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Description
Oral history interview with Illinois State Normal University alum Dorothy “Dottie” Knous, Class of 1946. The interview was conducted on October 17, 1981, by Kathleen Myers, then a member of the Student Alumni Council. Knous recalls being at ISU as “a very happy time for [her].” She mentions respected figures like university president Raymond Fairchild, although personal interaction with him was limited due to his busy schedule. Notable professors and administrators from the music, business, and other departments are remembered with appreciation, highlighting their impact on her education and personal development. She also highlights the assistance provided by Dr. Carrington in the teacher placement service, sharing a personal anecdote about securing a job offer without an interview.
As a music major, Knous participated in various music-related activities such as the Lowell Mason Club and the University Choir. She also enjoyed involvement in religious activities, sorority events, and campus dances, including co-op dances featuring big-name bands.
Knous provides insights into the cost of living during her time at ISU, including prices of common goods and services. She also discusses societal norms regarding tobacco and alcohol use, emphasizing strict regulations against alcohol consumption on campus. She recalls the typical mode of dress at the time, including the prevalence of skirts and sweaters for everyday wear and the use of leg makeup in lieu of nylon stockings due to wartime rationing. Knous reflects on the significant impact of World War II on campus life, particularly the celebration of Victory Day and the end of the war.
Knous shares humorous anecdotes about campus events, including performances by the Blackfriars and their initiation rituals. She also recounts a serious incident involving the expulsion of a friend for alcohol consumption, highlighting the strict enforcement of rules at the time.
Knous fondly remembers the close relationship between students who lived in dormitories and their house mothers, emphasizing the supportive and nurturing environment they provided. She reflects on the importance of campus rules, suggesting that clear boundaries facilitated a simpler and more structured student life.
Interview Date
10-17-1981
Index
- Introduction: 00:00-00:49
- President Raymond Fairchild: 00:49-01:18
- Influential faculty: 01:18-05:26
- Differences between college life in early 1940s and 1981: 05:26-06:13
- Extracurricular activities: 06:13-08:32
- Student services: 08:32-11:01
- Prices for staples: 11:01-14:27
- Typical mode of dress: 14:27-16:40
- National and world events: 16:40-17:08
- Entertainment: 17:08-19:06
- Bloomington-Normal: 19:06-20:21
- Alcohol and tobacco policies: 20:21-20:45
- Favorite and least favorite memories of ISNU: 20:45-21:46
- Campus boundaries and buildings: 21:46-24:28
- Blackfriars; friend’s expulsion for drinking: 24:28-26:59
- Importance of house mothers: 26:59-28:57
Biographical Statement
Dorothy “Dottie” Marie Fisherkeller (1925-2006) was born to Carl A. and Beatrice E. (Baum) Fisherkeller in Springfield, Illinois. She graduated from Illinois State Normal University in 1946 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. While a student she served as president of the Lowell Mason Club and vice president of the Philadelphia Literary Society. She also participated in Women’s Chorus, University Choir, Studio Choir, Concert Band, Marching Band, Orchestra, Kappa Delta Epsilon, Kappa Delta Pi, and Newman Club. In 1948 she married Walter C. “Jack” Knous in Springfield, Illinois; together they would have four children. Dorothy taught vocal music in Petersburgh, Bath, Kilbourne, Springfield, and Mason City, Illinois. In 1993, she received Petersburg’s First Citizen Award.
Recommended Citation
Knous, Dorothy Marie, "Interview with Dorothy Knous, Class of 1946" (1946). Alumni Oral Histories. 1.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/aoh/1