Interview with Walter Haag, Concordia College class of 1934, from Marianna, Florida, in 1981. Pastor Haag talks about, among other things, why he went to Concordia, homesickness and some details of hazing ('shagging') incidents, memorable school work, various professors and pranks played on them, the close bond the students shared, the untimely death of a roommate, the effects of the depression and working at school for extra money, transportation, nicknames of students and profs, and the school's expectations about dating. This interview was conducted by librarian Margaret Horn (at Concordia from 1956-1987) during a summer sabbatical, and was made possible in part by a grant from Aid Association for Lutherans (now 'Thrivent').
Interview with Walter Volz, Concordia College class of 1956, from Plantation, Florida, in 1981. Pastor Volz talks about, among other things, how he and his brothers would ride their bicycles to Concordia even in winter - after doing their paper routes, the young professors who came on at this time, their excellent forensics/debate team led by professor E.J. Otto, the literary societies on campus and their role in the all-male dramas (Shakespeare and such) performed on campus, participation in the campus printing and yearbook activities, interesting memories of professors, the respect students had for professors who disciplined them (like Professor Edgar Streufert), President William A. Poehler waking up the younger students in the morning, sneaking out to study while being a chapel acolyte, exploring the tunnel system of the old Reformatory school (seeing ball and chains, solitary confinement cells), giving President Poehler's daughters a hard time, his happy recollections of Concordia, and his very busy ministry in south Florida. This interview was conducted by librarian Margaret Horn (at Concordia from 1956-1987) during a summer sabbatical, and was made possible in part by a grant from Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent).
Interview with Wesley Kuhn, Concordia College class of 1940, from Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1981. Pastor Kuhn talks about, among other things, the prevalence of and secrecy surrounding hazing ('shagging'), what outstanding professors did, working as student body president with the school president Martin Graebner, working to earn extra money, what the students had to pay for (not tuition), the effect of the depression on the school and students, physical education requirements and intramural sports, and attitudes towards Germans, Germany and Hitler. This interview was conducted by librarian Margaret Horn (at Concordia from 1956-1987) during a summer sabbatical, and was made possible in part by a grant from Aid Association for Lutherans (now 'Thrivent').
Interview with William H. Lieske, Concordia College class of 1937, from Matairie, Louisiana, in 1981. Pastor Lieske talks about, among other things, his classmates and what they did upon graduation, Concordia's first two presidents ' Theodore Buenger and Martin Graebner ' as teachers, pranks played on professors, the gradual diminishment of hazing and the gradual rise of coeducation, free time activities, the geography of the campus and its old tunnel system, the deaths of three students during his time there, and participation in musical groups and athletic teams. This interview was conducted by librarian Margaret Horn (at Concordia from 1956-1987) during a summer sabbatical, and was made possible in part by a grant from Aid Association for Lutherans (now 'Thrivent').
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.
In an oral history conducted by Robert Nelson on May 5, 1989, William Nunn described his educational background, with some focus on his family background, too. Nunn was born in 1922 in Paris, Texas. Nunn graduated from Bonham High School in 1940, then attended Northern Texas State University in Denton, Texas. He said his father was a very successful attorney in Texas, which initially inspired him to pursue law in college. However, he chronicled how his experiences in the Army during World War II led him to change his path to instead pursue teaching. Nunn talked about how he decided to pursue his master's degree in Political Science, which led him to gain experience teaching in different lab schools around the country. Nunn started at St. Cloud State in 1954. His job was to supervise student teachers. He described the state that the program was in when he arrived and how several other professors who were involved with it, including Bill Cotton and John Talbot. Nunn claimed he had success in opening districts in Milaca, Paynesville, and other areas to student teachers from St. Cloud. Nunn described his experience in the History department, as well as his time as head of the legislative committee and as Faculty Association president from 1965 to 1967. Nunn believed that the increased departmentalization at the college, which accompanied its rapid growth, has hurt the institution in many ways. Nunn expressed his view of how St. Cloud State changed since 1954 when Nunn arrived. He discussed some major events that impacted the school, such as the unrest that occurred during the Vietnam War. He claimed that St. Cloud State always had an image problem that it was not a good school and its label as a party school was misleading. Nunn claimed that St. Cloud State never really been able to get a good feel of the community, that the two never really got to know each other. Finally, Nunn described his efforts at establishing the tri-college East Asian Studies Program and his several trips to Japan.
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.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on May 29, 1982, William Whitaker described his family history and educational background. He was born on September 26, 1910, in Rockville, Minnesota. His father worked for the granite industry in Wisconsin, St. Paul, and then Rockville. Whitaker graduated from St. Cloud Technical (Tech) High School in 1927. He knew he wanted to be a teacher, with a long-term goal of becoming a college professor, so he immediately began taking classes at St. Cloud State. Before he graduated, he took a year off to teach in Wabun, Minnesota, before returning to the university to finish his education. Whitaker talked about his time off from his undergraduate work to tour with a Chautauqua group, and later to teach in Wabun, Minnesota, near Detroit Lakes. Whitaker described his time at St. Cloud State. He claimed that the majority of students at the time he attended were from small towns and farming families. He mentioned George Selke's great oratorical ability and the success it had at bringing many young people from the Iron Range to the university. Whitaker said he had to work to put himself through school, even holding three jobs at one time. He also discussed his impression of the relationship between the city of St. Cloud and the college. Whitaker also remembers some of the professors he worked with, including St. Cloud State president George Selke and Evelyn Pribble. Whitaker talked more about his work and education experiences after graduating from St. Cloud State in 1932. He discussed that the Depression made it very difficult to find work, and was the reason why he went to Brooklyn for a few years before finding a teaching job back in Minnesota. Whitaker also discussed his time in the Navy, which led him to serve in both World War II and the Korean War. Whitaker described some of his travels, including time spent in Singapore, as well some of the duties he had as an officer in the Navy.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on May 3, 1982, Winston Borden described his family background. Born in 1943, Borden grew up Center Township near Brainerd, Minnesota. Borden's grandparents migrated to Center Township, north of Brainerd, Minnesota, in the 1880s. Borden had two brothers and one sister. He discussed his reasons to attend St. Cloud State University, as well as the encouragement from his teachers and family that led him to be the first member of his family to attend college. Borden graduated from Brainerd High School in 1961, and attended St. Cloud State University on a speech scholarship that fall. While at St. Cloud State, Borden was heavily involved in the "Young Democrats" as well as student government. He chronicled in great detail about the effectiveness of some of his professors, like Dr. Jim Davis, who made subjects come alive and opened him up to new experiences. He also talked about the influence o
Lee Gresser was the first director and employee of Hennepin Technical College. He, the District 287 Board (made up of 15 individual suburban school districts), and Richard Emery were instrumental in lobbying for a suburban vocational-technical school, buying land, deciding which programs to offer, and who to hire to teach the programs. Lee was interviewed by Joyce Randall Senechal. Also present in the room were Carole Carlson and Marty Patterson.
