Interview with Robert Hensley

Partial Transcript: When did you first meet Bob Martin?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley recalls his first meeting with Dr. Martin and the circumstances around their meeting.

Keywords: 1950

Subjects: Earle Clements

Partial Transcript: Would you consider Dr. Martin to be one of the political proteges of Earle Clements?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley recalls Dr. Martin's early association with Senator Clements and his political influence early on concerning state education.

Keywords: campaign; education; governor; leadership

Subjects: Earle Clements

Partial Transcript: You were appointed to the Board of Regents of Eastern Kentucky State College in 1958, what were the circumstances of that appointment?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley recalls his ties to Eastern before his appointment by Governor Chandler and responds to questions of having asked Chandler personally for that position.

Keywords:

Subjects: Albert B. "Happy" Chandler

Partial Transcript: From 1955 through 1959, Bob Martin was state superintendent of public instruction, and at that time Governor Chandler was in office, how well did Bob Martin and Governor Chandler get along?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley talks about Dr. Martin and Happy Chandler's warm personal relationship but distance political relationship, especially concerning Chandler's move to the surplus property program from the department of education.

Keywords: politically distant; rift; surplus property program

Subjects: Albert B. "Happy" Chandler

Partial Transcript: Do you remember Dr. Martin's role in the implementation of the Minimum Foundation program?

Segment Synopsis: Hensley describes Dr. Martin's tenure as state superintendent, the programs he founded and funds he directed, and explains his reasoning for the superintendent to remain an elected position.

Keywords: elected; leader; leadership

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: In the gubernatorial primary of 1959, Bob Martin was chosen as campaign manager by Judge Combs. What was your reaction to that move?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley describes Dr. Martin's particular leadership while heading Bert Comb's second gubernatorial campaign and discusses the criticism Dr. Martin faced from Comb's opponent and the press. He gives his views on politics and education, and talks about the success of Comb's campaign.

Keywords: 1959; aggressive; election; governor; relationships

Subjects: Bert Combs Courier-Journal Harry Lee Waterfield University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: After the election, Dr. Martin became finance commissioner. Do you remember anything about his role as finance commissioner for just a few months during the Comb's administration?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley recounts Dr. Martin's brief stint as finance commissioners and his role in the Combs administration. He recalls the opposition Dr. Martin had during his role but that prejudice aside, Mr. Hensley says that Dr. Martin served the state well.

Keywords: campaign; finance; funding

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: When did you first hear that Dr. Martin wanted the position as president of Eastern Kentucky State College?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley recalls Dr. Martin's first interest in Eastern Kentucky State College, but mentions that Governor Chandler had selected a different candidate for the position and describes the personality of Clyde Reeves.

Keywords: business; politics

Subjects: Board of Regents Clyde Reeves Jo Ferguson

Partial Transcript: At the April 13 meeting of the Board of Regents of Eastern, the Courier-Journal reported that a strategy conference held before the Board met, and that there was an hour-and-a-half delay. Do you remember that meeting?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley recollects on Dr. Martin's contentious election as Eastern's president, where he talks about a supposed secret strategy meeting and the debate on who was most suited on becoming president. A major reason for Dr. Martin's selection was Eastern's need to expand, recounts Hensley.

Keywords: election; history; teaching

Subjects: Courier-Journal Eastern State Teachers College

Partial Transcript: How would you compare Dr. Martin and Dr. O'Donnell?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley discusses the different leadership styles and visions between Dr. O'Donnell and Dr. Martin. Although Hensley states that Dr. O'Donnell may have not been the best to oversee expansion, as a regional president he was distinguished.

Keywords: leader; leadership; regional; teachers college

Subjects: Dr. William O'Donnell

Partial Transcript: You were on the Board of Regents until 1962 and had direct connection with Dr. Martin, how would access his role as an administrator and organizer?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley compares Dr. Martin's personality with his administering skills. He details how Dr. Martin's rough, direct, but caring personality reflected into his leadership style. He later recalls the early foundations of Dr. Martin's expansion of Eastern into a university.

Keywords: direct; qualified; results; rough; vision

Subjects: Board of Regents Eastern Kentucky University

Partial Transcript: How active was the Board of Regents at that time?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley discusses the expanded role the Board of Regents took during Dr. Martin's presidency and the gradual approval of certain members of the Board.

Keywords: active; approval; expanded; governing body; supporters

Subjects: Board of Regents

Partial Transcript: What's been your relationship with Dr. Martin after you left the Board of Regents?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley briefly talks about his friendly relationship with Dr. Martin even after leaving Eastern.

Keywords: friend

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: What do you know of Dr. Martin's relationship with Kentucky's governors?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley recounts Dr. Martin's warm personal relationship with various governors, even those who were political opposites of him.

Keywords: friendly; polical

Subjects: Albert B. "Happy" Chandler Bert Combs Earle Clements Louie Nunn

Partial Transcript: What kind of relationship did Dr. Martin have with the press?

Segment Synopsis: Hensley talks about Dr. Martin's contentious relationship with the press, especially with the Courier Journal, whom Dr. Martin felt scorned by.

Keywords: bias; coverage; education; not-popular; opposition

Subjects: Courier-Journal

Partial Transcript: How would you characterize Dr. Martin's political philosophy?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley describes Dr. Martin's moderate political philosophy, and his ardent support for giving voices to staff and workers, but less tolerant of students.

Keywords: "right of the middle"; moderate

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: How would you compare Dr. Martin with other university presidents?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Hensley compares Dr. Martin with his peers at the time, and gives his view on Dr. Martin's standing with other university presidents.

Keywords:

Subjects: