Interview with Louie B. Nunn, June 5, 1990

Interview Summary

Session thirty six is an interview with former Governor Louie B. Nunn. He addresses many of the issues previously discussed in the interviews with Otis A. Singletary. He begins by talking about the role of higher education in Kentucky; and the Council on Higher Education is discussed at length, along with the political appointments Nunn made including Bob Martin, Adrian Doren, and Harry Sparks. He addresses problems in education such as tax burdens, remedial education, illiteracy, drugs and alcohol. He believes that college admittance should be based upon academic standards, not financial aspects. During the 1967 gubernatorial campaign, false claims were made of what Nunn intended to do at the University of Kentucky if elected, and President John W. Oswald's position became a factor. The activity of the Students for a Democratic Society caused problems with Oswald, and Nunn discusses the nature of Oswald's resignation. Governor Nunn admits that his relationship with Oswald was rocky; but he strongly defends his decisions in office, despite conflict with the students and public. He states that he did something because he felt it was right, not because of something someone had said.

Governor Nunn explains the appointment of A.B. "Happy" Chandler to the U.K. Board of Trustees. He addresses the issue of freedom of speech versus freedom of expression on campus. A comparison is made between the Nunn/Oswald relationship and the Wilkinson/Roselle relationship. He talks about the skewed view presented by Herndon Evans at the Herald- Leader. He discusses Oswald's resignation in April 1968 and gives the reasons behind his decision not to reappoint Dr. Ralph Angelucci as chair of the search committee. Nunn recalls the search for a new president in the fall of 1968, the initial overtures to Dr. Singletary, and Nunn's initial impressions of him. He addresses the success that Singletary has had working under five different governors. The riots of May 1970 presented problems for both the governor and the president of U.K. Gov. Nunn states that he was responsible for sending the National Guard to the University of Kentucky campus and explains his reasoning for doing so. He gives his impression of the president of the U.K. student government, Steve Bright, and comments on his role at the time of the demonstrations. He ends the interview with a discussion of money, revenue, and taxes, and their impact on education in Kentucky.

Interview LC Subject

Singletary, Otis A., 1921-2003

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.