Interview with Frank Dickey

Partial Transcript: Dr. Dickey, when did you first meet Bob Martin?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey discusses his first meeting with Dr. Martin during their time in Frankfort. He talks about his position on teachers education and Dr. Martin's work on school finance, as well as their frequent meetings over teacher certification.

Keywords: 1949; certification; finance; Frankfort; teacher education

Subjects: University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: After you were appointed president of the University of Kentucky in June 1956, what was your contact with Bob Martin?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey details his early tenure as president of UK and Dr. Martin's role as superintendent of public instruction. He later talks about Martin's brief work as finance commissioner and their contact of construction of new UK buildings.

Keywords: board of trustees; superintendent; teacher education

Subjects: University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: The late 50s were years in which the Minimum Foundation Program was just becoming funded, do you remember anything about Martin's work in developing the Minimum Foundation Program?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey explains Dr. Martin's work in finance and his leading role in developing the foundation program and the support of university presidents to pass the program.

Keywords: finance; knowledge; public relations

Subjects: Minimum Foundation Program State Education

Partial Transcript: At that time Governor Chandler, Happy Chandler, was governor of the state. Do you remember any conflicts between Bob Martin and Governor Chandler?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey gives insight on Dr. Martin and Governor Chandler's political conflict during the late 50s. He discusses the potential cause for the tension between the two but reports of the mutual respect they had for each other.

Keywords: "The Young Rebels"; administration; conflict; politics

Subjects: Albert B. "Happy" Chandler

Partial Transcript: What's your opinion of the political nature of the office of state superintendent of public instruction? It is an elected office.

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey shares his preference for the selection process of the office of state superintendent. He talks about the inherent problems with the office and what it means for education in Kentucky.

Keywords: appointed; effective; safeguards

Subjects: Kentucky General Assembly

Partial Transcript: In 1959, Bob Martin became the campaign manager for Governor Combs in his bid for the governorship at that time, what the reaction of yourself and other educators at that time?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey gives his opinion of Dr. Martin's choice to openly ally himself politically with Combs and the reaction the educational community had at the time.

Keywords:

Subjects: Bert Combs

Partial Transcript: A few months later Bob Martin was appointed president of Eastern Kentucky State College in April 1960, did you and other people in Kentucky education see this as a reward from Governor Combs?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey talks about the appointment process for Kentucky universities and the particular reaction of Dr. Martin's selection at Eastern. He also discusses the role politics play in the process with relation to the governor.

Keywords: board; process; support

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After Bob Martin became president of Eastern Kentucky State College in April 1960, you continued as president of the University of Kentucky until July 1963, what was your relationship with Martin as you were both presidents of institutions in Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey describes his working relationship with Dr. Martin as president, recalling both pleasant moments and times of conflict.

Keywords: dedicated; reliable; working

Subjects: Council of Public Higher Educaion

Partial Transcript: What would you consider to be Bob Martin's influence on the Council of Public Higher Education, excuse me, during these years from 1960 to 1963?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey recounts Dr. Martin's work on the council of public higher education, his work on data and funds, as well as conflicts of graduate programs between regional colleges.

Keywords: constribution; funds; influence; institution

Subjects: Council on Public Higher Education

Partial Transcript: In the early 60s, the community college system of UK began to grow. Were there any conflicts over this growth with the state colleges at this time?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey discusses contention between UK and state colleges over control of community colleges and UK's planned centralization over state systems.

Keywords: conflict; graduate; press; regional

Subjects: John W. Oswald Kentucky Community Colleges Morehead State College

Partial Transcript: Beginning in 1954, there began a push for integration of public education in not only Kentucky but the whole United States, what do you remember of this development in the middle 50s to 63?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey discusses UK's desegregation process and the integration process as a whole in Kentucky, and compares it to other states at the time.

Keywords: 1954; Brown v. Board; Brown v. Board of Education

Subjects: Segregation

Partial Transcript: What was your relationship with Bob Martin after you became executive director of the Southern Association?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey briefly discusses his role in the SACU and his meetings with Dr. Martin post-presidency.

Keywords: informal

Subjects: Southern Association of Colleges and Universities Southern Regional Educational Board

Partial Transcript: What is Martin's reputation among people in education, not only in Kentucky but other parts of the country?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey overviews Dr. Martin's nationwide recognition for Eastern Kentucky's growth and his selection as president of American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

Keywords: "Hard-nosed"; confidence; fiscal; president; respected

Subjects: American Association of State Colleges and Universities

Partial Transcript: How would you characterize Bob Martin's philosophy of education?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey describes Dr. Martin's moderate approach to education, but highlights Dr. Martin's position on expanding education to more people across different backgrounds.

Keywords: accessible; diverse; finantial; humble

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: How would you characterize Martin's personality?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey discusses Dr. Martin's conflicting personality, and how he was perceived by those who knew him.

Keywords: confidence; interpretation; knowledge; rash

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: What's your opinion of Bob Martin's role in Kentucky education?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Dickey reflects on Dr. Martin's accomplishments and his role in building Kentucky education. He also talks about Dr. Martin's additional educational ambitions.

Keywords: builder; contribution

Subjects: Eastern Kentucky University Kentucky Education Minimum Foundation Program