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 March 30, 1982, Francis (Fran) Voelker gave a brief history of his education and background. Fran was born in Thorp, Wisconsin. He went to St. John's University, then entered the military for a few years. When he got out of the service in 1955, he accepted a job teaching high school English in Foley, Minnesota, where he stayed for four years. During that time, he pursued his master's degree, which he received in 1959. Voelker discussed his experience with the Faculty Association and collective bargaining in general. Voelker chronicled his early experiences with the Minnesota Education Association (MEA) in Foley, as well as the motivations of St. Cloud State faculty to actively pursue collective bargaining. Voelker believed that many faculty members felt that salaries were bad and their voices were not heard, so frustration began to build until they decided to do something about it. Voelker said the reasons to join the MEA was good, claiming that they had a good training program and a professionalism that really helped the Inter-Faculty Organization (IFO). Voelker focused on the election in 1975 and said that even if the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) won the election, he would have joined, as most faculty simply wanted some form of representation. Voelker discussed the work he did with the IFO after the election, including lobbying during state legislature to get funding and meet negotiation deadlines. Voelker believed that collective bargaining was very successful in defining roles. He said the adversary relationship that resulted between administration and faculty was unfortunate, but did not have to be a result of collective bargaining. It was something he hoped would be amended in the future.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 2, 1982, Eugene and Lorraine Perkins discussed their family history, as well as their reasons for attending St. Cloud State. Lorraine chronicled the long history her family had with the St. Cloud State, as her grandfather attended the Normal School and roomed with Waite Shoemaker. Many of her aunts and several other relatives also attended the university. Eugene mentioned they lived close to the university and his dad worked with there. Lorraine said she wanted to go to Carleton College to become a writer. But the Depression prevented her from doing so, as Carleton College was expensive. So, she decided to become an English teacher. Eugene also discussed his time in World War II, which interrupted his college studies.
Lorraine arrived at St. Cloud State in 1938, while Eugene first attended in 1939. They met in 1939. Lorraine talked about her varying living situations, including a year in Shoemaker Hall. Eugene also discussed the GI Bill, which of course brought many veterans to the school. Eugene described his time at the Eastman House, which was housing for returning GIs. Both Eugene and Lorraine oversaw and lived for a time in Eastman House. Lorraine and Eugene also described some of the extracurricular activities on campus, such as literary societies, sports, and different clubs such as the photo club, which Eugene belonged to.
Lorraine and Eugene chronicled their experiences after leaving St. Cloud. Lorraine talked about being hired in Hayward, Minnesota, before being married, then being told to return her contract, as they did not hire married teachers. She gave up teaching for 20 years to raise her family. Eugene talked about the path that led him to pursue counseling; he taught in Paynesville, Minnesota, for three years while taking graduate classes at the University of Minnesota, with a focus on guidance and counseling. After receiving his master's degree, he went to Cincinnati, where he worked as a counselor and a school psychologist. He returned to St. Cloud State in 1958, eventually receiving his doctorate from University of Northern Colorado. Lorraine wanted to return to school, receiving a master's degree in 1967. She chronicled the establishment in 1968 and her work in the Writing Skills Center, which she believed was the only place for some students, especially foreign students, to get help. They described their support of international students. Finally, they expressed their approval of the vast physical changes undergone by St. Cloud State in the 1960s and 1970s, resulting in a beautiful campus.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 17, 1982, Tom and Jeanne Wadhams each gave a brief family history. Jeanne (Verby) Wadhams was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. After she graduated from Johnson High School in St. Paul, she worked for a couple years before joining the military. She left the service in 1946 attended St. Cloud State to become a physical education teacher. Tom attended Riverview Elementary and then graduated from Tech High School in St. Cloud. He attended St. Cloud State from 1940-1941 before serving in World War II. Tom discussed going to the Campus Lab School at Riverview, and named several of his teachers. After World War II, he returned to St. Cloud State. Jeanne discussed putting off college until after she served in the military, thus making her an older than average student when she began at St. Cloud. The two married as sophomores. They described their time at St. Cloud State. Tom was very involved with athletics, detailing St. Cloud State athletics in the late 1940s, particularly football and basketball. They