Interview with Abraham Bowling, June 13, 1979

Partial Transcript: The following is an unrehearsed interview with Judge Abraham Bowling, a 1948 graduate of the University of Kentucky Law School.

Segment Synopsis: Judge Abraham Bowling is introduced. He talks about coming to the University of Kentucky after five years of service in the Army, and after completing his pre-law courses at Sue Bennett College. He talks about his impressions of UK.

Keywords: Beautiful; Impressions; Law degree; Pre-law program; Sue Bennett College; United States Army

Subjects: Campus visits; College campuses.; College choice; College facilities.

Partial Transcript: Did the, uh, the faculty seem, uh, uh, friendly or did they insist on maintaining a certain distance from the student, or?

Segment Synopsis: Bowling talks about the quality of the University of Kentucky Law School, the faculty, and the college's location on campus.

Keywords: Dean Alvin Evans; Elvis Stahr; Friendly; Lafferty Hall; Pre-law program; Professor Paul Oberst; Professor Roy Moreland; Professors; Quality of education; Relationship with students

Subjects: College administrators; College environment; College students--Social conditions; College teachers--Rating of.; College teachers--Social conditions; Educators; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; University of Kentucky. College of Law

Partial Transcript: So you had, uh--your, your, uh, military obligation was out of the way before you, uh, enrolled--

Segment Synopsis: Bowling talks about the overcrowding at the university caused by many veterans making use of the G.I. Bill. He talks about veterans' benefits, and says that he was not aware of any hazing on campus at the time.

Keywords: G.I. Bill; Hazing; Military service; Overcrowding; Subsistence benefits; University of Kentucky Law School; Veterans Club

Subjects: College attendance; College environment; College facilities.; College students--Economic conditions; College students--Social conditions; University of Kentucky. College of Law; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans.

Partial Transcript: Herman Donovan was president of the university during the time you were there.

Segment Synopsis: Bowling talks about his lack of interaction with university president Herman Donovan. He talks more about Dean Evans of the UK Law School. He says he did not live on campus, and mentions the student housing available for married veterans.

Keywords: Barracks; Dean Alvin Evans; Dr. Herman Donovan; Fraternities; Greek letter organizations; Impressions; Married students; Off-campus living; Reputations; University of Kentucky Law School

Subjects: College administrators--Rating of; College environment; College facilities.; College presidents; College students--Social conditions; College teachers--Rating of.; College teaching.; Educators; Greek letter societies.; Student housing; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; University of Kentucky. College of Law

Partial Transcript: The enrollment at the university, of course, was increasing very rapidly in those years.

Segment Synopsis: Bowling talks more about the increased enrollment at the university following World War II. He mentions faculty salaries and student tuition.

Keywords: Budgets; Enrollment; G.I. Bill; Problems; Professors; Tuition

Subjects: College attendance; College costs.; College students--Economic conditions; College teachers--Salaries, etc.; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; Universities and colleges--Finance

Partial Transcript: How would you describe social and cultural life, uh, on campus in general during that period of time?

Segment Synopsis: Bowling talks about the social activities he participated in as a student. He talks about the lack of cultural events available.

Keywords: Criticism; Cultural activities; Joyland; Keeneland; Kentucky Derby; Plays; Social events; Social life

Subjects: College environment; College facilities.; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions

Partial Transcript: College professors often come under attack for being too liberal, both politically and socially.

Segment Synopsis: Bowling discusses the claim that college professors are too liberal. He talks about the role of women on campus, stating that there were two female law students when he was a student. He discusses the lack of awareness of discrimination at the time.

Keywords: Conservative; Dorothy Salmon; Female students; Law library; Liberal; Political views; Professor Paul Oberst; Professors; Role of women; Student government; Treatment; University of Kentucky Law School

Subjects: Academic librarians; College environment; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Social conditions; College teachers--Salaries, etc.; College teachers--Social conditions; Educators; Sex discrimination in higher education.; Sexism in higher education; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; University of Kentucky. College of Law; Women in education--Kentucky--Lexington; Women in higher education.; Women--Education (Higher)

Partial Transcript: Did you have, uh, much of an interest in athletics at that time, uh, on, on campus?

Segment Synopsis: Bowling talks about the role of athletics and the claim that too much emphasis is placed on sports at the expense of academics. He talks about whether students were supportive of the construction of new athletic facilities. He talks about the 1948 NCAA Championship team, the "Fabulous Five," some of whom were involved in a point shaving scandal.

Keywords: Academics; Alumni Gym; Basketball games; Bear Bryant; Dr. Herman Donovan; Emphasis; Fabulous Five; Football games; Funding; Memorial Coliseum; NCAA Championships; Resentment; Role of athletics; Rupp Arena; Scandals; Stadiums; Supportive

Subjects: College athletes; College environment; College facilities.; College sports--Economic aspects--United States.; College sports.; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Social conditions; Kentucky Wildcats (Basketball team); Universities and colleges--Finance; University towns

Partial Transcript: While you were on campus did you, uh, read the Kentucky Kernel regularly? The campus newspaper?

Segment Synopsis: Bowling mentions the student newspaper and the quality of the library. He talks about the effects of his college experiences. He talks about his involvement with the UK Alumni Association in Denver, Colorado and discusses the university's relationship with its alumni. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Active; Alumni Award; Changes; College education; College experiences; Denver University of Kentucky Alumni Association; Donations; Dr. Otis A. Singletary; Interest; Kentucky Kernel newspaper; Laurel County Homecoming; Law library; Quality; Relationship with alumni

Subjects: Academic libraries.; College benefactors; College campuses.; College facilities.; College graduates; College student newspapers and periodicals; Universities and colleges--Alumni and alumnae.; Universities and colleges--Finance; University of Kentucky Alumni Association; University of Kentucky. Libraries