In this interview Zizel and Rae share their experiences at Ypsi Pride, noting that they moved to Ypsi about a year ago for school. Both Zizel and Rae express that they love the artist alley, the community feel of Ypsi Pride, and want to remind everyone to stay slaying.
In this interview EMU alum and community member Kevin Werner shares his experiences at Ypsi Pride, noting that he continues to come every year because he loves the community. Werner also explains that he was the first student to transition while living in the dorms at EMU in the early 2000s, is currently producing Stonewall the Musical, and discusses his involvement in trans support groups and the Outloud Chorus.
In this brief interview, queer elder Terry shares his experiences at Ypsi Pride, noting that the older he gets the happier he is in his own skin and that he is happier younger queer generations have it easier.
In this interview a women dressed like La Llorona, Disha Myles, shares her experiences at Ypsi Pride, explaining that she is dressed the way she is to draw attention to abortion rights. Myles expresses concern for the future of abortion access, her hopes for the Presidential election, and urges everyone to register to vote.
In this interview Max Taylor, a photographer for the Eastern Echo, shares their experiences working at Ypsi Pride. Taylor expresses that they enjoy capturing moments of raw emotion, and like to take pictures of people having fun in groups and smiling. They also discuss photo taking etiquette, being able to connect with others over their ace pin, and passes on the message that you should live your truth.
In this interview community member Leif shares their experiences at Ypsi Pride, explaining that they were there reading Tarot for This, That, and the Odder Thing. Leif also speaks about their time living in London and France, the lack of a goth scene in the Ypsi area, and the fact that Ypsi has an "anything that's weird" scene instead that they prefer.
In this interview Chris Joly shares how she and her partner brought a Pride Center to Jackson, MI, and the tragedy that followed shortly after Jackson's first Pride Event. Joly explains that her house was set on fire, which claimed the lives of her 2 dogs and 3 cats, by an arsonist, and her partner at the time, Nikki Joly was wrongfully accused of the arson and ended up spending over two years in prison. Joly explains how that fire and everything that followed after changed her and Nikki, resulting in their separation.
In this interview community member Ellie shares her experiences at Ypsi Pride, explaining that this is her first Pride since coming out as a lesbian. Ellie also discusses her opinions on the importance of Pride, self-acceptance, and the importance of keeping a journal.
In this interview community member Leslie Davenport shares their experiences at Ypsi Pride, detailing that their first Pride was the first time they felt they were in a safe place. Davenport shares that they are deaf but love music, and they are still exploring what music they like after recently leaving Christianity. They share that Ypsi Pride is full of friendly people but would be more accessible if there was an interpreter by the stage.
In this interview with community member Jesse Carr they share their experiences with Ypsi Pride, detailing that this is their second Ypsi Pride. Carr discusses their recent autism diagnosis and the positive impact it has had on their ability to enjoy Pride, and expressed to younger generations of queer people that living to adulthood is worth the wait despite the hardships.
In this interview community member Glenisha "Glen" Berryman shares their experiences at Ypsi Pride, explaining that this was their second Ypsi Pride. Berryman discusses the community impact of Ypsi Pride, a powerful experience they had at a Hozier concert, gardening as a form of self-care, and the beauty of being queer.
In this interview community member Damien Babcock shares his experiences with Ypsi Pride, detailing that it was his first ever Pride event due to growing up in a conservative environment that restricted his ability to accept his queerness. Babcock explores the happiness he feels now that he is living in Ypsi, his interest in taxidermy and insects, and how being transgender is the best thing somebody can be.
In this interview a genderfluid community member named Audrey shares their experiences with Ypsi Pride, explaining that they were grateful to be there. Audrey explores their history with activism, detailing their involvement with the encampment for Palestine on U of M's diag, the work they do preserving queer history, and their radio show. They express that they want others to have compassion for themselves and those around them, and that the future is worth fighting for.
In this interview EMU student Leslie Arcure shares their experiences with Ypsi Pride, specifically exploring how Ypsi Pride is less corporate/capitalistic then other Pride events she has gone too. Arcure also discusses her interest in film and political history, some of her favorite films, and reading books on conservatism as a self-identified socialist.
