Oral Histories

An initiative that began in 2017, the University Archives has begun to digitize items from the Historical Audio Recordings collection and other collections. We have sorted these recordings into four categories: Lectures and Presentations, Oral Histories, Performances and Speeches. At present the category of Oral Histories is the only category that we are actively adding to. With support from the Office of the Provost, the University Archives has been interviewing current and emeritus faculty, staff and students on their experiences at Eastern Michigan University.

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Everett Marshall, Oral History Interview, 1998

Laurence Smith

Everett Marshall taught in the Education and Psychology Departments at Eastern Michigan University from 1938-1949. From 1949-1979, Marshall served as Dean of Academic Records and Teacher Certification. In this interview, Marshall details his relationships with, and characteristics of, several EMU presidents and faculty members. Marshall also describes his methods of raising enrollment from 1,850 at the beginning of his tenure to over 19,000 at the time of his retirement. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).
Floyd Walton, October 24, 2018

Rachel Burns and Matt Jones

Floyd Walton is an alumnus of Eastern Michigan University, graduating in 1973. Walton was a highly involved student activist serving as a member of the Campus Service Corps and the Black Student Association. Walton was also instrumental with the Black Demands and discussions with administration after the take over of Pierce Hall of February of 1969.
Francis Goodrich, Oral History Interview, 1956

Egbert Isbell

Francis Goodrich was a graduate of Michigan State Normal College, class of 1897. Following gradutation, Goodrich remained in the College library, assisting reference librarian Genevieve Walton until his departure in 1906. In this oral history interview, Goodrich gives an account of the activities of himself and Librarian Genevieve Walton at the turn of the century. Book binding, classification, and book buying is discussed here, as well as the adaptation of the Dewey Decimal System to the MSNC Library.
Frank Michels, Oral History Interview, 2022

Katherine Hacanyan and Matt Jones

In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Frank Michels was a student at EMU in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Frank was a student activist, a dedicated member of Students for a Democratic Society, and the creator of the underground newspaper, The Second Coming. He was a radical leader on campus who fought back against the administration's policies and their efforts to take his newspaper down.
Fred Barney, Oral History Interview pt. 1, 2005

Dick Bowman

Fred Barney (b.1922) entered the Army Specialized Training Program on October 11, 1943, at Michigan State Normal College in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Marching to and from classes and meals, and kept busy from dawn till dusk, Barney and his fellow ASTP trainees were educated in various military specialized fields. Shipped out to France shortly after D-Day, Barney’s unit, the 76th Infantry Division in General George Patton’s Third Army, became the spearhead in piercing the Siegfried Line of fortifications on Germany’s western border. In this interview, Barney recalls the daily routine of the ASTP Program, the journey to France, and many details of combat and routine in Europe.
Fred Barney, Oral History Interview pt. 2, 2005

Dick Bowman

Fred Barney (b.1922) entered the Army Specialized Training Program on October 11, 1943, at Michigan State Normal College in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Marching to and from classes and meals, and kept busy from dawn till dusk, Barney and his fellow ASTP trainees were educated in various military specialized fields. Shipped out to France shortly after D-Day, Barney’s unit, the 76th Infantry Division in General George Patton’s Third Army, became the spearhead in piercing the Siegfried Line of fortifications on Germany’s western border. In this interview, Barney recalls the daily routine of the ASTP Program, the journey to France, and many details of combat and routine in Europe.
Frederick Cleveringa, Oral History Interview, 1960

Bates

Born in 1890, Frederick Cleveringa began work in the Michigan State Normal College in 1913 while a student at MSNC. When Librarian Genevieve Walton stepped down in 1940, Fred was appointed Reference LIbrarian and Assistant Professor in the new Department of Library Sciences. Cleveringa retired from the library in 1952. In this oral history, Fred recounts the early days of his employment under Genevieve Walton, and the values Walton instilled in all of her employees.
Gary Clark, Oral History Interview, 2021

Matt Jones

In 2021, Eastern Michigan University Archives lecturer Matt Jones began documenting the story of Ypsilanti’s Human Rights Ordinance #1279 in an effort to explore the ways in which local queer activism has evolved multi-generationally in Ypsilanti. What began as a refusal of service by a local print shop to a small EMU student group quickly turned into a years-long battle over who was deserving of basic human rights. To the LGBTQ activists and community members documented here, they had always been present in the community: working, paying taxes, painting their houses, mowing their lawns, attending council meetings, and even serving on council. This ordinance battle was about more than just LGBT rights—it was about protecting the human rights of all Ypsilantians. On December 13, 2021, Jones met with long time Ypsilantian, figure-skating coach, and community activist, Gary Clark. Clark became involved with the ordinance efforts very early on, when his partner encountered protestors in Depot Town after Tri-Pride was denied service. From there, they called up their friends, neighbors, and fellow community members and held what would become the first Citizens for Community (C4C) meeting. C4C became the group that took on the fight for the first campaign and initial ordinance passage. With Clark's leadership, community ties, and strong sense-of-self, the campaign was able to effectively advocate for an ordinance and bring more visibility to the LGBT community in Ypsi. He understood the importance of bringing in other communities to support the effort, and even visited the very same churches who strongly opposed the campaigns. In this interview, Clark shares a more in-depth look at C4C's work, the initial drafting of the ordinance, and the shift towards Ypsi Campaign for Equality for the defense.
Gary Hawks, Oral History Interview, 1998

