Interview with Otis A. Singletary, May 25, 1988

Interview Summary

Session Ten starts with the very beginning of Dr. Singletary's presidency at the University of Kentucky in August of 1969. He arrived in the midst of budgetary and student movement problems. He discusses his decision to eliminate the position of executive vice-president and the steps he took to structure the administration when he first arrived. Dr. Singletary emphasizes the importance of community colleges and making them feel as though they are part of the university. During his presidency, he also saw a rise in the number of non-traditional students.

Some of the problems he was not aware of when he took his position at Kentucky included issues in leadership at the medical center, the retirement of Adolph Rupp, and the high number of acting positions on campus. He talks about the administration of John W. Oswald, as well as that of Albert Kirwin. He mentions he had a great relationship with the board of trustees and how beneficial that was. As his family was accustomed to moving, he states that it was a problem leaving Texas and coming to Kentucky. Maxwell Place, the president's house, had not been lived in for some time, but Singletary says the family enjoyed the time spent there. During the conclusion of the session, he begins to touch on the idea of a free university and First Amendment rights demanded by students.

Interview LC Subject

Singletary, Otis A., 1921-2003 Singletary, Otis A., 1921-2003--Interviews

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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.

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