About

About the Oral Histories

Oral histories record the unique perspective of individual experience and enrich our communal understanding of the present and past. Through written, audio, and video interviews, these primary sources enhance the historic record.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Purdue Office of Publications recognized the importance of capturing the experiences of university personnel and conducted several oral history interviews; these interviews were later transferred to Archives and Special Collections. In 2006, Dean of Libraries James L. Mullins initiated a Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program, which sought to capture reminiscences of persons affiliated with the university. In the ensuing years, hundreds of individuals have shared their experiences and unique impact upon the history and growth of Purdue University.

Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, a division of Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies, preserves and makes accessible these interviews for use by scholars of all interests. Many of the oral histories available in this database were captured by faculty and staff members from Archives and Special Collections. Interviewees include students, alumni, faculty, staff, and administration, and persons who have made impacts not only upon Purdue but the world.

This site brings the oral histories preserved by Purdue University Archives and Special Collections together into a faceted and searchable database. Information regarding specific time periods, persons, topics and archival collecting areas are included. Transcriptions and audio-visual content is available by request

Acknowledgements

In its formative years, the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program was led by Professor Emeritus of Library Science Katherine Markee. From 2006 to her retirement in 2011, she conducted 500 interviews. Our heartfelt appreciation to Katie for her enthusiasm and love for Purdue and its people.

Database Team

The Oral History Program and Database was designed and constructed by an interdisciplinary group of specialists within Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies. Participants are listed by department and role.

Archives and Special Collections

  • Neal Harmeyer, Digital Archivist, Program Facilitator

Libraries IT

  • Josh White, Web Applications Developer, Database and Site Developer
  • Matt Riehle, Web Applications Developer

Oral Histories Team

Numerous faculty, staff and undergraduate and graduate student assistants have been valuable members of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program team throughout its existence. Participants are listed by department and role.

Archives and Special Collections

  • Katherine Markee, Professor Emeritus of Library Science, Former Program Lead
  • Neal Harmeyer, Digital Archivist, Program Facilitator
  • Shauna Borger, Digital Collections Coordinator, Former Program Facilitator
  • Mary Sego, Archival Assistant, Interim Former Program Facilitator
  • Tracy Grimm, Associate Head of Archives and Special Collections and Barron Hilton Archivist for Flight and Space Exploration, Interviewer
  • Adriana Harmeyer, Archivist for University History, Interviewer
  • Sammie L. Morris, Professor of Library Science; University Archivist; Head, ASC Division; Interviewer
  • Stephanie Schmitz, Betsy Gordon Psychoactive Substances Research Archivist, Interviewer
  • Katey Watson, France A. Córdova Archivist, Interviewer
  • Jasmine Anguiano, Graduate Assistant, Metadata and File Processing
  • Amanda Burdick, Graduate Assistant, Metadata and File Processing
  • Meghan Diamond, Graduate Assistant, Metadata and File Processing
  • Lauren Haslem, Graduate Assistant, Interviewer and Transcription
  • Sarah Kenny, Graduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Keertana Marella, Graduate Assistant, Metadata
  • Amanda Rumba, Graduate Assistant, Metadata
  • Ciara Bradburn, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Desiree Clark, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Jordan Edwards, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Aaron Fiddler, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Quinn Frey, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Olivia Gunter, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Kate Herrin, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Michelle Jones, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Sara Loper, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Katie Martin, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Tyler Navarro, Undergraduate Assistant, Metadata
  • Rachel Silber, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Rachel Small, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Eric Stocking, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Kayla Trowbridge, Undergraduate Assistant, Metadata and Transcription
  • Claire Werner, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription
  • Michelle Zhang, Undergraduate Assistant, Transcription

Purdue University Libraries

  • Dianna Deputy, Library Assistant, Transcription
  • Sandy Galloway, Library Assistant, Transcription

Maintenance and Sustainability

New oral histories will be added as they become available. Information in the Database will be updated as needed.

Further Research Opportunities

The mission of Purdue University Archives and Special Collections is to support the discovery, learning, and engagement goals of Purdue University by identifying, collecting, preserving, and making available for research records and papers of enduring value. To that end, the Oral History Database is designed to support continual learning and educational endeavors by students at Purdue University and beyond. The Archives is excited to work with faculty, students, and researchers of all types interested in using the data herein to add to the historic record through, archival research, topic modeling, or other endeavors.

Please contact the Archives for more information.