Interview with A. D. Albright, November 8, 1988

Partial Transcript: Okay, uh, Dr. Albright, uh, just to refresh our memories where we, we left off we were--had gotten into the late fifties early sixties.

Segment Synopsis: Albright gives his own personal assessment of the University of Kentucky in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He talks about how far the university has come in terms of educating its students in regard to instruction, technology, and graduate assistants.

Keywords: Assessment; Graduate assistants; Impressions; Politics; Social institutions

Subjects: Campus size; College environment; College teachers--Rating of.; College teaching; College teaching.; Education, Higher--Kentucky; Educators; School management and organization; Universities and colleges--Ratings and rankings.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Later on when Dr. Oswald would come, and we're going to talk about his being recruited and hired here as president.

Segment Synopsis: Albright discusses a study he conducted during his tenure as vice president at UK. He talks about the lack of enthusiasm in the institution at the time and the need for reinvigoration. He discusses whether this study hurt his chances of becoming the next president of UK.

Keywords: "Deadwood"; 'New blood"; Albright Study; Dormant; Enthusiasm; Improvements; Obligations; Research; University presidents

Subjects: Campus planning.; College administrators; College environment; College presidents; College teachers.; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Departments; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: When the, uh--well when somebody down the road looks back on this period...

Segment Synopsis: Albright talks about his attitude regarding rising in the ranks at the University of Kentucky and his ambition about becoming the university president.

Keywords: Advising; Analysis; Apprehension; Motivation

Subjects: College administrators; College environment; College presidents; Universities and colleges--Administration.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: It seems to me, and, uh, and you know better than I do about these kinds of things, obviously, but it seems to me that the timing was wrong for you in, in 1963...

Segment Synopsis: Albright lists the different academic backgrounds of various presidents of the University of Kentucky. He discusses the trends in presidents ranging from many disciplines such as liberal arts, education, history, mathematics, and communications.

Keywords: Academic fields; Backgrounds; College of Education; Disciplines; Education; Stereotypes; Teaching

Subjects: College administrators; College administrators--Selection and appointment.; College environment; College presidents; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Departments; Universities and colleges--History; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Linton, oh, I don’t know fifty years ago I guess, in a book talked about the fragmentation of society...

Segment Synopsis: Albright talks about the separation in society, and at the university, pertaining to interest groups. He emphasizes the need for cohesion among different people.

Keywords: Cohesion; Disorientation; Interest groups; Separation; Transitions

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College students; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: I may have mentioned this, uh, harking back to your question on presidencies...

Segment Synopsis: Albright talks about the idea of being university president and the qualifications presidents are said to have. He also talks about his wife and her opinion on the idea of his presidency, as well as her support for his career.

Keywords: Family; Friends; Influence; Leadership; Marriage; Presidents; Qualifications; Support; Wife

Subjects: College administrators; College administrators--Selection and appointment.; College environment; College presidents; College teachers' spouses; College teachers--Job satisfaction; College teachers.; Educators; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: I'd mentioned this to you, uh, on the phone one day I think or at the end of our last interview...

Segment Synopsis: Albright asked the southern schools to stop comparing themselves to each other but to other schools not in the South. He said he did this because southern schools were not ranked as high as other schools and he wanted them to get there. Albright talks about the difference between schools in the North and schools in the South. He compares the amount of funding that is received by northern and southern schools and explains why there is a difference in funding.

Keywords: 1962; Education; Independent; Institutions; Regions; Rustic; Southern; Southern Regional Education Board; Southern schools; University of Kentucky; University of Wisconsin

Subjects: College administrators; College environment; College teachers.; Educational change; Educators; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Evaluation; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; Universities and colleges--Ratings and rankings.

Partial Transcript: Looking at some other events just prior to, uh, the selection of Oswald as president, it was during this period in the early sixties that the board began having faculty representation.

Segment Synopsis: The Board of Trustees began to have faculty representation on it and this caused controversy. Albright did not like this because the faculty was gaining too much say in decisions and because it was a conflict of interest.

Keywords: Decisions; Involvement; Representation; University of Kentucky Board of Trustees; Voice

Subjects: College administrators; College environment; College presidents; College teachers--Job satisfaction; College teachers.; Educators; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: The next item on my list here would involve faculty representation on the Board of Trustees and how it affects a specific university event.

Segment Synopsis: Albright gives his opinion on the fairness of the Frank Peterson case, which involved politicians and a missing $20,000.

Keywords: Controversies; Controversy; Fairness; Frank Peterson; Political; Power; Scandals

Subjects: College administrators; College environment; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Finance; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Reminds--(clears throat)--reminds me, I was reading in, uh, President Roselle’s University Senate talk that just came out yesterday...

Segment Synopsis: Albright discusses how student expenses are rising as the cost to attend the University of Kentucky was rising. He makes the point that money was a key principle.

Keywords: Costs; Frankfort (Ky.); Money; School management organization; State government; Students; Taxes

Subjects: College costs.; College students--Economic conditions; Universities and colleges--Finance; University of Kentucky