Interview with Lee T. Todd, Jr., August 28, 2014

Partial Transcript: This is James Savage. I'm talking today to Dr. Lee Todd, Junior. It is August 28, 2014 and we are at the KCTCS office in Versailles. Dr. Todd, what is your current title?

Segment Synopsis: Todd is introduced and talks about his relationship with Governor Patton. He describes their common interest in economic development and his reaction to Patton's initial steps towards education reform. He talks about John Oswald’s presidency at the University of Kentucky. Todd talks about the governor's interest in changing the state's per capita income and creating new businesses. He describes traveling and attending ball games with Governor Patton.

Keywords: Economic development; John Oswald; Paul E. Patton; University of Kentucky

Subjects: Educational change--Kentucky.; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Politicians--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: You know this relationship that's developed, over this period of time, and you're off running a company, he didn't try to lure you back in some capacity?

Segment Synopsis: Todd talks about being approached to apply to serve as cabinet secretary as well as on the Council on Postsecondary Education. He talks about the challenges of the CPE.

Keywords: CPE; Council members; Ed Ford; Paul E. Patton; University of Kentucky; Virtual university

Subjects: Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education; Kentucky--Politics and government

Partial Transcript: But the community college issue, under the UK governance, as a member of the faculty at UK, before you leave, what's your perception of the relationship between the university and those colleges?

Segment Synopsis: Todd talks about the relationship between the community colleges and the University of Kentucky when they were a part of the UK Community College System. He describes writing a letter to Governor Patton suggesting a more peaceful transition concerning the educational reform. He discusses the accreditation issues of the community colleges.

Keywords: Accreditation; Affiliations; Controversy; Paul E. Patton; Students; Vocational schools

Subjects: Community Colleges--Kentucky; Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Educational change--Kentucky.; University of Kentucky. Community College System

Partial Transcript: Let's go back to the debate over House Bill 1. Because you're involved in those early meetings, and you actually have, um, take, take part in some public testimonies and things like that. Tell me a little bit about that.

Segment Synopsis: Todd talks about serving on the KCTCS Task Force and his concerns for House Bill 1. He relates his work experience in California to Kentucky's changing workforce, and compares Kentucky's economic needs with North Carolina. He describes problems with UK's governing of the community colleges and discusses UK striving to be a top 20 public research university.

Keywords: Kentucky economics; Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997; Reform; Task force

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

Partial Transcript: Let me ask you this because it's something that fascinates me in general, is the relationship between politics and higher education.

Segment Synopsis: Todd talks about avoiding hiring faculty members who were legislators and the political influence of appointing board members. He talks about the prestige of serving on the University of Kentucky's board and the complications he encountered when appointing board members.

Keywords: Board members; Leaders; Legislators; Politics; University of Kentucky

Subjects: Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Kentucky--Politics and government

Partial Transcript: Do you think, had you been more involved, this is a, a total hypothetical, had you been more involved would you have been president of UK?

Segment Synopsis: Todd talks about his decision to apply for the position of president of UK. He describes succeeding Charles Wethington as president and the challenges he faced as president, including the aspiration to become one of the top 20 public research university.

Keywords: Charles T. Wethington, Jr.; Experience; Faculty; Politics

Subjects: College presidents; Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Educational change--Kentucky.

Partial Transcript: Let's talk a little bit about something, uh, a little bit closer to, to the, to this city. The transfer of, of LCC. I guess I wouldn't really call it the, the elimination of LCC, but just really sort of the transfer to KCTCS.

Segment Synopsis: Todd talks about the need for Lexington Community College to become a part of KCTCS. He describes working with Michael McCall to establish the facility arrangements of LCC, which became Bluegrass Community and Technical College. He talks about the future of BCTC and addressing issues of transfer with UK.

Keywords: Accreditation; BCTC; Bluegrass Community and Technical College; Michael B. McCall; Transfer programs

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

Partial Transcript: I want to, believe it or not, bounce back to CPE a little bit. Uh, I real--whoever's going to be listening to these interviews, I, I do apologize. But you were on CPE. You were in the first group, uh, the first appointees by, by Governor Patton. And how closely are you all watching, 'cause you're new too, but how closely are you all watching the development of this KCTCS, this, this thing called KCTCS? How close were you all watching?

Segment Synopsis: Todd talks about McCall's ability to work with the Council on Postsecondary Education. He describes the early challenges of KCTCS's development, including policy, budget, and tuition issues. He talks about the relationship between the CPE and KCTCS.

Keywords: CPE; Gordon Davies; House Bill 1; Michael McCall; Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997

Subjects: College presidents; Educational change--Kentucky.; Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

Partial Transcript: Let me ask about him personally. You're, you're on CPE, not yet a president, but on CPE when he's hired. Um, how closely was CPE--or were they involved at all in the hiring, I suppose they weren't, right? No. But, do you remember the first time you met him?

Segment Synopsis: Todd describes first meeting Michael McCall and discusses McCall's personality and skills. Todd talks about his successors as president of UK and what constitutes a good leader. He speaks about McCall’s achievements, leadership style, and integrity. Todd comments on the personal conversations he's had with McCall. He talks about McCall earning respect and trust from Kentuckians.

Keywords: Paul E. Patton; Technology; University of Kentucky; Virtual university

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

Partial Transcript: Are college presidents more politician than anything else?

Segment Synopsis: Todd talks about the role of college presidents and the difference between leaders and politicians. He describes his efforts to stay out of politics. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Coal industry; Educators; Kentucky economics; Leaders; Politicians; Tobacco industry

Subjects: College presidents; Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Kentucky--Politics and government