Interview with A. D. Albright, November 22, 1988

Partial Transcript: You, you had asked me a, a, a question in a previous, uh, discussion about, uh, where I had, uh, had an opportunity to go.

Segment Synopsis: Albright was offered another job opportunity at Southern Methodist University. He declined it as he felt he wouldn’t get along with the Methodist ministers; there were 72 trustees.

Keywords: Cincinnati (Ohio); John Ed Pierce; Opportunities; Southern Methodist University; Trustees

Subjects: College; Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History; Universities and Colleges

Partial Transcript: Uh, I thi--uh, the, the, uh, search for a president, uh, that brought John Oswald here, I too think it was quite well-run.

Segment Synopsis: John Oswald started his presidency in 1963 and was in office until 1968. The University of Kentucky wanted someone from the outside to help with the institution. His administration was a great influence and helped change UK’s system for the better, according to Albright.

Keywords: Kentucky; Kentucky State College; Priorities; University presidents

Subjects: Authority; College administrators; College presidents; Kentucky State University; Lexington (Ky.); Universities and colleges--Administration.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: In our last session we talked about, uh, the beginnings of the Oswald administration, how you and he uh, worked out a working relationship...

Segment Synopsis: Albright says that a lot of people helped out in the administration. Tom Duncan was in the newspaper business and got opinions from individuals regarding how they felt about certain ideas. Bob Kerley came from California and dealt with finance and construction. Albright talks about how John Oswald began his mission of educational change at the University of Kentucky while receiving backlash from the community.

Keywords: Changes; Confidence; Criticism; Development; John Oswald; Kentucky; Political; Presidency; University of Kentucky

Subjects: College administrators; College campuses.; College presidents; Education; Lexington (Ky.); Universities and colleges--Administration.; University of Kentucky; Urban development

Partial Transcript: The, uh--(laughs)--the Oswald enterprise early on, uh, of course, uh, irritated the regional presidents.

Segment Synopsis: Albright says that Oswald being elected as president irritated the other regional presidents. Oswald had his own ideas and spoke his mind. The regionals were not happy with his selection and decisions.

Keywords: Development Council; Enterprise; Irritation; Success; Working class

Subjects: College administrators; College presidents; Education; Lexington (Ky.); Universities and colleges--Administration.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Uh, you know, I, I've mentioned to you before in my--some of my research I've been looking...

Segment Synopsis: Albright says that some people argued that if Northern Kentucky University was never built, then all of the funding and money would go to the University of Kentucky. There is a certain amount of money that is divided up for all of the colleges in Kentucky.

Keywords: Development; Expansion; Financing; Funding; Improvement; James Patterson; Money

Subjects: College administrators; College presidents; Education; Northern Kentucky University; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Finance; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Well, let's take two approaches then.

Segment Synopsis: Albright talks about how Oswald would take part in informal meetings to receive funding for the University of Kentucky.

Keywords: Arrangements; Authority; Higher education; Relationships; University of Kentucky

Subjects: College administrators; College presidents; Education; Lexington (Ky.); Universities and colleges--Administration.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: When you look at the development over the last eighty years or so of higher education...

Segment Synopsis: Albright says a comprehensive, first-class institution was needed in Kentucky. The University of Kentucky was not a great school in the beginning. Funding was needed for UK to thrive.

Keywords: Bob Martin; Eastern Kentucky University; Education; Entitled; First-class; Institution; University; Western Kentucky University

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

Partial Transcript: And of course Bob Martin was able to build Eastern, I'm talking here physically, and program wise too...

Segment Synopsis: Albright talks about how Bob Martin was able to accomplish the task of building Eastern Kentucky University. Teachers were teaching with education no higher than eighth-grade, and this was viewed as preposterous.

Keywords: Chairman; Changes; Colleges; Eastern Kentucky University; Funding

Subjects: College administrators; College campuses.; College presidents; Education; Universities and colleges--Administration.

Partial Transcript: In, in looking back at the Oswald years and the regionals, did Oswald have an appreciation for the mission of those institutions?

Segment Synopsis: Albright talks more about Oswald's relationship with the regional colleges and universities in Kentucky.

Keywords: Community; Criticism; Debates; Education; Political

Subjects: College administrators; College presidents; Northern Kentucky University; Suburbs; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Urbanization

Partial Transcript: But then we, we--ch--we eventually supported the, the name change.

Segment Synopsis: Albright claims there should not be only one predominant institution in each state. The state was pushing for one institution to be more advanced rather than multiple varying institutions. Political pressure played a large role in the development of the universities; creating stature that looked great to the public community was a large asset.

Keywords: Colleges; Community; Development; Political; Pressure

Subjects: College administrators; College presidents; Eastern Kentucky University; Louisville (Ky.); Universities and colleges--Administration.; University of Kentucky