Nelson on May 5, 1989, William Nunn described his educational background, with some focus on his family background, too. Nunn was born in 1922 in Paris, Texas. Nunn graduated from Bonham High School in 1940, then attended Northern Texas State University in Denton, Texas. He said his father was a very successful attorney in Texas, which initially inspired him to pursue law in college. However, he chronicled how his experiences in the Army during World War II led him to change his path to instead pursue teaching. Nunn talked about how he decided to pursue his master's degree in Political Science, which led him to gain experience teaching in different lab schools around the country. Nunn started at St. Cloud State in 1954. His job was to supervise student teachers. He described the state that the program was in when he arrived and how several other professors who were involved with it, including Bill Cotton and John Talbot. Nunn claimed he had success in opening districts in Milaca, Paynesville, and other areas to student teachers from St. Cloud. Nunn described his experience in the History department, as well as his time as head of the legislative committee and as Faculty Association president from 1965 to 1967. Nunn believed that the increased departmentalization at the college, which accompanied its rapid growth, has hurt the institution in many ways. Nunn expressed his view of how St. Cloud State changed since 1954 when Nunn arrived. He discussed some major events that impacted the school, such as the unrest that occurred during the Vietnam War. He claimed that St. Cloud State always had an image problem that it was not a good school and its label as a party school was misleading. Nunn claimed that St. Cloud State never really been able to get a good feel of the community, that the two never really got to know each other. Finally, Nunn described his efforts at establishing the tri-college East Asian Studies Program and his several trips to Japan.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
8. Interview with Inez Kronenberg (1937- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1989-05-05
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by Robert Nelson on May 5, 1989, Inez Kronenberg described her family history and early life. She was born in 1937 in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Her family had a farm in St. Augusta, Minnesota, where they had been since the 1850s. Her family farmed until her father lost an arm in an accident, after which he became an auctioneer. Her mother died when she was 12. Kronenberg addressed the reasons she chose to begin working after high school rather than attend college. She claimed that despite the fact that she had a scholarship, she did not feel prepared, or confident enough, to attend college. When she obtained a clerical job at St. Cloud State in 1955, she was very proud of that accomplishment. Kronenberg discussed that she slowly attended classes while she worked, and was able to eventually obtain an associate degree in 1974 and a bachelor's degree in 1979. Kronenberg discussed on her work at St. Cloud State, her responsibilities in the academic dean's office, where she spent the majority of her career, along with her reasons for eventually leaving that position. She described the many moves within St. Cloud State that she made, including stints in the library, International Studies, and Career Planning and Placement, which were largely due to personal reasons. Kronenberg chronicled her involvement with the union of ""classified"" employees, the Local 753, Council 6. She mentioned her role in the statewide strike of 1981, and the fact that she was in charge of putting out the newsletter. She believed that there needed to be more uniformity in terms of pay, and felt that the strike was successful in getting closer to that goal. Kronenberg described her impressions of how students, governance, and other aspects of the university have changed during her time spent working for the institution. She discussed veterans, both from the Korean and Vietnam wars, and her thoughts on how they adapted to college life. Kronenberg talked about the idea that the easy availability of financial aid has made students, to some extent, less hardworking and focused. However, she also credited current students with being more confident and aware of what was going on in the world. She also discussed the drinking habits of students, along with her ideas about international students, non-traditional students, and racial tension on campus. Kronenberg explained the ways in which she believes the relationship between the university and the city of St. Cloud has been strengthened in more recent years.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
9. Interview with Clair Dagget (1909-1990), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1987-01-28
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on January 28, 1987, Clair Dagget discussed his educational and family background. He was born in Wisconsin in 1909. His family farmed in Omro, Wisconsin, where Dagget graduated from high school in 1927. Dagget then attended college in Whitewater, Wisconsin, where he received a bachelor's degree in Commercial Education, which would today be called Business Education. He detailed some roadblocks he encountered in his education due to family issues and accreditation problems between Iowa and Wisconsin universities. After stints teaching high school in Menominee and Kenosha, Wisconsin, Dagget pursued a master's degree at the University of Iowa. Dagget arrived at St. Cloud State University in 1939. He discussed his arrival to St. Cloud and his early years teaching at the university. Dagget detailed how small the Business Department initially was with only three faculty. In addition, he discussed his time in the Air Force during World War II, and how the G.I. Bill allowed him to obtain his doctorate when he returned from service. Dagget taught many veterans after his return, who were older than most students. Dagget focused on the changes at St. Cloud State, and in his own department, experienced during his 35 years at the university. For example, the Business department grew from three faculty to 50 at the time of the interview. Here, Dagget also discussed the different St. Cloud State presidents and their administration. He claimed that president George Budd discouraged university employees' involvement in downtown social clubs because Budd desired to be the sole connection between downtown and St. Cloud State. Dagget retired in 1974.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
