Class of '54 Washington State University Oral History Project

Class of '54 Washington State University Oral History Project, 2005-2008

Overview of the Collection

Title: Class of '54 Washington State University Oral History Project
Dates: 2005-2008 (inclusive)
20052008
Quantity: 1.5 Linear feet of shelf space, (3 boxes)
Collection Number: Archives 297 (collection)
Summary: In April of 2004, the Golden Grad Class of 1954 established a fund to create a Washington State University Oral History Project, designating money to purchase equipment and conduct oral history interviews with fiugures important to WSU's history. The collection consists of oral interviews conducted with (or in one case, about) significant WSU figures.
Repository: Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions: This collection is open and available for research use.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

In April of 2004, the Golden Grad Class of 1954 established a fund to create a WSU Oral History Project, designating money to purchase equipment and conduct oral history interviews with figures important to WSU's history. In April of 2005, the Golden Grad Class of 1955 expanded the project by donating money to digitise these oral histories. Interviews were conducted with WSU figures in 2005-2008, and many were placed online for hearing.

In 2010-2011, materials were compiled and coordinated into one physical collection, and master digital copies were compiled and stored in MASC's digital archives. MP3 files were created from the existing audio wav files (or from rm files where the wav files no longer existed), and the full reformtted collection, excepting the three military oral histories conducted by Doug Habib, was placed online for access.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of oral interviews conducted with (or in one case, about) significant WSU figures. It should be noted that in many cases the transcripts are unproofed, with many names misspelled.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

The items in this collection, excepting the three veterans' oral histories, can be listened to online.

Restrictions on Use

Preferred Citation

[Item Description] Class of '54 WSU Oral History Project (UA 297)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is organized alphabetically by the last name of the subject, and each folder contains some or all of the following: audio cassettes or CDs, transcripts, brief summaries, release forms, and supplementary materials.

Acquisition Information

The Class of '54 Oral Histories were collected between 2005 and 2008 by representatives of various WSU areas, including WSU Today, the History department, Washington State Magazine, and the Libraries, and donated to MASC as they were completed. They were not designated with an accession number. In 2010, the various materials were organized into this collection by University Archivist Mark O'English, at which point missing permissions letters were solicited and missing transcripts were created, and these were interfiled into the collection.