In this interview longtime Ypsi residents Rachel Resin and Shoshanna Wechter share their experiences with Ypsi Pride. Wechter explains that she was at the first one in 2017, helped plan in 2018, and loves that Pride is in Depot Town because she lives there. Both Resin and Wechter share that they love the Ypsi community and how they can't walk outside without seeing someone they know.
In this interview longtime Ypsi resident Nicolette Lelli shares their experiences at Ypsi Pride, explaining that their first pride was in 2017, the same year they came out to their friends and family. Lelli discusses the fear they experienced as a queer person living in Florida, having to move back to Michigan, and the happiness she feels to be able to see rainbow flags everywhere.
In this interview Kassie Keil explores their experience with Ypsi Pride, sharing that the first one they attended was in 2021 when they moved to Ypsi. Keil explores their involvement in the Fun Girl Dance Company, explaining that it is a safe space that helps them explore their queerness through their art. They also discuss recently discovering that they are intersex, the journey of processing those feelings, and the community impact of events like Ypsi Pride.
In this interview longtime Ypsilanti resident Elize Jakobsen shares their experiences at Ypsi Pride, explaining that they were involved in the planning of the first Ypsi Pride and have been involved ever since. Jakobsen also details other events they have helped organize in Ypsi such as, the Festival of the Pollinator, and how they have felt comfortable at many other events around Ypsi as a queer person.
In this interview Ypsi native Sidney Murray Heed shares her experiences at Ypsi Pride, detailing that she worked on the planning board remotely while attending a theatre program at Dell'Arte International performing arts school in California. Heed explains how she has felt most comfortable in the circus community since she didn't always feel comfortable in queer spaces as a queer woman who was attracted to men. Heed also goes on to explore more spaces she is comfortable in, her involvement in the Church, favorite pride memories, and plans for future involvement in Ypsi Pride.
In this interview Ypsi native Roberto Frausto shares their experiences at Ypsi Pride, detailing that they first attended a few years ago when they were coming to terms with their identity. Frausto shares that they identify as two-spirit, and they did not find that label for themself until they were in their twenties. Frausto also explores the power of queer connection, their thoughts on drag, and their love for their hometown of Ypsilanti.
In this interview longtime Ypsi resident Amber Fellows explains her experiences with Ypsi Pride, sharing that she attended the first one in 2015 and helped book live entertainment. Fellows explains that Pride is needed, but she finds more solace in other parts of the community, noting that Ypsi is known for being a queer haven. She also shares her experiences with Motor City Pride, impacts of the pandemic on Pride, and reminicises on running a zine table called Fag Rag Zines.
In this interview Michael Faunce shares their experiences with Ypsi Pride, sharing that they attended one previously working the booth for their church, Blue Ocean. Faunce explains that the lead pastor is a lesbian so they feel very welcomed there, and in the larger Ypsi community in general. They explain that while Pride helps increase tolerance towards queer people they hope one day labels won't matter and people can just be accepted as they are.
In this interview longtime Ypsi resident Thomas Droste explains their experiences with Ypsi Pride, explaining that 2023 is the first time they've attended. Droste explores that this is the first year they fully considered themselves apart of the queer community, sharing that they love the drag shows and thinks that events like Ypsi pride show that Ypsi cares about all of its residents.
In this interview Ypsi native Kenneth Curtis shares their experiences with Ypsi Pride, the first of which they attended in 2017. Curtis's first Ypsi Pride inspired them to start a GSA [Gay-Straight Alliance] at their high school, and later opened the door for them to join the Ypsi Pride board in 2021. They explain the difficulties of throwing Pride during pandemic, the importance of community spaces, and the hopes that Ypsi Pride will continue to grow and improve.
In this interview an anonymous parent and their child share their experiences with Ypsi Pride. Anon shares how they have been coming to Ypsi Pride for many years, and explains that while their child, who is autistic, does not normally like big gatherings they love pride events. Anon also explains how they did not meet another queer person until they were an adult so they want to expose their child to the beauty that exists in the queer community.
