Mike Embry was born in Louisville, but lived throughout Kentucky during his high school years. He attended Morehead State University, the University of Louisville, and was in the Air Force before he came to EKU in 1973. In this interview Mr. Embry discusses his time as a journalism student at EKU. He recalls professors and fellow students and his…
Mrs. Mabel Adams was a teacher of Latin at Eastern Kentucky University during the 1920's and 1930's. She helped write Five Decades of Progress concerning the history of Eastern Kentucky University. Mrs. Adams was a very good friend of Robert R. Martin.
Mr. Lyman Ginger, a native Kentuckian, was born in 1907. He received his A.B. at Kentucky Wesleyan College and his M.A. and Ed.D. at the University of Kentucky. From 1929-39 he was a teacher and coach at Winchester High School. He then served as principal at Owingsville Consolidated School from 1939-42. Mr. Ginger then served in various capacities…
Mr. Leonard Taylor was the registrar at Eastern Kentucky University. He is a native Kentuckian from Ohio County. He graduated with an M.A. from the University of Kentucky. He retired from his registrar position in 1976.
From 1952-58 Mr Leonard Press was program supervisor of the University of Kentucky broadcasting service and from 1958-63 he was head of the Department of Radio, Television, and Films. Since 1963 Mr. Press has been Executive Director of Kentucky Education Television Network.
In this interview Mr. Clawson discusses his family background and education. He describes his first position as Dean of Associate Degree Programs. He also discusses the Law Enforcement Program, and other new programs such as Agriculture, Technology and Interior Decorating and Design. He also comments on past colleagues and EKU Presidents.
Mr. Kelly Thompson is a native Kentuckian born in 1909. He received both his B.A. and M.A. from Western Kentucky University. He also received an honorary degree LL.D. from Morris Harvey College in 1957. From 1935-44 Mr. Thompson served as Public Relations Director and from 1946-54 he served as Assistant to the President at Western Kentucky…
Dr. Karl Kuhn is a native of Louisville. After graduating with a Bachelor's in Physics at Bellarmine College in 1961 and a Master's at the University of Kentucky in 1963, Dr. Kuhn interviewed at EKU for a teaching position. In this interview he recounts his first impressions of EKU and the courses he taught, and discusses students and colleagues he…
Mr. John Vickers was the former Director of Placement Office at Eastern. Mr. Vickers is a native Kentuckian. He received his B.A. from Western Kentucky State College and he received his M.A. from the University of Kentucky. Mr. Vickers served in various capacities in the state government before coming to Eastern with Dr. Martin in 1960.
John Gump taught in the business department at EKU. In this interview he discusses his education, military experience and the circumstances of coming to EKU. He gives his opinions of the deans under whom he served and the presidents at EKU.
John Denton is a native of Cumberland County, TN. He attended University of Tennessee at 16 years old. In this interview Denton describes his college career and the ROTC experience. He joined the Army after obtaining his master's degree and served in the Vietnam war.
Dr. John Rowlett is a native of Texas and currently serves as Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Research at Eastern. He came to Eastern during the 1950's. During Dr. Martin's tenure as President he worked very closely with Dr. Martin in the development of various new programs- especially the nursing and law enforcement program. Dr. Rowlett is…
John Rose is a native of Clark County, KY. In this interview Rose discusses growing up on a farm and his education at EKU. He recounts his time at EKU and how it helped him prepare for his endeavors. He also discusses the building boom under President Martin and his varied career as a math teacher, farmer, real estate broker and State Senator.
Joan Boewe is a native of Michigan. Her education includes Michigan State University and a Fulbright to study in Germany. In this interview she discusses looking for a teaching position when she found EKU. She describes Opera Shop, a challenging course she taught, and her favorite, the Voice Studio. She discusses her opinions on past EKU Presidents…
Mr Jo Ferguson first served as Commissioner of Economic Security and from 1961-62 he worked on the Governor's Committee on Constitutional revision. Mr. Ferguson has had a private law practice since 1961.
From 1950-53 Mr. James Sublett worked as Director of Instruction of Jefferson County Schools and from 1953-56 he was Assistant Superintendent of Jefferson County schools. In 1955 Mr Sublett was State Campaign Chairman for Robert R. Martin's race for Superintendent of Public Instruction. From 1956-58 he served as Assistant Superintendent of Public…
James Chenault is a native of Madison County, KY. He attended EKU and discusses campus life, instructors and his military experience with the US Navy. He also discusses law school at the University of Kentucky and his career of being an attorney and Circuit Court Judge. He also comments on his continued involvement with EKU.
Mr. James Burnett is a native Kentuckian and he was a classmate of Robert R. Martin during the 1930's. He attended Eastern from 1930-34. After graduating from Eastern, he became a teacher, coach, and administrator in Shelbyville for over forty years. Mr. Burnett knew Dr. Robert Martin, although relatively little, during those depression years as a…
Mr. J.C. Powell has worked with Dr. Martin for many years, dating from Dr. Martin's tenure as Superintendent of Public Instruction. Dr. Powell served as Vice President of the Office of Business Affairs.
