Interview with Otis A. Singletary, March 21, 1990

Interview Summary

Dr. Singletary begins this interview with a discussion of his administration in August of 1980. With a bad economy and a limited higher education budget, Singletary discusses the budget cuts the university underwent. He states that faculty and people outside of the university often had the wrong idea about how much state-appropriated money was actually available. He discusses and defends the honorary degrees awarded to Edward F. Pritchard and Harry Caudill. In September of 1980, Edythe Jones Hayes was the first black woman appointed to the Board of Trustees at the University of Kentucky, and Dr. Singletary talks about the qualities she brought to the board. He also discusses Ashland Oil's $1 million gift to U.K. and his decision to use the donation to spark more negotiations for corporate and personal gifts to the school.

While talking about athletics on campus, Singletary takes the time to point out that he did not work on athletic fundraising. He explains the source and use of athletic money. He talks about the appointment of Michael Baer as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in February 1981, and the role of that college on campus. Also during this interview, Singletary takes a look at The Examined Life (Robert Nozick) and The University: An Owner's Manual (Henry Rosovsky). He talks about the importance of history and the humanities and focuses on the life and career of Andrew Jackson. In March 1981, Richard Furst was named Dean of the College of Business and Economics. Singletary explains the interaction between the business community in Lexington and the business school on campus. He visits the support for cigarette taxes and the role of the Tobacco and Health Institute. He comments at length on the removal of Dr. Gary Huber and the effects of gossip and bias in the press.

Interview LC Subject

Singletary, Otis A.

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.