Interview with Martin M. White, February 5, 1979

Interview Summary

Martin M. White was the head of the Psychology Department at the University of Kentucky and later became Dean of Arts and Sciences. In this interview he discusses how he came to work at UK and the career path that led to his position as dean. He talks in detail about the presidents of UK that he worked for, including Frank McVey, Herman Donovan, Frank Dickey, and John Oswald, as well as interim president Thomas Poe Cooper. He compares each president and discusses their strengths and weaknesses as president. He discusses how events like the Great Depression, World War II, and integration affected the university.

White talks about educational change at the university, including changes in curriculum, departments, and qualifications for professors. He talks about various policies at the university which affected faculty salaries, heads of departments, and the change from emphasis on teaching to research. White discusses controversial situations at the university, as well as the influence of politics on the administration and faculty. He discuses the financial aspects of the university.

Interview Keyword

M.M. White University of Kentucky

Interview LC Subject

University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History White, Martin M. White, Martin M.--Interviews

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.