10. Interview with Richard Sartell (1941- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History Collection, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1986-01-31
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on January 31, 1986, Richard Sartell spoke mostly about his experience at the Riverview Campus Lab School, SCSU's campus laboratory school. Sartell explained some of his family history, which includes the fact that the town Sartell, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Cloud, was named for his family. Starting at Riverview in 1946, he discussed the experience of having so many student teachers, believing that it led to a much better education than was available at the public schools at the time. Sartell explained how the elementary students interacted with the college and he felt as much a part of the student body as the college students at St. Cloud State. Sartell named several of his teachers and those he felt were most effective. He mentioned Ruth Cadwell, Ed Colletti, Harvey Waugh, and several others. He said many of the teachers were very demanding, but felt it led him and the other students to learn more and be more successful. Sartell discussed some of the physical changes that began taking place as he was attending Riverview, such as the demolition of the Old Main Building and the construction of Stewart Hall. Sartell described the transition from Riverview to Technical High School in St. Cloud, claiming that it was pretty seamless. Sartell explained the relationship between the school and the community, believing that there was simply not much interaction between the two. Finally, he expressed about his disappointment in the closing of the Lab School at St. Cloud State in 1983.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
11. Interview with Arnold Schneider (1909-2003), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1986-01-07
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on January 7, 1986, Arnold Schneider detailed his family and educational background. He was born in 1909. He attended high school in Wisconsin, and after graduation went to work for the Great Northern Railroad in Allouez, Wisconsin. He continued to work for the railroad while he put himself through junior college in Duluth, Minnesota, which he finished in two years. He then attended the Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he majored in Business Education. He graduated in 1932. After graduation, he went to Madison, South Dakota, where he taught at Eastern State College. He later worked as Junior Analyst for Merrill Lynch in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and also as an accountant for Ford Motor Company. That variety of work experience, Schneider claimed, made him very versatile and aware of the many different aspects of the business world. After receiving his master's degree from the University of Iowa in 1937, he was offered a position at St. Cloud State to begin a Business Education program. Schneider described how he came to work in Business Education at St. Cloud State. Schneider said that Minnesota had no program to prepare Business teachers until St. Cloud State president George Selke convinced the State University Board to allow St. Cloud to establish one. Schneider was contacted while he was working on his doctorate in Iowa, and jumped at the opportunity to come to St. Cloud. While the program officially began spring semester of 1938, it really took off that following fall. Schneider described the early days of the department, as well as the two other faculty members involved, Clair Dagget and Mary Ferro. Schneider remained in St. Cloud State until 1942, when he joined the Navy. After World War II, he returned the university for a year before obtaining a position at Western Michigan University, where he started a College of Business program. He retired in 1974. Schneider reflected on some of his other experiences, including that of working with World War II veterans. He believed that the GI Bill, which allowed veterans to attend college, had a huge effect on education in the United States. He greatly admired veterans as students, and believed they made his classroom a much more dynamic place than it had been before. He felt that state universities became the ""common man's school."" Schneider also talked about some of St. Cloud State faculty he remembers, such as Clifford Bemis, Herbert Clugston, and Roland Torgerson.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
12. Interview with Mary Craik (1924- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History Collection, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1985-12-23
