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David Cahill, Oral History Interview, 2022

In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. A former political science assistant professor at Eastern Michigan from 1969 to 1970, David Cahill was "non-rehired" after just one year for his support of students and the underground newspaper, the Second Coming. His dismissal fueled student unrest and upset with EMU administration, which led to a student led strike.

David Geherin, Oral History Interiew, 2019

David Geherin served as professor of English Language and Literature from 1969 until his retirement in 2010. During his time at EMU, Geherin, an author of crime fiction novels and analytic studies of contemporary crime fiction authors, designed several courses, most notably on crime fiction. Geherin was also an avid traveler during his time with the University, accompanying students on World Cultural History tours across Europe, studying classic works or art, history, and literature in their places of origination. Geherin received Emeritus status in 2010.

Davis, Robert Leach

Robert had just finished his second semester at U of M when he was drafted. He was living in Ann Arbor, but he was drafted from Vermont because his parents lived there. On June 22, 1943, a got on the train in VT and traveled to Fort Devens. Robert was very nervous because he had entered a completely new environment and wondered what was in store for him. He was sent to infantry basic training in South Carolina in July 1943 and was there for 13 weeks of training. After completing training, he was selected for the Army Specialized Training Program, which gave additional technical training to soldiers. Robert was sent to the University of Connecticut and enrolled in the basic engineering curriculum. He thought it was a poor choice because he was a liberal arts person, and he wasn’t sure that he would succeed. After six months, the program was scrapped anyway, and Robert was sent to the 78th Infantry Division in Virginia, in the spring of 1944. While in Virginia, he prepared to be sent to Germany. He was assigned to a heavy weapons company and was asked by the Motor Sergeant to drive a jeep for the squad. Robert said yes (it would get him out of all the marching!), and he was very glad that he was selected for this position. In September 1944, he was sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey where he boarded a troop ship. Robert landed in England about 10 days later (just a few months after D-Day). He was in England for a few months, getting equipment together, and by late November he crossed the channel, and landed in France. From France, he headed to Belgium and Germany. On Dec 13, 1944 he experienced his first day of combat. His 78th division was replacing another infantry division that had been in combat since D-Day, and the 78th division was just over the German border in Simmerath, a small farming community, when they experienced fierce fighting. He was not on the front lines. His job was to carry a trailer (behind his jeep) with a machine gun mounted on it. On the first day, he was ordered to carry ammunition up to a front-line post. As he was carrying them, a mortar landed nearby, and he caught a small bit of shrapnel in his arm and leg. When Robert arrived at the post, the aid man noticed that he had blood on his arm. Robert was told to go to the aid station to record the wound, receive treatment, and receive a purple heart. The doctors could not find the shrapnel in his arm, so he was sent to Paris for more treatment. He was away from the front for about 45 days. By the time he got back to his company in Germany, many of his comrades had been killed, captured, and wounded. Most of the company was made up of new people, strangers to him. His company had held the northern flank of the Battle of the Bulge, and he resumed his job as a jeep driver. In early March, his company moved south; they were the second infantry division to cross the Rhine River. They entered the Ruhr Valley in early April, within a few weeks of victory in Europe. Robert never fired a weapon in combat, since he was a driver. He thinks he was very fortunate to have fared so well, since he did not have to be at the front. Just after Victory in Europe day, his division came across a Prison camp (not a concentration camp, but a prison labor camp), and they liberated it. After the war ended, they ended up in a holding area, in central Germany and thought that they would be sent to the Pacific Theatre. Instead, his division was picked for occupation duty in Berlin. From October 1945 to March 1946, he was on occupation duty in Berlin with his division. Robert became a clerk for a few months, which he liked better than driving a jeep. In March 1946, he was discharged and sent home. He returned to VT, but his father had died while he was away. Robert worked that summer in Vermont, and then went back to Ann Arbor in September 1946, to finish at U of M with a degree in Psychology.

Davison, Toy Albert

Mr. Davison was drafted into the United States Army in March of 1943. Mr. Davison was known as a "Point Man" within the Army, it was his responsibility to be at the front or "point" of any engagement. At one point during his service in Western Europe, Mr. Davison was shot in the arm and captured by German forces. Considered a prisoner of war and injured, Davison was taken to the Stalag 2-B installation. Mr. Davison recalls in this interview the horrific conditions in which he lived for five months in German custody, and how he believed himself to have no hope. He and many of the other POW's he was with, describe how grateful they were for being liberated by American forces.

Dawn Richberg, Oral History Interview, 2022

On January 20th, 2022, Jones met with activist, creative, and mother, Dawn Richberg. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Richberg moved all across the country with her family before making her way to Ann Arbor in the 1980s. While attending graduate school at University of Michigan, she got involved with the American Friends Service Committee's LGBT Issues Program, which led to her participation in the ordinance campaigns. Richberg's experiences as a Black lesbian meant she brought an important perspective to the campaigns that was needed to help bridge the gap between Black communities and queer communities in Ypsi. In this interview, she shares those personal experiences, her work with the AFSC, and her passion for social justice. Richberg also reflects on the process of making change in the community.

Deal, Herman A.

Herman Deal was born in rural Georgia, in 1923. After completing high school, he took a job building ships. After a year, Herman and his buddies enlisted in the Air Corps, because they were promised that they would be together there. That lasted only a few weeks before they were separated in different training programs. His training took him to Boston, Texas, and the Willow Run plant in Michigan where the B-24s were built. This is where he met his future wife, Helen. Herman learned everything there was to learn about the B-24, including how to pilot the plane. He became the third (emergency) pilot of one. Herman's plane was shot down by very heavy flak on his first mission, to attack a submarine base at Toulon. After he was captured, Herman occupied himself with useful activities, including attending classes, for which he eventually received 18 college credits. Herman's camp was in Austria, but when the Russians began getting close, the entire camp population marched through Germany to Lenz, in the so-called 600-mile death march. His group was finally liberated by the 3rd Armored Division, in Patton's group. After returning to civilian life, Herman became involved in several successful businesses. Today, he and his wife of more than sixty years live in Ann Arbor. Although he is "retired," he works every day. Herman has been honored as one of 21 successful business people in Ann Arbor.

Deisha Myles, Oral History Interview, 2021

A member of the Native American Student Organization at Eastern Michigan University at the time of the struggle to change the EMU mascot and logo, Deisha [Olszewski] Myles attended nearly every meeting related to the change of what many considered to be an insensitive depiction of Native American culture. Myles speaks of her experience as a student on the Logo Selection Committee, witnessing the tense interactions between university administrators and describing the divisions amongst indigenous participants, divisions that often adhered closely to differing generational values.

Dempich, Kenneth L.

Kenneth was born in Dearborn, Michigan, on July 11, 1945, and grew up in Lincoln Park, Michigan. After finishing high school, he worked in a supermarket. Kenneth was drafted in 1965, and after basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and advanced training at Fort Lewis, Washington, Kenneth was shipped to Vietnam. His division went as a unit. The trip took 29 days, and at times the weather was very rough, with there even being a typhoon. The division's first location was Tuy Hoa, where they spent four months. They were then sent to Pleiku, near the Cambodian border. Kenneth described having experienced heavy fighting in both locations. He received his first Purple Heart on May 1, 1967 because of shrapnel, and his second exactly one month later. "Friendly Fire" caused deafness when an artillery shell exploded near his location. Although Kenneth served near and next to soldiers who were exposed to Agent Orange, he has been found to have not had any symptoms to this day. Kenneth returned to his supermarket job after his military service, but he eventually went to school to study accounting. His specialty was payroll, and he ended up working for several different companies. Because of his multiple injuries, he retired in 2001. Since his retirement, Kenneth has been a volunteer at local schools. He was married for 39 years, divorcing in 2010. Kenneth talked a great deal about his "blood brother," with whom he pledged to "trade" blood if or when needed. His unit has a reunion every two years. This year, the reunion will be in Tennessee, and in 2012 the reunion will be in Washington, D.C. He is looking forward to visiting Washington, D.C., since he has never had the opportunity to visit the various military memorials there.

Dennis Hertel, Oral History Interview, 2022

In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Dennis Hertel was an EMU student in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Vice President of the student body, and president of the student senate, Hertel was involved in making important decisions regarding the status of student unrest and upset with EMU administration. He would go on to be a United States congressman.

Detective John Garland

A photograph of Detective John Garland, taken during the People's Lounge arrests.

Diana Oughten, SDS

Photograph of SDS organizer Diana Oughten speaking at the SDS flagpole rally.

Dick Cottrill, Oral History Interview, 2022

Dick Cottrill was an active member of the Arm of Honor Fraternity from 1963 until 1967. IN this interview, Cottrill details his upbringing in Flint, MI before arriving in Ypsilanti for college. Cottrill describes his friend Bob Schneider, leader of Bob Schneider and the Collegiates, the Arm of Honor house band, and his efforts in booking the band in various venues around Ypsilanti. Cottrill describes the criteria for joining Arm of Honor and the initiation process, before talking about his employment iwth the first Domino's Pizza on Cross Street in Ypsilanti and how the fraternity house was received in the neighborhood on Emmet Street. Cotrrill also describes the feeling of leaving the fraternity at the end of his active membership.

Dick Look, Oral History Interview, 2024

Dick Look was active with the Arm of Honor Fraternity from 1962 until 1966. Look discesses his personal growth in the fraternity and at EMU, and expresses his appreciation for EMU Dean of Men, James "Bingo" Brown. Look also talks about the presence of the Arm of Honor Fraternity in the coaching field in Michigan. Look emphasizes the importance of a sense of belonging in a community in which all members are mutually supportive. Graduating from Walled Lake High School, Look retraces his journey to EMU, including his father's occupation in the entertainment industry and his own plans for a different life for himself. Looks atttributes his interest in sports broadcasting to listening to Mel Ott and Van Patrick on the radio as a child. Look also recalls his surprise to be dormmates with four Black men, the first Black people he had ever associated with. Look also speaks of Gilbert Gregory, an Arm brother on the Autism spectrum, and describes the day that the Homecoming float caught fire during the Homeecomign parade. On his pledge "ride," Look was taken to Canada and dropped off. Look speaks of the condition of the house and the lengths to which frat brothers went to conserve their sparse collections of clothing.

Ditzhazy Sr., Joseph Andrew

Joseph is from Michigan and was in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), in the Upper Peninsula. He was drafted in August 1943, but the army let him finish high school before he entered the service. Joseph was sent to Fort Benning for training when he was around 20 years old. He had only 13 weeks of training before going to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was there for several weeks of engineering training. Joseph failed on purpose, so that he would be able to join the army immediately, rather than after college training. He joined the 104th Howling Timberwolves at Camp Carson, in Colorado, for training until they went overseas. They trained at night and were known as “Night-Fighters.” Joseph only fought in one daylight battle while overseas. He landed in Normandy 3 months after D-Day (D-Day+90). The 104th moved through France and into Belgium. Three days later, they received orders to get ready to fight in Holland, where they fought to free the port of Antwerp. Next, the 104th crossed into Germany over the Roer/Rur River to Aachen, to assist the 1st division. Joseph was in a mortar battalion, and was a squad leader, although he was never formally recognized as such. Another squad leader didn’t like him and denied knowing him when asked. Joseph’s unit spent 195 days in constant combat with Germans. This combat took place from Holland down to Aachen, and until the war’s end. He only fought 120 of the days, because he was wounded. Shrapnel from a shell hit him, and he lay for eight hours, waiting for rescue. He was put on a train to Paris, and then to England. He woke up in a hospital in Oxford. He stayed there for three months while he recovered. He was finally sent back to the States, and he arrived in southern California, where he was discharged. After his discharge in 1946, he attended Michigan State University, and worked for GM and Chrysler, as a quality control manager. His unit, the 104th, has had a reunion every labor-day weekend since 1946.

Don Pearson, Oral History Interview, 1998

Don Pearson led the Economics Department at Eastern Michigan University from 1969-2009. In this interview, Pearson details the administrative and faculty power structure of Eastern Michigan University during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Pearson was also instrumental in the separation of the Economics Department from the History and Social Science Departments. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).

Donald Currie, University Library Dedicatory Address, 1967

Donald Currie serve as dean of students at Eastern Michigan University until joining the staff of the Royal Oak public schools, where he served as superintendent. Still president of the EMU Alumni Association, Currie was asked to speak at the dedication ceremony for the new University Library. Currie speaks at length on the growth of the university libraries throughout the years, and notes that all library growth can be traced back to just three individuals -Elsie Andrews, E. Walfred Erickson, and Genevieve Walton- in the more than 100 years that the school has been in existence. Currie says that more than how many books a library has, the real success of a library is measured in how well it serves the academic community.

Donald Loppnow Oral History Interview, 2017

Donald Loppnow served Eastern Michigan University in several capacities over a total of 40 years. He was the department head of the School of Social Work, the assistant to the president for strategic planning, associate vice president for extended programs, provost, vice president and executive director of the EMU Foundation. In this informal interview, Loppnow discusses his relationship with Bruce Nelson, former Vice President for Instruction at EMU, and longtime supporter of a wide variety of University-related causes. Loppnow talks of his first meetings with Nelson, as well as his constant interest in the Ypsilanti community and the welfare of EMU students.

Donna Benke, Oral History Interview, 2022

On June 6th, 2022, Jones sat down with EMU alum and former Tri-Pride member, Donna Benke. Benke found her way to Eastern in the 1990s, looking to obtain degrees in social work. Noticing the absence of a student org dedicated to LGBTQ students in the Masters in Social Work program, she joined her fellow students in founding Tri-Pride. Later, after the group was denied service by the print shop in 1997 and the incident made its way to the city council, Benke became one of the first students to speak up at the Human Relations Commission Hearings. She continued to be an active presence in Tri-Pride throughout the ordinance campaigns and up until her graduation from EMU in 1998. In this interview, she recounts how her academic and personal backgrounds impacted the way she navigated the campaigns, how the Tri-Pride students supported each other, and the lessons she took with her afterwards.

Donna Regan-Southwick, Oral History Interview, 2022

On March 8, 2022, Jones interviewed EMU alum, former Tri-Pride co-chair, and outspoken supporter of the ordinance, Donna Regan-Southwick. Before she made her way to Eastern, Southwick was a mother and activist working with Noel Keane in the early days of surrogacy. She enrolled at EMU as a non-traditional student, earning both her bachelors and masters degrees here. During her time in the MSW program, Southwick joined her classmates in the formation of Tri-Pride, where she acted as co-chair. After the group was denied service, she became an outspoken proponent of the ordinance and helped further bridge the gap between student and community campaign perspectives. Southwick had to balance activism and academics, all while raising a son, who witnessed the fight alongside her. In this interview, she sheds light on finding that balance, understanding grief, and finding the strength to stand up for what's right.

Doug Harvey, Oral History Interview, 2022

In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Harvey served two consecutive terms as sheriff between 1964 and 1972, and during that time he was tasked with managing the protests on EMU's campus. He was a strong individual in the Ypsilanti community, a force to be reckoned with until he passed away in 2023.

Dr. Albert P. Marshall, Oral History Interview, 1998

Dr. Albert P. Marshall served Eastern Michigan University from 1969 until 1980, during which time he taught library science, served as Library Director and Dean of Academic Services. This interview serves as a comprehensive biography of Marshall, from childhood through his time as Dean of Academic Services at Eastern Michigan University. Notable are Marshall’s experiences as librarian for the United States Coast Guard before arriving at EMU, and his concern for the welfare of black students at Eastern. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).

Dr. Mable Jones

Dr. Jones is an alumna of Eastern Michigan University, graduating in 1972. Her time is characterized by heavy involvement in student activism that included being a member of Campus Service Corps, the Black Student Association and discussions with administration after the take over of Pierce Hall in February 1969. Dr. Mable Jones came to Eastern as an Upward Bound student. Jones became the chief executive officer of Upward Bound at Wayne State University, and, since retiring, continues to serve the greater Detroit area in the field of child development.

Driscoll, Timothy

Timothy Driscoll was born on Staten Island, New York on July 5, 1945. His father was a chef, and the family moved a great deal. This resulted in Tim attending more than 20 schools before graduating from high school. Tim worked three jobs after high school, and was drafted in 1965, entering the service at Fort Lee, New Jersey. The barracks floors were so corroded that they collapsed. Since Tim had worked on floors in civilian life, he told the sergeant that he could fix them. Before long, there were ample supplies available to Tim to reconstruct the floors. Doing this kept him out of parades and exercise sessions. He was transferred to Fort Leonard Wood, where the weather was extremely cold. Here again, Tim's suggestions changed the way that things were done in the field. Instead of coffee breaks, he had suggested hot soup, which helped personnel cope with the weather. Tim completed the obstacle course so quickly that the sergeant sent him through again and again. Everyone expected to go to Vietnam and was prepared. At the very last minute, however, Tim and two others were taken off the truck. He spent the next 100 days driving officers and officials around. Tim’s training had been in radio and truck and jeep maintenance. He was an E-4 Specialist and became assigned to the 3rd Armored Division. He achieved a Marksman Award and a Good Conduct Award while in the service. Tim was eventually sent to Germany. He spent 17 tense months in Germany. He was discharged in 1967 and returned home. His division received a Presidential Citation. After leaving the service, he got married, and was living in New Jersey when the Twin Towers were destroyed. Tim's son and wife worked in and near the Towers. Both could have been killed were it not for pure luck. Tim’s job required him to travel frequently. By mistake, his wife took his car keys, and had to turn around, and return home. Tim's son was working on the 35th floor of the Towers, but at the time that the plane hit, he was in the basement getting supplies. The family moved to Connecticut, but within a few months his wife was laid off. These events convinced Tim and his family to move to Saline, Michigan, where he now lives with his wife. His daughter lives nearby with her two children.

E. Walfred Erickson, University Library Dedicatory Address, 1967

E. Walfred Erickson, Head Librarian at Eastern Michigan University, gave this address at the University Library dedication ceremony. In the speech, Erickson thanks all parties at length who had a hand in the planning, funding, and construction of the new building, calling Eugene Elliott the “father of this child,” and Representative Joseph Warner, “the rich uncle of this child.”

E.E. Cummings, Poetry Reading, Part 1

Edward Estlin "E. E." Cummings (October 14, 1894 – September 3, 1962), often styled as E. E. Cummings, as he sometimes signed his name, was an American poet, painter, essayist, author, and playwright. He wrote approximately 2900 poems, two autobiographical novels, four plays, and several essays. This undated recording captures Cummings during his visit to Eastern Michigan University. There is no commentary between poems.

E.E. Cummings, Poetry Reading, Part 2

Edward Estlin "E. E." Cummings (October 14, 1894 – September 3, 1962), often styled as e e cummings, as he sometimes signed his name, was an American poet, painter, essayist, author, and playwright. He wrote approximately 2900 poems, two autobiographical novels, four plays, and several essays. This undated recording captures cummings during his visit to Eastern Michigan University. There is no commentary between poems.

Eastern Michigan University Marching Band, "Eastern Michigan Fight Song," 1965

The marching band of Michigan State Normal College plays the school fight song on this undated recording.

Eastern Michigan University Presents Poet John Ciardi, 1964

John Anthony Ciardi (June 24, 1916 – March 30, 1986) was an Italian-American poet, translator, and etymologist. While primarily known as a poet, he also translated Dante's Divine Comedy, wrote several volumes of children's poetry, pursued etymology, contributed to the Saturday Review as a columnist and long-time poetry editor, and directed the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference in Vermont. In 1959, Ciardi published a book on how to read, write, and teach poetry, How Does a Poem Mean?, which has proven to be among the most-used books of its kind. At the peak of his popularity in the early 1960s, Ciardi also had a network television program on CBS, Accent. In 1964, Eastern Michigan University invited Ciardi to Pease Auditorium for a reading of his poetry. Remarking that poetry is “always a statement about poetry,” Ciardi reads poems about his father, Theodore Roetke, and the poetic capabilities of university students.

Echo Staff Members

A photograph depicting Eastern Echo student staff, including Margo Doble, and Arnie Rubin.

Ed Mattos, Oral History Interview, 2022

In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Ed Mattos was a student at EMU in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a student activist, most notably as the chairman of the Student Mobilization Committee. Mattos dedicated his time at EMU to being an activist, and was involved with demonstrations on campus.

Egbert Isbell, Introduction to the First Annual Conference on College and University Archives, 1968

Egbert Isbell served as professor of history, and administrator at Eastern MichiganUniversity from 1937-1967. Presiding over the lunch portion of the First Annual Conference on College and University Archives, Isbell welcomes all participants, and pays tribute to President Harold Sponberg for not only looking forward to the future of EMU, but also to the institution’s past.

Elbert, Joseph

Mr. Elbert was drafted into the United States Army in 1944. After completing basic training, Mr. Elbert was sent to join Allied Forces fighting for control of the Italian Peninsula. After reaching Naples, Elbert was wounded by shrapnel fire coming from German soldiers fighting in Italy. He would later be awarded the Purple Heart for his service in Italy.

Eliot, Marvin "Sonny"

After graduating from Wayne University (now Wayne State University) with both a bachelor's and Master of Arts degrees in Detroit, Michigan, Mr. Eliot enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. Trained as a bomber pilot for the B-24 bomber, Eliot would be sent to England where he would fly bombing missions into Nazi-occupied Europe. Eliot was shot down by German forces, and would go on to serve 18 months as a POW. At some point the German soldiers of the installation he was assigned to became aware that Mr. Eliot was Jewish and was made to wear a star with the word "Juden" on it. Following his liberation by American forces, Eliot would return to Metro Detroit to serve as the long-time weatherman for WWJ.

