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Description
Oral history interview with Illinois State Normal University alumni Doris Lynn (Eadie) Alderman and Ronald Slack, Class of 1957. The interview was conducted on October 9, 1982, by Tom Jakubczak, then a member of the Student Alumni Council.
The interview covers various aspects of campus life, providing insights into the social, academic, and cultural atmosphere of the institution during the mid-1950s. Alderman and Slack fondly recall ISU as a small and friendly campus where students knew each other well, emphasizing the personalized nature of education where professors were familiar with their students on an individual basis. They reminisce about President Robert Bone's personal engagement with students, highlighting his efforts to know students by name and his visibility on campus.
The interview delves into the significance of various faculty members, administrative officials, and campus services. Alderman praises Dean Anna Keaton for her supportive role, while Slack acknowledges the influence of his advisor, Ed Payne, and the faculty of the physical education department. They also discuss the availability of campus services such as the health center and placement services and reflect on the supportive environment provided to students during their time at ISU.
Alderman and Slack describe a number of entertainments and extracurricular options on campus, including marching bands, sports events, free movies, and dances. They emphasize the sense of community fostered by participation in these activities and the importance of sports in uniting students.
The interview sheds light on the social norms and cultural practices prevalent on campus during the 1950s. Alderman and Slack discuss dress codes, curfews, and the strict regulations regarding tobacco and alcohol use. They also reflect on significant national events, such as the advent of the Korean War and aftermath of World War II, which had a marked impact on campus life, particularly, as Slack notes, for male students facing the draft if they let their grades drop. Other evidence of the wars included veterans going to college on the GI Bill and classes held in Quonset huts.
Interview Date
10-9-1982
Index
- Introduction: 00:00-01:29
- President Robert Bone: 01:29-02:55
- Influential faculty and administrators: 02:55-04:18
- Comparative difficulty of completing a college education: 04:18-05:35
- Extracurricular activities: 05:35-07:19
- Student services: 07:19-08:43
- Prices: 08:43-09:47
- Typical mode of dress: 09:47-11:00
- Korean War: 11:00-11:45
- Entertainment: 11:45-12:46
- Bloomington-Normal: 12:46-13:35
- Alcohol and tobacco use: 13:35-14:23
- Favorite and least favorite aspects of ISNU: 14:23-15:56
- Campus boundaries and buildings: 15:56-18:23
- Most and least humorous recollections: 18:23-20:19
- Conclusion: 20:19-22:16
Keywords
College buildings; College students--Alcohol use; College students--Tobacco use; College sports; Entertainment events; Nineteen fifties; Student activities; Bone, Robert Gehlmann, 1906-1991; Illinois State University--Alumni and alumnae
Recommended Citation
Alderman, Doris Lynn and Slack, Ronald Everett, "Interview with Lynn Alderman and Ronald Slack, Class of 1957" (1957). Alumni Oral Histories. 29.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/aoh/29
Comments
Interview is undated