Oral Histories

Follow

• 

  Patrick McGill, Oral History Interview, 2024

  Cassandra Mitchell

  Patrick McGill has worked as a police officer for Eastern Michigan University since 1999. In this interview, McGill reminisce's about how the EMU campus has changed during his time working here, and meeting international students when taking classes for his construction management degree at EMU. McGill recounts his experience getting fans for some of the Afghan families who were staying in on-campus housing in 2022, his perspectives on immigration law, and his thoughts on EMU providing the housing to the Afghan families.

• 

  Paul Heaton, 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 15, 2021, Jones talked with former EMU Director of University Publications and Student Media, and YCFE co-chair, Paul Heaton. Heaton arrived in Ypsilanti to work in media and communications at EMU, and remained somewhat on the outside of Ypsi civic life until the Tri-Pride incident in 1997. He became involved with the ordinance efforts early on, attending the first Citizens for Community meetings, and later became a co-chair of YCFE. Heaton worked in tandem with his community members and co-chair Beth Bashert to ensure the campaign would be successful. He was highly regarded for his expertise with communications and messaging, and is still credited with keeping the mission on task. Heaton had to manage the messages and ideas coming from his fellow organizers while also making sure the campaign's focus remained clear and cohesive. Throughout this interview he recalls the reasoning behind YCFE and how its mission worked, along with the ins and outs of working with conflicting opinions, and how he became involved with the campaigns in the first place!

• 

  Peggy Liggit Oral History Interview, 2017

  Matt Jones

  Serving Eastern Michigan University for more than 20 years, Peggy Liggit began her tenure with EMU as a professor of biology and science education. After spending three years as Director of Academic Assessment, Liggit became Director of the Bruce K. Nelson Faculty Development Center. Her research focus now includes learner-centered teaching in higher education, organizational learning, humanized assessment practices, and faculty peer-coaching. In this interview, conducted during the opening of the Bruce K. Nelson Faculty Development Center, Liggit shares personal recollections of Bruce Nelson, and discusses the representation of Nelson’s principles of education on the EMU campus, and more specifically, in the Faculty Development Center that bears his name.

• 

  P. George Bird and Reinhard Wittke Oral History Interview, 2016 April 23

  Alexis Braun Marks

  P. George Bird taught in the Theatre department at Eastern Michigan University from 1956-2006. The interview is an account of his time teaching on campus, his most memorable productions and the planning and construction of Quirk Theatre. Reinhard Wittke was a professor in the History Department at Eastern Michigan University from 1956-1990. During his time at Eastern, Wittke established and was best known for establishing the European Adventure Tours in 1960, which became International Studies Program. This is the third part in a three part series.

• 

  P. George Bird Oral History Interview, 2016 April 19

  Alexis Braun Marks

  P. George Bird taught in the Theatre department at Eastern Michigan University from 1956-2006. The interview is an account of his time teaching on campus, his most memorable productions and the planning and construction of Quirk Theatre. This is the first part in a three part series.

• 

  P. George Bird Oral History Interview, 2016 April 22

  Alexis Braun Marks

  P. George Bird taught in the Theatre department at Eastern Michigan University from 1956-2006. The interview is an account of his time teaching on campus, his most memorable productions and the planning and construction of Quirk Theatre. This is the second interview in a three part series.

• 

  Philip Incarnati Oral History Interview, 1998 May 25

  Laurence Smith

  Philip Incarnati served as Chair of the Board of Regents from 1995 to 2005. In this interview, Incarnati details his high school collegiate experience, and his subsequent time at a student at Eastern Michigan University. Incarnati discusses campus culture at length, from campus streaking to Playboy Magazine’s designation of EMU as one of the top ten party schools. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).

• 

  Phil Riggio, Oral History Interview, 2022

  Matt Jones

  Phil Riggio was an active member of the Arm of Honor Fraternity from 1968 until 1975, coming to EMU from Detroit, MI, where he sold produce from the back of a wagon before helping with the family produce business. Riggio's sons have followsed him into the business as well. Riggio details his father's journey to America from Sicily, and learning the tgricks of the produce trade from his father. There were expectations for Phil to attend college, he became interested in attending EMU after his team, University of Detroit, played them several times during the basketball season. Riggio details the bonds between Arm brothers, social movements on campus, and the "tight-lipped and tight knit" nature of the frat. Riggio describes initiation rituals, mandatory rides, and what happened when a pledge wanted out. Riggio, a reknown basketball player at EMU, also talk abotu playing at Bowen Fieldhouse, running in intramural cross country events, and the process of evicting the Arms from the fraternity house in 2015. President of the Arm of Honor Alumni Chapter in 2015, Riggio spearheaded the effort to clean up the image of the Arms.