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on December 23, 1985, Mary Craik described her family and educational background and how that affected her ideas about women and women's rights. Born in 1924, Craik grew up in Kentucky and described her family as "hillbillies," since they were very poor and not very educated. Craik married her husband in 1945, who was in the Air Force, and had children young. A feeling an "intellectual curiosity" that forced her to pursue further education, including how living in Cambridge, England, where her husband was stationed, inspired her to further her education. Craik detailed her decision to pursue her master's and doctorate degrees after taking almost eight years to earn a bachelor's degree. Craik discussed her arrival at St. Cloud State in 1968. She spoke of her efforts to establish a Women's Studies program, particularly her course called "Psychology of Women," which was immediately very popular. She also talked about the purpose of establishing that course, as well as the effects the class had on students' lives. Craik chronicled the discrimination she encountered at SCSU, not just in her own experiences, but in that of other women and men. She filed a lawsuit against the university in 1976 that took nine years to settle, which she initially lost. Upon appeal, the court ruled in her favor. Craik detailed about what she believes changed, regarding the role of women, their salaries, and eligibility for promotion, in the 15 years she spent at St. Cloud State. Craik addressed some of the positive effects of her lawsuit, including the money it brought to some women on campus.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
13. Interview with Brendan McDonald (1930-1994) and LaVerne McDonald (1932-1998 ), St. Cloud State University Oral History Collection, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-10-18
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on October 18, 1982, Brendan and LaVerne McDonald described their family history and early education. Born in 1930 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Brendan chronicled his family history, who came to Canada from Ireland shortly before he was born. He discussed reasons for wanting to attend college in America rather than Canada. After graduation from Balfour High School in Regina in 1949, Brendan arrived at St. Cloud State. His wife, LaVerne (Bangston), was born in 1932 in Willmar, Minnesota. After her 1950 high school graduation, she attended St. Cloud State. LaVerne said she wanted to teach because teachers were so in demand at the time. Brendan and LaVerne described experiences at St. Cloud State, from dorm life to the teachers that stood out to them. They claimed that President George Budd was personal with students and very involved with student life. LaVerne discussed life in Lawrence Hall and Shoemaker Hall. They described where most students came from, as well as whether or not students worked while attending school. They remembered the feeling of camaraderie among the students as well as their perceived relationship between the city of St. Cloud and the university. Brendan received his bachelor's degree in physical science and physical education in 1954, then went immediately to the University of Minnesota to get a master's degree in education. Shortly after graduation from the University of Minnesota, his student visa expired, forcing them to return to Canada for a year. The McDonalds chronicled life after graduating from St. Cloud State, including his stint in the university's registrar's office. They mentioned the international events that affected campus life when they attended St. Cloud State. They mentioned the Korean War, which they claimed worried many students, as well as Joe McCarthy's hunt for Communists as somewhat shocking, especially to Brendan, who was used to a more private Canadian government. LaVerne described the idea that the Third World was just starting to open at this time, being the beginning of international students coming to America. That, they believed, helped to change the perspective many Americans possessed for people living in Africa and other parts of the world.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
14. Interview with William Whitaker (1910-?), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-05-29
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on May 29, 1982, William Whitaker described his family history and educational background. He was born on September 26, 1910, in Rockville, Minnesota. His father worked for the granite industry in Wisconsin, St. Paul, and then Rockville. Whitaker graduated from St. Cloud Technical (Tech) High School in 1927. He knew he wanted to be a teacher, with a long-term goal of becoming a college professor, so he immediately began taking classes at St. Cloud State. Before he graduated, he took a year off to teach in Wabun, Minnesota, before returning to the university to finish his education. Whitaker talked about his time off from his undergraduate work to tour with a Chautauqua group, and later to teach in Wabun, Minnesota, near Detroit Lakes. Whitaker described his time at St. Cloud State. He claimed that the majority of students at the time he attended were from small towns and farming families. He mentioned George Selke's great oratorical ability and the success it had at bringing many young people from the Iron Range to the university. Whitaker said he had to work to put himself through school, even holding three jobs at one time. He also discussed his impression of the relationship between the city of St. Cloud and the college. Whitaker also remembers some of the professors he worked with, including St. Cloud State president George Selke and Evelyn Pribble. Whitaker talked more about his work and education experiences after graduating from St. Cloud State in 1932. He discussed that the Depression made it very difficult to find work, and was the reason why he went to Brooklyn for a few years before finding a teaching job back in Minnesota. Whitaker also discussed his time in the Navy, which led him to serve in both World War II and the Korean War. Whitaker described some of his travels, including time spent in Singapore, as well some of the duties he had as an officer in the Navy.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
