Interview with Otis A. Singletary, May 3, 1990

Interview Summary

Dr. Singletary begins session thirty-four with a discussion of monies donated to specific causes on campus. Leslie Combs pledged a donation to the cancer foundation but made a stipulation that a certain member of the faculty there be fired. Singletary discusses his reaction to donations with stipulations and defends his position of refusing the money. He addresses a recent move by the Kentucky legislature to assist higher education. Singletary revisits the search for a university president after the resignation of Dr. David Roselle, particularly the possibility of Dr. Charles T. Wethington becoming the next president. He talks about the education reform package and the need to improve teaching as well as funding.

Singletary discusses his impressions of Connie Wilson as a member of the faculty and of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. Relations with Kentucky State University are visited at length; Singletary talks about shared programs and the "creation" of the current Kentucky State. He mentions Dr. Lewis "Bud" Cochran as academic vice president and comments on Harry Caudill and the attack on his research in Kentucky Coal Journal. Dr. Singletary talks about a confrontation between the NCAA and the College Football Association in the fall of 1981, and college athletics in general. Also included in this interview are discussions pertaining to James King's appointment as Special Assistant to Singletary, the death of Kentucky Speaker of the House Bill Kenton in November of 1981, and a $50,000 gift to the Art Museum from Armand Hammer. The interview concludes with Dr.Singletary talking about Senator Albert Gore, Sr. of Tennessee and the University Artist Series.

Interview LC Subject

Singletary, Otis A.

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