Processing Note

This collection was processed by History graduate student Nathan Sowry and University Archivist Mark O'English.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
1	Interviewee: Beasley, Wallis ; Interviewer: Caraher, Pat ; Length: 1 hr. 32 min. ; WSU Role: Sociology and Anthropology Chair; Vice President ; Areas Discussed: Beasley was a Sociology professor and WSU Vice-President. The interview discusses his time teaching and administrating Sociology, his move to administration, the student occupation of French Hall, his attempts to bring in more black graduate students and the fates of theose students, WSU's 1970-1971 racism workshops, and the changing role of women's athletics. He talks about how administration worked, the role of the Regents, his role in the Pullman Chamber of Commerce, and his involvement with WSU after his retirement. ; Materials: Signed permission (no active restrictions), 2 cassette tapes, transcript, interviewer summary.	2005 March 1
1	Interviewee: Berry, Stan ; Interviewer: Marsh, Tim ; Length: 5 hrs. 51 min. ; WSU Role: Director of Admissions ; Areas Discussed: Berry was the WSU Director of Admissions, serving in this role from 1967-1988. Interview covers Berry's childhood in Spokane/Clarkston area, service as a Marine, and pre-WSU years. WSU topics include admissions recruitment, meetings with Regents, as well as recollections of Presidents French, Beasley, Terrell, and Smith. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 6 cassette tapes, transcripts.	2006 May 23, May 30, June 2
1	Interviewee: Brayton, Bobo ; Interviewer: Caraher, Pat ; Length: 7 hrs. 36 min. ; WSU Role: Baseball coach ; Areas Discussed: Brayton was the WSU head baseball coach, serving in this role from 1962-1994. Interview covers Brayton's childhood in NW Washington state, pre-WSU days, and school life at WSU where he received his BA and MA in Physical Education. WSU topics include difficulties, philosophies, and motivation for coaching baseball for 33 years. Other topics include umpiring, taking two teams to the College World Series, and numerous stories about players Brayton coached and other coaches he worked with. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 7 cassette tapes, transcripts.	2006 January 23, January 31, February 6
1	Interviewee: Cook, James ; Interviewer: Steury, Tim ; Length: 1 hr. 59 min. ; WSU Role: Plant Pathologist ; Areas Discussed: Cook served as Interim Dean of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences at WSU, as well as a Research Plant Pathologist with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service at Pullman from 1965-1998. Interview covers Cook's childhood in Minnesota, college in North Dakota and at UC-Berkeley, and work abroad in Australia. WSU topics include research on root diseases in wheat in the inland Northwest, his appointment as the Endowed Chair in Wheat Research, and his appreciation of former students and colleagues. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 2 cassette tapes, time summary, transcripts.	2005 August 10
2	Interviewee: Crow, Mac ; Interviewer: Marsh, Tim ; Length: 1 hr. 11 min. ; WSU Role: Alumnus, Regent ; Areas Discussed: Crow was both a Regent and a WSU student. Interview discusses Crow's childhood in Oakesdale, his experiences at WSC in the late 1940s, his life as a farmer, a racial issue in Colfax in the 1960s, Presidents Terrell and Smith, the State School Board Association, and the development of branch campuses during his time as a Regent. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 1 cassette, transcript.	2006 December 11
2	Interviewee: DeVleming, Gen ; Interviewer: Steury, Tim ; Length: 1 hr. 35 min. ; WSU Role: President's Secretary ; Areas Discussed: DeVleming was secretary to Presidents French, Beasley, Terrell, and Smith serving in this role from 1959-1991. Interview covers Cook's childhood in Leavenworth, WA, college days at WSU pursuing her BA, and teaching high-school in Oregon. WSU topics include relaying the early history of WSU's founding and its first presidents. Other topics include administrative issues, concerns, and personalities of Presidents French, Beasley, Terrell, and Smith, and their interactions with the Board of Regents. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), transcript.	2007 May 24
2	Interviewee: Friel, Wallis ; Interviewer: Marsh, Tim ; Length: 1 hr. 30 min. ; WSU Role: Alumnus; son of coach Jack Friel ; Areas Discussed: Friel was a Superior Court Judge of Whitman County, and the son of WSU Basketball Coach Jack Friel. Interview includes Friel's childhood in Pullman, where he, his older sister, and his parents received their undergraduate degrees from WSU. Other topics include a lengthy discussion of Jack Friel (Wallis's father), the people he knew, coached, and worked with at WSU. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 2 compact discs, transcript.	2007 October 24
2	Interviewee: Fry, Dick ; Interviewer: Caraher, Pat ; Length: 4 hr. 38 min. ; WSU Role: Sports Information Director ; Areas Discussed: Fry was the Sports Information Director at WSU from 1956-1970, and Manager of the WSU News Bureau from 1970-1985. Fry also authored the book The Crimson and Gray, 100 years with the WSU Cougars. Oral History interview covers Fry's childhood in California, college days at San Jose State, and military experiences in World War II. WSU topics include working as Alumni Editor with the Office of Information for four years, and then transitioned to Sports Information Director and finally to the News Bureau. Other topics include reminiscences of WSU athletes and coaches, reporting on games, Butch the cougar, and the writing of Fry's book on WSU Sports History. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 4 cassette tapes, transcript, interviewer summary, clippings and ephemera related to John Fabian.	2005 July 28
2	Interviewee: Jones, Barry ; Interviewer: Caraher, Pat ; Length: 1 hr. 1 min. ; WSU Role: Alumnus; grandson of member of 1st class ; Areas Discussed: Jones was a 1955 graduate of WSU, President of the WSU Alumni Association 1968-69, and the grandson of George Grimes, employee of WSU for 50 years and member of the 1st class of WSU students. Interview covers Jones' family history in the Pullman area and WSU community. Other topics include Jones' childhood in Spokane and college days at WSU in the early 1950s. WSU topics include experiences in the Greek community and later service on the Alumni Association Board. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 1 cassette, transcript.	200? June 9
