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UNCG Alumni Association Oral History Program Collection

UNCG Alumni Association Oral History Program conducted interviews with alumni and former staff between 1972 and 1979 to record the memories of the university's early days. The oral histories were to be featured in the Alumni News from time to time.

Oral history interview with Peter Agostini
Peter Agostini (1913-1993) received his only formal art training at New York's Leonardo da Vinci Art School in 1935-1936. He taught painting and sculpture at New York Studio School and Columbia University. From 1966 to 1983, he was a professor of art at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Agostini talks about working for the Works Progress Administration during the 1930s, the changes in the New York art scene during the 1940s and 1950s, his work method, the artists who influenced him, his sculpture, and his poetry. He recalls his reluctance in coming to UNCG as he did not consider himself a teacher as well as his approach to teaching. Agostini also discusses the Vietnam War and his thoughts about how to stop wars.
Oral history interview with Della Boren Arthur
Della Boren Arthur (1908-1997) graduated in 1931 from the North Carolina College for Women, now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). She was a residence hall counselor at the college from 1962 to 1970. Lillian Cunningham (1903-2001) graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1925. She was a residence hall counselor at Woman's College of the University of North Carolina, now UNCG from 1943 to 1969. Helen Boren Cloninger Kiser (1902-1995) graduated in 1925 from the North Carolina College of Women, now UNCG. She served as a residence hall counselor at the college from 1959 to 1965. Helen Gray Sullivan (1923- ) graduated in 1944 from Woman's College of the University of North Carolina, now UNCG. She was a residence hall counselor at the college from 1954 to 1958. Della Boren Arthur, Lillian Cunningham, Helen Boren Cloninger Kiser, and Helen Gray Sullivan discuss their residence hall counselor duties in four fields of work: academic and social guidance, individual social guidance, cooperation with student government, and routine hall management. The counselors recall the influence of Deans Harriet Elliott and Katherine Taylor on campus life, college rules and regulations, residence hall hours, the change from family style to cafeteria style meals, number of counselors, student social life relating to dating, male visitors on campus, and their experiences as chaperons. They explain their involvement with the Student Government Association (SGA), the structure of SGA, and their advising the Handbook Committee. They talk about several prestigious schools patterning themselves after the residence hall and student government structure at the Woman's College, now UNCG. One counselor describes the relationships and differences between freshman and upperclassmen. The counselors also reminisce about several incidences involving students and male visitors from their years as residence hall counselors.
Oral history interview with Clara Booth Byrd
Clara Booth Byrd (1887-1985) was a member of the Class of 1913 of the State Normal and Industrial College, which became Woman's College of the University of North Carolina and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was alumnae secretary at the institution from 1922-1947. Byrd describes her duties and experience as Alumnae Association secretary, the early days of the Alumni Association, and how it was organized. She discusses the planning of an alumnae building as well as the Tea Room located inside. Byrd also talks about the development of the Alumnae Magazine in 1922 and the building the Alumnae House, which opened in 1937.
Oral history interview with Olive Chandley Crawford and Hermene Warlick Eichorn
Olive Chandley Crawford (1900-1978) graduated in 1922 with a degree in music education from the North Carolina College for Women, now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Hermene Warlick Eichhorn (1906-2001) graduated in 1926 with a major in piano and in 1927 with a major in organ from the North Carolina College for Women, now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Crawford and Eichhorn describe the influence, accomplishments, and activities of head of the music department Professor Wade R. Brown at the university, in Greensboro, and statewide. They also discuss Mrs. Grace Brown, the music faculty, and the influence of President Julius I. Foust.
Recorded recollections of James Sharbrough Ferguson
James Sharbrough Ferguson (1916-1984) served as chancellor of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) from 1967 to 1979. Ferguson received a bachelor's degree from Millsap College in 1937, a master's from Louisiana State University in 1950, and a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1953. He came to Woman's College, now UNCG, in 1962 as Dean of the Graduate School. Ferguson recalls the March/April 1969 student strike against the campus cafeteria vendor ARA Slater by dictating his memories of the boycott. He talks about several of the people who played key roles during the strike such as Presbyterian Campus Minister James Allen, Student Government Association President Randi Bryant, lawyer Henry C. Frye, North Carolina A&T State University student Nelson Johnson, and Dean of Student Services Katherine Taylor.
Oral history interview with Alonzo C. Hall
Alonzo Cleveland Hall (1886-1979) graduated from Elon College (now, Elon University) in 1910 with a Bachelor of Arts. He received a master's degree from Columbia University and did graduate work at Harvard University. From 1916 to 1956, Hall was a professor of English and later head of the English Department at the State Normal and Industrial College (now, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro). He served as chairman of the Greensboro Housing Authority from 1941 to 1967. Hall talks about his arrival at the college in 1916, his impressions of the students during that time compared to the students of the early 1970s, and Dr. Julius I. Foust's contributions to the growth and development of the school. Hall recalls the chapel program, the campus theater company called Play-likers, participating in college plays, and the contributions of Raymond Taylor. He also discusses his publications, Outlines of American Literature and Outlines of English Literature, as well as his famous book on epitaphs Grave Humor.
Oral history interview with Kathleen Hawkins
