Interview with Lewis W. Cochran, July 30, 1985

Interview Summary

In this interview, Lewis W. "Bud" Cochran discusses the growing need to expand the University of Kentucky's Medical Center in 1977, while he was Vice-President of Academic Affairs. Cochran was not directly involved with this project, but recalls that Dr. Peter Bosomworth was the Chancellor during this time, "one of the very best academic administrators he knew", and that they worked well together. Cochran mentions Drs. William Willard and Joseph Hamburg, who worked on a study about the development of medical centers. He talks about the early development and growth of occupational programs in the Community College system.

Cochran explains the relationship between the university president and the deans as "interesting", and remembers his position was the "buffer in-between". He describes the creative efforts of Ed Owens in reaching the black community when they conducted informal orientation sessions for the commuting adult population in Lexington, Kentucky. Cochran mentions the UK Board of Trustees approved the establishment a UK-Northern Kentucky University Graduate Center in July, 1977. He recalls other centers operated around the state, including Henderson, Kentucky. He talks about other Board members, including Constance Wilson and Michael Adelstein, who were faculty representatives. He felt that there was a general disinterest of the faculty at large "in some instances" about serving on the Board or as Chairman of the Senate Council.

Cochran discusses the Honors Program, which began around 1963. He recalls the first Director, Steve Doshan, a Professor of Plant Pathology, and top faculty which included Robert Evans, James Wills, and Robert Stokes, who helped develop or teach the colloquia for this program. He mentions Dr. Raymond Betts and the Gaines Center for the Humanities. Cochran talks about the Developmental Studies program, a voluntary staff program aimed at providing special assistance for high school students who entered with low achievement records. He remembers the Experiential Education program, and individuals who worked with this effort, including Herbert Grennan and Robert Sexton. Cochran recalls the role of foreign students on campus; the Iranians who "became quite visible" when the Shah of Iran was overthrown, and students from Indonesia, Thailand, India, and the Orient, through UK's Extension programs overseas.

Interview Keyword

Bud Cochran

Interview LC Subject

Cochran, Lewis W., 1915- Cochran, Lewis W., 1915- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

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Interview Usage

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