Interview with Mary Beth Reynolds, April 8, 1976

Interview Summary

Mary Beth Reynolds, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, attended the University of Kentucky in the years immediately following World War II and received a bachelor's degree in secondary education and a master's degree in elementary education. She was a recipient of a $1000 Distiller Scholarship, which is why she came to UK. Reynolds describes dorm life at UK and states that living conditions were inadequate. In fact, three or four girls had to sleep in a room designed for two. During her years at UK, she studied music but was an education major because there was no music building. Reynolds emphasizes the fact that music was not an option for her back then, and wishes it would have been.

Reynolds discusses some of her professors and some deans of the College of Education including William Taylor and Frank Dickey. She also explains the significance of being in a social sorority as opposed to an academic sorority, and states that she was a member of an academic sorority. Reynolds remembers Homecoming as the biggest social event on campus, and illustrates the importance of athletics as opposed to academics. She also talks about the lack of cultural events at UK, and describes having to go to Cincinnati to see many concerts. She concludes the interview discussing the political climate at the university in the late 1940s and early 1950s and she describes the Lyman T. Johnson case which resulted in the desegregation of UK.

Interview LC Subject

Reynolds, Mary Beth Reynolds, Mary Beth--Interviews 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.