Interview with Joseph H. Gardner, November 14, 1978

Interview Summary

Joseph H. Gardner, a UK faculty member, recalls the events leading up to the burning of the ROTC building in 1970. Gardner came to UK in the fall of 1966 to teach English, and was a young professor in 1970. He recalls his shock when he heard of the tragedy at Kent State University where student protestors were killed by Ohio National Guard troops. He describes UK students' attempts to invade a UK Board of Trustee meeting the day after the tragedy. He discusses the attempts of the campus police to disperse the students. Gardner also talks about a rally later that evening during which symbolic coffins were carried. Gardner describes his personal feelings about the deaths at Kent State. He recalls the burning of the ROTC building on campus and describes the reaction when Governor Louie B. Nunn sent National Guard troops to campus. He discusses attempts by faculty members to protect students and their decisions to cancel finals that spring.

Interview Keyword

Anti-war sentiment Campus political activities College students--Political activity College teachers--Political activity Kent State shootings Marches Protest movements Rallies ROTC Building Student organizations

Interview LC Subject

Gardner, Joseph (Joseph Hogue) Gardner, Joseph (Joseph Hogue)--Interviews Lexington (Ky.) Student movements Student protesters 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.