Elliot Richardson, Commencement Address, 1974

Elliot Lee Richardson (July 20, 1920 – December 31, 1999) was an American lawyer and politician who was a member of the cabinet of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. As U.S. Attorney General, he was a prominent figure in the Watergate Scandal, and resigned rather than obey President Nixon's order to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox. In this address, Richardson warns the graduates of Eastern Michigan University against being “mastered by change,” and instead encourages them to “be in charge of change,” and to resist the prevailing sense of cynicism felt in the late 60’s and early 70’s. At the conclusion of the ceremony, several people are awarded honorary degrees by President Sponberg, including new Detroit Mayor, Coleman Young.

Elton Rynearson, Farewell Address, 1963

Elton Rynearson attended Michigan State Normal College from 1910-1914, and later, as a coach, led MSNC athletics to the most successful years in the history of Eastern Michigan University. In this informal farewell speech given at a retirement party for Rynearson and Lloyd Olds in 1963, Rynearson looks back over his time at EMU, sharing anecdotes of the influential professors and coaches of the school, during his time as a student and coach.

EMU Campus Wellness Center

Constructed in 2019, the EMU Campus Wellness Center is home to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the Community Behavioral Health Clinic (formerly known as the Psychology Clinic). The Center also provides educational opportunities for students and faculty in College of Health and Human Services programs.

Eric Monat, Oral History Interview, 2022

On January 25, 2022, Jones talked to EMU alum and former student secretary of Tri-Pride, Eric Monat. Monat, one of the group's founders, worked on promoting and programming events like Visibility Week, and eventually spoke at the Queer Student Leadership Summit. During the ordinance campaigns, he attended human relations commission hearings, and like his fellow students, kept Tri-Pride visible throughout. Monat recalls the camaraderie and support among the students and how they kept each other safe and sane in the midst of hatred. Throughout this interview, he talks through the trauma of the hearings, some of the ins-and-outs of Tri-Pride, and how he saw the campus evolve after all was said and done.

Erich Goldschmidt, "Bach's Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now," 1966

Erich Goldschmidt was a professor of music at Eastern Michigan University, and consultant ex-officio for the Frederick Alexander Memorial Organ in Pease Auditorium. Goldschmidt also served as organ builder in residence at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Here, Goldschmidt performs "Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now" by J.S. Bach on the Frederick Alexander Memorial Organ in Pease Auditorium.

Erich Goldschmidt, John Kennedy Memorial, 1963

Erich Goldschmidt was a professor of music at Eastern Michigan University, and consultant ex-officio for the Frederick Alexander Memorial Organ in Pease Auditorium. Goldschmidt also served as organ builder in residence at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. In this memorial service for slain president John F Kennedy, Goldschmidt plays a selection of sacred music on the Alexander Memorial Organ.

Eugene B. Elliott, Inaugural Address, 1949

Eugene B. Elliott was inaugurated as Michigan State Normal College President in 1949, and served until 1965. In his inaugural address, Elliott acknowledges his warm welcome from MSNC staff and administration before discussing the necessary “reconsecration” to the cause of education on the part of faculty and administration. This revisioning of the mission of MSNC, Elliott says, emphasizes teachers doing away with their “bags of tricks” used formerly to solve classroom problems, and instead utilizes flexibility and adaptability to move the institution and its students into the future. Elliott also speaks of the need for educated young people to halt the spread of totalitarianism around the globe.

Eugene B. Elliott, University Library Dedicatory Address, 1967

Eugene Elliott served as Eastern Michigan University from 1949 to 1965. During Elliott’s tenure, the university underwent a period of growth unprecedented in its history. In this address, Elliott stresses the need to keep library development at the top of the list of university priorities. Elliott speaks to the fact that even in troubling socioeconomic times, libraries are of the utmost value, and that this new University Library, located at the center of campus, will act as “the intellectual heart, pumping new ideas through the veins of Eastern Michigan University.”

Eugene Elliott, Bowen Field House Dedicatory Address, 1955

Eugene Elliott was President of Michigan State Normal College and Eastern Michigan University from 1949-1965. In this address at the dedication of Bowen Field House, Elliott thanks all those who lent a hand in the planning, funding, and building of the structure. The new facility, he says, will meet the needs of a rapidly growing student body, as well as strengthen the values of students while it is being used 10-14 hours per day.

Eugene Elliott, ROTC Award Acceptance Speech, 1965

Eugene Elliott served as Eastern Michigan University President, 1949-1965. This recording captures Elliott on the eve of retirement, accepting an award for outstanding performance from ROTC of EMU. Elliott discusses the importance of the ROTC program, and the great responsibility attached to military might. The recording, captured out of doors, is very windy at times.

Everett Marshall, Oral History Interview, 1998

Everett Marshall taught in the Education and Psychology Departments at Eastern Michigan University from 1938-1949. From 1949-1979, Marshall served as Dean of Academic Records and Teacher Certification. In this interview, Marshall details his relationships with, and characteristics of, several EMU presidents and faculty members. Marshall also describes his methods of raising enrollment from 1,850 at the beginning of his tenure to over 19,000 at the time of his retirement. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).

Faculty Performance, Mozart's Non mi dir, 1974

Having received her Masters at Eastern Michigan University in Voice Performance in 1971, Glenda Kirkland then joined the faculty of EMU in 1973 as professor of Applied Music. Joseph Gurt, having received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Julliard School of Music, served as Professor of Music at Eastern Michigan from 1967 until his retirement in 2000. Included in this recording are two pieces, Giacomo Puccini’s “Senza Mamma,” and Mozart’s “Non Mi Dir,” from his opera, Don Giovanni. These pieces were included in a larger event, the 1974 Fall Faculty Luncheon, the primary focus of which being an address by Ralph Gilden, who was then acting as interim president of the university.

