Interview with Thomas D. Clark, June 15, 1981

Interview Summary

This interview is the second in a three part series produced by UKTV that became episodes of the "Conversations with Cochran" television program. [See interviews 2015oh120_af793 and 2015oh122_af795 for the first and last episodes.]

In this interview, Lewis W. Cochran talks about his first impressions of the University of Kentucky when he arrived in 1936. Cochran talks about the quality of equipment and facilities for the physics and microbiology departments when he arrived in the 1930s. Clark talks about the quality of the university's library when he arrived and how he had been hired to improve the library. Cochran talks about the quality of the physics department at the University of Kentucky when he arrived. He talks about a particular course taught by William Snyder Webb, called "Physics 51" or "Football Physics," which was aimed at non-science majors. Cochran discusses the quality of the instructors in the mathematics department at the University of Kentucky when he arrived. Clark and Cochran discuss the faculty's fears and expectations when Herman Donovan became president and how he ultimately affected the university. Clark and Cochran talk about the quality of the military veteran students who were returning to the University of Kentucky after World War II and how they impacted the university.

Interview Keyword

Conversations with Cochran Lewis W. Cochran Thomas D. Clark Major William Snyder Webb Instructors Professors Quality World War II Herman Donovan

Interview LC Subject

University of Kentucky University of Kentucky. College of Arts and Sciences University of Kentucky. Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Kentucky. Department of Mathematics College environment College students--Social conditions College teachers--Social conditions Education, Higher--Kentucky Educators Universities and colleges--Departments World War, 1939-1945 World War, 1939-1945--Veterans. University of Kentucky. Libraries College administrators College administrators--Rating of College presidents College teachers--Salaries, etc. Universities and colleges--Faculty Universities and colleges--Administration College administrators--Selection and appointment College campuses College facilities College students--Attitudes College students--Conduct of life College teachers--Rating of College teachers--Selection and appointment College teaching

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.