In this interview longtime Ypsi resident Grey Grant shares their Ypsi Pride experiences detailing that they first attended in 2021 to reunite with an old friend. Grant also details that they've been lucky finding a large queer community and queer spaces, and that their first pride was in their hometown of Winston Salem, NC, in the early 2000s. Grant also shares the importance of community for millenials and Gen Z, the joy of seeing so many trans people in Ypsi, and being happy to be at pride.
Donna Winkelman is a member of the Center for Jewish Studies advisory board and a dedicated member of the local Jewish community. Originally from Huntington Woods, Winkelman first moved to Ann Arbor while attending U of M--where she later met her husband, Tom. She became part of the CJS team after learning about it from friend and neighbor, Decky Alexander. Both strong supporters of the center, Winkelman and her husband developed the Donna Winkelman and Thomas Easthope Endowed Scholarship in Jewish Studies, which funds students taking travel courses. In this interview, she talks about finding community, her experiences in the Peace Corps, and why travel opportunities are important for students and non-students alike.
Cole Nelson is an EMU alum who earned a degree in political Science in 2022. During his time at Eastern he worked in the Center for Jewish Studies with founding director, Marty Shichtman. Nelson worked closely with Shichtman, helping with things like event planning and updating the website. In this interview, he talks about his experiences at EMU, being hired as Shichtman's assistant, and how the center stayed afloat at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Brad Axelrod is a clincical neuropsychologist with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Detroit area, and a member of the EMU Center for Jewish Studies advisory board. A Chicago native, Axelrod made his way to Ann Arbor while working on a degree in clinical psychology. Both he and his wife, Robin, engaged in the local Jewish community early on and formed stronger relationships once their children started Hebrew Day School. Axelrod has served on many different community boards across Washtenaw county, like the Jewish Community Center's film festival committee and the Partnership2Gether Program. He and Robin became involved with CJS shortly after its formal introduction in 2012, when Marty Shichtman invited them to join the advisory board. In this interview, Axelrod talks about his early Jewish upbringing and education, the most memorable CJS events he's attended, and the valuable education the Center provides to students, the university itself, and the community.
Pam Landau is professor emeritus, two time EMU alum, and Center for Jewish Studies advisory board member. Landau is a certified sex educator and therapist who taught classes in the Psychology Department from 1982 to 2023, and still serves as the faculty coordinator for the human sexuality minor. She is one of the earliest supporters of the Center for Jewish Studies and long-time board member, and is considered by founding director Marty Shichtman to be one of the program's anchors. In this interview, Landau talks about her career at EMU and most influential colleagues, what it was like when the Center was just beginning, and what she hopes their programming provides for Jewish and non-Jewish students alike.
Jeff Bernstein is a professor of political science and Director of the Faculty Development Center at EMU. Bernstein, alongside colleagues like Decky Alexander and Pam Landau, is another one of the Center for Jewish Studies' earliest supporters. He started teaching classes at EMU while working on a graduate degree from U of M and was later hired as a full time faculty member. Up until its move off campus, Bernstein served as a board member for Hillel, alongside CJS Founding Director Marty Shichtman. He was appointed director of the Faculty Development Center in 2021 and continues to serve on the CJS faculty advisory board. In this interview, Bernstein talks about the things that formed his Jewish identity, the changes in Eastern's Jewish student body over the years, and just how much work went into developing and maintaining the Center.
Sam Hirsch is Vice Chair of the EMU Foundation Board of Trustees and member of the Center for Jewish Studies advisory board. A retired pathologist from the University of Michigan, Hirsch first stepped into the EMU community while his daughter was a student here; and joined CJS in part because the founding director, Marty Shichtman, was her favorite professor. Since then, he's developed a greater appreciation for Eastern and the things that distinguish it from U of M. In this interview, Hirsch talks about his unexpected place at EMU as an outsider, what being on the advisory board means, and how he's seen the center's impact continue to grow.