Faculty Performance, Puccini's "Senza Mamma," 1974

Having received her Masters at Eastern Michigan University in Voice Performance in 1971, Glenda Kirkland then joined the faculty of EMU in 1973 as professor of Applied Music. Joseph Gurt, having received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Julliard School of Music, served as Professor of Music at Eastern Michigan from 1967 until his retirement in 2000. Included in this recording are two pieces, Giacomo Puccini’s “Senza Mamma,” and Mozart’s “Non Mi Dir,” from his opera, Don Giovanni. These pieces were included in a larger event, the 1974 Fall Faculty Luncheon, the primary focus of which being an address by Ralph Gilden, who was then acting as interim president of the university.

Faculty Recital, pt. 1, 1969

Clarinetist Armand Abramson, Cellist Edward Szabo, and Pianist Joseph Gurt -all Eastern Michigan Music Department faculty- perform in this recital at Pease Auditorium. Part 1 of 2, this recording consists of three pieces: Schumann’s Phantasy-Pieces for Clarinet and Piano, Op.73; Sammartini’s Sonata in G for Cello and Piano; Honegger’s Sonatine pour Clarinette en La et Piano.

Faculty Recital, pt. 2, 1969

Clarinetist Armand Abramson, Cellist Edward Szabo, and Pianist Joseph Gurt -all EMU Music Department faculty- perform in this faculty recital at Pease Auditorium. Part 2 of 2, this recording consists of 2 pieces: Faure’s Elegie for Cello and Piano, and Beethoven’s Trio for Clarinet, Cello and PIano, Op. 11.

Faes Jr., Frederick F.

Fred played instruments early in life, especially in school. He attended McKenzie High School, where he won a scholarship to the Detroit Institute of Technology. One of Fred's first jobs was playing in nightclubs. Early in World War II, Fred worked for Ford Motor Company and was not allowed to enlist because he was a required worker. Then, in August 1942, Fred was drafted and went to Ft. Custer for basic training. He was classified as a musician and posted with the 523rd Air Force Band, which was also known as the 23rd Army Air Force Band. The band was stationed at Camp Shanks, New York, and was on duty to play for the men boarding troop transport ships, bound for Europe and Africa. When his band was shipped out, no one was there to play for them. The ship that Fred was on went first to La Havre, to drop off infantry troops. The band disembarked with them, and then found out they were supposed to go to England. They had to re-board and continue on to Southampton. He spent most of the war playing at hospitals and dances, but very rarely played for big name entertainers. They generally brought their own bands. During his time in England, Fred had the opportunity to travel the country. He discussed the devastation of London and surrounding countryside, the shortages of everything, and the courage of the British people. He was based in Manchester at the Base Air Dept #2, which was an arming stop for incoming planes flown by WACs. He was on base the day of the Freckelton RAF accident, when an RAF pilot lost control of his plane, and it crashed on the base. Fred talked about an unspoken privilege system, which regular soldiers felt that the band members had. Fred's wife, Helen, was his high school sweetheart. She, along with his parents and siblings, wrote to him often. He remembers having to reply to letters by writing in the latrine, for light and quiet. Fred played the saxophone, trumpet, clarinet and flute. He came home from the war in 1945, and married Helen. Fred took a job teaching music at Dearborn's Salina Jr. High School, starting in 1950-51. He continued to teach there for 32 more years. Fred lost touch with most of his war-time friends but keeps a significant scrapbook of photos taken by others and him.

Fidler, Helen

Helen is the wife of veteran John Fidler. She was born on February 9, 1921. While her husband was serving in the Air Force, she and her sister got jobs working on the B-24s, at the Willow Run Bomber Plant. They became riveters, attaching the gas tanks to the insides of the wings. One riveter would put in the rivet with a metal gun, and a riveter on the other side flattened it with a bucking bar. Once, one of the rivets put a hole in Helen’s thumb. They were paid in cash, with many two-dollar bills. Nevertheless, she wanted to work for her country and really enjoyed it. Later, in Norfolk, Virginia, she worked at a PX, and had two German prisoners of war working for her. She said that they worked really hard and were glad to be in the U.S., instead of a POW camp.

Fidler, John William

John Fidler was born in Jay County, Indiana, in 1921. In October 1942, since he was mechanically inclined, he enlisted in the Air Force, so that he could work on airplanes. During World War II, the Air Force sent him to aircraft mechanic school in Lincoln, Nebraska. After six months of training, John was sent to Norfolk, Virginia, where pilots were learning to fly and fight with P-47s. He was made crew chief and became completely responsible for maintenance on one of the P-47s, and airplane he was intimately familiar with, and learned to love. During that time, the training outfit only lost two pilots. He was honorably discharged in 1946, having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. Fidler flew on the Pride and Honor Flight in 2009.

Floyd Walton

Floyd Walton is an alumnus of Eastern Michigan University, graduating in 1973. Walton was a highly involved student activist serving as a member of the Campus Service Corps and the Black Student Association. Walton was also instrumental with the Black Demands and discussions with administration after the take over of Pierce Hall of February of 1969.

Floyd Walton Raises a Fist

A photograph of EMU student and BSA member Floyd Walton raises his fist in solidarity during the BSA takeover of Pierce Hall.