2	Interviewee: Jones, Denny ; Interviewer: Caraher, Pat ; Length: 1 hr. 46 min. ; WSU Role: Alumnus; grandson of member of 1st class ; Areas Discussed: Jones was a 1964 graduate of WSU, President of the WSU Alumni Association 1996-97, and the grandson of George Grimes, employee of WSU for 50 years and member of the 1st class of WSU students. Interview covers Jones' family history in the Pullman area and WSU community. WSU topics include experiences in the Greek community and ROTC and later service on the Alumni Association Board. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 2 cassettes, transcript.	2006 April 21
2	Interviewee: Nilan, Robert ; Interviewer: Steury, Tim ; Length: 49 min. ; WSU Role: Science Dean ; Areas Discussed: Nilan is a professor emeritus and former Dean of the College of Sciences. Interview covers childhood, college, and pre-WSU years. WSU topics include barley genetics, lecturing, publications, and scholarly articles, as well as training graduate students. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 1 cassette, transcript.	2006 July 20
3	Interviewee: Smawley, Bob ; Interviewer: Caraher, Pat ; Length: 2 hr. 54 min. ; WSU Role: Hilltopics / Washington State Magazine editor ; Areas Discussed: Smawley was a WSU graduate (1952), employed by WSU for 30 years (1953-1982) in a variety of positions, and is considered WSU's Resident Historian. Interview covers Smawley's childhood in Pullman, family history, military service and college days at WSU. WSU topics include service as the Alumni AssociationTreasurer for 20 years (1967-1980s), and President in 1989-90. Other topics include local community and collegiate boards on which he served, slide presentations as Resident Historian, and brief histories of WSU and former WSU Presidents. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 2 cassette tapes, transcript, interviewer summary, biography.	2005 June 27
3	Interviewee: Smith, Sam ; Interviewer: Marsh, Tim ; Length: 2 hr. 11 min. ; WSU Role: President ; Areas Discussed: Smith is WSU President Emeritus, serving as President from 1985-2000. Interview covers Smith's childhood and pre-WSU years. WSU topics include establishment of the branch campus system, growth of fundraising, and Smith's relationship with Regents and former WSU presidents. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 2 cassettes, transcript, interview photographs.	2005 February 18
3	Interviewee: Sparks, Caleb ; Interviewer: Habib, Doug ; Length: 1 hr. 26 min. ; WSU Role: Student / Veteran ; Areas Discussed: Sparks was a PhD student in History and a Veteran. Interview covers Sparks' childhood in various western states, and service in the Marine Corps from 1996-2000. Sparks discusses experiences overseas in the military with civilians and with foreign military personnel, and the transition from military life to academic life at WSU as an undergraduate and later graduate student. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 2 compact discs, transcript.	2008 February 15, March 21
3	Interviewee: Stark, Lawrence Memorials ; Length: 7 min. ; WSU Role: Archivist ; Areas Discussed: Larry Stark was University Archivist. Craig Holstein and Lorena O'English discuss Larry Stark after his memorial ceremony, talking about his work knowledge and ethic and his love of hunting. ; Materials: Signed permissions (unrestricted), transcripts, biographical materials.	2008 March 7
3	Interviewee: Talbot, John ; Interviewer: Habib, Doug ; Length: 1 hr. 27 min. ; WSU Role: Student / Veteran ; Areas Discussed: Talbot was a WSU student and a Veteran. Interview covers Talbot's childhood in Alaska, his service with the Marine Corps throughout Western Europe and during the Invasion of Iraq in 2003, and the transition from military to academic life at WSU. ; Materials:	2008 April 7, April 21
3	Interviewee: Terrell, Glenn ; Interviewer: Hinz, Sue ; Length: 3 hr. 49 min. ; WSU Role: President ; Areas Discussed: Terrell is WSU President Emeritus, serving as President from 1967-1985. Interview covers Terrell's childhood in Florida, undergraduate and graduate schools in North Carolina, Florida, and Iowa, and experiences as a professor in Colorado and Illinois before becoming President of WSU in 1967. WSU topics include student activism, and working with students, faculty, the Board of Regents, and local politicians in the late 1960s and early 1970s during the Vietnam War. Other topics include fundraising, the WSU Foundation, and memories of former WSU Presidents French, Beasley, Smith, Rawlins. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 3 cassettes, transcript.	2005 March 15
3	Interviewee: Winn, Georgia Grimes ; Interviewer: Caraher, Pat ; Length: 41 min. ; WSU Role: Daughter of member of 1st class ; Areas Discussed: Winn is a member of one of the pioneer families in Pullman, and a daughter of George Grimes, a member of the first class of students at WSU in 1892. Interview covers Winn's childhood in Pullman, memories of her father as Superintendent of Building and Grounds until he retired in 1948, her college days at WSU and sorority life, and her marriage and domestic life in Spokane. ; Materials: Signed permission (unrestricted), 1 cassette, transcript.	2006 March 21
3	Interviewee: Unidentified WSU Veteran ; Interviewer: Habib, Doug ; Length: 3 hr. 34 min. ; WSU Role: Student / Veteran ; Areas Discussed: WSU student and Iraq veteran. Discusses his recruitment into the Army National Guard, his infantry training and combat medic training, deployment to Panama and Saudi Arabia circa 1998-2000, and the continual military-civilian transition. Left the Guard, worked at Ground Zero, and then returned to the military. Talks about soldiers' experiences before, during, and after Iraq deployment, and Iraqi civilian reactions to the soldiers. He discusses deployment to Kuwait afterwards, his own injuries, and the effects of an attach on his base after returning to Iraq, including thoughts on how he mentally dealt with these events during and after them, as well as on his adjustment back to civilian life at WSU in 2004. ; Materials: Transcript.	2008 November 14, December 5, December 19

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Corporate Names

Washington State University -- Employees -- History.
Washington State University -- Faculty -- History.
Washington State University -- Students -- History.

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