• 

  President James Smith, Oral History Interview, 2024

  Cassandra Mitchell and Finn Vincent-Fix

  James Smith is Eastern Michigan University's 23rd president, a role he has been in since 2016. In this interview, Smith recounts how he got into a career in educational policy, his time working in the K-12 public school system, and moving up the ranks from professor, to administrator, to dean, and finally to being a university president. Smith explores his passion for international issues, his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how he came to join the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. Smith describes how he jumped at the chance to open on-campus housing to twelve Afghan families in early 2022, the impacts of this decision, the university’s collaboration with Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw county, and other efforts EMU is undertaking to ensure the campus is welcoming to all.

• 

  Quirico Samonte, Oral History Interview, 2019

  Matt Jones

  Dr. Quirico Samonte served as professor of education at Eastern Michigan University from 1963 until his retirement in 2001. Aside from teaching, Samonte served as University Coordinator for the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education, Chief of Party to the Basic Education Development Project in Yemen, and Advisor to the Ministry of Education for the Primary Curriculum Development Project in Swaziland. Born and raised in the Philippines, Samonte was a boyhood acquaintance of future-President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos.

• 

  Rachel Anthony, Interview, 2023

  Christopher Durden

  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 Rachel Anthony talks about growing up queer, finding comfort in the English Department, and self-care in stressful times.

• 

  Ray Mullins, 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 12, 2022, Jones talked with attorney, community leader, organizer, and former president of the Willow Run NAACP, Ray Mullins. Under Mullins' leadership, the Willow Run chapter of the NAACP increased its membership, established and developed community youth programs, and won several awards for programming excellence. During the ordinance campaigns, Mullins stood with the organizers in Citizens for Community and Ypsilanti Campaign for Equality, giving them a much-needed and most-important endorsement. Despite receiving backlash from some community members, he remained firm in his alignment, and stayed true to his belief that discrimination is wrong in all its forms. Mullins continued to provide safe spaces and opportunities for Ypsi's youth, and worked closely with churches to maintain strong community relationships throughout the ordinance campaigns and beyond. In this interview, he talks about his upbringing and connections to the Civil Rights Movement, the importance of community care and protection, and of nurturing under-represented youth. Mullins continued to be a beloved cornerstone of the community, representing compassion and integrity until he passed in 2023.

  Please note, this record is transcript only.

• 

  Richard "Dick" Schwarze, June 20, 2018

  Matt Jones and Grace Pare

  Dick Schwarze was campus photographer at Eastern Michigan University from 1970 until 2006. Before joining EMU staff, Schwarze served in the United States Army in Vietnam, and briefly attended Wayne State University in Detroit. During his 36 career year here, he won numerous campus and professional awards, including “Institutional Values Award for Continuous Improvement, Innovation, and Customer Service” in 2005. His photography captures many aspects at EMU and has been used for promotional work and numerous public relations campaigns.

• 

  Richard Robb Oral History Interview, 1998 June 3

  Laurence Smith

  Richard Robb served on the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents from 1967 to 1993, and as Chair of the Board from 1975-1985. In this interview, Robb details his relationships with several EMU administrators of the period, and defends the appointment of James Brickley to President of EMU. Robb also discusses the importance of athletics in the collegiate experience and the decision to change the EMU logo. This interview has been 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).

• 

  Richard Robb Oral History Interview, 1998 June 3

  Laurence Smith

  Richard Robb served on the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents from 1967 to 1993, and as Chair of the Board from 1975-1985. In this interview, Robb details his relationships with several EMU administrators of the period, and defends the appointment of James Brickley to President of EMU. Robb also discusses the importance of athletics in the collegiate experience and the decision to change the EMU logo. This interview has been 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).

• 

  Richard Robb, Oral History Interview, 2021

  Katie Delahoyde and Matt Jones

  Longtime Ypsilanti resident and EMU Regent Dr. Richard Robb was named chair of the University Logo Committee and tasked with finding a new EMU logo to replace the Huron. Understanding that the logo was offensive to many students, Robb predicted a quick decision and adjournment. Fending off the ire of alums attached to the logo as well as the frustration and occasional apathy of fellow committee members, Robb found himself entrenched in a much larger debate over the identity of the school itself.

• 

  Rick Ross, Interview, 2022

  Cassandra Mitchell and Cheyelle Pitts-Chatman

  On October 1, 2022, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded 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 alum Rick Ross (class of 1975) talks about his experience with the EMU Track team, including Coach Bob Parks. Ross names alums Kurt Hill and Judy Sturgis-Hill for helping him navigate through college, crediting them for his four degrees from EMU. Ross is also one of the founders of the Black Gospel Choir, and talks briefly about the founding of the group. A member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Ross describes the lasting relationships formed in the fraternity and the mentees he has known throughout his years as an educator.

