Interview with Barkley Sturgill, May 9, 2007

Interview Summary

Interview with Barkley Sturgill, lawyer and politician who helped in the establishment of Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Interview begins by recounting early years in Prestonsburg and the role road construction played in opening up Eastern Kentucky. Highlights include his undergraduate time at the University of Kentucky and remembrances of friendships and time playing basketball under Adolph Rupp. Sturgill recounts his work with Governor Combs' gubernatorial campaign and vision to increase schooling opportunities and road infrastructure in Eastern Kentucky. Discusses the decision to place the community colleges under the auspices of the University of Kentucky and how this affected initial growth and funding of the campus. Concludes with discussion on how property was selected and purchased for the campus as well as early patrons of the college.

Interview Keyword

Adolph Rupp Bert Combs Community College community college history community college system Higher education Higher Education in Kentucky Prestonsburg Community College Public Service Commission Robert Martin Wendell Ford

Interview LC Subject

Big Sandy Community and Technical College Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991 Community colleges--Administration Community colleges--History Community colleges--Kentucky Education, Higher Ford, Wendell H., 1924-2015 Prestonsburg (Ky.) Rupp, Adolph, 1901-1977 Sturgill, Barkley Sturgill, Barkley--Interviews University of Kentucky

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 and Digital Programs, University of Kentucky Libraries.