15. Interview with Alan Phillips (?- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-05-14
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on May 14, 1982, Alan Phillips provided a brief account of his educational career. Phillips received his undergraduate degree from Knox College in Illinois. Phillips attended the University of Chicago Divinity School for a year before dropping out and joining the army for two years. He then went to Michigan State where he got his master's and doctorate degrees in philosophy. He taught for one year at West Virginia University, and came to St. Cloud State in September 1966. Phillips chronicled how he became involved with the Faculty Association and collective bargaining. He devoted a great deal of time to discussing the election of 1975, a process he calls very difficult. Phillips discussed his opinions on the Inter-Faculty Organization (IFO) joining forces with the Minnesota Education Association (MEA), as well as what he considers to be the biggest differences between the IFO and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). He talked about the strengths and weaknesses of the AAUP and what may have cost it the election. Phillips talked about the effects of the IFO/MEA's victory and how successful collective bargaining in general was for St. Cloud State faculty. He was reluctant to join the IFO after the AAUP was defeated. Phillips believed that more people should be able to join voluntarily, believing that forced membership was not as effective. He believed that collective bargaining was good economically for the faculty, but not been great for local decision-making. Phillips discussed his involvement on the IFO's Academic Affairs Committee. To end, he offered some suggestions for improving the IFO and current collective bargaining situation at St. Cloud State.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
16. Interview with Winston Borden (1943- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-05-03
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on May 3, 1982, Winston Borden described his family background. Born in 1943, Borden grew up Center Township near Brainerd, Minnesota. Borden's grandparents migrated to Center Township, north of Brainerd, Minnesota, in the 1880s. Borden had two brothers and one sister. He discussed his reasons to attend St. Cloud State University, as well as the encouragement from his teachers and family that led him to be the first member of his family to attend college. Borden graduated from Brainerd High School in 1961, and attended St. Cloud State University on a speech scholarship that fall. While at St. Cloud State, Borden was heavily involved in the "Young Democrats" as well as student government. He chronicled in great detail about the effectiveness of some of his professors, like Dr. Jim Davis, who made subjects come alive and opened him up to new experiences. He also talked about the influence o
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
17. Interview with Gary Botzek (1950- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History Collection, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-04-30
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 30, 1982, Gary Botzek spoke about his Polish and German ancestors, who came to Benton County to farm. He also discussed the consolidation process that his local school in Sauk Rapids underwent, forcing him to finish high school in Foley. He also talked about choosing St. Cloud State University. admitting that he was not prepared to make a leap to a city, since he grew up in such a small rural area. Botzek chronicled his time at St. Cloud State University. He spoke about the process of how he chose a major and career path, as well as influential professors and student government. Botzek also discussed the explosive reaction of St. Cloud State students to the U.S. invasion of Cambodia and Laos, as well as the Kent State riots. Botzek discussed his feelings on the situation as someone involved in student government, and how it was handled by the university. He explained the relationship between the St. Cloud community and the university, claiming that they are both parts of the same structure, and thus worked well together. Botzek graduated in 1972, majoring in Political Science. Botzek discussed his post-collegiate career, especially his internship with Minnesota congressman John Zach, The internship opened several doors for him and allowed him to work in government for ten straight years, including his 1979 appointment as special assistant to Minnesota governor Al Quie. Botzek gave much credit to his St. Cloud State academic and extracurricular activities for providing him with the necessary tools to forge such a successful career.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
18. Interview with Andrew Marlow (1944- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History Collection, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-04-28
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 28, 1982, Andrew Marlow described his family history, as well as his education and experiences at St. Cloud State. Marlow discussed his father, who was a member of the Sisseton Sioux Nation, as well as the story of how his parents met during World War II, marrying, and then moving to St. Paul. He explained his reasons to attend St. Cloud State after he graduated from high school in 1962, where he initially hoped to triple major in mathematics, chemistry, and physics. He later found those subjects too demanding and formed an interest in radio and television, which were only offered through the Speech department. Marlow decided to major in Speech but specialize in radio and television and had a hand in the founding of KVSC in 1967. Marlow chronicled his college career. He discussed professors such as E. Bryce Scott, who taught in the Speech