Interview with Doris M. Seward, December 1, 1977

Interview Summary

Dr. Doris M. Seward began her career at the University of Kentucky in 1939 as secretary of the YWCA. She discusses why she was offered the job, her relationship with Dean Sarah Blanding, and her impressions of the university. She talks about leaving UK to attend Syracuse University to obtain her masters degree and doctorate. She talks about why she left, as well as why Sarah Blanding resigned around the same time.

Seward talks about returning to the University of Kentucky in 1957 to become Dean of Women. She talks about her hesitance to accept the position, and her relationship with former dean Sarah Holmes. She talks about how the university had changed during her time away, and discusses how she changed some of the rules imposed on the women students in response to the changes occurring in the wider society. She describes the integration of African American students into the dorms.

Seward discusses a negative editorial written about her in the student newspaper. She talks about political interference at the university. She talks about the emphasis placed on athletics. She discusses the reorganization of the Office of Student Affairs, and her eventual resignation after accepting a position under president Oswald at Penn State University. Throughout her career at the University of Kentucky, Seward worked for six different presidents, who she describes throughout the interview.

Interview Keyword

University of Kentucky

Interview LC Subject

Seward, Doris M. Seward, Doris M.--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.