also discuss some of their favorite teachers, including Marie Case, Helen Hill, and Clair Dagget. Tom and Jeanne talked about their experience being married and living on campus in a house Jeanne's parents owned and also rented out to students. Jeanne described the ""espirit de corps"" among students and faculty when they first attended, but as the college grew, that familiarity faded. Jeanne was a member of the Athenaeum Literary Society, but quit because of the attitude of many of the members. They also belonged to the Married Couples Club. Tom and Jeanne talked about the relationship between the university and the city of St. Cloud, which they perceived as two separate entities that did not interact frequently. Both graduated in 1949. Tom and Jeanne discussed their life after leaving St. Cloud State. They described their year teaching in Little Fork, as well as how well they believed St. Cloud prepared them for their careers. Jeanne believed that the student teaching experience did not meet her expectations, while Tom felt his training in Business and his time coaching prepared him very well for his 32-year-career at Honeywell. They also discussed being veterans at St. Cloud State, and what it was like for veterans attending college.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 21, 1982, John Derus explained his family and educational background. Derus was born in 1940 in northeast Minneapolis. His family lived in the area for five generations, though they were originally of Irish, German, and French ancestry. After graduating from DaLaSalle High School, then the University of Minnesota on a football scholarship for a year before quitting in order to work to make money for his family. His father, along with one of his sisters, died in a plane crash, leaving the family financially strained. Derus mentioned his reasons for choosing to attend St. Cloud State University. He explained the good things he heard about St. Cloud, as well as his desire to work with children and help those who were in trouble. Derus chronicled his time in St. Cloud, attending classes when he could but also working more than full-time, both at the St. Cloud Children's Home and as a bartender. He discussed his favorite teachers, such as Herb Goodrich and Henry Goehring. In addition, Derus mentioned that he enjoyed the smaller class sizes, as compared with those at the University of Minnesota. A interesting aspect of the interview focused on Derus's description of the culture for young people in St. Cloud at the time, including living arrangements, and what he called a subculture of ""workies,"" college students who were forced to work in order to put themselves through college. Derus described his involvement in extracurricular activities at St. Cloud State, including one play and intramural sports as well as campus politics. He graduated from St. Cloud State in 1967 with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. He also addressed his post-graduate experiences, including his work with the Peace Corps in India, where he taught English for two years. Upon his return from India, he decided to get involved in politics, landing a position with Hubert Humphrey. He was elected as alderman of the 4th Ward in Minneapolis and later as Hennepin County Commissioner in 1974. Derus detailed the way that the community of St. Cloud and the University helped him get his life on track at a time when it was not going well at all.
This issue features profiles of faculty, staff, and students. The Forum was the student newspaper for Inver Hills State Junior College and was published from 1970 to 2005. In 1973 Inver Hills State Junior College became Inver Hills Community College.
This issue includes articles on basketball, faculty Herminio Diaz, and a karate class for disabled students. The Forum was the student newspaper for Inver Hills State Junior College and was published from 1970 to 2005. In 1973 Inver Hills State Junior College became Inver Hills Community College.
This issue includes articles on a tuition increase, a Great Books group, and a theater production controversy. The Forum was the student newspaper for Inver Hills State Junior College and was published from 1970 to 2005. In 1973 Inver Hills State Junior College became Inver Hills Community College.
This issue includes articles on students Lisa Bundich and Jayne Fredrickson, day care art, and a presentation on grief. The Forum was the student newspaper for Inver Hills State Junior College and was published from 1970 to 2005. In 1973 Inver Hills State Junior College became Inver Hills Community College.
This issue includes articles on faculty layoff notices and international students Aissa Toledo, Moussalam Kouatli, and Moneer Rana. The Forum was the student newspaper for Inver Hills State Junior College and was published from 1970 to 2005. In 1973 Inver Hills State Junior College became Inver Hills Community College.
This issue includes articles on speaker Dr. Barbara Long, students Bill Trautz and Bev Sprague, and the kazoo band. The Forum was the student newspaper for Inver Hills State Junior College and was published from 1970 to 2005. In 1973 Inver Hills State Junior College became Inver Hills Community College.
This issue is a feature on student writing. The Forum was the student newspaper for Inver Hills State Junior College and was published from 1970 to 2005. In 1973 Inver Hills State Junior College became Inver Hills Community College.