department. He recalled certain things about life in St. Cloud, including students from the Iron Range who called themselves the "Rangers." Marlow explained his reasons for transferring to the University of Minnesota in 1964. He joined the National Guard as a medic to avoid the draft and was court-martialed for refusing to carry a weapon. Marlow returned to St. Cloud State in 1965. He discussed involvement in anti-war demonstrations, including when he and his friends threatened to burn a dog alive with napalm to illustrate its effects. He also included some general thoughts on how the Vietnam War affected the college and the city of St. Cloud. Marlow graduated in 1969. Marlow focused post-college career, including life in International Falls and his employment at the KUOM radio station. Marlow added thoughts about events that caused tension during his time at St. Cloud State, such as when some black students took over President Robert Wick's office. Marlow credited his time at St. Cloud State for forming him into the person he became.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
19. Interview with Michael Sieben (1946- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-04-21
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 21, 1982, Michael Sieben described family history, as well as his motivations to attend St. Cloud State. He was born in 1946, in Hastings, Minnesota. His father's family had been in Hastings since the 1880s, while his mother's family came from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sieben graduated from Hastings High School in 1964. He desired to leave Hastings, but also wanted a school that was financially reasonable. Sieben was able to pay for most of his college education himself by working construction during the summers. Since he was on the debate team in high school, Sieben received a small debate scholarship from St. Cloud State. Sieben discussed being part of the baby boomer generation and always being part of a very large class. Sieben described the activities he was involved in while attending St. Cloud State. He discussed his participation in student government in the mid to late 1960s, claiming that students simply wanted more control over their destinies. He talked about many issues, such as student fees, dorm rules, regulations for women, and teacher evaluations as some of the causes he and his fellow students fought for. Sieben felt Vietnam created a new feeling at the school, one where students just sensed a need for change. Seiben described life in the dorms, his involvement in Sigma Tau Gamma, and attending football games. He talked about the majority of students would leave the campus on the weekends, Sieben mentioned students from the Iron Range, and his perception that most students came from a middle income family. Sieben chronicled briefly his activities after graduating from St. Cloud in 1968. He taught at North High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He then decided to go to law school at the University of Minnesota. He graduated from law school and went on to practice law. He discussed law school, for which he believed he was well-prepared, thanks to St. Cloud State. However, he felt that some of the teacher preparation courses were mediocre and did not prepare him well for teaching. Overall, he said his experience in St. Cloud was very beneficial to his future endeavors and career as a lawyer.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
20. Interview with John Derus (1940- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-04-21
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 21, 1982, John Derus explained his family and educational background. Derus was born in 1940 in northeast Minneapolis. His family lived in the area for five generations, though they were originally of Irish, German, and French ancestry. After graduating from DaLaSalle High School, then the University of Minnesota on a football scholarship for a year before quitting in order to work to make money for his family. His father, along with one of his sisters, died in a plane crash, leaving the family financially strained. Derus mentioned his reasons for choosing to attend St. Cloud State University. He explained the good things he heard about St. Cloud, as well as his desire to work with children and help those who were in trouble. Derus chronicled his time in St. Cloud, attending classes when he could but also working more than full-time, both at the St. Cloud Children's Home and as a bartender. He discussed his favorite teachers, such as Herb Goodrich and Henry Goehring. In addition, Derus mentioned that he enjoyed the smaller class sizes, as compared with those at the University of Minnesota. A interesting aspect of the interview focused on Derus's description of the culture for young people in St. Cloud at the time, including living arrangements, and what he called a subculture of ""workies,"" college students who were forced to work in order to put themselves through college. Derus described his involvement in extracurricular activities at St. Cloud State, including one play and intramural sports as well as campus politics. He graduated from St. Cloud State in 1967 with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. He also addressed his post-graduate experiences, including his work with the Peace Corps in India, where he taught English for two years. Upon his return from India, he decided to get involved in politics, landing a position with Hubert Humphrey. He was elected as alderman of the 4th Ward in Minneapolis and later as Hennepin County Commissioner in 1974. Derus detailed the way that the community of St. Cloud and the University helped him get his life on track at a time when it was not going well at all.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
