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Description
Oral history interview with Ellen Jahn. Jahn attended ISU from 1970 to 1972 before transferring to Indiana University to finish her bachelor’s degree. The interview was conducted via Zoom videoconferencing software on June 20, 2022, by Alumni Engagement graduate assistant Emily Depperman.
Jahn begins the interview by explaining her decision to attend college, citing her academic success in high school, her interest in pursuing a teaching career, and the influence of parental expectations. When asked why she chose ISU specifically, Jahn mentions the convenience of its proximity to her home in the Chicago area and its accessibility by train. Initially majoring in Physical Education, Jahn reveals that her aspiration to become a PE teacher shifted as she realized her passion for sports did not align with the responsibilities of the role.
Reflecting on her time at ISU, Jahn highlights the supportive environment she found upon coming out as a member of the LGBT community during her freshman year and is especially grateful for the care she received at the Student Counseling Center during a challenging period. Jahn recounts her involvement in various student groups, including the women's basketball team and the Gay People's Alliance (GPA). She also describes her participation in organizing the Association for Intercollegiate Sports for Women (AIAW) basketball tournament held at ISU in 1972. She also recalls instances of activism on campus, including advocating for LGBT rights and challenging discriminatory viewpoints. Outside of academics and activism, Jahn reminisces about social activities and hangout spots on campus, such as spending time at the gym and “Feeney Beach,” a lawn area near the dormitories.
Jahn was outed to her parents during sophomore year and had to find a job when they stopped supporting her. She then transferred to Indiana University at the end of the year to pursue a degree in park and recreation administration, citing both academic and personal reasons for the decision. She eventually moved to California, where she worked for the Girl Scouts and later attended law school, engaging in legal advocacy for the LGBT community. Jahn credits her time at ISU with fostering a sense of community, activism, and personal growth that influenced her future endeavors positively. She expresses fondness for her alma mater and its impact on her life.
Interview Date
6-20-2022
Index
- Introduction; decision to attend ISU; major: 00:00-01:03
- Involvement in student organizations: 01:03-02:40
- Being queer on campus; Student Counseling Services: 02:40-04:22
- Gay People’s Alliance; The Willies: 04:30-06:47
- Socializing; being outed and finding an off-campus job: 06:47-10:02
- Transferring to Indiana University; career after graduation: 10:02-12:09
- Impact of ISU and GPA on Jahn’s career: 12:09-14:57
- Conclusion: 14:57-16:04
Recommended Citation
Jahn, Ellen, "Interview with Ellen Jahn, Class of 1973" (1973). Alumni Oral Histories. 39.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/aoh/39