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

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 on March 4, 1941, Alexander Schilt came to Indiana in 1970 to serve as the dean of student services at Indiana University Southeast, at which time he also taught one graduate class per semester. In 1976, Indiana University president John Ryan appointed Schilt to the position of chancellor of Indiana University East, a post at which he remained until 1980. In this interview, he discusses the changes that each of these campuses have undergone, and the positive aspects of each. In addition, Schilt speaks of the regional campus system at Indiana University, its possible future, and his philosophies on education, specifically in relation to Indiana University and its Indiana University regional campuses.

Hugh Thompson describes his tenure as chancellor of the Indiana University campus in Kokomo. He describes the campus's relationship with Indiana University, Purdue University, the city of Kokomo, and surrounding communities. Thompson also details his other positions at small campuses in Michigan. Thompson was born 1934 in West Virginia.

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.