Oral Histories: UCA History

UCA History interviews recorded from the 1970s-1990s contain information on different aspects of UCA.  Some of the transcripts are available through the Digital Archives.

 

Interviewee: Marjorie Armstrong

Interviewer: Jimmie Lee Campbell

Date: April 11, 1990

Graduated from ASTC in 1939 with B.S.E. Degree. She talked about student life on campus and taught all together 18 years. She taught typing, shorthand, and home economics.

 

Interviewee: L.O. Baker

Interviewer: Stephen Copley

Date: May 06, 1983

A.S.T.C.1922-1937; Education Major; Talked about the Great Depression; Post WWI; Campus and Student life; and the “Plantation System”

 

Interviewee: Janis Purtle Banister

Interviewer: Sue Ann Hays

Date: April 24, 1987

Graduated from ASTC with BA in Music, and was discussing student life during 1950’s. She used her skills in church not in the public education.

 

Interviewee: Hugh G. Battershell

Interviewer: Donald Ward

Date: April 8, 1981

Graduated from ASTC, and was discussing student life during 1947. He was a professor of chemistry at Arkansas State University, Beebe.

 

Interviewee: Ralph D. Behrens

Interviewer: Kenny Vaughan

Date: April 21, 1990

Graduated from ASTC in 1939. Talked about student life on campus and taught at UCA for thirty-seven years then retired. Topic: ASTC 1935-39.

 

Interviewee: Lindy Bollen

Interviewer: Lorraine Sneed

Date: April 25, 1981

Graduated from ASTC and played football until he broke his ankle. Topic: History of UCA 1945-47 student life.

 

Interviewee: Thomas Bonner

Interviewer: Kathy Singleton

Date: April 21, 1981

Graduated from ASTC and majored in Speech and drama. Topic: Student life on campus as a disk jockey.

 

Interviewee: Dr. A.E. Burdick

Interviewer: Ronald Wilson

Date: April 25, 1980

ASTC & UCA; 1937-1975; He was Faculty/Dean/ V.P. Academic Affairs. Main topic: General Education Requirements

 

Interviewee: Dr. A.E. Burdick

Interviewer: M. McClung

Date: April 27, 1987

2nd Interview

ASTC & UCA; 1937-1975 Faculty/Admin.

Topic: Teacher Education at UCA-1950s; Ford Foundation

 

Interviewee: Cole Castellaw

Interviewer: Danny Chidester

Date: May 8, 1990

ASTC Student Life in the late 1930’s

 

Interviewee: Verna Chrisler

Interviewer: Dianne Tolson

Date: May 5, 1980

ASTC 1937-61, Faculty;

1st Interview: Teacher Training; Extension Courses; Stone County, AR in 1942

She graduated with a B.S. degree from ASTC and MA degree from George Peabody College for Teachers. She taught in the Education Department of ASTC. She held extension courses in Stone County to help develop arts and crafts. She helped the teachers realize that they could teach effectively without expensive materials.

 

Interviewee: Verna Chrisler

Interviewer: William O. Thomas

Date: April 23, 1979

2nd Interview

Topic: training school established to train teachers; in 1948 the training school burned; in 1963the training school program ended; ASTC needed more room.

 

Interviewee: Emagene Tilman Clark

Interviewer: Douglas Carter

Date: April 28, 1990

Graduated from ASTC in 1940 with B.S. E. Degree. Topic: Student life on campus. She taught Home Economics 39 years.

 

Interviewee: James Clark

Interviewer: H.D. Quattlebaum, Jr.

Date: April 27, 1981

ASTC student 1948-1952; Physical Education Major; Topic: Student/Campus Life.

 

Interviewee: Suzanne H. Clark

Interviewer: Joanne Lehmann

Date: April 19, 1983

ASTC student 1961-1967; Elementary Education Major; Topic: Student/Campus Life.

 

Interviewee: Thomas L. Cole

Interviewer: Melissa Coburn

Date: April 25 & May 1, 1979

ASTC student 1939-1941; 1945-1946; BA in Art/Economics; WWII Veteran; Topic: Student/Campus Life after WWII.

 

Interviewee: Lanell Compton

Interviewer: James Philip Kimmer

Date: April 26, 1990

ASTC 1936-1939; BSE English/Library; Student/Campus Life

 

Interviewee: Everett E. Cordrey

Interviewer: H. L. Minton

Date: July 10, 1969

ASTC faculty staff over Science Department Head from 1914-1950. Faculty/Administration for 36 years.

