Interview with Robert Begley

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

Segment Synopsis: Robert Begley discusses how he came to be on the Eastern Kentucky Board of Regents. Begley recounts that he appointed to the board by Gov. Nunn not long after his election, and that he was to hold a more medical view on matters as he was a Pharmacist.

Keywords: 1968; Board of Regents; construction; EKU; funding allocations

Subjects: Council on Higher Education Darren Combs Eastern Kentucky University Gov. Louis B. Nunn R.I. Todd Robert Begley

Partial Transcript: When did you first meet Bob Martin?

Segment Synopsis: Robert Begley discusses his first meeting Dr. Robert Martin, when he was a student at Eastern in the 1930's. Mr. Begley was a Pharmacist in Richmond during Dr. Martin's time as an Eastern student, Martin would come in and have conversations with Mr. Begley.

Keywords: 1934; friendship; inquisitive; pharmacist; student

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

Partial Transcript: What do you remember about the appointment of Dr. Martin as the president of Eastern?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Begley remembers Dr. Martin's appointment as President of Eastern. He mentions that even though he was not on the board at the time of his appointment, he knew there was no contest that Dr. Martin should get the position.

Keywords: 1960; alumi; no contest; opposition

Subjects: Dr. Robert R. Martin Eastern Kentucky University Gov. Bert Combs Robert Begley

Partial Transcript: How important is politics in education?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Begley gives his opinions on how important politics can be in education. He posits that while it can be important in aquiring funding, and influence on boards, it can be unimportant. Begley also recounts a quote from Dr. Martin that when in relation to the University, "governors are like old maids, you can not court them enough", meaning you are always asking funding in some form or another.

Keywords: education; funding; legislature; partisan politics; political trends; politics

Subjects: Council on Higher Education Gov. Bert Combs Gov. Louis B. Nunn Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What do you think should be the role of the council?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Begley discusses his opinions on the Council for Higher Education, and what roles it should play. He explains that while the council is important it should not be used to help "accommodate the weaknesses of others", and should help keep down duplicitous allocations.

Keywords: government; major control; undue political change; weaknesses

Subjects: Council on Higher Education University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Lets talk about your role on the Board of Trustees. How would you describe Dr. Martins relationship with the board?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Begley details the running of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Martin's relationship with the board. Begley goes on to explain that while some board members may not agree they all want what is best for the university, and put that first. Begley goes on to say that the only thing he ever disagreed with Dr. Martin about was Martin's retirement.

Keywords: administrator; attendance; education; facts and trends; loyality; retirement

Subjects: Dr. Robert R. Martin Dr. Taylor Robert Begley

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

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Begley gives this thoughts on what Dr. Martin's priorities were as President of Eastern. Begley explains that building on campus boomed during Dr. Martin's time with the help of revenue bonds that were not reliant on state funding. Martin also pushed to have a more diverse curriculum on campus to bring in more students and nurture more public service jobs.

Keywords: Board of Trustees; construction; funding; growth; housing; nursing; Physical Plant; public service programs; revenue bonds

Subjects: Dr, Robert R, Martin Eastern Kentucky University Joe Creason Robert Begley

Partial Transcript: What about Dr. Martin's relationship with other educational leaders?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Begley explains Dr. Martin's relationships with other University Presidents across Kentucky, and his strengths as President of Eastern.

Keywords: close friendships; dedication; friendly rivalry; loyality; respect; trust in education

Subjects: Adron Doran Dr. Robert R. Martin Eastern Eastern Kentucky University Murray University

Partial Transcript: Did he have any weaknesses?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Begley explains Dr. Martin's weaknesses such as having a thin skin and caring too much about what others think about him. He goes on to elaborate that these weaknesses made his relationship with the press hard to maintain, while the Lexington and Richmond papers were kind and fond of him, Louisville papers had a harsher perspective of Dr. Martin.

Keywords: concern; friendly with local press; good target; newspaper; out of touch; thin skin

Subjects: Courier Journal Dr. Powell Dr. Robert R. Martin Kentucky Lexington Lexington Herald Leader Louisville Richmond Register

Partial Transcript: How would you compare Dr. Martin with other College Presidents in the state?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Begley describes Dr. Martin's relationship with other University Presidents, and his personality. Begley explains that while the different presidents met a problem differently, they all had great respect for each other. He goes on to detail that while Dr. Martin was a nervous man, he was a great administrator, and met problems head on.

Keywords: determined; forward thinking; growth; public service jobs; strict

Subjects: Dr. Powell Dr. Robert R. Martin Eastern Kentucky University Morehead State University Murray State University University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Do you recall any interesting stories or anecdotes about Dr. Martin?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Begley recounts a couple of stories about the humor of Dr. Martin. He shares a story of an interrupting bullfrog at the Ravine, and another about the humorous relationship he had with a maintenance employee on campus.

Keywords: amphitheater; bullfrog; humorous stories; interruption; maintenance; ravine; speech; teasing

Subjects: Dr. Adron Doran Dr. Robert R. Martin Eastern Kentucky University Wes Eads