Interview with L.L. Schwall, May 18, 1976

Partial Transcript: --ollowing is an unrehearsed interview with Mr. L.L. "Jay" Schwall of Long Island City New York, a 1959 graduate of the University of Kentucky and currently president of the New York City Alumni Club.

Segment Synopsis: L.L. Schwall is introduced. He talks about why he chose to attend the University of Kentucky and talks about his first impressions of the campus when he arrived in 1950. He talks about whether the campus had changed when he returned from the Navy in 1956. He talks about majoring in civil engineering, some of his favorite professors, and the quality of his education at UK.

Keywords: Botanical gardens; Campus life; Changes; Civil engineering; Class size; Dean David Blythe; Favorite professors; Impressions; Married; Navy; Personal relationships; Professor Alvin Chambers; Quality of education; University of Cincinnati; Working

Subjects: College campuses.; College choice; College environment; College freshmen; College majors; College student orientation.; College students--Social conditions; College teachers--Social conditions; Educators; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; University of Kentucky. College of Civil Engineering; University of Kentucky. Department of Civil Engineering

Partial Transcript: Uh, Herman Donovan was president of the university, uh, during part of the time that you were at UK.

Segment Synopsis: Schwall describes presidents Donovan and Dickey. He tells a story about crashing his car in front of Dr. Donovan's house. He talks about whether any changes occurred on campus when Dickey took over the presidency when Donovan left.

Keywords: Attitudes; Car accidents; Changes; Dr. Frank Dickey; Dr. Herman Donovan; Jail; Personal relationships; Police; Policies

Subjects: College administrators; College presidents; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; College teachers--Social conditions; Universities and colleges--Administration.

Partial Transcript: You were a member of Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity, is that--

Segment Synopsis: Schwall talks about his involvement in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the attitudes towards Greek organizations on campus. He talks about some of the events his fraternity sponsored, including dances at the governor's mansion. He talks about some of the social events for students, including dances and sporting events. He talks about the local hangouts students would frequent.

Keywords: "Leaning trees"; Athletic events; Awards; Conflicts; Cultural activities; Dances; Deans; Fraternities; Fraternity houses; Fraternity life; Fraternity members; Friends; Governor Happy Chandler; Governor's mansion; Green Dome; Homer's Bar; Issues; Joyland; Local hangouts; Patterson Hall; Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity; Social activities; Social events; South Limestone Street (Lexington, Ky.); Spring Formal Dance; The Paddock; The Tavern; Three o'Clock Club; Trouble

Subjects: College environment; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Greek letter societies.; University towns

Partial Transcript: While the 1960s were known for upheaval and unrest on college campuses, the 1950s have been labelled as the era of complacency, when students were carefree.

Segment Synopsis: Schwall talks about the general attitude of the 1950s. He talks about students' interest in the 1952 presidential election between Eisenhower and Stevenson.

Keywords: Adlai Stevenson; Complacency; Convocation; Dwight D. Eisenhower; Governor Happy Chandler; Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity; Political activism; Presidential campaigns; Social activism

Subjects: College environment; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Political activity.; College students--Social conditions; Greek letter societies.; Politics and government

Partial Transcript: What was the role of blacks on campus?

Segment Synopsis: Schwall talks about the reactions of other students when black students were admitted to the university for the first time. He talks about the number of women on campus at the time and whether they were accepted by the male students.

Keywords: Acceptance; Black athletes; Racial conflict; Southeastern Conference (SEC)

Subjects: African American college students--Social conditions; African American college students.; African Americans--Education--Kentucky--Lexington; College athletes; College environment; College sports.; College students, Black; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Discrimination in higher education; Minorities in higher education; Sex discrimination in higher education.; Sexism in higher education; University of Kentucky. College of Engineering; Women in higher education.; Women--Education (Higher)

Partial Transcript: How influential was the Kentucky Kernel, the campus newspaper?

Segment Synopsis: Schwall talks about the Kentucky Kernel newspaper and its friendly competition with a newspaper published by the engineering students. He talks about a controversial feature in the Kernel called the "Kernel Kutie". The interviewer mentions an incident in which a cross was burned in response to an article in the Kernel about the Greek organizations on campus.

Keywords: "Kernel Kutie"; Burning crosses; Complacent; Criticism; Dean of Women; Engineers; Fraternities; Interest; Issues; Kentucky Kernel newspaper; Representative; Sororities; Suggestive

Subjects: Campus violence; College administrators; College environment; College publications; College student newspapers and periodicals; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Discrimination in higher education; Greek letter societies.; Journalism, College; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Periodicals.; University of Kentucky. College of Engineering

Partial Transcript: Uh, what about student government while you were at UK?

Segment Synopsis: Schwall talks about student government and campus leaders. He discusses the claim that college professors are often too liberal.

Keywords: Campus leaders; Conservative; John Y. Brown; Korean War; Liberal; Professors

Subjects: College environment; College student government; College students--Social conditions; College teachers--Political activity; College teachers--Social conditions; Educators; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; University of Kentucky. College of Engineering

Partial Transcript: How important a role did athletics play on campus?

Segment Synopsis: Schwall talks about the popularity of UK athletics, which results in greater funding. He discusses rumors that athletes received preferential treatment from the university. He talks about the football team, football players, and the importance of winning against the University of Tennessee. He talks about the "Fighting Five" basketball team, Adolph Rupp's coaching, and the team's NCAA Championship wins. He talks about the attendance of alumni in New York when the team played at Madison Square Garden. He talks about the conflict between the football and basketball teams.

Keywords: "Fighting Five"; Adolph Rupp; Athletics; Attendance; Basketball players; Basketball team; Bear Bryant; Blanton Collier; Conflict; Elgin Davis; Football teams; Fundamentals; Funds; Lou Michaels; Lou Seropolis; Madison Square Garden; NCAA Championships; New York University of Kentucky Alumni Association; Poise; Reactions; Recruiting; Relationships; Rumors; Scholarships; Special treatment; State legislature; Style; Support; Tournaments; University of Tennessee; Winning

Subjects: College athletes; College environment; College football players; College sports--Coaching; College sports--Economic aspects--United States.; College sports--Scouting; Kentucky Wildcats (Basketball team); Universities and colleges--Finance; University of Kentucky Alumni Association

Partial Transcript: Uh, how would you assess the King Library while you were a student at the university?

Segment Synopsis: Schwall talks about the quality of the M. I. King Library and the Engineering Library at UK. He talks about getting married in his sophomore year at the university and where he and his wife lived after their marriage.

Keywords: Engineering Library; English classes; M. I. King Library; Married; Trailers; University housing; Versailles Road (Lexington, Ky.)

Subjects: Academic libraries.; College buildings.; College environment; College facilities.; College student orientation.; College students--Books and reading.; Student housing; University of Kentucky. Libraries

Partial Transcript: It is often said that a college education and experience changes a person greatly.

Segment Synopsis: Schwall talks about how his experiences at the University of Kentucky affected his life, including allowing him to meet his wife. He talks about his involvement in the New York City chapter of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association and compares it to the chapter in Chicago. He gives his opinions on the changes that have occurred at the university since his graduation. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Academic probation; Changes; Chicago University of Kentucky Alumni Association; College experiences; Conflict; Criticism; Disciplinary probation; Dropping out; Improvements; Interest; Leadership; New York City University of Kentucky Alumni Association; Opinions; Policies; Progress; ROTC Building; Relationships; Satisfied; Wife

Subjects: Campus size; College buildings.; College campuses.; College environment; College facilities.; College graduates; College students--Conduct of life.; Universities and colleges--Alumni and alumnae.; University of Kentucky Alumni Association