Oral Histories

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  Jessica "Decky" Alexander, Oral History Interview, 2024

  Elizabeth Allen and Finn Vincent-Fix

  Decky Alexander is a Drama Professor and the director of academic engagement programs (Engage@EMU) at Eastern Michigan University. In this interview, Alexander recounts how she became interested in theater, growing up in the Chicago area, and the impact college had on expanding her worldview. Alexander describes her theatre initiatives, working to improve harmful public school policies, and how she ended up at Eastern Michigan University. Alexander explains her life during her “year of yes”, getting involved with the Jewish Federation in Washtenaw County, and her involvement in resettling Afghan families into student housing at EMU in 2022. Alexander explores how she thinks EMU can better engage with the international community, her desire to help formerly incarcerated people get an education, and other humanitarian initiatives that she has been involved with.

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  John Barr Sr., Oral History Interview, 2022

  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 February 15, 2022, Jones talked with Ypsilanti City Attorney, John Barr. Barr, who still serves as City Attorney, was involved with the ordinance efforts from its early stages. With his background and position in the city, he was one of the experts chosen to help draft a nondiscrimination ordinance, which was defended in 1998 and then in 2002. Barr worked closely with city council members on the draft, deciding on what language to use, what sorts of constraints, and even what sorts of repercussions would be part of the ordinance. His knowledge of what successful ordinances looked like helped ensure that this one would succeed too. In this interview, Barr goes over the process of drafting an ordinance like this, how city councils function and change over time, and puts the whole effort in a greater context.

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  John Enlund, Oral History Interview, 2022

  Victoria Buckman 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. John Enlund was a dedicated student activist on EMU's campus, member of Students for a Democratic Society, and one of the students arrested at McKenny Hall on campus during the People's Lounge Incident. He was involved with others like Frank Michels and Barry Simon during this time of student unrest, and left his mark on EMU.

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  John Fountain Oral History Interview, 1999 February 8

  Laurence Smith

  John Fountain began his work with Eastern Michigan University in 1964 as director of sports information, and served as acting athletic director from 1974 to 1985. Fountain also worked as a broadcaster for EMU sporting events. From 1983 to 1985, Fountain was Vice President for University Relations. In this interview, Fountain details his experience in broadcasting before and after working at EMU, and profiles several Eastern Michigan University athletes. Fountain also discusses the growth and development of the EMU Athletics Department. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).

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  John Fountain, Oral History Interview, 2019

  Matt Jones

  Deemed “a walking history of EMU,” Fountain has served in a variety of administrative roles including Vice President of University Relations, Director of Information Services, and Assistant for Publicity and Promotions to President John Porter. Though involved at EMU on many levels, Fountain is perhaps best known as the voice of EMU athletics, having done play by play broadcasts for EMU sports since 1963. Fountain is said to have broadcast over 50% of all football and basketball games in University history. He was awarded the EMU Distinguished Service Award in 1995, and was inducted into the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.

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  John Gawlas, Oral History Interview, 2022

  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 February 3, 2022, Jones talked to former Ypsilanti city council-member and participant in the ordinance efforts, John Gawlas. Since he was a council-member at the time that Tri-Pride's complaint was filed, Gawlas became quickly familiar with the campaigns. His position with the city put him in a place where he worked alongside fellow council-members, as well as the activists pushing for the ordinance. After the Human Relations Commission became involved, Gawlas was appointed as a member of the sub-committee tasked with drafting the ordinance proposal. During the initial passage and subsequent defense, he formed a close relationship with Lisa Zuber, former co-chair of Ypsi Campaign for Equality and another participant in this project. The couple eventually got engaged, and held their wedding on the anniversary of the ordinance's successful defense! In this interview, Gawlas recalls his fellow city council-members, the ordinance process, and how he's seen his own neighborhood here change since then.