Francis Goodrich, Oral History Interview, 1956

Francis Goodrich was a graduate of Michigan State Normal College, class of 1897. Following gradutation, Goodrich remained in the College library, assisting reference librarian Genevieve Walton until his departure in 1906. In this oral history interview, Goodrich gives an account of the activities of himself and Librarian Genevieve Walton at the turn of the century. Book binding, classification, and book buying is discussed here, as well as the adaptation of the Dewey Decimal System to the MSNC Library.

Frank Michels and Dave Barsky

A photograph of Frank Michels and Dave Barsky after one of the Second Coming hearings.

Frank Michels and Thomas Aceto

A photograph of administrator Thomas Aceto and student Frank Michels taken at one of the Second Coming hearings.

Frank Michels at the Kangaroo Court

A photograph of Frank Michels stating his case to the "kangaroo court," on the Second Coming.

Frank Michels Getting Arrested

A photograph of former student Frank Michels being detained during the People's Lounge arrests.

Frank Michels, Oral History Interview, 2022

In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Frank Michels was a student at EMU in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Frank was a student activist, a dedicated member of Students for a Democratic Society, and the creator of the underground newspaper, The Second Coming. He was a radical leader on campus who fought back against the administration's policies and their efforts to take his newspaper down.

Freatman, Ellis B.

Ellis Freatman grew up in Plymouth and Ypsilanti, Michigan. He graduated from Ypsilanti High School, and was drafted into the Army, entering the service with his longtime friend L.D. Harman. They separated when L.D. went to the Air Force, and Ellis to the Army. Ellis took his basic training in Maxey, Texas, where he was selected for O.C.S. He received high grades and became a 2nd Lt. at the age of 20. Ellis's assignments included posts in different training units. He was sent to Okinawa and was often used as a replacement officer. Ellis led a platoon, but because of his age and lack of experience, he relied a great deal on his sergeant. Although the island was not fully secured, Ellis did not receive any injuries. He was discharged after serving for over three years, and returned to Ypsilanti, Michigan. Upon receiving his discharge, Ellis entered Eastern Michigan University, where he met his wife, and after receiving his degree, he was accepted to the University of Michigan Law School. After 20 years of a highly successful practice, Ellis retired. His one son is also a successful lawyer.

Fred Barney, Oral History Interview pt. 1, 2005

Fred Barney (b.1922) entered the Army Specialized Training Program on October 11, 1943, at Michigan State Normal College in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Marching to and from classes and meals, and kept busy from dawn till dusk, Barney and his fellow ASTP trainees were educated in various military specialized fields. Shipped out to France shortly after D-Day, Barney’s unit, the 76th Infantry Division in General George Patton’s Third Army, became the spearhead in piercing the Siegfried Line of fortifications on Germany’s western border. In this interview, Barney recalls the daily routine of the ASTP Program, the journey to France, and many details of combat and routine in Europe.

Fred Barney, Oral History Interview pt. 2, 2005

Fred Barney (b.1922) entered the Army Specialized Training Program on October 11, 1943, at Michigan State Normal College in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Marching to and from classes and meals, and kept busy from dawn till dusk, Barney and his fellow ASTP trainees were educated in various military specialized fields. Shipped out to France shortly after D-Day, Barney’s unit, the 76th Infantry Division in General George Patton’s Third Army, became the spearhead in piercing the Siegfried Line of fortifications on Germany’s western border. In this interview, Barney recalls the daily routine of the ASTP Program, the journey to France, and many details of combat and routine in Europe.

Fred Rogers, Commencement Address, 1973

Fred Rogers was an American television personality, musician, puppeteer, writer, producer, and Presbyterian minister. Rogers was famous for creating, hosting, and composing the theme music for the educational preschool television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968–2001), which featured his kind-hearted, grandfatherly personality, and directness to his audiences. In this address to the graduating class of 1973, Rogers stresses his view that education is individually varied according to the student doing the learning; different student characteristics necessitate a diverse array of teaching methods. Rogers says that though the road to discovering one’s true self may be long, it is also worth the wait, especially with the help of intuitive and creative teachers. Rogers performs two of his own compositions, “Truth and Freedom,” and “There Are Many Ways to Say I Love You” during the presentation.

Frederick Alexander Memorial Organ Dedicatory Recital, 1961

In his will, longtime Michigan State Normal College music professor left $85,000 to Eastern Michigan University for the purpose of installing a pipe organ in Pease Auditorium. This recording captures the inaugural recital of that organ after its completion. Also in his will, Alexander requested specific musicians and pieces of music to be performed at this recital. All of his wishes were honored, and here several pieces of music are performed by former Alexander student Russell Gee of Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Pieces of music performed include: Basse et Dessus de Trompette by Louis-Nicolas Clerambault; Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne by Detrich Buxtehude; Chorale Preludes by Johannes Brahams; and Ronde Francaise by Leon Boellman.

Frederick Cleveringa, Oral History Interview, 1960

Born in 1890, Frederick Cleveringa began work in the Michigan State Normal College in 1913 while a student at MSNC. When Librarian Genevieve Walton stepped down in 1940, Fred was appointed Reference LIbrarian and Assistant Professor in the new Department of Library Sciences. Cleveringa retired from the library in 1952. In this oral history, Fred recounts the early days of his employment under Genevieve Walton, and the values Walton instilled in all of her employees.

G. Mennen Williams, Campaign Rally Address, 1966

G. Mennen Williams (1911-1988) was the 41st Governor of Michigan, and later worked under John F. Kennedy as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and served as Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. In 1966, Williams unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Michigan. This audio recording captures Williams in a campaign stop, introducing primary speaker Robert Kennedy.