Robin Axelrod is CEO of Axelrod Coaching and Consulting and a member of the Center for Jewish Studies advisory board. A licensed social worker and established leader in the Metro-Detroit area, she became part of CJS after first hearing about it while working at the University of Michigan. Axelrod's time with U of M has provided her with a unique insight to the experiences of Jewish college students, which she is able to bring forth into her work in the advisory board here. In this interview, she talks about the things that helped shape her Jewish identity, being one of the first graduates of Judaic Studies at U of M, and the opportunities CJS provides to EMU students and beyond.
Mary and Art Schuman are two of the most passionate members of the Center for Jewish Studies advisory board and became involved early on. They have been strong supporters of the program, contributing whatever way they can, financially or otherwise. They created the Art and Mary Schuman Endowment for Jewish Studies Lectures and Performances, and they also sponsor an annual lecture series on Eastern's campus. In Fall 2024 with the first-floor renovation of Halle Library and dedication of the Center's new space, the Schumans were honored with a plaque recognizing their dedication. In this interview, Art and Mary each talk about their different upbringings, the meeting where Art first heard about the plans for CJS, and why it's so important to them.
Jill Hunsberger is Associate Vice President for Advancement at EMU and a long time supporter and advisory board member of the Center for Jewish Studies. Since making her way here in 1999, Hunsberger has established herself as a dynamic and engaged community leader through her work with the EMU Foundation and the EMU Chapter of Women in Philanthropy. She became involved with the Center for Jewish Studies early on and helped to advance its inital growth and development. In this interview, Hunsberger talks about her deep rooted background in community service, developing university programs from start to finish, and how the Center can teach people what it means to be good community citizens.
Decky Alexander is a professor of drama and theater education and the Director of Engage@EMU. Alexander has become a well known community member across Washtenaw County through her theater education programs and work with organizations like the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor. She is the founder of CloseUp theater troupe and has been another long time supporter and board member of the Center for Jewish Studies at EMU. In this interview, Alexander talks about her Jewish upbringing in Chicago, the strengths of a good community network, and why having a center like this is especially important at EMU.
Bob Erlewine is the Director of the Center for Jewish Studies and professor of religious studies at EMU. In 2022, Erlewine left Illinois Wesleyan University and made his way to EMU as the newly appointed CJS Director. He is the second director of the center, taking over after Marty Shichtman's retirement. With a formal background in Jewish studies, he's been able to develop more academic curriculum and maintain strong community ties. In this interview, Erlewine talks about the things that eventually led him here, why having this center is particularly important at EMU, and where he hopes to guide it moving forward.
Martin "Marty" Shichtman is professor emeritus and the Founding Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at EMU. A professor of English and Literature for nearly four decades, Shichtman taught both graduate and undergraduate level courses in subjects like Arthurian literature and Jewish-American literature. During his tenure at EMU he introduced the first Jewish Studies class, which soon led to the creation of a Jewish Studies minor, and eventually the Center for Jewish Studies. Shichtman served as the center's director from its opening in 2012 to his retirement in 2022 and continues to be involved as a member of the advisory board. In this interview, Shichtman talks about growing up Jewish in Brooklyn, the establishment and growth of the Center, and how much he's seen the impact its had both on EMU students and himself.
Kate Mehuron, professor of History and Philosophy and the Department of Women's and Gender Studies, and Dennis O'Grady, professor with the Departments of Communication, Media, and Theater Arts and Women's and Gender Studies, were both instrumental in the planning and implementation of the EMU LGBT Resource Center. Acting as a vital connection between faculty, students, and administration, Mehuron and O'Grady describe working with other faculty like Kathleen Russell to win support for the center. They also describe some of the pushback to the center amongst EMU faculty.
As a university administrator of over 40 years at EMU, Gregory Peoples devoted himself to bettering the college experiences of marginalized students,. In 1994, Peoples helped establish the LGBT Resource Center at EMU, and in this interview, he describes the challenges both to himself and from the university in forming this crucial campus support center.