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  John Porter, EMU Roles and Perspectives Interview, 1972

  John Porter

  EMU Roles and Perspectives was taped television program broadcast from the campus of EMU, and produced by Robert Hoexter (1930-1978). Hoexter joined the faculty at the EMU School of Education in 1964, and served as Coordinator of Graduate Advising from 1969-1971. A member of the Faculty Senate from 1973-1976, Hoexter was elected vice-chairman from 1974-1975, and chairman, 1975-1976. In this episode of Roles and Perspectives, Hoexter interviews John Porter. In 1979, Dr. Porter was appointed the seventeenth President of Eastern Michigan University. During his first year of administration, Dr. Porter unveiled an ambitious plan entitled "A Decade of Advancement", a phrase which has come to describe Dr. Porter's legacy to Eastern. In 1989, upon retirement from the University, Dr. Porter joined the newly created national Board for Professional Teaching Standards. In this interview, conducted when Porter was State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Michigan, Porter discusses the matter of accountability in Michigan schools. Accountability, to Porter, boils down to providing quality education to all Michigan citizens, but also includes quality communication between schools, parents, students, administration, and taxpayers. Bypassing the term “testing,” Porter instead claims that “assessing” students should involve determining whether students have acquired the skills and knowledge that teachers have expressed as being important to students. When questioned about promises made by the state in terms of funding, Porter says that it is the new responsibility of the state to “bridge the gap between promises and practices;” if the state can not meet the demands of the teachers, they must delegate responsibility to an entity that can meet those demands.

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  John Sanford, October 17, 2018

  Rachel Burns and Matt Jones

  John Sanford is an alumnus in the Eastern Michigan University and was highly involved in student activism. Serving as a member of Campus Service Corps, Sanford was instrumental in discussions with administration after the take over of Pierce Hall in February 1969.

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  John W. Porter Oral History Interview, 1998 April 23

  Laurence Smith

  John Porter was the 17th president of Eastern Michigan University, his term lasting from 1979 to 1989. Major improvements and upgrades were made to the University during Porter’s tenure. In this interview, Porter discusses his upbringing, professional life, and the many structural and educational changes which took place during his time as president. This interview is the first in a series of two. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).

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  John W. Porter Oral History Interview, 1999 May 7

  Laurence Smith

  John Porter was the 17th president of Eastern Michigan University, his term lasting from 1979 to 1989. Major improvements and upgrades were made to the University during Porter’s tenure. In this interview, Porter discusses his upbringing, professional life, and the many structural and educational changes which took place during his time as president. This interview is the second in a series of two. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).

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  Joseph Gurt, October 3, 2019

  Matt Jones and Luis Peña

  Dr. Joseph Gurt was a professor of music at Eastern Michigan University from 1967 until his retirement in 2000. During his time at EMU, Gurt was renowned as a teacher with students coming from all over the world to study under him and also as a concert pianist performing in the U.S, Israel, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and on stages from Carnegie Hall to Lincoln Center.

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  Juanita Reid, Oral History Interview, 2021

  Cheyenne Travioli and Matt Jones

  Juanita Reid served EMU for 28 years in vital roles such as Vice President of University Relations, Executive Associate to the President and Secretary of the Board of Regents. Reid's integral roles gave her a front row seat to the workings of upper administration and her view of the EMU logo and mascot change reflects this close, professional proximity. Explaining the rationale of the Board of Regents and the president in changing the mascot and logo, as well as the reactions from the community both on and off campus, Reid paints a uniquely vivid portrait of a university enmeshed in the thorny process of altering the identity of a university and committing itself to the cause of inclusivity and social justice.

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  Kathy Palmer, Oral History Interview, 2022

  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 February 27, 2022, Jones met with EMU alum and former chair-person of Tri-Pride, Kathy Palmer. Palmer found herself at EMU after learning more about the Master's in Social Work program and comparing it to others she was considering. She took up a graduate assistantship from Kathleen Russell, and was eventually picked to serve as a Tri-Pride co-chair. Palmer was only directly involved with the ordinance effort for a short time, as the Tri-Pride complaint was filed in February, and she graduated in April. Despite this, she kept close ties to the community and stayed updated throughout it all, and her "outsider" perspective gave her a new awareness of the campaigns' impact. In this interview, Palmer describes that new awareness and appreciation and shares more of the values and beliefs behind Tri-Pride and its members.