Kathleen Pettit Hawkins (1902-1988) was a member of the Commercial Class of 1920 at the North Carolina College for Women, now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro [UNCG]. She began working at the college in 1920 as secretary to Laura Hill Coit, college secretary, and retired in 1967 as student aid officer. A loan fund and a dormitory at UNCG are named in her honor. Hawkins describes her educational history, enrollment in the Commercial Department, and her experiences at the college. She explains the instruction methods of E. J. Forney, the curriculum, and the transition from a commercial course to a four-year business course. Hawkins discusses her duties working for Laura Hill Coit and School of Music's Dean Wade R. Brown. She recalls her salary, working with collections, student aid, and student wages. She also speaks about various administration and professors at the school including Clara Booth Byrd, Julius Foust, Anna Gove, Gertrude Mendenhall, Mary Petty, Anna Readon, and Cornelia Strong.
Oral history interview with Rena Bridgman Lupton
Rena Bridgman Lupton (1883-1977) attended the State Normal and Industrial School, now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, from 1901 to 1904. Lupton discusses arriving at the school from the country, working in the dining hall to pay her tuition, the Brick Dormitory fire of 1904, her subsequent illness, and her return to eastern North Carolina. She talks about her admiration of and appreciation for the faculty and administration, especially President Charles D. McIver. Lupton recalls the campus buildings, campus life, and the literary societies. She reminisces about her days of being the only teacher in a rural school.
Oral history interview with Ruth Vick O"Brien
Ruth Vick O'Brien (1900-1975) graduated in 1921 from the North Carolina College for Women, now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In 1942, she received a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. O'Brien talks about growing up in Seaboard, North Carolina; college rules and regulations; changes that have occurred at the university since she was in school; campus and cultural activities during her college days; and religious influences on campus. She also mentions faculty who influenced her life such as Viola Boddie, Laura Hill Coit, Harriet Elliott, Magnhilde Gullander, Walter Clinton Jackson, Emma King, Eduard C. Lindeman, and Frances Womble.
Oral history interview with Ruth Vick O"Brien
Ruth Vick O'Brien (1900-1975) graduated in 1921 from the North Carolina College for Women, now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In 1942, she received a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. O'Brien talks about her early live in Seaboard, North Carolina; her college days; campus rules and regulation; and the importance of 'service' at the college. She recalls the faculty members who influenced her life such as Viola Boddie, Laura Hill Coit, Harriet Elliott, Magnhilde Gullander, A.C. Hall, Walter Clinton Jackson, Emma King, Eduard C. Lindeman, and Frances Womble. O'Brien discusses her interest and involvement with the Carolina Dramatic Association and American Folk Festival Association as well as her love of the Wolf Trap National Park and the Kennedy Center. She concludes the interview by remembering her husband, John, and their Washington, DC public relations firm's involvement in passing legislation such as Medicare.
Oral history interview with Mary Lewis Harris Reed
Mary Lewis Harris Reed (1876-1977) graduated in 1894 from the North Carolina State Normal and Industrial School, now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Reed discusses the academic life, the social life, the original faculty and administration of the school, and her relationships with the eight women who graduated with her. She talks about student teaching, her teaching career, and her music interest. Reed recalls President Charles Duncan McIver, Lady Principal Sue May Kirkland, and the commencement speech of William Jennings Bryan. The interviewer's notes include a description of the school in 1892 by Virginia Terrell Lathrop (Class of 1923), a list of the faculty, and the 1894 commencement program.
Oral history interview with Louise M. Robbins
Louise M. Robbins (1928-1987) received her BA, MA, and PhD from Indiana University and was a member of the Department of Anthropology faculty at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro from 1974 until her death. She was a physical anthropologist, footprint expert and consultant to police departments nationwide. Robbins discusses her summer field trips in 1978 and 1979 to Laetoli, Tanzania in East Africa, where she worked with Mary Leakey during the discovery of the hominid footprint trail (earliest evidence of man walking upright). She talks about the discovery's exhibits and Neanderthal exhibits at the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Institution.
Oral history interview with Jane Summerell
Jane Summerell (1891-1988) was a member of the Class of 1910 at the North Carolina State Normal & Industrial College, now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. A professor of English at the college from 1926-1958, she received an honorary doctor of humane letters from the institution in 1978. Summerell describes campus life, classes, rules and regulations, and the Literary Societies after her arrival at the college when she was fourteen years old. She talks about the prestige of the institution and discusses her impressions of Presidents Charles Duncan McIver and Julius I. Foust; Professors Viola Boddie, Edward J. Forney, Eugene W. Gudger, Gertrude Mendenhall, Mary Macy Petty, and William Cunningham Smith; Dean Harriet Elliott; College Secretary Laura Coit; and Mrs. Lula Martin McIver. Summerell also mentions the Curry Training School's Supervising Teacher Annie Wiley and the excellent English faculty.
Oral history interview with Gladys Avery Tillett
Gladys Avery Tillett (1892-1984) was a member of the Class of 1915 at State Normal and Industrial College, now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee, 1940-1950; co-director of Frank Porter Graham's senatorial campaign, 1950; United States delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, 1961-1968; proponent of the Equal Rights Amendment; and activist for other political and social causes. Tillett discusses coming to college, her family history and campus life, including the beginning of student government, and the role of literary societies. She talks about leaving college for two years and the impact of the political science/history department. Tillett recalls the influence of administrators and faculty members Viola Boddie, Laura Hill Coit, Harriet Elliott, Edward Jacob Forney, Anna Gove, Eugene Gudger, Sue May Kirkland, Charles Duncan McIver, and Gertrude Mendehhall. She also recounts the effect of the women's suffrage movement on campus and in North Carolina and her political life.

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