Laurence Smith

Gary Hawks spent 17 years at eastern Michigan University, starting in 1964 as a supervisor of Accounts Receivable, executive director of University Relations, director of personnel, and as Vice President of University Relations. He was secretary to the Board of Regents from 1970 until retiring in 1981. In this interview, Hawks details his relationships with several University presidents, and also describes the overall growth of the school, from issues of enrollment to the building of physical structures on campus. This interview is distributed over two cassette tapes. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).
George Goodman, Oral History Interview, 2023

Lisa Jasnowski and Matt Jones

George Goodman is a Michigan native, military veteran, and was the first African American to be elected as Mayor of Ypsilanti, a position he held from 1972-82. Goodman attended Roosevelt from K-12, graduating in 1958. In this interview, George shares his experiences growing up in a predominantly Black neighborhood, how Ypsilanti has evolved over time, and his experiences at school and in the larger community as a person of color. He also explores his time after Roosevelt, briefly touching on his time as Mayor of Ypsilanti and how Roosevelt left a lasting impact on him.
Gerald "Skip" Lawver, Oral History Interview, 2022

Andrew Schneider and Matt Jones

In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Gerald "Skip" Lawver was an EMU student who served as an intelligence officer in the US Army, an instructor with the EMU Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), a sergeant with the EMU police force. Skip was a sergeant with EMU during the events that took place near EMU's campus in May of 1970, working to keep things under control.
Glenda Kirkland, July 6, 2018

Matt Jones and Alexis Braun Marks

Glenda Kirkland was a vocal instructor with the EMU Department of Music and Dance from 1972 until 2009. Kirkland taught many courses in music at EMU and served as the director of the EMU Opera Workshop. She has also given many lectures and recitals with various opera companies and guest performed with luminaries such as William Warfield, Gwyneth Jones, and Luciano Pavarotti. She’s been universally praised for her interpretive skills, her charisma, her prefect breath control and deep respect for the text’s open-hearted naiveté.
Glenna Frank Miller & Gregory Peoples

Matt Jones and Alexis Braun Marks

Gregory Peoples is a long-time administrator of EMU. He was hired in 1977 to work in the Campus Interact Office until 1980. During the course of his career with EMU, Peoples served as Assistant Director of Admissions, Associate Director of Admissions, Associate Dean of Students and then Dean of Students. In 2004, Peoples became Director of the Office of the Ombuds, an office he created with University Provost Jim Vick. Outside of EMU, Peoples served with the GMI Engineering and Management Institute, and as Director of Enrollment Services at Washtenaw Community College. Peoples retired in 2003.

Glenna Frank Miller is Emerita Vice President for Student Life at EMU. Beginning her career at EMU in 1974 as a Resident Unit Administrator, she became Resident Life Area Manager and then Director of Campus Life in 1983. Miller is known for her high level of involvement on campus, developing relationships with students and creating educational programs for the empowerment of women. Frank Miller also worked in Campus Life, McKenny Union, and in many McKenny Union Campus Life and Diversity programs. Frank Miller may be best-known for her leading role in the design and construction of the EMU Student Center, opened in 2006. Frank Miller retired in June, 2013.
Glenna Frank Miller, Oral History Interview, 2021

Katrina Finklestein and Matt Jones

During her more than 40 years with Eastern Michigan University, Emerita Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Glenna Frank Miller served in various capacities and was called a "Human Dynamo" by former Vice President for Student Affairs Laurence Smith for her tireless devotion to the student experience on campus. Serving on the EMU Logo Review Committee and Logo Selection Committee, Frank Miller describes her confidence in newly appointed EMU President William Shelton despite the public backlash from alumni for dropping the EMU Huron, a logo/mascot deemed culturally insensitive by many members of the university community. Adhering to the belief that all community members are harmed by the negative depiction of any one group, Frank Miller details the tension in Board of Regents meetings, the aftermath of the logo and mascot change, and the higher duty of academic institutions to causes of social justice.
Glenna Frank-Miller, Oral History Interview, 2024

Matt Jones, Kat Hacanyan, and Finn Vincent-Fix

In her 40 years of service to EMU, Glenna Frank-Miller has served in many crucial capacities including Student Affairs, Campus Life, Diversity and Community Involvement, Alumni Engagement, Career Services and more. She also co-chaired the planning and constrcution of the EMu Student Center. Involved in many levels at EMU, Frank-Miller here describes the need for, and implementation of, the EMU LGBT Resource Center. She describes the various threads that led to the decision to create the center, and describes the reaction on campus to its opening.
Gloria Neve, Oral History Interview, 2019