Mr. Henry Hill is a native Kentuckian born in 1894. He served as professor at UK from 1929-30 and as lecturer in education from 1930-40. Also from 1930-40 Mr Hill served as superintendent of Lexington schools. From 1941-42 he served as a dean at UK. In 1942 Mr. Hill became superintendent of schools in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and he held that…
Mr. Harry Sparks is a native Kentuckian born in 1907. He received his A.B. at Transylvania College and his M.A. and Ed. D. at the University of Kentucky. From 1934-41 Mr. Sparks served as Superintendent of Irvington, Kentucky schools. He worked as professor of Education at Murray Kentucky State College from 1948-52 and he served as Superintendent…
Guy Strong was born in Irvine, Kentucky, where he played multiple sports growing up. He attended the University of Kentucky from 1948-1951, on a basketball scholarship, where he found himself on a national championship team. He transferred to EKU for one year before entering the military and serving in the Korean War. He then returned to EKU on the…
In this interview, Glen Kleine discusses his educational, military, and family background. He recounts his reasons for choosing journalism and the circumstances that brought him to EKU. While teaching, he established a journalism minor and initiated a journalism major. He discusses President Martin objecting to EKU Progress coverage of the Vietnam…
Mr. Gerald May is originally from New York, but moved to Kentucky to become a student at Eastern during the 1940s. He has served on Eastern's Board of Regents during the 1960s where he became acquainted with Dr. Martin.
Nancy Forderhase is a native of South Dakota and Gene Forderhase, a native of Missouri. In this interview the duo discusses their educational backgrounds and careers as history teachers. They discuses arriving at EKU in 1966 to teach. They also recount their reasons for coming to EKU and comment on past EKU presidents.
Mr. Frank Dickey is a native Kentuckian born in 1917. He received his A.B. from Transylvania, his M.A. from the University of Kentucky, and his Ed.D from Harvard. He began work at the University of Kentucky in 1946, and from 1956-1962 he served as Professor and Dean of Education.
Manchester native Elbert Hudson graduated joined the Navy as a machinist during World War II. In this interview, Mr. Hudson describes his experience in the Navy, including the sinking of his ship off Okinawa. After the service he began attending EKU as a World War II veteran. He recounts campus life and Richmond as they were when he enrolled in the…
Mr. Edward Breathitt is a native Kentucky born in 1924. He served as a member of Kentucky House of Representatives from 1952-58 and as Personnel Commissioner from 1959-60. He then served on the Kentucky Public Service Commission from 1961-62. Mr. Breathitt then served as Governor of Kentucky from 1963-67. He has since served as Vice-President of…
Doug Oliver is from Clark County. Initially having been offered basketball scholarships to other universities, his father refused to let him play thinking it was more important to excel academically. He discusses how EKU helped him in his career, from teaching chemistry at Clark County High School to HR at East Kentucky Power Cooperative. He is…
Mr. Donald Feltner received his B.A. and M.A. at Eastern and has served as Director of Public Affairs since the mid-1950's. He had a close working relationship with Dr. Martin on many important projects.
Mr. Dero Downing is a native Kentuckian born in 1921. He received his A.B. at Western Kentucky Teachers College and he received his M.S. and Ed.S. at George Peabody College. Mr. Downing was awarded an honorary L.L.D. at Murray State University in 1972. From 1946-56 he was a teacher and coach at College High School in Bowling, Green, Kentucky. Mr.…
Dan Lichty came from Pasadena, California. He began swimming at a young age and took a scholarship to Ohio State, finishing his bachelor's and master's degrees at California State. Mr. Lichty discusses coaching the dive and swimming teams at EKU and the courses he was required to teach, including the first women's physical education programs. He…
Mr. Craig Ammerman is a native Kentuckian from Richmond. He attended EKU from 1966-1969. Mr. Ammerman was a prominent editorial and staff writer for the Eastern Progress and he was very involved with the major issues of the late 1960's.
Mr. Cornelius Grafton is a bond counselor and lawyer in Louisville, Kentucky. He worked extensively for Dr. Martin to assume the presidency. Mr. Grafton helped Dr. Martin during the building boom at Eastern during the 1960's
Mr. Charles Combs replaced his father on the Board of Regents in 1974. He has known Dr. Martin for many years. Mr. Combs graduated from Eastern in 1964 and he is a Richmond resident.
Mr. Casey and Mrs. Thelma Morton attended EKU during the 1930's. They recollect about their years at Eastern and their friendship with Dr. Robert R. Martin during those Depression years.
Carol Teague is a native of Ohio. In this interview she discusses her education at Ohio University, meeting her husband, and coming to EKU for a teaching position where she worked as a research assistant in EKU Data Processing Department. She eventually advanced to Director of Academic Computing as, possibly, the first female director in a…
Mr. Carl Perkins served in the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1940. He worked as Knott County attorney from 1941-48. He then served as Counsel of the Kentucky Highway Department in 1948. In 1949 Mr. Perkins was elected to the United States House of Representatives and he served as chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee since…
