Interview with John T. Smith, June 14, 1978

Interview Summary

The son of Baptist minister, Dr. Smith was the Vice President of the Office of Minority Affairs at the University of Kentucky. He taught english at Dunbar High School (1946-1954), was named assistant principal at Dunbar (1954-1959) and principal of Constitution High School (1961-1965). He joined the staff at the University of Kentucky in 1974. Dr. Smith recalls both his educational and teaching experiences at Dunbar and the integration of Constitution High. The University of Kentucky's efforts to recruit African American students are mentioned, as well as the function and history of the Office of Minority Affairs and the problems faced by African American students in the 1970s.

Interview Keyword

Office of Minority Affairs African Americans in Lexington Office of Minority Student Affairs Constitution Elementary School Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Race relations Administration Teaching

Interview LC Subject

Discrimination in education Race relations African Americans--Education--Kentucky--Lexington African Americans--Education African American teachers African Americans--Segregation African Americans Smith, John T., 1919-1994 Smith, John T., 1919-1994--Interviews Segregation in education--Kentucky African American college students African Americans--Education (Higher) African Americans--Social conditions School integration--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, University of Kentucky Libraries.