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  "Kayla" and "Jamia," Interview, 2023

  Brooke Boyst

  On October 7, 2023, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded the stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, EMU alums and longtime friends “Jamia” and “Kayla” discuss their formative experiences on the campus of EMU, including shopping at the Quick Fix, where students could “buy anything from candy bars to condoms,” and the Meijer Midnight Madness grocery shopping trips hosted by EMU. Both interviewees discuss courses and faculty who were influential, and both express hopes that their children will also attend EMU.

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  Ken Barna, Oral History Interview, 2022

  matt Jones

  Ken Barna was an active member of the Arm of Honor Fratternity from 1961 until 1965 and was the older brother of fellow Arm Serge Barna. Barna describes his experience at Redford High School, the occupations of his parents, and how he got interested in athletics at a young age. Barna speaks about his outlook on fraternity life prior to coming to EMU, the enduring historical names in the fraternity, and the importance of recruiting locals to the fraternity. Barna recounts the letters he received from Bingo Brown, advising him to get his grades up, notable speakers on campus, and the future of the active fraternity.

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  Ken Moon, Oral History Interview, 2022

  Chyelle Pitts-Chatman 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. Ken Moon was a Black administrator at EMU during the lates 1960s and early 1970s, and an important mediator between the students and the administration. Moon was an influential figure on campus and supported students academically and personally.

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  Kenneth Stevens, August 21, 2018

  Matt Jones and Alexis Braun Marks

  Kenneth Stevens served with the Communication and Theater Arts Department -currently Communication, Media, and Theater Arts Department- from 1973 until his retirement in 2014. During that time, Stevens created the graduate and undergraduate programs in Arts Management, directed hundreds of plays and musicals, was a ten-time winner of the faculty recognition awards, received the EMU Gold Medallion Award, and the Teaching Innovation Award. Outside of teaching at EMU, Stevens has also served as Associate Director of the Cherry County Playhouse in Traverse City, producer at the Red Barn Theater in Saugatuck, MI, as well as Director of the Actors Repertory Theater in Las Vegas, and President of the Michigan Theater Association.

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  Kirk Profit, Oral History Interview, 2022

  Matt Jones

  Kirk Profit was an active member of the Arm of Honor from 1970 until 1975. Son of University Controller Louis Profit, Kirk Profit was a student at Roosevelt School until its closing in 1969 when he moved to Ypsilanti High School. Profit details some of the physical changes to campus since his student days, and the more familial aspect of campus in the 1950s and 1960s. Profit speaks of his father's friendship with President Harold Sponberg, and the need to keep a low profile during the tumultuous days on campus in the late 1960s. Profit describes fraternity living, and the pursuit of the All Sports Trophy, given to the most decorated fraternity in intramural sports. Profit discuesses fraternity initiation and taking clandestine drives to Silver Lake to try marijuana. Profit walks the reader through the Arm house, explaining the orgins for many of the room names.

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  Kris Pride, Oral History Interview, 2022

  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 January 13, 2022, Jones talked to EMU alum and former member of Tri-Pride, Kris Pride. Pride came to EMU to earn her MSW, and was a graduate assistant in the LGBT Resource Center before she became a founding member of Tri-Pride. She was immersed in campus life and culture, and gained a sense of safety and comfort amongst her peers here. When Tri-Pride was denied service, Pride recalls that it felt like a reality check; that not everyone experienced the same she did. Although most of her time was spent on school, she remembers the differences in approach between the social work students and community members when it came to resolving the issue. Throughout this interview, Pride describes the campus atmosphere during the ordinance efforts, and how queer culture differed on and off campus.

