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

Born on November 30, 1950, John "Jeff" Richardson earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana University in 1973, went on to Indiana University School of Law immediately afterwards, received his law degree, and earned his Master's degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. A former student body president who served from 1972 to 1973, Richardson was extensively involved in campus politics, student government, and local politics and government in Bloomington. Some of the issues he discusses from his years as a student are the 1969 tuition increase, the Vietnam War, student protests and demonstrations, the Kent State University shootings, and women's rights. After completing three degrees, Richardson served as a member of the city council of Bloomington and later began working in Indiana state government. He recalls anecdotes involving Herman B Wells, Keith Parker, John Lombardi, and John Ryan.

Born on March 4, 1907, Claude Rich is a 1929 Indiana University alumnus who went on to establish a career of service to the university that spanned sixty-five years. Throughout these years, he held many different administrative positions including assistant alumni secretary, acting director of the student union, alumni secretary, which position became known as the director of alumni relations, director of the sesquicentennial celebration, and director of university relations. Rich comments on each of these jobs, his days as a student at Indiana University, and some of his colleagues including Herman B Wells and George "Dixie" Heighway. In addition, he speaks of his association with Hoagy Carmichael, the Board of Aeons, and Blue Key. He discusses the impact of World War II and the Vietnam War on Indiana University. Finally, Rich speaks of the university's participation in the development of international higher education systems and/or institutions.

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 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.

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.

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 in 1936, Scott Schurz discusses how and when he became acquainted and involved with Indiana University. A reporter by profession, he became very active in the Indiana University varsity club and Friends of Music. In this interview, Schurz sings the praises of Indiana University, singling out the excellence of many athletic and academic programs including basketball, swimming, the School of Music, the School of Journalism, and many others. In addition, he discusses his association with Herman B Wells, Bob Knight, Jerry Yeagley, and Nelson Pointer, to name a few of the people discussed in this interview.

Richard C. "Rich" Searles was born in Massena, New York, in 1948. As a child, he lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Evansville, Indiana, then started as an Indiana University student in 1966. He talks about his experiences as a student in the late nineteen sixties, including his membership in the Sigma Nu fraternity and the Indiana University Student Foundation, and he puts his experiences in the context of the climate of the Vietnam War and racial tension. He describes his post-graduate career in the corporate world, as an employer, and as a member of the board of the Indiana University Foundation. He describes allegations of the mishandling of the Indiana University. Foundation's affairs. Searles offers his opinions on the administration of Indiana University from his student days to the mid-nineteen nineties.

Janet C. Shirley, born on October 4, 1934, is a 1956 alumnus who returned to work at Indiana University in 1979 in the Indiana University Foundation. She later worked for the alumni association and became director of alumni relations at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, or IUPUI. In this interview, she recalls her years as a student, including her experiences as a cheerleader and those involving diversity on campus. Shirley goes on to discuss her later involvement in the Campaign for Indiana and the Herman B Wells Scholars Program. She also speaks of her experiences with Herman B Wells, Bob Burton, and John Ryan.