Interview with Ellis Ford Hartford, November 19, 1975

Interview Summary

Dr. Ellis Ford Hartford was born in Ohio County, Kentucky. He enrolled in Kentucky Wesleyan for one year, but hurt his knee playing football. He decided to move to Whiting, Indiana, where he worked in the foundries. He later came back to Kentucky and finished his second year at Bowling Green State Normal College. Hartford recalls the evolution debate in Kentucky and states that President Frank McVey of the University of Kentucky defended the university's right to teach science. He remembers his parents' concern that William Jennings Bryant was leading discussions on evolution around the state.

Hartford held several teaching positions in Kentucky and Tennessee while finishing his education. He earned his Master's degree from the University of Kentucky in 1934. He later received a Rosemont Fellowship and a year's leave from his work with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to attend Harvard University and pursue his Doctorate. The bombing of Pearl Harbor occurred while Hartford was at Harvard. He became Director and Associate Professor of Secondary Education at the University School at UK in 1942, and then received his commission as a lieutenant in the Navy, where he served from 1943-1946.

Hartford discusses the salary limitations in place when he returned to Kentucky after the war. He talks about his work with the Bureau of Instruction and as Executive Secretary of the Council on Public Higher Education between 1962 and 1964. He mentions that the Foundation Program for Public Higher Education was formed in 1963. He talks at length about development of Kentucky's community college system and some of the technical programs that were implemented. Hartford was the first Dean of the Kentucky's community college system. He mentions the Kentucky Community College Act of 1962, which created Kentucky's community colleges under the supervision of UK. Hartford also talks about the college population explosion of the 1960's, and notes changes in students' attitudes over the years.

Interview LC Subject

Hartford, Ellis Ford, 1905- Hartford, Ellis Ford, 1905- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

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