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

Stanley Hagstrom, professor of chemistry and computer science, was born on November 30, 1930 in Lincoln Nebraska. He discusses his time as a student at Iowa State University, his tenure as a chemistry and computer science professor, and a research scientist for Lockheed Research Labs in Palo Alto. He also discusses the difficulties of academic marriages, his wife's career, and retirement.

Steve Johnson earned a masters degree in mathematics in 1972, a masters degree in computer science in 1977, and a Ph.D. in computer science in 1983, all at Indiana University. In 1984, he was hired to be a computer science professor at Indiana University. In this interview, Johnson speaks of the differences between the study of mathematics and computer science, the development of computer science and the Indiana University Department of Computer Science, and some problems that have occurred with this department. In addition, he cites some people who have influenced the university's Department of Computer Science including Dean Morton Lowengrub, Stu Shapiro, Mitchell Wand, and others.

Born on April 5, 1940, Paul W. Purdom came to Indiana University in 1971 as a professor and member of the faculty of the Department of Computer Science. A graduate of California Institute of Technology, he discusses the development of the field of computer science and the creation and development of the Department of Computer Science at Indiana University. Purdom speaks of departmental enrollment trends, funding issues, and the fight for the establishment of a Ph.D. program in computer science at Indiana University. In addition, Purdom mentions recent departmental issues including tenure and tensions.

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.

George Springer, born in 1924, was a professor in Indiana University's departments of mathematics and computer science from 1964 to 1996. He describes courses he taught and developed, his own education, and the types of students he has encountered at Indiana University. He also describes Indiana University's Groups Student Support Services program, a program to help prepare first-generation college students.