Interview with Adron Doran

Partial Transcript: When did you first meet Bob Martin?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran recalls his first meeting of Dr. Martin back during their time in Frankfort. Dr. Doran mentions his speaker-ship and his work in the education department.

Keywords: 1950; close; foundation; relationship; Speaker of the House

Subjects: Department of Education Kentucky General Assembly

Partial Transcript: What were some of your experiences with Dr. Martin in the process of amending Section 186?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran briefly talks about his and Dr. Martin's role in amending Section 186 of the Kentucky constitution to pave the way for the minimum foundation program.

Keywords: involved; process; superintendent

Subjects: Wendell Butler

Partial Transcript: In 1954 you became president of Morehead and in 1955 Dr. Martin was elected superintendent of public instruction. What do you remember of his years as superintendent of public instruction?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran recollects Dr. Martin's tenure as superintendent. He shares details about his and Dr. Martin's working relationship, his support for regional schools, and the removal of state superintendents from college boards.

Keywords: board of trustees; enthusiastic; finance; leader; superintendents

Subjects: Kentucky Educational Assosiacation Morehead State University

Partial Transcript: Should the state superintendent of public instruction be an elected office?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran explains his model for electing a state superintendent with the creation of a fully elected board of education. He talks about the problem of party influence in education and the responsibility the office carries.

Keywords: board of education; policies; responsible

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: What was Martin's role in implementing the Minimum Foundation Program?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran discusses Dr. Martin's leading role in the implementation of the Minimum Foundation Program. He adds other important people and elements involved in ensuring passage of the MFG.

Keywords: education; finance; influential; professional

Subjects: Bob Mills

Partial Transcript: Should the state superintendent of public instruction be an elected office?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran discusses his model for electing the state superintendent with the creation of an elected board of education. He further details the issue of party influence and the responsibility of the office.

Keywords: partisan; representation; responsible

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: In 1959 while Dr. Martin was still superintendent of public instruction he served as campaign manager for Judge Combs. What's your opinion of that move?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran recounts Martin's decision to ally himself openly with Bert Combs while in a non-partisan office. He shares his opinion on the role of educators in Kentucky and his support for Combs' opponent, and the fair temperament of Dr. Martin during the election.

Keywords: finance; governor; influence; support

Subjects: Fulton County, KY Harry D. Waterfield Murray State University

Partial Transcript: Is a political background necessary to be a successful university president in Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran describes the role politics play in being a successful university president and how education has changed since his and Martin's tenure at Morehead and Eastern. He denies Dr. Martin using his political connections for Eastern's growth, and talks about the cooperation between regional presidents.

Keywords: budget; cabinet; governors; legislature; power

Subjects: Council on Public Higher Education

Partial Transcript: You and Dr. Martin both come from different backgrounds. I think a few years ago you were given a Horatio Alger award. Would you like to discuss those similar backgrounds?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran discusses his and Dr. Martin's similar background in a lower-income community and the effect it had on their work ethic and understanding of student needs.

Keywords: compare; humble; open-door policy; rural

Subjects: Courier-Journal Dick Wilson

Partial Transcript: What do remember of Dr. Martin's appointment as president of Eastern in 1960?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran recounts Dr. Martin's appointment as president and briefly discusses his role as finance commissioner under Governor Combs. He compares Dr. Martin's election to his own and cites political reasons for an opposition. He details the reaction of educators statewide and the shift from Dr. O'Donnell's conservatism.

Keywords: budget; finance commissioner; funds; planning; retirement

Subjects: Clyde Reeves Dr. William O'Donnell

Partial Transcript: How did your relationship with Dr. Martin differ from that of President O'Donnell?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran describes the nature of Dr. O'Donnell's presidency and careful administration he led.

Keywords: conservative; direction; reserved

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Did you feel like you were competing with Dr. Martin at Eastern and you at Morehead?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran talks about the competitive spirit he and Dr. Martin possessed. He later discusses the respect the two schools had for each other, and the development of regional programs that avoided any academic competition. Dr. Doran reflects on the relationship he and Dr. Martin have and downplays the press's report of personal conflicts between them.

Keywords: athletics; build; debate; music; quality

Subjects: Eastern Kentucky University Morehead State University

Partial Transcript: The next series of questions deal with the council of public higher education. Is there competition between state universities and the University of Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran details the relationship of regional universities with the University of Kentucky. He discusses the appropriation of funds, special treatment, and the role of the council of public higher education.

Keywords: budgeting; conflict; governors; recruitment; regional; unified

Subjects: Law enforcement school University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What part did Dr. Martin play in the development of state university recognition in 1966?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran discusses the development of the current state university system in Kentucky. He details the way Dr. Martin was able to gain recognition for most regional colleges at the same time and his disagreement over community college's relationship with the University of Kentucky. He further comments on the recognition of Louisville and the creation of Northern Kentucky University.

Keywords: 1966; develop; gradual; growth; leadership

Subjects: American Association of State Colleges and Universities Eastern Kentucky University Morehead State University Murray State University University of Louisville Western Kentucky University

Partial Transcript: While Dr. Martin was superintendent of public instruction there was a very serious conflict over integration at the schools of Sturgis, Kentucky, and then in his years as president of Eastern the state colleges and universities have been integrated. What's been his role in integration in Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran discusses Dr. Martin's support for integration and the experience at Morehead state in opening up the school to students of color.

Keywords: conflict; equality; segregation

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Has Dr. Martin worked well with KEA and NEA?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran details the change in direction KEA took and the difficulties in managing relations with the organization. He then describes Dr. Martin's more productive approach at the national level and their careers with the NEA after their university presidencies.

Keywords: higher education; platform

Subjects: Kentucky Educational Association National Educational Association

Partial Transcript: What was Martin's reaction to campus unrest in the late '60s and early '70s?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran describes Dr. Martin's leadership during campus unrest during the late 60s and how Eastern and Morehead were able to adequately control the situation in comparison to other regional universities at the time.

Keywords: communication; contentions; firm; protest

Subjects: Kent State Student protests

Partial Transcript: Is Dr. Martin's reputation as a strong administrator warranted?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran compares Dr. Martin with past leaders such as Dr. Roark and discusses his fiscal strength during his tenure at Eastern.

Keywords: compare; consolidated; fiscal; generation; leader; leadership; responsible

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: What has been Dr. Martin's relationship with other educators such as Dr. Frank Dickey?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran details the varying relationships Dr. Martin had with other college presidents and state educators, ranging from warm to distrust.

Keywords: contention; disagreements; partners

Subjects: Dero Downing Dr. Frank Dickey Dr. John Oswald Kelly Thompson Wendell Butler

Partial Transcript: What do you know of Martin's relationship with politicians, like Governor Combs, for example?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Doran discusses Dr. Martin's lasting partnership with state politicians and how he was effective in managing relationships to help grow Eastern.

Keywords:

Subjects: Albert B. "Happy" Chandler Bert Combs Brereton C. Jones