Willis Kingsbury, 47 years old, was born and reared in Minneapolis. He graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in architecture. Mr. Kingsbury has served as community development director of the city of Moorhead and director of the Red River Valley Interpretive Center. He describes his experiences as a city employee and outlines the changes in Moorhead resulting from urban renewal and economic development programs.
William A. Smaby was born at Peterson, Fillmore County, Minnesota, in 1904. He reflects on his experiences as the Concordia College business office manager since 1952. Mr. Smaby discusses the importance of rural students attending college, interest of parents and teachers, and salary negotiations. He also describes the problems and successes of the greatest �growth period� in the history of the College.
William Jones' career was as an educator. He first taught in Thief River Falls. He conducted the band there. He had various jobs in other towns until they came to Moorhead in 1972. He is presently the Academic Vice-President of Moorhead State University and his wife is director of External Studies also at MSU. They both are planning to retire at the end of the 1984-1985 school year.
William Kenney was born in Park River, North Dakota in 1911. He went into business in Moorhead in 1938. He went into the Navy in 1942 until 1945. Mr. Kenney tells of his experience in business and of his ownership of a cage and hotel in Moorhead from 1945 to 1974.
William Dosland discusses his years as a lawyer, including his involvement with the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association and his work for them during the acquisition of the American Crystal Sugar Company. His involvement as a Minnesota state senator, with the city of Moorhead and on the Board of Regents for the University of Moorhead. Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1927, William Dosland moved to Moorhead after World War II.
Bill Weaver discusses his career as a local radio and television personality with WDAY in Fargo from 1953 to 1964. He describes the early days of television, and his activities as a sportscaster and talk show host. Mr. Weaver also discusses his political and business careers and his military service in the US Air Force during World War II.
Wilbur Mortenson is a Moorhead native and a veteran of WW II. He has worked in the Moorhead Post Office and has been a member of the American Legion since 1946 and served in a variety of offices including Commander and Adjutant. Mr. Mortenson tells of the very beginnings of the Legion formed in 1919. He describes how the Legion clubs are organized into local posts, state departments, and on a national level. The goals and purposes of the Legion are also discussed.
Dr. Werner Brand, a long time professor and administrator at Moorhead State University, discusses the Kiwanis service organization, and the history, development and leadership of the original Moorhead Kiwanis Club. He describes some of the purposes and projects of the club, its role in forming Golden Key and Circle K clubs at Moorhead High School and MSU.
Wayne Ingersoll was born in 1945 in Texas. Mr. Ingersoll was elected mayor of Moorhead in 1978. He discusses his political background, duties as mayor, and issues with which he was confronted. Mr. Ingersoll has taught 7th, 8th, and 9th grade levels for eighteen years.
Vilgard (Daehlin) Sorgen spent her early years in China as the daughter of missionaries. She came to Moorhead in 1927 to enroll at Concordia College and graduated in 1931. Mrs. Sorgen discusses her early life in China and the role she and her husband played in the establishment of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Moorhead in 1952.
Dr. Duane Thysell was born in Hawley, Minnesota in 1908. Dr. Thysell reminiscences about his 48 year career in medicine in Hawley and Moorhead between 1934 and 1981. He focuses on the activities of a rural medical practice, and how these changed over time.
Thornley F. Wells was born in Cando, North Dakota on July 20, 1901. He came to Moorhead in 1932 to set up a business of his own. Wells reflects upon his many years in Moorhead government, including service as an alderman and as mayor. He also discusses his terms of office as a member of Clay Country Board of Commissioners.
Ted Larson, Assistant Professor of Speech/Director of Critical Film Studies, has been teaching at MSU since 1968. He is also the managing director for the Straw Hat Players. Mr. Larson discusses his family background and how this background influences his career. He also evaluates some major films.
Stan Cowan was involved in the communications field in Moorhead and Fargo from 1921 until 1967. He started the business section of the Forum in 1949, which he continued for 17 years. He held an interest in aviation and saw Hector Airport instituted. He was the first president of local PTA, active in Trinity Church and other civic organizations.
Sara Nordlie McCormick was born in Minneapolis, MN on November 2, 1918. A member of the Moorhead Altrusa organization since 1962, McCormick describes the activities of Altrusa, including social service, fund raising and special projects. She was employed as a social worker by Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, Cass County Children�s Center of Fargo, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota and Independent School District #152 of Moorhead. She retired in 1981.
Sally Hilleboe Adelson, the first woman in the Fargo-Moorhead area to have her own television show, discusses her involvement with television talk shows. Most of her shows were community based shows. She also did talk shows geared to women in the home and consumer problems.
Mrs. Ruth Munn describes nursing in the 1920s and early 1930s. Her discussion covers training at St. John's Hospital in Fargo, costs, living and working conditions, and early salaries.
Roger Hamilton discusses his career in journalism as a local newspaper writer, and his activities as the director of public relations at Moorhead State College (later Moorhead State University) from 1962 to 1981. His reflections include much on the history of the college newspapers, the MiSTiC and the Advocate.
Robert Howe discusses the history and operation of the Fairmont Foods Company in Moorhead completed in 1924 where he was an engineer. The company received the Navy E. Award in December 1943. During WWII, dried eggs were sent overseas to our servicemen. They hired 300 women to candle and break eggs. The Fairmont Foods Company building is now Fairmont East � a retirement home.
Robert Feder, grandson of Max Goldberg, discusses his childhood growing up in Fargo, ND. Mr. Feder, presently a lawyer in Fargo. He discusses his Jewish religion, as well as Jewish involvement in the Fargo-Moorhead community.
Mrs. Rhoda Hansen teaches English at Fargo North High School. She discusses her involvement in the Moorhead State University theatre program which her husband directs, Dr. Delmar J. Hansen. She discusses how she became involved with the theatre programs, the role she sees theatre playing in the community, and some of the problems the students and program have encountered.
Reinhold Utke was born and raised in the Enderlin, ND area. Student life at Moorhead State during the depression of the 1930's is the main topic of this interview. Mr. Utke talks about his decision to attend Moorhead State, financing his education, and student living conditions. Social activities, chapel, and student organizations, such as Alpha Epsilon, are also covered.
Mr. Ray Stordahl was born in Minnesota in 1926. Stordahl reflects on his years in Moorhead government, including his service on the City Charter Commission and Public Service Commission, and his years as mayor, 1964-1972.
Richard Szeitz, born in Hungary, is professor and chair of the Art Department at Moorhead State University. He discusses his life in Hungary, his move to the United States, the Art Department at MSU, and art involvement locally.
