Interview with Thomas D. Clark, June 15, 1981

Interview Summary

This interview is the third in a three part series produced by UKTV that became episodes of the "Conversations with Cochran" television program. [See interviews 2015oh120_af793 and 2015oh121_af794 for the first two episodes.]

Clark and Cochran begin the interview with a discussion on how the University of Kentucky (UK) was racially integrated, both in the professional school and at the undergraduate level. Clark and Cochran consider some of the difficult aspects of fully integrating universities. Additionally, Clark and Cochran evaluate the impact that belonging to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) has had on UK as an institution. Clark and Cochran outline the effects of accrediting associations on universities. Clark and Cochran then describe some of the post-1960s changes to the faculty at UK. Clark and Cochran analyze the pros and cons of different methods of evaluating professors. Clark and Cochran also chart the growth of the University of Kentucky Press. Clark and Cochran conclude the interview with a discussion of the positive changes UK has made from an institutional standpoint and what improvements need to be made to make UK a better university.

Interview Keyword

Conversations with Cochran Lewis W. Cochran Thomas D. Clark Faculty Integration Graduate schools Lyman T. Johnson The South Southeastern Conference (SEC) Evaluation methods Accrediting associations Future Admissions standards Professors Staff Diversity

Interview LC Subject

University of Kentucky Education, Higher Kentucky--History Kentucky Kentuckians College teachers Lexington (Ky.) Fayette County (Ky.) African Americans--Segregation African Americans Universities and colleges College students--Social conditions College students, Black College environment African American college students Race discrimination Race relations--Kentucky Racism Accreditation Scholarly publishing Scholarly periodicals Teaching University of Kentucky. Press

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.