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  Kurt Hill, October 18, 2018

  Rachel Burns and Matt Jones

  Kurt Hill is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, active member of the Black Student Association, and Campus Service Corps, as well as present during the take over of Pierce Hall take over of February 20th, 1969.

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  Larry Smith, Oral History Interview, 2021

  Connor K. Ashley and Matt Jones

  Former Vice President for Marketing and Student Affairs Laurence Smith, worked at Eastern Michigan University from 1975-2000. Smith worked in the capacity of Vice President for University Marketing and Student Affairs where he had overall leadership responsibility for strategic University marketing, communication and media relations, as well as student affairs. Smith played an important role in campus life and served on the EMU Logo Review Committee and Logo Selection Committee. In his interview, Smith describes the state of higher education thirty years ago compared to now; how alumni and community placed value in the institution vs. a symbol; and the selection process for a new logo. Smith speeks in broad strokes about higher education and their role in social justice causes and does not speak to the specifics of the committee's work.

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  Lauren London, Oral History Interview, 2024

  Finn Vincent-Fix and Elizabeth Allen

  Lauren London is the General Counsel for Eastern Michigan University, and has been working at EMU for over a decade now. In this interview, London explains her decision to become a lawyer, how she became EMU’s General Counsel, and the challenges of being a Jewish person in the modern political climate. London describes her connection to Jewish Family Services, falling into the role as the project manager for the Afghan resettlement process, and the legality and logistics of opening up on-campus housing to the 12 Afghan families in 2022. London discusses future projects EMU hopes to work on relating to refugees, her gratitude to work at an institution that genuinely cares about people, and the things she does to practice self-care.

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  Lean Adams, EMU Roles and Perspectives Interview, 1972

  Leah Adams

  EMU Roles and Perspectives was taped television program broadcast from the campus of EMU, and produced by Robert Hoexter (1930-1978). Hoexter joined the faculty at the EMU School of Education in 1964, and served as Coordinator of Graduate Advising from 1969-1971. A member of the Faculty Senate from 1973-1976, Hoexter was elected vice-chairman from 1974-1975, and chairman, 1975-1976. In this episode of Roles and Perspectives, Hoexter interviews Leah Adams. Dr. Adams served Eastern Michigan University from 1969-1999 as a professor in early childhood education with the EMU College of Education. In this interview, Adams, a strong supporter of the growing preschool programs in the United States, defends the practice of preschooling children by saying that the emergence of preschool fits perfectly within the changing society in which it resides. With the emergence of widespread automobile use, families were able to begin isolating themselves from their neighbors, yet they wanted ways in which to socialize their children. This need for socialization, coupled with the nation’s recent “Sputnik Complex,” lead to parents wanting children to learn faster and sooner. The woman’s role in the household had changed as well, from that of homemaker who was seen to be shirking her motherly duties if she left her child at a daycare center, to that of professional, career-minded woman.

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  Lee Hassenzahl, Interview, 2023

  Katie Delahoyde

  On October 7, 2023, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded the stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, alum Lee Hassenzahl (class of 1972) recounts meeting her husband at EMU, working toward her degree in Education, her grandmother’s graduation from Michigan State Normal College, her work with Vietnamese refugees during the War in Vietnam, and the disparity in pay between men and women.

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  Leonard Posey, Oral History Interview, 2018

  Matt Jones and Rachel Burns

  Leonard Posey is an alumni of Eastern Michigan. He graduated from Eastern Michigan with Bachelors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. Posey was an active student on campus, serving in the student senate all four years. Additionally, he was a member of the Black Student Association, during his fourth year as a student here on campus, Posey was elected student body president becoming EMU’s first African American student body president. The last year of Posey’s academic tenure was met with some difficulty when it was squeezed between students and faculty over issues with the student senate, allocation of funds and a clerical workers strike. After graduation, he took a job at the university in the Personnel Department then became interested in educational activism becoming the first Black Wayne-Westland School Board member.