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

Born on February 27, 1928, Dewey Welch is a 1952 Indiana University alumnus. In this interview, he discusses his experiences as an undergraduate student during the late nineteen forties and early nineteen fifties. Welch speaks of his involvement in the student alumni entertainers, the development of the Little 500, and his fraternity, Sigma Nu. In addition, he reveals his admiration for and some stories about Herman B Wells. He recalls his time as a student and discusses his continuing participation in alumni affairs, including activities with the alumni association, the Indiana University Foundation, and the Wells Scholars Program. In addition, he speaks of the influence of Ed Williams and Curt Simic.

Herman B Wells, born in 1902, attended Indiana University as an undergraduate. After an initial career in banking, he returned to Indiana University to serve as a professor, Dean of the Business School, and then, the University's president. Wells discusses some of the challenges he faced during his tenure, including World War 11, the Kinsey Institute, and desegregation. He also gives his opinion on the fure of IU.

Kirk White, born on July 10, 1960, attended Indiana University from 1980 to 1984. He served as student body president during the 1983- 1984 school year. After graduation, White accepted a position as assistant to the Vice President for University Relations, later accepting a position with Hoosiers for Higher Education. In this interview, White discusses changes on campus during the 1980s, his time in student government, and his time on the Bloomington City Council.

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.

Born in 1915, York Willbern joined the Indiana University faculty as a full professor in the department of political science in 1957. In this interview, he discusses his years at Indiana University, the administration under different Indiana University presidencies, and the impact of different phenomena on education in general and Indiana University specifically. These phenomena include World War II and the Cold War. Willbern also speaks of some of the controversies he has experienced at the university such as those involving faculty tenure, teaching versus research, and the regional campus system. In addition, he discusses the creation of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, or SPEA, his involvement with it, and the IUPUI campus.

Born in 1922, Edgar Williams came to Indiana University in 1947, completed his master's degree through the Department of Management in 1948, and subsequently joined the Indiana University faculty. Thus began a career that spanned forty-five years at Indiana University and included both academic duties and administrative duties, including teaching, and serving as the vice president for administration and the assistant director of the athletic department, among many other positions. Williams discusses the influx of veterans into Indiana University after World War II, the development of the Indiana University regional campuses, the status of IUPUI, the university faculty, and the financial and/or budgetary problems the university is experiencing. In addition, he speaks of the administrations of different Indiana University presidents from Herman B Wells to Thomas Ehrlich.

Born in 1941, Douglas Wilson came to Indiana University in 1988 and soon became the vice president for university relations and external affairs. In this interview, he discusses the duties this position entails, including dealing with the media and the public relations of the university. Wilson speaks of certain events and phenomena he has dealt with, such as the Eigenmann shootings, the teaching versus research debate, and budget cuts and financial problems. Specifically, he cites a story involving Coach Bob Knight, the incendiary media coverage, and necessary public relations.

Born on August 7, 1955, James Wolfe is an Indiana University alumni from the class of 1977 who went on to earn his law degree from the Indiana University School of Law in 1981. In addition, he was involved in campus politics, becoming a student trustee from 1977 through 1979. In this interview, Wolfe discusses university organization, the Indiana University School of Business, and the Indiana University School of Law. He speaks of the differences between various university presidential administrations, including that of John Ryan. Wolfe describes some of his major influences, especially Claus Clüver and Bill Haeberle, and his years working for J. Danforth Quayle.

Born on September 13, 1923 Lester Wolfson is Chancellor Emeritus, and Professor Emeritus of English at Indiana University, South Bend. He rececived his A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1945, his A.M. in 1946, and his Ph.D. in 1954. In his interview he discusses the development of the regional campus system, his career at South Bend, his philosophy of education, changes in the IU campuses, and his personal career.

Born in 1950, Desmond C. Wong is a 1973 Indiana University alumnus who earned his CPA and later went on to earn his MBA from Harvard University in 1977. Wong discusses his successful business career and his continuing involvement at Indiana University, including active participation in the Indiana University alumni association, the School of Business alumni association, and the Indiana University Foundation. In addition, he speaks of his work on the national level with the Grace Commission. Wong also discusses the issue of funding at Indiana University and the importance of university athletics, especially for alumni. He speaks of John Rau, the dean of the School of Business, and the contributions he made to that school.