Interview with Lewis W. Cochran, January 15, 1985

Interview Summary

Lewis W. Cochran, former University of Kentucky physics professor and Dean of Graduate Studies, discusses his background and education prior to becoming a physics professor. He talks about his childhood growing up in Perryville, Kentucky during the 1910s and the effects the Great Depression had on his upbringing. He tells the interviewer how he was able to attend Morehead State Teacher's College on a work-study scholarship, where he became a teaching assistant and grader in the mathematics and chemistry departments. Cochran recalls how he chose his major and minors, all in the sciences, and the professors who influenced his work while at Morehead. Cochran then discusses attending the University of Kentucky for his masters degree, and later, PhD in physics. Cochran discusses the faculty, the student body, social life, and other aspects of studying at the University of Kentucky in the early 1940s.

Interview Keyword

Physics graduate students Physics--Graduate work Physics professors Kentucky college experiences Fraternities and sororities Physics majors Agricultural and mechanical colleges Cochran, Lewis W. (1915-1996) Rural Kentuckians Great Depression--Kentucky

Interview LC Subject

Cochran, Lewis W. "Bud," 1915-1996 Cochran, Lewis W. "Bud," 1915-1996--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History College campuses College environment Physics Greek letter societies College majors College buildings College administrators McVey, Frank LeRond, 1869-1953 Perryville (Ky.) Morehead State University Morehead State Teachers College Education, Higher--Kentucky Education--Study and teaching Education--Kentucky Lexington (Ky.) Depressions--1929--United States

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.