Interview with G. Edward Hughes, August 22, 2014

Partial Transcript: This is James Savage. Today is August 21, 2014. We are at the KCTCS office in Versailles. Uh, Dr. Hughes, what is your current title?

Segment Synopsis: Hughes talks about his current job, his family and education, and his career path. He discusses growing up in Gettysburg and going to school with President Eisenhower's children. Hughes talks about his education in psychology and how it has impacted his career in higher education.

Keywords: Gateway Community & Technical College; Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Personal history

Subjects: Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969; Gettysburg (Pa.); Psychology.

Partial Transcript: Let's talk about the move to, to Kentucky. Uh, you came here as the director of Hazard. What were you, were you approached to take this job or did you apply? How did you end up at Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Hughes talks about becoming president of Hazard Community College and describes living in rural Appalachia. He discusses consolidating Hazard Community College and Lees Junior College. He talks about Lees Junior College's student athletes. Hughes talks about handling the challenges of the consolidation, especially concerning the financial aspect.

Keywords: Benny Ray Bailey; Hazard Community & Technical College; Lees Junior College; North Country Community College

Subjects: College presidents; Community Colleges--Kentucky; Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Hazard (Ky.); Schools--Centralization.

Partial Transcript: This process that you're describing on a very, on a small scale, which I know probably at the time didn't seem all that small. This, this process really has shades of what occurs later.

Segment Synopsis: Hughes talks about the events leading up to the restructuring of the community college system and how the consolidation of Hazard Community College and Lees Junior College helped prepare him for these changes. He describes Governor Patton's process to reform higher education. Hughes discusses the opposition to removing the University of Kentucky affiliation with community colleges. He talks about discussing his concerns with House Bill 1 to legislature.

Keywords: Hazard Community & Technical College; House Bill 1; Paul E. Patton

Subjects: Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Schools--Centralization.; University of Kentucky. Community College System

Partial Transcript: You mentioned earlier, um, private discussions in the creation of House Bill 1 that you were involved in. Can you tell me a little more about those? Who was involved, where were they, how did you get involved?

Segment Synopsis: Hughes talks about Governor Patton's visits to community colleges to promote the community college reform and the resistance Patton met. He talks about meetings with other academic leaders and Governor Patton to discuss House Bill 1. He describes Charles Wethington's opposition to the bill.

Keywords: Andrew “Skipper” Martin; Auditoriums; Charles T. Wethington, Jr.; Community meetings; Hazard (Ky.); Paul E. Patton; Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997

Subjects: Community Colleges--Kentucky; Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Schools--Centralization.; University of Kentucky. Community College System

Partial Transcript: Was there ever a moment, when you're listening to this discussion, as the bill's being discussed, as the bill's being crafted, and you're involved in these conversations, was there ever a moment that you said, this could work and be beneficial, on the ground level?

Segment Synopsis: Hughes talks about the stress of the process of passing of House Bill 1. He describes the changing structure of community colleges while being affiliated with the University of Kentucky. He talks about his support of House Bill 1 once it was passed. Hughes describes early meetings with KCTCS interim presidents.

Keywords: Affiliations; Charles T. Wethington, Jr.; Concerns; Faculty; Opposition; Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997

Subjects: College presidents; Community Colleges--Kentucky; Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Schools--Centralization.; University of Kentucky. Community College System

Partial Transcript: I suppose the question is, and it's a sensitive one, because you, you've mentioned the credit Dr. Hockaday deserves. Was there a lack of that under Dr. Ramsey?

Segment Synopsis: Hughes compares the interim presidency of James Ramsey and Jeff Hockaday. He describes the consolidation of the community and technical colleges and his efforts to establish a working relationship among faculty of both colleges.

Keywords: Consolidation; Faculty; James R. Ramsey; Jeff Hockaday; Restructure

Subjects: College presidents; Educational change--Kentucky.; Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Schools--Centralization.; University of Kentucky. Community College System

Partial Transcript: Let's talk about finding that permanent president that was so essential in those early days. How involved were you in those searches?

Segment Synopsis: Hughes talks about attending the community forums for the KCTCS presidential candidates. He talks about his concern over the first presidential search failing. He describes his opinions of the three final candidates for the permanent president position and his relief at Michael McCall's hire. Hughes talks about meeting McCall for the first time. Hughes talks about his first conversations with McCall and the importance of KCTCS being successful.

Keywords: Academic positions; Community meetings; First meetings; James R. Ramsey; Michael B. McCall; Presidents; Role

Subjects: College presidents; Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Educational change--Kentucky.; Kentucky Community & Technical College System

Partial Transcript: Even at that particular point, two years on, I mean, do you still, or did you ever feel that people still kind of viewed, maybe the system people, the people, the system people, you know, this new system, that they may have viewed you with some suspicion? Like he's the UK guy? Anything like that?

Segment Synopsis: Hughes elaborates on the continued tension between the community colleges and technical schools. He discusses early actions towards consolidation, including defining districts and holding public forums.

Keywords: Controversy; Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Opposition; Support; Vocational schools

Subjects: Community Colleges--Kentucky; Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Schools--Centralization.

Partial Transcript: Let's talk a little bit about--because by this time, 2000, 2001, um, you're getting ready to move on. Up, up the country a little bit. Tell me about that conversation. Who approaches you about--what's the situation?

Segment Synopsis: Hughes talks about the position of president for the Northern Kentucky District opening, and his decision to apply. He talks about leaving Hazard Community College and gaining the support of Jim Callahan. Hughes describes the colleges within the Northern Kentucky District when he arrived, and what challenges he faced when he began as president. He discusses crafting the mission, vision, and values for the district.

Keywords: Feasibility study report; Gateway Community and Technical College; Hazard Community & Technical College; Jim Callahan; Michael B. McCall; Northern Kentucky University

Subjects: College presidents; Community Colleges--Kentucky; Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Educational change--Kentucky.; Kentucky Community & Technical College System

Partial Transcript: You've got three vocational schools. But no community college. How do you build it?

Segment Synopsis: Hughes talks about establishing a unified telephone system for the Northern Kentucky District and insisting on conducting regular college-wide meetings. He talks about seeking accreditation with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and establishing transfer programs. Hughes talks about the support he received from KCTCS during the accreditation process.

Keywords: Accreditation; SACS; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; Transfer programs; Unity

Subjects: College presidents; Community Colleges--Kentucky; Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Technical education--Kentucky.

Partial Transcript: I do have um, a question, just a very broad question, because we are doing these, uh, these interviews to commemorate Dr. McCall's retirement as a system president. Um, can you talk about Mike McCall, leader and man? Just characterize him for me. Describe him from your point of view.

Segment Synopsis: Hughes talks about McCall's growth as system president and McCall's abilities as a leader. He describes McCall's personality and legacy. He praises Governor Patton's achievements as governor. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Paul E. Patton

Subjects: College presidents; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky Community & Technical College System