 

Interviewee: Dr. Robert Courtway

Interviewer: Scott P. Hamnquist

Date: April 3, 1983

ASTC Student 1945-1946; 1947-1950; Physical Education Major; Student Life; WWII Veteran

 

Interviewee: Maxine Crafton

Interviewer: Marshia McClung

Date: May 6, 1987

Graduated 1951 from ASTC. In 1953 became secretary to Dr. B.A. Lewis of the Fifth Year Ford Foundation Project. She believed our graduate program grew out of the Fifth Year Program funded by Ford Foundation.

 

Interviewee: James Arthur Dunaway

Interviewer: James Carney Owen

Date: April 16, 1980

Graduated 1947 from ASTC discussing student life before and after the war. Topic: The impact of the veterans on ASTC, 1945-47.

 

Interviewee: Dean Duncan

Interviewer: Robert “Bunny” Adcock

Date: April 30, 1983

Sports at UCA; 1946, Student; Returning Veterans; UCA Sports 1940s and 1950s; 1967, Administration

 

Interviewee: Harold D. Edison

Interviewer: Bruce Schaper

Date: April 15, 1987

Graduated 1929 from ASTC with B.S.E. and MA degree in zoology. Topic: Construction of the student center in the years 1957-58.

 

Interviewee: Harold D. Edison

Interviewer: Ronald Wilson

Date: April 17, 1980

Faculty/Administration: Former Vice-President of Finance and Administration Dept.; Topic: General Education at ASTC, Post WWII Era

 

Interviewee: Harold D. Edison

Interviewer: James C. Owen

Date: April 23, 1980

Faculty/Administration: Former Vice-President of Finance and Administration Dept.; Topic: History of ASTC and the Impact of Veterans from 1945-1948

 

Interviewee: Jefferson Davis Farris, Jr.

Date: March 24, 1976

Transcript of the Inaugural convocation of President Jefferson Davis Farris, Jr. University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas.

 

Interviewee: Hubert Lee Ferguson

Interviewer: Robert Ward Smalling

Date: April 18, 1979

Graduated 1949 ASTC and his occupation was a printer. Topic: European Theater of Operation with the 86th Infantry. William C. Ferguson Memorial Chapel was built and named after his father.

 

Interviewee: Mary Virginia Ferguson

Interviewer: Nancy Crawford

Date: April 19, 1979

Did not graduate from ASTC, but received Master’s from ASTC. Topic: Student life on campus and funny stories Dean Ferguson.

 

Interviewee: Dr. Cecil Garrison

Interviewer: H.D. Stormy Quattlebaum, Jr.

Date: April 22, 1981

ASTC and UCA; 1948-1980; Faculty; Physical Education Dept,; Sports Coach; Audio & Visual Dept. He worked in the Physical education department as a basketball coach, track coach, and football coach from 1949 till 1958.

 

Interviewee: Dr. Cecil Garrison

Interviewer: Don Rinker

Date: May 3, 1990

2nd Interview:

UCA: Faculty, 1948-1980; Track Coach; Media Dept; Physical Ed Teacher; Ph.D in Educational Media in 1957; Film Library at UCA;

 

Interviewee: Thelma Harrison Garrison

Interviewer: Don Rinker

Date: April 19, 1990

ASTC Campus Life; Graduated 1939; Great Depression Days; Major: Elementary Education

 

Interviewee: Dr. Howard Groth

Interviewer: Susan Standridge

Date: March 18, 1980

Faculty, Music Dept; WWII Veteran

 

Interviewee: Gene Hatfield

Interviewer: Lorraine Sneed

Date: April 30, 1981

Artist; UCA Student: 1942-44, 1945-47; WWII Veteran; UCA Faculty: Art Department

 

Interviewee: Marjorie Stevenson Hendrix

Interviewer: Kenny Vaughan

Date: April 25, 1990

Life on ASTC campus during 1935 and 1939.

 

Interviewee: Ross Holiman

Interviewer: Michael Willbanks

Date: April 19, 1979

Graduated 1949 from ASTC. Student life on campus on a GI Bill. He taught school and coached for two years at Scott High School and worked twenty-eight years for the telephone company.

