Interview with Lewis W. Cochran, July 23, 1985

Interview Summary

In this interview, Lewis W. "Bud" Cochran begins this interview by talking about the Council on Higher Education during Governor Edward T. "Ned" Breathitt's administration in 1966. He mentions Ed Prichard was "probably the most influential member that's ever served on the council--he was a strong believer in a basic liberal arts education, and a strong proponent of high academic standards." He discusses the Kentucky public school system and notes "they are not being as fully utilized as they could be" and the improvements that are needed. He mentions the regional differences of Kentucky, such as the Purchase, Bluegrass, Eastern Kentucky Mountain, and Louisville areas. Cochran recalls former University of Kentucky President Herman L. Donovan's statement, "you can't have a great state without a great state university," mentions the early efforts of the Frank L. McVey administration to change UK from an A & M university to a state university, and compares this to former President Jack T. Oswald's more recent initiatives to achieve a higher level of excellence. He talks about the problems of formula funding. Cochran briefly discusses the development of the Appalachian Studies program and the Appalachian Center, John Stevenson's interest in this, and how UK's attitude towards the region has changed. He describes President Otis A. Singletary's character, his interest in government work and the political system, and the various opportunities presented to him as he neared retirement from UK. Cochran emphasized that during Singletary's tenure, there was an overall improvement in university management, and it was "highly efficient in terms of dollars spent." Cochran discusses the 1977-1978 period, where many were frustrated with the level of academic support and felt they were losing ground in terms of resources. He recalls making the effort to study merit evaluations each year, to discuss these with the dean of each department, and to "try everyday to be in at least one other building" to talk with people about their work. He discusses the tenure processes that were first implemented back in 1964-1965, and describes how the evaluation procedure works, in particular the issue of publishing in order to gain tenure.

Interview Keyword

Bud Cochran Appalachian Region Appalachian Studies Eastern Kentucky Harry Caudill University of Kentucky. Department of History Dr. Otis Singletary Ed Prichard Council on Higher Education National Endowment for Humanities Tenure

Interview LC Subject

Cochran, Lewis W., 1915- Cochran, Lewis W., 1915- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History College administrators College teachers. Education Education, Higher--Kentucky Educational change--Kentucky Educators Universities and colleges--Administration. Universities and colleges--Faculty. Universities and colleges.

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.