• 

  Robert England, Oral History Interview, 2019

  Matt Jones

  Bob England served Eastern Michigan University from 1968 until his retirement in 2011. In this interview, England, who served as Director of Intramurals and Recreation, speaks of the development of the Intramurals and Recreation program into one of national prominence and record attendance. England also discusses the turbulence of the late 1960s, the construction of Olds-Robb Intramural and Recreation Building, the EMU Lake House, and the inception of the annual Huron River float-a-thon. England speaks of his football playing days at University of Michigan, and of the struggle to increase attendance at EMU sporting events.

• 

  Robert Smith, September 27, 2018

  Rachel Burns and Matt Jones

  Robert Smith is an alumnus of Eastern Michigan University who graduated from the university in 1971. During his time at EMU, Smith was involved with the Black Student Association and Campus Service Corps. Smith was instrumental in the creation of Black Demands and the takeover of Pierce Hall in February 20th, 1969. Smith graduated from Eastern in 1971 with a double major in history and graphic arts. Smith went on to serve the communities of Detroit and Highland Park in roles at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Wayne State University, and the Highland Park School District.

• 

  Robin Kreger, Oral History Interview, 2022

  Matt Jones

  Robin "Hawk" Kreger was an active member of the Arm of Honor Fraternity from 1962 until 1965.Growing up in Wyandotte, MI, Kreger was the younger brother of the infamous Dale "Luke" Kreger, also an Arm of Honor member in this collection. Grandson of the mayor of Wyandotte, Kreger details growing up in a family that was a fixture of the community, along with several other Arm members as well. Kreger describes his brother Luke and some of the hi-jinx they found themselves in as fraternity members. Kreger talks of his initiation into the fraternity, the reputation of the fraternity, strong personalities in the fraternity, and the reason for his nickname, Hawk. Kreger also speaks of how to survive the intense swatting sessions, rivalries with other fraternities, and the working class, local aspect of the fraternity that made it so unique.

• 

  Rob Musial, Oral History Interview, 2022

  Akaiia Ridley 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. Rob Musial was a student at EMU during the late 1960s and early 1970s, and editor of the Eastern Echo during that time. Rob was involved with reporting on campus demonstrations and student unrest during his time there, working to make the campus aware of what was going on.

• 

  Ron Collins Oral History Interview, 1998 August 12

  Laurence Smith

  Ron Collins arrived at Eastern Michigan University in 1965 as Assistant Professor of Chemistry. After becoming Department Head in 1977, he was made Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1980, and then Provost in 1983 where he served until his retirement. In this interview, Collins discusses low EMU enrollment at the time of his arrival, the changes to the University over time, which Collins calls “overwhelmingly positive,” and the technological advances at Eastern. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).

• 

  Ron Paschal, Interview, 2022

  Connor Ashley

  On October 1, 2022, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded 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 Ron Paschal (class of 1969) describes his desire to be a teacher as one of the driving forces that brought him to EMU in the mid-1960s, and the importance of the the relationships formed at EMU in guiding his future career and personal decision

• 

  Roy Wilbanks Oral History Interview, 1998 April 7

  Laurence Smith

  Roy Wilbanks’ extensive involvement with Eastern Michigan University began in 1983 as assistant to the president for governmental and community relations. He subsequently held the positions of secretary to the Board of Regents, vice president for University Relations, executive vice president, and supervisor of the EMU Foundation. He served on the Board of Regents from 2004 to 2012. In this interview, Wilbanks discusses the development of the EMU athletic program, the planning and cost of campus structures, and the corporate culture that John Porter brought to Eastern Michigan University. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).

• 

  Ruby Meis and Stephen Brewer Oral History Interview, 2017

  Matt Jones

  Ruby Meis joined the faculty of Eastern Michigan University in 1964 as a professor with the Home Economics Program, then an unaffiliated program within the University. Meis also served as Acting Assistant Dean of the Graduate School at EMU, as well as Vice President of the Women’s Commission and Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee. Meis retired on December 31, 1993. Stephen Brewer joined EMU in 1964 as a professor of Chemistry, and during his tenure at EMU authored the textbook, “Solving Problems in Analytical Chemistry,” published by John Wiley and Sons. Brewer retired on September 10, 2001. In this interview, Brewer and Meis reflect on their respective relationships with longtime EMU Vice President for Instruction, Bruce K. Nelson. Meis speaks of her appreciation for Nelson’s encouragement and assistance in developing the Department of Home Economics, while Brewer expresses his appreciation for Nelson’s ability to keep his cool during some of the hardest times on campus, the student demonstrations of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.