Interview with Lewis W. Cochran, July 9, 1985

Interview Summary

Lewis W. "Bud" Cochran begins this interview by discussing the plans and goals in 1974 for the Institute for Mines and Minerals (IMMR), at the University of Kentucky. This interest was begun during Governor Wendell H. Ford's administration, when global concern was building in regard to the issue of air pollution, and Ford's "primary interest was in research on coal gasification research". He talks about the financing package for this project, the decision to place the building out at Spindletop Farm, and faculty participation at this off-campus site. He talks about the relationship between the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and UK's College of Agriculture, and notes that UK's relationship with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is actually larger and more meaningful. Cochran discusses the various forms and problems of funding and appointments for the agricultural experiment station and the cooperative extension service- two separate appropriations, which require a lot of "grass roots work with the governor, the legislature, and the congressional delegation".

Cochran mentions that the university has operated many state programs over the years, and emphasizes that this is the mission of a state's land grant university. He emphasizes that the philosophical base of a land grant university is the "dedication to educational opportunity, particularly for low income people", to keep costs low and foster adult as well as rural literacy, which came through the cooperative extension service. He credits Dr. Frank L. McVey for taking the steps to convert UK into a "proper model of a major state university", and notes a state is fortunate if they have a major institution that is furnished resources from its government.

Cochran discusses the role of the Council on Higher Education, which he described as a type of central governing board that created mission designations for the universities in 1977. He mentions individuals that have served on the Council, including A. D. Albright Cochran discusses problems with this system that arise when the mission is forgotten and programs overlap or become inconsistent. Cochran recalls the most recent changes to the mission statement of Kentucky State University in 1977 or 1978, including responsibilities as a depository for materials pertaining to black culture in Kentucky and the heritage of black education. Cochran points out that clarification is needed for urban versus rural responsibilities in terms of education and service. He talks about the growth of Louisville, Kentucky in relation to Cincinnati, Ohio and compares these changes with growth in Lexington, Kentucky.

Interview Keyword

Bud Cochran Operations research and industrial engineering. Relationships and resources Budgets Coal Sulfur Students Faculty Energy Resource Center Institute for Mines and Minerals (IMMR) Council on Higher Education

Interview LC Subject

Cochran, Lewis W., 1915- Cochran, Lewis W., 1915- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History Operations management. College administrators College facilities. Education, Higher--Kentucky Universities and colleges. Universities and colleges--Administration. Universities and colleges--Finance Universities and colleges--Research

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.