Interview with Donald Nugent, November 6, 1978

Interview Summary

At the time of the ROTC building burning, Dr. Donald Nugent, was working as a professor in University of Kentucky?s department of history. In the following interview, he discusses his impressions of the May 5, 1970, burning, the events that preceded this happening, the general culture of student activism on University of Kentucky?s campus during that time, and how his position as a professor and pacifist influenced his impressions of the burning, as well as some precedent and subsequent student protests. Some salient events discussed include the Board of Trustees Meeting on the 18th floor of Patterson Office Tower, which students stormed, the sit-in at the intersection of Limestone and Euclid, and the student gathering outside of the Buell Armory that led to a direct tear-gas-filled confrontation with the state police.

Interview Keyword

Anti-war demonstrations. College environment College students--Political activity. College teachers--Social conditions Protest movements. Universities and colleges--Administration. Universities and colleges--Faculty.

Interview LC Subject

Nugent, Donald Nugent, Donald--Interviews Student movements Student protesters University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.