 

Interviewee: Imogene Holt

Minton Interviewer: Danny Chidester

Date: May 8, 1990

Graduated 1949 from ASTC. Student life on campus and the daughter of Dr. Minton faculty staff member of ASTC.

 

Interviewee: Dr. Frank M. Hudson

Interviewer: Kathy Anne Singleton

Date: April 29, 1981

Faculty: A.S.T.C.; Chairman—Math Dept. UCA

 

Interviewee: Nellie C. Irby

Interviewer: Malissa Coburn

Date: April 28, 1979

Wife of UCA President Nolen M. Irby; UCA under the Irby Administration; 1941-1953; Duties as President’s Wife; Student Life; Military Veterans as Students

 

Interviewee: Nellie C. Irby

Interviewer: Scott Hamnquist

Date: April 20, 1983

2nd Interview: Irby Years at UCA (1941-1953)

 

Interviewee: Wilburn Theodore Kincannon

Interviewer: James Philip Kimmer

Date: April 19, 1990

A.S.T.C. from 1933-1939; class of 1939, BSE in AGRI; WWII Veteran; Veteran of the Korean War; Topics: Student Life

 

Interviewee: Jeannette Kunesh

Interviewer: Ralph Mote

Date: None

Listed Late 1930s; 1st two years of WWII; Student Life; Japanese Relocation Center at Rohwer

 

Interviewee: Hazel Lasley

Interviewer: Douglas Carter

Date: May 2, 1990

A.S.T.C.; Home Econ Major; member of the W.A.V.E.S.; Topics: Campus Life; Classes; Teachers

 

Interviewee: Bill Ledbetter

Interviewer: Sue Ann Hays

Date: April 22, 1987

Graduated from ASTC in 1953 with B.S.E. Degree and a minor in Physical Education discussing student life. He went on G.I. Bill and played football. He had the leather helmet. Wreck Tech Week on campus nobody got any sleep.

 

Interviewee: Irene Wood Lee (Wife of Thomas Lee)

Interviewer: Lenette Taylor

Date: October 8,1988

A.S.T.C.; Class of 1934; Elem Edu Major; Topics: Depression Days; FDR and the New Deal; Campus Life

 

Interviewee: Dr. Thomas L. Lee

Interviewer: Dr. Waddy W. Moore

Date: October 8,1988

A.S.T.C.; Class of 1936; Edu Major; Topics: WPA; Arkansas History; Student Activities and Campus Life

 

Interviewee: Dorothy Long

Interviewer: Nancy Crawford

Date: April 22, 1979

Faculty; A.S.T.C.; 1945- ? ; Mathematics Dept; Sponsor for Delta Zeta (20 years)

 

Interviewee: Florence Lull

Interviewer: Phillip Kimmer

Date: April 21, 1990

A.S.T.C.; Class of 1939, Physical Education Major; Topics: Great Depression; “Warrants” for teachers; Student and Campus Life

 

Interviewee: Audie James Lynch

Interviewer: Marshia McClung

Date: April 13, 1987

A.S.T.C.; Student, Class of 1947; UCA; Faculty: Assistant Dean, College of Education; Topic: The Teacher Education Program at UCA in the 1950s—The Ford Foundation Program

 

Interviewee: Arletha M. Manley

Interviewer: Beverly Hammons

Date: May 2, 1980

Graduated from UAPB and the wife of the first black man to graduate from A.S.T.C. in 1958. She discussed student life for Mr. Manley.

 

Interviewee: Joe McGhee

Interviewer: Dianne Tolson

Date: April 14, 1980

Retired newspaper man: Log Cabin Democrat from 1929-1977. Covered new about Conway and UCA

 

Interviewee: Charles W. “Dub” McGibbony

Interviewer: H.D. Quattlebaum, Jr.

Date: April 13, 1981

A.S.T.C.; Student 1941-45; Faculty: Physical Ed Classes; Swimming Classes; First-Aid Classes; Head Football/Basketball Coach 1946-47

 

Interviewee: Hubert L. Minton

Interviewer: Dr. Waddy Moore

Date: December 21, 1967 & February 2, 1968

In 1921 became an assistant professor of physical science. In 1924 he graduated with his bachelor’s degree. Dr. Minton organized the geography department in 1927 and 1937 earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

 

Interviewee: H. L. Minton

Interviewer: Beverly Hammons

Date: April 29, 1980

Normal School; Student from 1909-1911; 1915-1916; Faculty from 1921 to around 1966; WWI Veteran; Book labeled “Integration of UCA” –not much included on subject.