In her 40 years of service to EMU, Glenna Frank-Miller has served in many crucial capacities including Student Affairs, Campus Life, Diversity and Community Involvement, Alumni Engagement, Career Services and more. She also co-chaired the planning and constrcution of the EMu Student Center. Involved in many levels at EMU, Frank-Miller here describes the need for, and implementation of, the EMU LGBT Resource Center. She describes the various threads that led to the decision to create the center, and describes the reaction on campus to its opening.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, Trent Collier talks about raising a family in Ann Arbor, getting involved in community groups, and finding moments of calm in graduate school.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, Tom Stulberg talks about being mayor of Lower Town, discovering and correcting local history, and his favorite things to do.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, Susan and Sam Westhoff talk about family and growing up in Ann Arbor, the city's rich natural landscape, and trips to the Kerrytown Farmer's Market.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, Paul Conway shares the story of how he made his way to Ann Arbor, attending and then working at the University of Michigan, and the challenges of a growing college and a growing city.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, Odile Hugnot-Haber talks about her journey to Ann Arbor, the struggles of collective activism and engagement, and how the city can start to make a change in the world.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, mother Merrily Hart and daughters Rachel Klayman and Julie Roberts talk about growing up in Ann Arbor close to family, attending the University of Michigan, and finding their ways back to each other after leaving.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, long-time Ann Arbor resident Mark Margolis talks about running a small business, the vibrant community he's found, and the city's changing landscape.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, Jeremy Wheeler talks about working with local businesses and orgs as an artist, the types of people who make up Ann Arbor, and the types of worries that come with rising prices.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, Corey Mills talks about growing up in Ann Arbor, working for the AAPD, and how the city has changed but also stayed the same.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, Charlie Reischl talks about growing up in the city, working for non-profits, and the importance of Ann Arbor's art and music scene.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, Liz Nowland-Margolis talks about growing up in Ann Arbor, learning about her family's history, and community involvement.
Throughout 2024, the city of Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary with community events, festivals, and art displays that highlighted its rich culture and history. To cap off the celebrations, in December 2024 the EMU Center for Oral History Research invited community members to Skyline High School to share what makes Ann Arbor special. In this interview, Scott King and Andre Andersen talk about moving to and living in Ann Arbor, the things they look forward to outside of UMich Football, and what they believe the AAPD's role to be in the city.
Bob Garfield is a lifelong resident of Ypsilanti who attended the Roosevelt school in 7th grade. In this interview, Garfield discusses the year he spent at Roosevelt, noting that the lack of structure is what led him to transfer back to public school. He also talks about Ypsilanti's history, exploring how the landscape has changed, popular hangout spots for kids, and businesses that no longer exist. Garfield also speaks candidly about his experiences with substance use, working at the first Domino's pizza, and gushes with pride talking about his musically gifted adult son, J.T.
Kirk Profit is a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives and currently works as a lawyer and legal consultant in his hometown of Ypsilanti, Michigan. In this interview, Profit speaks about his time as a student at the Roosevelt school, which he attended from kindergarten until 6th grade, leaving early as a result of Roosevelts impending closure. He explains how the education at Roosevelt was creative and innovative, why swimming was so popular among Roosevelt students, and discusses what elementary and middle school students did for fun in the 1960s. He also discusses his life after Roosevelt, exploring his early involvement with politics, developing a social consciousness, and the current state of education in Ypsilanti.
Jim MacDonald was a Roosevelt school attendee from 1957 until his junior year 1969, when the school closed, and his dad, Alistair MacDonald, better known as “Mr. Mac was the principal of Roosevelt while he attended. MacDonald is also the proprietor of Jim MacDonald’s Antiques, which shares a shop with Apple Annie's Vintage in Ypsilanti's Historic Depot Town. In this interview MacDonald discusses his experience growing up in Ypsilanti in the 1950s and 60s near Oakwood and Sheridan, playing with his friends in Sleepy Hollow, and the impact his dad had on kids he went to Roosevelt with. MacDonald also talks in detail about his friendship with Wayne Blikken, explaining their cross country trip playing basketball at various colleges.
