Interview with A. D. Albright, August 29, 1989

Interview Summary

In this interview, A.D. Albright continues to describe his experiences with the Kentucky Council on Higher Education. He discusses political influence on the council and his own reaction to criticism of the council due to its large staff and budget. He talks about the difficulties of recruiting new personnel since the council offered non-competitive salaries. Albright describes what he looked for in new employees, including the importance of experience. Albright discusses the relationship of the council with governors Julian Carroll and Wendell Ford, and states that Ford did not interfere with the council too much and this gave the council time to consolidate. In the mid-1970s, the Northern Kentucky University Board of Trustees approached Albright about taking over the presidency of the institution. Albright talks about Governor Carroll's involvement in the offer. He then discusses the issue of unfair allocations to the universities of the state. Dr. Otis Singletary, then president of the University of Kentucky, became upset when the University of Louisville received a higher per-student allocation than UK. Kentucky State University also received higher allocations, and Albright describes how KSU almost became part of the UK community college system. He mentions President Constantine W. Curris of Murray State University, and changes in higher education in Kentucky during the 1975-1976 school year as Robert Martin of Eastern Kentucky University and Adron Doran of Morehead State University stepped down as presidents and he prepared to take over NKU's presidency.

Interview Keyword

Governor Julian Carroll Dr. Otis Singletary State appropriations Community colleges Financing Per-student allocations Murray State University Budgets University of Louisville University of Kentucky

Interview LC Subject

Albright, A. D. (Arnold De Wald) Albright, A. D. (Arnold De Wald)--Interviews Carroll, Julian Morton, 1931- College administrators College presidents Education, Higher--Kentucky Kentucky Council on Higher Education Kentucky--Politics and government Politicians--Kentucky Universities and colleges--Administration. Universities and colleges. Northern Kentucky University Universities and colleges--Finance

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.