21. Interview with Tom Wadhams (1922-2007) and Jeanne Wadhams (?-2006), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-04-17
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 17, 1982, Tom and Jeanne Wadhams each gave a brief family history. Jeanne (Verby) Wadhams was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. After she graduated from Johnson High School in St. Paul, she worked for a couple years before joining the military. She left the service in 1946 attended St. Cloud State to become a physical education teacher. Tom attended Riverview Elementary and then graduated from Tech High School in St. Cloud. He attended St. Cloud State from 1940-1941 before serving in World War II. Tom discussed going to the Campus Lab School at Riverview, and named several of his teachers. After World War II, he returned to St. Cloud State. Jeanne discussed putting off college until after she served in the military, thus making her an older than average student when she began at St. Cloud. The two married as sophomores. They described their time at St. Cloud State. Tom was very involved with athletics, detailing St. Cloud State athletics in the late 1940s, particularly football and basketball. They also discuss some of their favorite teachers, including Marie Case, Helen Hill, and Clair Dagget. Tom and Jeanne talked about their experience being married and living on campus in a house Jeanne's parents owned and also rented out to students. Jeanne described the ""espirit de corps"" among students and faculty when they first attended, but as the college grew, that familiarity faded. Jeanne was a member of the Athenaeum Literary Society, but quit because of the attitude of many of the members. They also belonged to the Married Couples Club. Tom and Jeanne talked about the relationship between the university and the city of St. Cloud, which they perceived as two separate entities that did not interact frequently. Both graduated in 1949. Tom and Jeanne discussed their life after leaving St. Cloud State. They described their year teaching in Little Fork, as well as how well they believed St. Cloud prepared them for their careers. Jeanne believed that the student teaching experience did not meet her expectations, while Tom felt his training in Business and his time coaching prepared him very well for his 32-year-career at Honeywell. They also discussed being veterans at St. Cloud State, and what it was like for veterans attending college.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
22. Interview with Louis Filippi (1920-2012), St. Cloud State University Oral History Collection, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-04-06
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 6, 1982, Louis Filippi described how his parents came from Italy before World War I and settled Keewatin, a town in Minnesota's Iron Range. Born in 1920, Filippi discussed life in the Iron Range and the camaraderie that he formed with other children whose parents also came from Europe. Filippi discussed his motivations for attending St. Cloud State after graduating from high school in 1939, including that two of his favorite hockey goalies, Frank Brimsek and Sam LoPresti, attended the university. Filippi chronicled his time at St. Cloud State, especially the teachers he particularly admired, such as Roland Torgerson and George Lynch. Filippi mentioned that he lived with other Iron Range men throughout his college career and that they tended to stick together. Filippi played football, baseball, basketball, and track. He also discussed the effects that events such as the Great Depression and World War II had on his college career. Filippi described his impressions of St. Cloud State. He discussed the socioeconomic backgrounds of most of the students, believing that most were of lower-income families. Filippi claimed that most of the students he knew were eager to have jobs while going to school. He also discussed the "esprit de corps" among the students, claiming that they had an immense pride in the school and were involved in supporting the school at most functions. Filippi felt the community was supportive of the university, but not strong and adamant supporters of its activities. After graduation from St. Cloud State in 1943, Filippi entered the service, despite having a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles to play football. When he finally returned from overseas in 1946, he opted out of his contract with the Eagles and moved to Little Falls, Minnesota, to work as a coach and teacher and as an NCAA referee.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
23. Interview with Eugene Perkins (1921-2004) and Lorraine Perkins (?- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-04-02
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 2, 1982, Eugene and Lorraine Perkins discussed their family history, as well as their reasons for attending St. Cloud State. Lorraine chronicled the long history her family had with the St. Cloud State, as her grandfather attended the Normal School and roomed with Waite Shoemaker. Many of her aunts and several other relatives also attended the university. Eugene mentioned they lived close to the university and his dad worked with there. Lorraine said she wanted to go to Carleton College to become a writer. But the Depression prevented her from doing so, as Carleton College was expensive. So, she decided to become an English teacher. Eugene also discussed his time in World War II, which interrupted his college studies. Lorraine arrived at St. Cloud State in 1938, while Eugene first attended in 1939. They met in 1939. Lorraine talked about her varying living situations, including a year in Shoemaker Hall. Eugene also discussed the GI Bill, which of course brought many veterans to the school. Eugene described his time at the Eastman House, which was housing for returning GIs. Both Eugene and Lorraine oversaw and lived for a time