Mary and Terry Clark are a married couple who began dating as elementary school students while attending the Roosevelt school. In this interview the couple speaks fondly of their time at Roosevelt, and each explain the extracurriculars they were involved in and the teachers that had an impact on their lives. They also discuss how they met, holding hands while walking to school, where the popular hang out spots were, and what the school meant to them.
Edwin "Ed" Pear is an attorney with a long distinguished career in real estate, business, and estate planning. Pear attended the Roosevelt school from K-12, and was apart of the graduating class of 1959. In this interview, Ed recounts memories of growing up in a Jewish family in Ypsilanti, his fathers clothing store, and other local businesses that existed at the time. He also reminisces about his time as a student at Roosevelt, sharing his experiences in athletics, extracurriculars, and lamenting about the sadness of the schools closure.
Gretchen [Geiser] Colbert is a 1968 alumna of the Roosevelt School and grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In this interview Colbert discusses her experiences at Roosevelt, highlighting how she developed a passion for music and joined the girl's synchronized swim team as it was the only sport available to women at the time. She explains how she took her passion for music with her through life, and how voice lessons at Roosevelt have led to a lifelong involvement in choir groups.
Mary Lou James was born and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan, graduating from Roosevelt in 1947 and from Eastern Michigan University in 1951. In this interview Mary Lou explores her time growing up in Ypsilanti in the 1930s-40s, and recounts memories of going to Roosevelt revealing popular hangout spots, school dances, and what dating looked like back in the day. She also shares her experiences as a student at the Michigan State Normal College, being a sorority sister, and her marriage and children.
George Goodman is a Michigan native, military veteran, and was the first African American to be elected as Mayor of Ypsilanti, a position he held from 1972-82. Goodman attended Roosevelt from K-12, graduating in 1958. In this interview, George shares his experiences growing up in a predominantly Black neighborhood, how Ypsilanti has evolved over time, and his experiences at school and in the larger community as a person of color. He also explores his time after Roosevelt, briefly touching on his time as Mayor of Ypsilanti and how Roosevelt left a lasting impact on him.
Barry LaRue is a lifelong Ypsilanti resident, EMU alum, founder of the Riverside Arts Center, and former Operations Manager for University of Michigan theatres. Barry attended Roosevelt from Kindergarten through seventh grade, and, in this interview, he explores his experiences at Roosevelt going into detail about his involvement with theatre productions, the lab schools unique “progressive” curriculum, and the teachers and friends who left a lasting impression on him. Additionally, LaRue recounts his feelings of Roosevelt’s closure, his involvement in Ypsilanti city politics and preservation, and the ways that EMU’s campus has evolved since he was a student.
Margaret "Peg" Porter, is a longtime Ypsilanti resident, Roosevelt High School alumna, and involved with local history as a member of the Ladies Literary Society. In this interview, Porter discusses her experiences growing up in Ypsilanti in the 1950s. Porter also recounted her education at Roosevelt, highlighting the small class sizes and the impact of her polio diagnosis in 1955. She also shares her involvement in extracurricular activities, such as the newspaper and yearbook, and her later career in education and disability rights advocacy. Porter emphasizes the importance of community connections and the legacy of Roosevelt's students and teachers.
Suzanne “Suzy” Wood attended the Roosevelt School K-12, she graduated a year before the school’s closure in 1969. In this interview, Suzy recounts growing up in the Normal Park neighborhood and activities kids did while living there in the 1950s-60s, and her experiences attending Roosevelt as a studious honors student who stayed out of trouble. Suzy also discusses meeting her husband, Nelson, while at Roosevelt, what dates looked like in the 1960s, and her life beyond Roosevelt.
Thomas Dusbiber attended the Roosevelt School from Kindergarten in 1954 until he graduated in 1966. In this interview, Tom recounts his time at Roosevelt, talking about the quality of the teachers, the struggles of high school athletics, and where the popular hangout spots were when he was in school. He also explores the legacy of the school, and the reasons why so many former students remember it so fondly.
![[Untitled]](https://omeka.emich.edu/files/large/52685/IMG_4135_Large.jpg)
