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

Frank B. Jones, born on April 3, 1923, came to Indiana University as a freshman in 1942 and, after three and a half years of service in the United States Army during World War II, returned to Indiana University to complete his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He then remained at the university to work in the alumni office for over forty years. In this interview, Jones speaks of his days as a student with regard to World War II and campus housing. In addition, he emphasizes the activities of the alumni office such as the organization of the Mini University, or alumni continuing education, and alumni family camps like Shawnee Bluffs. He also speaks of his association with Alice Nelson, Herman B Wells, and George Heighway, among many others.

Born on August 15, 1919, William Keck is a 1941 alumnus of Indiana University. He served for five years in the United States military during World War II before returning home to southwestern Indiana where he worked at his family's Ford car dealership. Later in life, he became an active member of the Indiana University Foundation. Keck speaks of his days as an Indiana University student, recalling memories of his fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, and his activities as a student baseball manager. In addition, he speaks of World War II, university growth, and the ROTC program at Indiana University. Some of Keck's anecdotes include his friends, Dick Stoner, Claude Rich, and many others.

Born on April 17, 1917, Clarence Long is a 1939 alumnus of Indiana University. In this interview, he recalls his days as a student at the university in the late nineteen thirties. He discusses the events leading up to World War II and how they impacted the students of Indiana University. Long also speaks of his association with Herman B Wells, Otis Bowen, and Carroll Christenson. He then discusses the growth and changes that Indiana University has undergone. In addition, he speaks of his involvement as a member of the university board of trustees throughout most of the nineteen seventies.

Born on October 21, 1922, Thomas J. Mitchell is a 1949 alumnus of Indiana University who began studying at the university in 1942. After serving three years in the United States Air Force during World War II, he returned to Indiana University in 1946 to complete his undergraduate degree. In this interview, Mitchell discusses his days as a student at Indiana University and makes comparisons to his children's experiences at the university thirty years later. In addition, he speaks of the changes that Indiana University has undergone, the effects of World War II, transportation, and athletics at Indiana University. He also discusses his successful career as an insurance agent and how his education and experiences at Indiana University helped him to achieve occupational success.

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 February 2, 1918, Richard H. Schmalz is a 1940 Indiana University alumnus who served for four years in the United States military after receiving his undergraduate degree. The son of a local businessman, Schmalz returned and began working in retail business, eventually coming back to the family business. He describes his years as a student at the university, including the impact of the Great Depression and Indiana University growth. He later became involved with the Indiana University athletic committee and is a former president of the alumni association. Schmalz also John Ryan's actions as a president of Indiana University.

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 on February 3, 1920, Howard S. "Howdy" Wilcox came to Indiana University as an undergraduate in 1938. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he served in the United States army until 1947. Wilcox opened his own public relations firm and was contacted by Indiana University in this capacity. His connections with Indiana University became increasingly tight as he became the executive director of the Indiana University Foundation and a long-standing member of the Indiana University board of trustees. In addition, Wilcox had the brainchild that resulted in the creation of the Little 500 and the scholarships it funds. He also speaks of his student days including his involvement with the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and the Sphinx Club. Wilcox discusses his association with many influential figures including Herman B Wells, Elvis J. Stahr, Joseph Sutton, E. Ross Bartley, and Colonel Raymond L. Shoemaker.