Interview with Lynn Hodges, December 15, 2017

Interview Summary

Lynn Hodges, a former TVA employee, begins the interview by detailing how he was hired at the TVA education program at Land Between the Lakes. Hodges' background in education is discussed. The environmental education program that Hodges oversaw at Land Between the Lakes is examined. Additionally, Hodges considers why TVA was put in charge of Land Between the Lakes by President John F. Kennedy. The interviewee then talks of his promotion by TVA to create a valley-wide environmental education program called the Tennessee Valley Network for Environmental Education. The dynamics and influence of this program are explored. Hodges discusses the controversy that arose from TVA forcing people to relocate from land that was to become part of Land Between the Lakes. Alumni of the Tennessee Valley Network for Environmental Education and their work in the environmental field are illustrated. Hodges attempts to provide an explanation as to why the Tennessee Valley Network for Environmental Education ceased to exist during the time that the TVA stopped receiving congressional appropriations. The interviewee shares his experience with an unsuccessful bid for a nationwide expansion of the Tennessee Valley Network for Environmental Education program. The reaction of Congress to a particular curriculum developed in the program is revealed. Hodges briefly describes his work in the TVA Division of Forestry. Hodges explains his role in creating and expanding TVA University, a training program for TVA employees. International recognition of TVA programs such as engineering feats and TVA University are listed. Hodges concludes the interview with a speculation upon the impact of the switch to sole reliance on TVA power program revenue on the organization's original mission and programming.

Interview Keyword

Tennessee Valley Network for Environmental Education Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Higher education Congressional appropriations Congress Universities Curriculum Division of Forestry TVA University

Interview LC Subject

Land Between the Lakes, (Ky. and Tenn.) Tennessee Valley Authority Kentucky Tennessee Environmental education Teachers Education Students Nuclear energy Fossil fuels

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

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