Interview with Russell Todd

Partial Transcript: How did you become a member Eastern Kentucky State College Board of Regents?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Russell Todd discusses his appointment to the Eastern Kentucky State College Board of Regents and how politics entered into his position during his tenure.

Keywords:

Subjects: Governor Bert Combs

Partial Transcript: You lived in Richmond during the presidencies of President Donovan and President O'Donnell.

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd gives a history of Eastern Kentucky State Normal School up to 1964. As a member of the community in Richmond since 1924, he has seen the transformation under both Presidents Donovan, and O'Donnell at the school, from being a state normal school to the liberal arts college it became.

Keywords: Liberal Arts; Richmond, Ky; School President; Teacher's College

Subjects: Eastern Kentucky State Normal School Herman Lee Donovan William F. O' Donnell

Partial Transcript: You were a member of the board during the time of the appointment of Dr. Martin, do you remember when you first heard he was a candidate for that office?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd recounts his time during the 1960 appointment of Dr. Robert R. Martin as president of Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College. Todd also discusses the politics involved in Martin's appointment.

Keywords: Appointment; College President

Subjects: Dr. Robert R. Martin Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College Kentucky State College Board of Regents

Partial Transcript: What were your impressions of Dr. Martin?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd recounts his first impressions of Dr. Martin as president of Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College. Dr. Todd remembers the forward thinking visions that Dr. Martin had for the school and its future.

Keywords: "visions of greatness"; expansion; proactive

Subjects: Dr. Robert R. Martin Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College Eastern Kentucky University

Partial Transcript: Did the board ever oppose anything that Dr. Martin brought before them?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd discusses the Board of Regents' relationship with Dr. Martin in regards to his visions for expanding Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College, the land purchase which led to the expansion of the campus, and how the board reacted to the bold move.

Keywords: golf course

Subjects: Arnold Hanger Dr. Robert R. Martin Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College Eastern Kentucky University

Partial Transcript: What's your opinion on the board of Higher Education?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd discusses the importance of the Board of Higher Education and the innovations they brought to higher education. He also discusses the rivalries and conflict between Universities and Community Colleges during his time on the board.

Keywords: community college; conflict

Subjects: Board of Higher Education Dr. Russell Todd University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What were Dr. Martin's priorities?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd discusses what Dr. Martin's priorities were when looking at his vision for Eastern, expansion, getting funding for building a dining hall and dorms for students. Dr. Todd also expands on this by explaining the issues some had with the building of Alumni Coliseum and inadequacies in buildings like Combs and Weaver.

Keywords: Case dining hall; Combs education building; dining; education; housing; Weaver health

Subjects: Dr. Robert R. Martin Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College Eastern Kentucky University

Partial Transcript: What do you know of Dr. Martins relationship with Governor Combs?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd explains the relationships that Dr. Martin had with several Kentucky Governors throughout his time in higher education.

Keywords: Bullied; campaign manager; Close relationship; politics

Subjects: Dr. Robert R. Martin Gov. Bert Combs Gov. Edward Breathitt Gov. Louie Nunn

Partial Transcript: There was a lot of campus unrest in the late 1960's, of course you were off the board in 1968, do you remember any incidents?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd discusses how Dr. Martin handled being President of Eastern during the political unrest of the late 1960's. Dr. Todd also recounts a time when Dr. Martin had to leave a dinner early because he feared a demonstration might get out of hand, Todd goes on to explain how there were not many instances that he remembers .

Keywords: 1960s; civil unrest; student protests

Subjects: Dr. Robert R. Martin Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College Eastern Kentucky University

Partial Transcript: What do you know of Dr. Martin's relationship with other educational leaders?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd describes how Dr. Martin worked with other University Presidents to help further education in the state. Todd explains that while there might have been some light rivalries in Athletics, the men wanted to see all universities thrive.

Keywords: leadership; relationships; squabbles

Subjects: Adron Doran Department of Education Dr. Robert R. Martin Morehead University

Partial Transcript: What do you think were Dr. Martin's strengths as an administrator?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd gives his thoughts on the strengths of Dr. Martin as University President. He explains the journey that Martin took from going to school in a one or two room school to graduating from University of Kentucky and Columbia University, and how he uses that history and his background in finance to help him run the University.

Keywords: backround; doctorate; finance

Subjects: Columbia University Dr. Robert R. Martin Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College

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

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd talks about how Dr. Martin ranks within his fellow colleagues and his personality. Todd also describes Martin's sense of humor and the type of person he is in social settings, as well as his relationship with the press and strains with regional papers.

Keywords: Barry Bingham; courier journal; Western Kentucky University

Subjects: Dr. Robert R. Martin Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College Eastern Kentucky University

Partial Transcript: How would you compare Dr. Martin with other college presidents of this state?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd talks about how Dr. Martin ranks within his fellow colleagues and his personality. Todd also describes Martin's sense of humor and the type of person he is in social settings

Keywords: "iron horse"; home life

Subjects: American Association of State Colleges and Universities Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College Eastern Kentucky University

Partial Transcript: What has been your relationship with Martin?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Todd discusses his relationship with Dr. Martin after leaving the Board of Regents. Todd and Martin are members of the same lunch club and part of the same Civil War Round Table group.

Keywords: Lexington, Ky; lunch club; socially

Subjects: Civil War Round Table Dr. Robert R. Martin Dr. Russell Todd