Gary Clark, Oral History Interview, 2021

On December 13, 2021, Jones met with long time Ypsilantian, figure-skating coach, and community activist, Gary Clark. Clark became involved with the ordinance efforts very early on, when his partner encountered protestors in Depot Town after Tri-Pride was denied service. From there, they called up their friends, neighbors, and fellow community members and held what would become the first Citizens for Community (C4C) meeting. C4C became the group that took on the fight for the first campaign and initial ordinance passage. With Clark's leadership, community ties, and strong sense-of-self, the campaign was able to effectively advocate for an ordinance and bring more visibility to the LGBT community in Ypsi. He understood the importance of bringing in other communities to support the effort, and even visited the very same churches who strongly opposed the campaigns. In this interview, Clark shares a more in-depth look at C4C's work, the initial drafting of the ordinance, and the shift towards Ypsi Campaign for Equality for the defense.

Gary Hawks, Oral History Interview, 1998

Gary Hawks spent 17 years at eastern Michigan University, starting in 1964 as a supervisor of Accounts Receivable, executive director of University Relations, director of personnel, and as Vice President of University Relations. He was secretary to the Board of Regents from 1970 until retiring in 1981. In this interview, Hawks details his relationships with several University presidents, and also describes the overall growth of the school, from issues of enrollment to the building of physical structures on campus. This interview is distributed over two cassette tapes. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).

Gathering in front of Ford Hall

Photograph of students gathered in front of Ford Hall for the SDS flagpole rally.

George Goodman, Mayor of Ypsilanti, Address to the Fall Faculty Luncheon, 1974

George Goodman was a lifelong Ypsilanti resident, having attended the Roosevelt School before graduating from Eastern Michigan University. Goodman served as mayor of Ypsilanti from 1971 until 1981. Concerned with the “orderly growth of the community,” Goodman here recaps the first 150 years of Ypsilanti, recounting both achievements and problems, before describing the city in terms of infrastructure, historic preservation, and the costs of new city resources such as bridges, fire trucks, and public transit. Dismissing the possibility of any major industrial powers making their homes in Ypsilanti, Goodman stresses Ypsilanti's need for the jobs and prestige that EMU brings to the community. Goodman also lists several ways in which the city and the university could improve their relations.

George Marshall, Address at the George Marshall Recognition Dinner, 1967

George Marshall served as track coach for Eastern Michigan University for 35 years, from 1928 to 1967. In that time, his teams won 14 Interstate Intercollegiate Conference titles and the NAIA national cross country title. This audio recording from an appreciation dinner in Marshall’s honor captures Marshall responding to the accolades of the evening. Recalling stories from his time as track and field coach, and revisiting many of the lessons learned in his years with the track team, Marshall is humble and humorous in this address.

Gerald "Skip" Lawver, Oral History Interview, 2022

In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Gerald "Skip" Lawver was an EMU student who served as an intelligence officer in the US Army, an instructor with the EMU Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), a sergeant with the EMU police force. Skip was a sergeant with EMU during the events that took place near EMU's campus in May of 1970, working to keep things under control.

Glenda Kirkland, Oral History Interview, 2018

Glenda Kirkland was a vocal instructor with the EMU Department of Music and Dance from 1972 until 2009. Kirkland taught many courses in music at EMU and served as the director of the EMU Opera Workshop. She has also given many lectures and recitals with various opera companies and guest performed with luminaries such as William Warfield, Gwyneth Jones, and Luciano Pavarotti. She’s been universally praised for her interpretive skills, her charisma, her prefect breath control and deep respect for the text’s open-hearted naiveté.

Glenna Frank Miller & Gregory Peoples, Oral History Intervew, 2019

regory Peoples is a long-time administrator of EMU. He was hired in 1977 to work in the Campus Interact Office until 1980. During the course of his career with EMU, Peoples served as Assistant Director of Admissions, Associate Director of Admissions, Associate Dean of Students and then Dean of Students. In 2004, Peoples became Director of the Office of the Ombuds, an office he created with University Provost Jim Vick. Outside of EMU, Peoples served with the GMI Engineering and Management Institute, and as Director of Enrollment Services at Washtenaw Community College. Peoples retired in 2003. Glenna Frank Miller is Emerita Vice President for Student Life at EMU. Beginning her career at EMU in 1974 as a Resident Unit Administrator, she became Resident Life Area Manager and then Director of Campus Life in 1983. Miller is known for her high level of involvement on campus, developing relationships with students and creating educational programs for the empowerment of women. Frank Miller also worked in Campus Life, McKenny Union, and in many McKenny Union Campus Life and Diversity programs. Frank Miller may be best-known for her leading role in the design and construction of the EMU Student Center, opened in 2006. Frank Miller retired in June, 2013.

Glenna Frank Miller, Oral History Interview, 2021

During her more than 40 years with Eastern Michigan University, Emerita Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Glenna Frank Miller served in various capacities and was called a "Human Dynamo" by former Vice President for Student Affairs Laurence Smith for her tireless devotion to the student experience on campus. Serving on the EMU Logo Review Committee and Logo Selection Committee, Frank Miller describes her confidence in newly appointed EMU President William Shelton despite the public backlash from alumni for dropping the EMU Huron, a logo/mascot deemed culturally insensitive by many members of the university community. Adhering to the belief that all community members are harmed by the negative depiction of any one group, Frank Miller details the tension in Board of Regents meetings, the aftermath of the logo and mascot change, and the higher duty of academic institutions to causes of social justice.

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