Collections : [Indiana University, Center for Documentary Research and Practice]

Donald Lash received his BA from Indiana University in 1937 and then remained at the university for two more years in order to get a master's degree in political science. Lash was also an excellent athlete; he held the world record in the two mile, was the national cross-country champion for seven years, and was a member of the United States track team at the Berlin Olympics. After graduation, Lash became a state police officer and then an FBI agent, specializing in firearms. Lash maintained his ties with Indiana University, serving as a trustee and then representing the university's interests as a state legislator. After retiring from the bureau, Lash started his own real estate business. When discussing his time at Indiana University, Lash mentions funding issues, the impact of the Vietnam War on the university's campus, and what the campus was like during his undergraduate days.

Born on September 11, 1946, Charlie Nelms earned his graduate degree from Indiana University in 1971 and completed his doctorate at the university in 1976. After working at the Indiana University Northwest campus for several years and at several other college positions in other states, Nelms returned to Indiana in 1987 to serve as chancellor of Indiana University East. In this interview, he speaks of his years as an Indiana University student, African-American students, experiences of racism, and his development of the Foster Quad Black Student Association. In addition, he speaks of his work at the City University of New York, its experimental open admission system, and the importance of the Indiana University Indiana University regional campuses. Finally, Nelms discusses the financial problems facing higher education, the teaching vs. research debate, and his proposed resolutions to these problems.

Leon Rand, born in 1930, served as chancellor of Indiana University Southeast beginning in 1986. He speaks of other experiences in his career, including his years at the University of Detroit. Rand discusses the history of Indiana University Southeast, its campus, and its service to a student population consisting of a majority of nontraditional students. In addition, he speaks of problems associated with decreased funding, the opportunities and advantages of distance education, and the Indiana University regional campuses in general. Finally, he speaks of the Indiana Commission on Higher Education and its role and impact in the state of Indiana.

Born in 1928, Fred Risk is a 1949 Indiana University alumnus who went on to earn his law degree in 1951 from the Indiana University School of Law. He discusses his memories of the university including the impact of World War II, the Korean War, and the growth of the university. He speaks of his involvement with the Acacia fraternity, and the difficulties of law school at Indiana University. Later, Risk became actively involved in alumni affairs and the Indiana University Foundation. He discusses the problem of funding for the university and for the individual student.

Born on July 16, 1944, Edward Robertson, a member of the Indiana University faculty since 1978, became chair of the Department of Computer Science in 1982. He discusses the development of the field of computer science and the university's Department of Computer Science. Robertson also speaks of the various computer equipment used over the years, the decrepit state of Lindley Hall and its usefulness, departmental enrollment, the small number of female faculty members, and funding and its uses over the years. In addition, he recalls the time he spent at the University of Ghana attempting to create a department of computer science in an environment with severe limitations.

Born on October 10, 1941, Curtis Simic is a 1964 alumnus who worked at Indiana University for a few years in the area of fundraising. After nearly twenty years of working with several prestigious universities, including Yale and Berkeley, in the area of fundraising, Simic returned to Indiana University as the president of the Indiana University Foundation. He recalls his years as a student at the university and emphasizes the impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the assassination of president John F. Kennedy. Simic also discusses the Little 500, financial problems, university growth, and the changes the campus has undergone. In addition, he speaks of his relationship with Sam Yellin, Herman B Wells, and others.

Born in 1945, Stephen Stitle is a 1967 Indiana University alumnus who went on to earn his law degree from the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis in 1970. In this interview, he recalls his days as a student at the university, including his membership in the fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and the influence of the Vietnam War. Later in his life, Stitle became more actively involved with the Indiana University Foundation. In addition, he expresses his beliefs and fears about the funding of the university in the future.

Born on May 15, 1920, Richard "Dick" Stoner is a 1940 Indiana University alumnus who went on to complete his law degree at Harvard Law School in 1947 and spent four years in United States military service during World War II. He discusses his memories of his years as a student including involvement in the Arbutus where he met his future wife. Stoner discusses the impact of World War II on Indiana University, and his eventual return to Indiana and active involvement with the university. He has been active in the Indiana University Foundation and served on the Indiana University board of trustees for twenty years, from 1972 to 1992. He speaks of Herman B Wells, the importance of the Herman B Wells Scholars Program, the question of funding for the university, and the changes the campus has undergone.

Randall Lee Tobias was born in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1942, and grew up in Remington, Indiana. He discusses the history of his family in Indiana and his student days at Indiana University from 1960 to 1964. He talks about his post-graduate work with the Indiana University Foundation and compares his student days in Bloomington with the situation there in the mid-nineteen nineties.

Born on April 1, 1922, Charles Van Tassel earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Bloomington in 1946. In this interview, he recalls his years as a student at Indiana University, the impact of World War II on the university, and the changes the campus has undergone in the intervening years. Van Tassel speaks of his continuing involvement with Indiana University including his active participation in the varsity club and the Indiana University Foundation Board, and his interest in university athletics. In addition, he discusses the Twelfth Man Club, the problems posed by funding, and the School of Medicine in Bloomington.