Interview with James C. Klotter, November 19, 1975

Interview Summary

Dr. James Klotter was the editor of the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society at the time of this interview. He began his freshman year at the University of Kentucky in 1964. Since he grew up in a small mountain community, he states that he had to adjust to the large campus and classes and the greater opportunities for social activities at UK. He remembers that he experiences great difficulty in his science classes since he did not have many advanced science classes at his high school.

Klotter states that he came to UK with the intention of getting an education degree, but while at the university he became interest in the field of history. He received his undergraduate degree in education and then attended graduate school at UK to study history. He remembers his first year at UK. He states that the dorms were overcrowded and not did not making studying easy. By his second year, he decided to live in an off campus apartment. He recalls the role of fraternities at UK, social events, and dances. He describes the bureaucratic problems of registration and discusses his feelings about UK President Oswald.

Klotter also remembers the growing tension over Vietnam while he was a student at UK. The protests hit close to home for him since he was a member of the ROTC. He recalls that by the time he was in graduate school SDS was growing in its power among the student population. Klotter also hints that younger professors may have been urging students on in their protests against the war. Klotter discusses the role of the Kentucky Kernel newspaper and changes in the layout of the Kentuckian yearbook while he was a student. He also describes the perceived inequities between athletics and academia at UK.

Interview LC Subject

Klotter, James C. Klotter, James C.--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

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