 

Interviewee: Howard R. “Pee Wee” Montgomery

Interviewer: Bunny Adcock

Date: May 28, 1980

UCA Sports: Post WWII

 

Interviewee: Dr. Jewel Moore

Interviewer: Scott P. Hamnquist

Date: April 7, 1983

BA from Henderson State; MA from U of A; 1947 came to Arkansas State Teacher’s College to teach in Biology Dept.; Main topic: Irby Administration

 

Interviewee: Julia Lee Moore

Interviewer: Donovan J. Rinker

Date: April 13, 1990

Graduated from A.S.T.C. in 1939 discussing student life. She belonged to Alpha Phi Epsilon. She had most of her classes in Old Main. She taught in Conway 42 years.

 

Interviewee: Thomas Nabholz

Interviewer: Susan Standridge

Date: August 14, 1980

Owner, Nabholz Supply Company, which built many of UCA’s Structures; Topic: Lawsuit over contract/construction

 

Interviewee: Mary Francis Olsen

Interviewer: Richard H. Biggadike

Date: May 06, 1983

Campus Life; WWII Vets returning to School; Notes that there were no Black Students

 

Interviewee: William Harold Owen, Jr.

Interviewer: Hugh Donald Ward, Jr.

Date: April 23, 1981

Graduated 1957 from ASTC and Master’s 1960. Topic: Veterans on campus after World War II. He was part of the Korean Conflict Veterans. Chancellor of Arkansas State University Beebe Location.

 

Interviewee: Eugene Wesley Packard

Interviewer: Robert W. Smalling

Date: April 27, 1979

A.S.T.C.; Faculty; Industrial Arts Education Dept; Campus Life; Post WWII; G. I. Bill; W.A.C.S.

 

Interviewee: Woodrow Powell

Interviewer: Kenney Hearnsberger

Date: April 27, 1990

A.S.T.C.; Class of 1939; Education Major; Hazing: “Green Beanies;” and “The Belt Line”

 

Interviewee: William H. Ramsey

Interviewer: Barbara Ann Stewart

Date: April 18, 1979

This Volume contains two interviews: (April 18, 1979, and April 23, 1979) Post-WWII, 1946-53; Student and WWII Veteran

 

Interviewee: William H. Ramsey

Interviewer: Patricia K. Anderson

Date: April 23, 1981

2nd Interview—Same Volume

Student: 1940-43; 1946-47; WWII Veteran; Student life in the 1940s

 

Interviewee: Dena Reynolds

Interviewer: Kenny Hearnsberger

Date: May 8, 1990

Graduated Arkansas State Teachers College. Student life on campus with the Hendrix rivalry (Appleknockers) and ASTC (pea pickers).

 

Interviewee: Rayburn O. Richardson

Interviewer: Jimmie Lee Campbell

Date: April 8, 1990

Graduated August 1939 from Arkansas State Teachers College. Student life on campus during the Great Depression.

 

Interviewee: Frances Counts Rogers

Interviewer: Dr. Waddy W. Moore

Date: Oct. 08, 1988

A.S.T.C.; 1934-1937; BSE in Education; Campus and Student Life; Great Depression Days

 

Interviewee: Dr. Mary Kay Sands

Interviewer: Barbara Ann Stewart

Date: April 26, 1979

1st Interview

Graduated University of New Mexico, Master’s and PhD University of Wisconsin. Faculty staff member for Arkansas State Teachers College. Topic: General education at ASTC in post-World War II years.

 

Interviewee: Dr. Mary Kay Sands

Interviewer: Susan Standridge

Date: April 24, 1980

2nd Interview

Retired Professor of Speech Pathology; came to A.S.T.C. in 1949; Main topics: Rockefeller Grants, Integration, Arkansas Council on Human Relations

 

Interviewee: Dr. Mary Kay Sands

Interviewer: Ronald Wilson

Date: May 5, 1980

3rd Interview

Graduated University of New Mexico, Master’s and PhD University of Wisconsin. Faculty staff member for Arkansas State Teachers College. Topic: General education at ASTC in post-World War II years.