Matt Jones

Gloria Neve was a longtime women's basketball and softball coach at EMU, and taught courses ranging from basketball to sailing in the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. In this interview, Neve speaks of her rural childhood experience, her first experiences in competitive sport and her journey to EMU in the late 1960s. Neve discusses the implementation of Title IX, and the implications this landmark ruling had for both women's and men's athletics. Neve speaks of the lifelong friendships gained at EMU, and of writing her comprehensive history of women's athletics at EMU.
Grant Long, Oral History Interview, 2022

Matt Jones

Grant Long played basketball for the EMU Hurons from 1984 until 1988 before going on to a 15-year career in the National Basketball Association. Long speaks here about the decision to come to EMU, the tenacity of EMU recruiters, and the playing style of previous EMU basketball teams. He details the energy of Bowen Field House basketball games, and the game in which he scored 31 points against Bowling Green University. Long also describes the mentorship that took place between older and younger players who were predominantly first-generation college students trying to figure out how to live their new college lives.
Greg Fournier, Oral History Interview, 2023

Katherine Hacanyan

In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Greg Fournier is a current author and EMU alum who was witness to the student unrest on campus, which was happening at the same time John Norman Collins was committing his crimes. Now, Greg has written about John in his book, "Terror in Ypsilanti."
Gregory McIntosh, Oral History Interview, 2023

Katie Delahoyde

Katie Delahoyde interviews Greg McIntosh, a musician and Ypsilanti resident, for the Ypsilanti Bicentennial Celebration. Greg discusses his musical journey, including his time with the Great Lakes Myth Society and his friendship with Matt Jones. He reflects on the changing music scene in Ypsilanti, noting the rise and fall of local venues like the Green Room and the Elbow Room. Greg also shares personal anecdotes, such as a memorable incident involving a DUI and a confrontation at Woodruff's. He expresses nostalgia for the community's creative energy and hopes for its continued growth.
Gregory Peoples, Oral History Interview, 2024

Matt Jones

As a university administrator of over 40 years at EMU, Gregory Peoples devoted himself to bettering the college experiences of marginalized students,. In 1994, Peoples helped establish the LGBT Resource Center at EMU, and in this interview, he describes the challenges both to himself and from the university in forming this crucial campus support center.
Gretchen [Geiser] Colbert

Brooke Boyst and Matt Jones

Gretchen [Geiser] Colbert is a 1968 alumna of the Roosevelt School and grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In this interview Colbert discusses her experiences at Roosevelt, highlighting how she developed a passion for music and joined the girl's synchronized swim team as it was the only sport available to women at the time. She explains how she took her passion for music with her through life, and how voice lessons at Roosevelt have led to a lifelong involvement in choir groups.
Hamzah Dajani, Oral History Interview, 2024

Elizabeth Allen

Hamzah Dajani is an international student from Jordan studying finance and accounting, and he currently serves as the Student Government President at Eastern Michigan University. In this interview, Dajani recounts his experience growing up in Jordan, how he became interested in math and finance, and how he decided to come to EMU. Dajani explains how he got involved in Student Government, his experience as an international student, the difficulties of adjusting to life in the United States, and the struggles of finding a job as a non-US citizen. Dajani describes how Student Government became involved in the Afghan resettlement process, helping move the Afghan families into on-campus housing, talking to the Afghan’s about their experience fleeing to the US, and his own experiences working with refugees prior to the Afghan resettlement.
Harley Maxbauer, Interview, 2023

Elizabeth Allen

In November of 2023, Eastern Michigan University’s LGBT Resource Center hosted an event in collaboration with the University Archives’ Oral History Program during Transgender Awareness Week where students could share their experiences with being part of the LGBT community on and off campus. EMU student Harley Maxbauer talks about transitioning, being involved with the LGBTQ community on campus, and stepping out of your comfort zone.
Heather Neff, Oral History Interview, 2018

Matt Jones and Alexis Braun Marks

Heather Neff is a highly-decorated professor of African American Literature, Women in Literature, and Poetry and Major Authors. Among a score of achievements, Neff has created the American Writers in Paris Program, has served as Director of the McNair Scholars Program at EMU, and has won numerous awards including the Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence, the Outstanding Faculty Award, and the Teaching Excellence Award.
Howard Booth, Oral History Interview, 2019

Matt Jones

Dr. Howard Booth taught biology at Eastern Michigan University for forty-six years. An alumni of EMU, Booth was very active in athletics while a student, earning recognition in track and field and gymnastics, as well as joining the cheer team. After a 39-year hiatus from the sport, Booth took up the pole vault at age 61, traveling the world to compete, and winning gold medals in competitions ranging from the National Master's Track and Field Championship in Boston and the World Athletics Championship in Brazil.