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

Born in 1921, William G. Bannon is an Indiana University alumnus from the class of 1943 and a 1945 alumnus of the Indiana University School of Medicine. After brief service in the United States army, Bannon began a successful career as a physician while maintaining an active association with Indiana University. In this interview, he discusses athletics, African-American students at the university, the importance of fraternities and sororities, and the economy of the state of Indiana. In addition, Bannon speaks of the Indiana University board of trustees of which he was a member for several years.

Gerald Bepko, born in 1940, describes his career, which culminated in being named chancellor of Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). Along the way, he was a law professor, then associate dean, acting, then dean of the law school at IUPUI. Bepko describes the challenges of an urban university like IUPUI. Bepko also describes his own education and early career as an FBI agent.

Robert Burton came to Indiana University during World War II to be the Assistant Cashier and Ticket Manager. He quickly took on the job of Assistant to the Controller and stayed in this position until his retirement in 1989. He discusses how Indiana University has changed over the years, the different presidents, changes in the student body, influential personalities, and memorable events.

Born on October 11, 1912, Dorothy Collins came to Indiana University in 1939 to pursue doctoral studies. Instead, she married Ralph Collins and worked in a variety of capacities at the university, including work in what became the Collins Living-Learning Center with her husband, the Kinsey Institute, and for several Indiana University presidents. She worked especially closely with Elvis J. Stahr and Herman B Wells, specifically in the capacity of ghost-writing speeches. In this interview, Mrs. Collins recalls many influences on the university such as the McCarthy era, university growth, the issues pertaining to minority and female students, and the administration.

Born on April 13, 1937, Moses Gray attended Indiana University on a football scholarship from 1957 until approximately 1961. In this interview, he discusses the directions his career has taken, from being a New York Jet to a lifelong career with General Motors, and his continuing involvement with Indiana University. He recalls his years as a student at the university and the racism he experienced as well as the exposure to academic and athletic excellence. He is working in the area of fundraising to promote the development of the Neal Marshall Black Culture Center at Indiana University to increase understanding among students, and between students and professors. Gray also speaks fondly of Herman B Wells and of his own involvement with the Indiana University Foundation.

Born in 1936, Kenneth R.R. Gros Louis was a professor and administrator at Indiana University beginning in 1964. In this interview, he speaks of his experiences at Indiana University. He first came as a member of the English Department and then served several administrative positions, including deanships, and served as chair of the English department. He recalls the university in the turbulent nineteen sixties and the protests relating to the Vietnam War and minority rights. In addition, Gros Louis discusses some of the tension and differences which occurred between the faculty and the administrators. He talks of his experiences under different presidents including Elvis J. Stahr, Joseph Sutton, and John Ryan.

Born on September 9, 1924, Phyllis R. Klotman joined the Indiana University faculty in 1970 and served as professor and in other capacities until 1996. She taught Afro-American studies, film studies, and women's studies in addition to serving as Indiana University's first affirmative action officer and as dean for women's affairs. Klotman also was the founder and longtime director of the Black Film Center/Archive. In this interview, she discusses racism, African-Americans, minority students, female faculty, anti-Semitism, and minority enrollment at Indiana University. In addition, Klotman details the creation and development of Afro-American studies at the university, especially in the context of the Department of English.

Born in 1945, William G. Mays is a 1968 Indiana University alumnus who received his MBA degree from the university in 1973. He went on to establish his own multi-million dollar business. Mays speaks of his days as a student at the university in the nineteen sixties and his experiences with racism, fellow African-American students, and the Greek system. In addition, he recalls the assassination of president John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, and the repercussions of both. A recipient of the distinguished alumni award, Mays has been involved with the Indiana University Foundation.

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.

Dedaimia Whitney was born in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1946. She was a long-time employee of Indiana University, starting in the mid-1980s. She worked as both a clerical worker and professional staff in various departments, including German, Chemistry, and Computer Science. While working at IUB, Whitney received her MFA in Creative Writing. In this interview, Whitney talks about her experiences as a staff member, workers’ rights, affirmative action, and how she helped the Computer Science Department enter the digital age.