in Eastman House. Lorraine and Eugene also described some of the extracurricular activities on campus, such as literary societies, sports, and different clubs such as the photo club, which Eugene belonged to. Lorraine and Eugene chronicled their experiences after leaving St. Cloud. Lorraine talked about being hired in Hayward, Minnesota, before being married, then being told to return her contract, as they did not hire married teachers. She gave up teaching for 20 years to raise her family. Eugene talked about the path that led him to pursue counseling; he taught in Paynesville, Minnesota, for three years while taking graduate classes at the University of Minnesota, with a focus on guidance and counseling. After receiving his master's degree, he went to Cincinnati, where he worked as a counselor and a school psychologist. He returned to St. Cloud State in 1958, eventually receiving his doctorate from University of Northern Colorado. Lorraine wanted to return to school, receiving a master's degree in 1967. She chronicled the establishment in 1968 and her work in the Writing Skills Center, which she believed was the only place for some students, especially foreign students, to get help. They described their support of international students. Finally, they expressed their approval of the vast physical changes undergone by St. Cloud State in the 1960s and 1970s, resulting in a beautiful campus.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
24. Interview with Ludmila (Mil) Voelker (?- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-04-01
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 1, 1982, Ludmila (Mil) Voelker discussed her background. Mil was born in Dodge, Nebraska, in the 1920s. Her father emigrated from Czechoslovakia, settling in Nebraska and later South Dakota, where he lost his farm during the Depression. The family eventually moved to Litchfield, Minnesota. Voelker attended the College of Saint Benedict, where she received her Bachelor's degree in English, with a minor in speech and philosophy. She then taught English for three years in Holdingford, Minnesota, until 1954 when her future husband Fran, returned from Korea. They married that December, and for the next 10 years Ludmila stayed home to raise their five children. In 1965, she began working part-time at St. Cloud State while also beginning work on her master's degree. She eventually began teaching full-time at the St. Cloud State. Voelker focused on her involvement in collective bargaining at St. Cloud State, and her support for the Inter-Faculty Organization (IFO) and Minnesota Education Association (MEA). Voelker explained why she became involved with collective bargaining at St. Cloud State. She believed that partnering with the MEA was a good move, as it was the strongest political unit available to them at the time. Voelker discussed her time as president and some of the activities she was involved in. Voelker chronicled her time as IFO president, and the importance of a woman being in a position of power at a time when such a thing was not very common. She claimed that the campus needed an articulate woman to show that women were capable of holding authority. Voelker discussed what she did after holding that presidency, including being the president of the Minnesota Council of Teachers, which she held before taking a year of sabbatical and beginning work on a degree in Theology. Finally, she expressed her feelings on whether or not collective bargaining on campus was a success. She felt that the tension it has created between administration and faculty is unnecessary, and that work needed to be done to build trust between the two.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories
25. Interview with Arthur F. Grachek (1940- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Creator:
- St. Cloud State University
- Date Created:
- 1982-03-31
- Description:
- In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on March 31, 1982, Arthur Grachek discussed his background, detailed his education, and his return to St. Cloud State University. Grachek graduated from Foley High School in 1958. He chose to attend St. Cloud State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Speech and Social Studies in 1962 and a master's degree in 1964. He taught at St. John's University in Minnesota, as well as at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where he also received his doctorate. Grachek returned to St. Cloud State University in 1971, where he eventually became very involved in the Inter-Faculty Organization (IFO). He discussed how he became interested in collective bargaining and unions, crediting his family involvement with labor unions. Grachek said Ruth Cadwell, whose house he lived in for five years while attending St. Cloud State University, introduced him to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Grachek chronicled his first years at St. Cloud State and how he became heavily involved with the IFO. He discussed the idea that the IFO needed a political force to accompany it, which is why they found the Minnesota Education Association (MEA), which offered them tremendous support to establish a labor union for St. Cloud State faculty. Grachek described the work he did to educate people about the IFO-MEA, as well as his thoughts on why it was able to achieve victory, despite some initial resistance to the MEA. Grachek described hi ideas about the successes the IFO has achieved at St. Cloud State, including the fringe benefits it helped faculty obtain. He also discussed what he feels are problems with collective bargaining organizations, stating that some small local colleges lose their autonomy, which is something he hoped at the time would be remedied in the future.
- Contributing Institution:
- St. Cloud State University
- Type:
- Sound Recording Nonmusical
- Format:
- Oral histories