 

Interviewee: Byrd Evelyn Rhode Shock

Interviewer: Kenny Head

Date: May 07, 1979

A.S.T.C.; 1943; Physical Education Major; Student Life

 

Interviewee: Gilbert Young Short

Interviewer: Dr. Waddy W. Moore

Date: February 19, 1968—May 20, 1968

Registrar; Recorder; Short Hall named after him; Received LI Degree from A.S.T.C. in 1912; Worked at A.S.T.C./UCA for 40+ years: Comprehensive History/ Memoir (281 pages, plus Index)

 

Interviewee: Hugh L. Smith

Interviewer: Kenny Hearnsberger

Date: April 29, 1990

A.S.T.C.; Class of 1939; Football Scholarship; Student and Campus Life; Conway History

 

Interviewee: Marvin Speight

Interviewer: William Thomas

Date: April 24, 1979

A.S.T.C.; 1941-1948; Basketball Scholarship; WWII Veteran; Major: Physical Ed: Campus Life

 

Interviewee: Fletcher Sullards

Interviewer: Patricia K. Anderson

Date: April 29, 1981

Earned Bachelor’s Degree in 1955; Veteran of Korean War; Student life 1947-1955; lived in Veteran’s Hall on campus

 

Interviewee: Dr. James Sylar

Interviewer: Michael Willbanks

Date: May 02, 1979

1st Interview

A.S.T.C. 1945-1955; Dean of UCA

 

Interviewee: Dr. James Sylar

Interviewer: Bruce Schaper

Date: April 20, 1987

2nd Interview:

A.S.T.C. permanent Faculty position in 1950 and was the assistant to the dean at that time. Discussing life on campus and the Student Center.

 

Interviewee: Dr. James Sylar

Interviewer: Richard H. Biggadike

Date: April 27, 1983

3rd Interview:

A.S.T.C.: Faculty, 1947-50—English Dept.; Administration, 1950-1976; Chairman of Inter-Fraternity Council, 1950-1976; Former Dean of UCA;

 

Interviewee: Jack Thompson

Interviewer: Carolyn Perrin

Date: April 19, 1979

A.S.T.C.; U.C.A; WWII Veteran; Non-Traditional Student; Campus Life

 

Interviewee: Martha J. Matthews Thompson

Interviewer: Jimmie Lee Campbell

Date: April 18, 1990

A.S.T.C.; Class of 1939: Student Life; Dorm Life; Dances;

 

Interviewee: Emagene Tilman

Interviewer: Douglas Carter

Date: May 28, 1990

Graduated 1940 from Arkansas State Teachers College. Student life on campus towards the end of the Depression.

 

Interviewee: C.L. Turner

Interviewer: Dr. Waddy W. Moore

Date: October 14, 1989

Graduated from A.S.T.C. with B.S.E. Degree in 1939. Discussed football and basketball season including Campus and Student life. He married his sweetheart from college.

 

Interviewee: Georgia Walling Turner

Interviewer: Dr. Foy Lisenby

Date: Oct. 14, 1989

A.S.T.C.; 1930s; Education/Home Economics Major

 

Interviewee: Robert E. Tyler

Interviewer: Joanne K. Lehmann

Date: April 13, 1982

A.S.T.C.; 1954-1963; Veteran of Korean War; Campus Life; Early Days of Conway, AR

 

Interviewee: Annabeth Vittitow

Interviewer: Bruce Schaper

Date: April 29, 1987

A.S.T.C.; Education Major; 1954-58; Student Christian Association; “Organized Independents;” Student and Campus Life

 

Interviewee: Ona Marie Wachtendorf

Interviewer: Dianne Tolson

Date: April 25, 1980

Graduated Arkansas State Teachers College and taught twenty-seven years. First picture in Scroll was 1948 in the faculty section.

 

Interviewee: Francis Webb

Interviewer: Kenny Head

Date: April 30, 1979

Student at A.S.T.C. from 1936-38; Faculty from 1945-? Main topics: Home Economics; Campus Life

 

Interviewee: Evans Robert Williams

Interviewer: Jessica Gorman

Date: April 22, 1981

A.S.T.C.; Custodial Staff: 1931-1968: Topic: Irby Training School; School days during WWII

 

Interviewee: Dr. Paul Witherspoon

Interviewer: Beverly A. Hammons

Date: April 16, 1980

Faculty: Professor of Psychology; 1955-1980; Integration