Interview with Frank G. Dickey, September 4, 1997

Interview Summary

Frank G. Dickey completed his undergraduate work at Transylvania College and earned his master's degree in English literature at the University of Kentucky while teaching in the Lexington, Kentucky public school system. He was drafted into the military during World War II, and worked in an administrative capacity. Dickey returned to U.K. on the G. I. Bill, and completed his Ph.D. in Educational Administration in 1947. Dr. W. S. Taylor, Dean of the College of Education, asked Dickey to stay at UK after graduation, where he gained additional experience in teaching and administrative work. President Herman L. Donovan asked him to serve as interim Dean when Taylor became ill, and Acting Dean when Taylor died. Dickey was appointed Dean in 1949. With the stipulation from Donovan that he pursue additional post-graduate study at a different university, he moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts with his family and attended Harvard University for one year. He became UK President in 1956. He emphasizes he did not enjoy the politics of the position or asking for monetary support for the school from the state. He talks briefly about positions he held after he resigned from U.K. in 1963.

Dickey remembers he was already working in the College of Education when the first African American undergraduate students were allowed to enroll at U.K., as the result of the 1954 Supreme Court Decision. The first students had already been admitted for graduate study in 1949, Dickey recalls, so there was "no real ripple as a result". He discusses President Herman L. Donovan's decision to interview each incoming, new student to be sure they understood what their responsibilities were and to encourage them to come to the dean with problems rather than the press. Dickey emphasizes that Donovan was very much in favor of opening the university to African Americans and that things went more smoothly due to Donovan's determination that they should be admitted. He said the faculty had no problems with this and mentions several faculty members who had these students in their classes. Dickey notes that the quality of students admitted had a serious commitment to education, and he thinks that "helped tremendously in those beginning days".

Interview Keyword

Lexington (Ky.) Lexington (Ky.)--Buildings, structures, etc. Communities. Donovan, Herman Lee, 1887-1964 World War, 1939-1945--Veterans. University of Kentucky. College of Education College students--Attitudes. College students--Conduct of life. College students--Social conditions

Interview LC Subject

Dickey, Frank Graves Dickey, Frank Graves--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History College administrators Education, Higher--Kentucky College presidents College teaching. College teachers. Educators Universities and colleges--Administration. Universities and colleges--Faculty. Teachers--Kentucky College campuses. College environment Integration African Americans--Education (Higher) African Americans--Segregation African Americans--Social conditions. College integration Discrimination in education. Race discrimination. Race relations--Kentucky Segregation in education--Kentucky Segregation in higher education. Universities and colleges--Admission African American college students.

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Interview Usage

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