Retired IU Faculty

Henry A. Bern, born in 1918, discusses emigrating from Russia to the United States, his childhood and family, and the great impact his Jewish faith had on his life. He talks about his education and the importance placed upon it by his parents, as well as the divergence he perceived between learning and practical occupation. Bern describes his employment history and his involvement with the military. In addition, he speaks of coming to Indiana University, entering academia and working in research. He expresses his great interest in cybernetics and discusses technological advances and the disillusionment he feels accompany such advances.

Donald F. Carmony, born on January 18, 1910, discusses his early life, family background, and his career as a history professor and university administrator in Indiana. He comments on his education, his abiding love of teaching, the dangers of academic over-specialization, and the importance of studying local history. In addition, Professor Carmony shares his philosophy of education, his views on the university's duty of public service, and his perspective on retirement.

Frank Edmondson, born on August 1, 1912, speaks of his youth and education, his interest and career in astronomy, and the development of the astronomy department at Indiana University. He recalls his experiences with major figures from Indiana University's past, including William Lowe Bryan and Herman B Wells. In addition, Professor Edmondson describes changes in the university's administration over the years and his own role in the creation of an astronomy library.

Alma R. Eikerman, born in 1908, discusses her youth, family, and education, leading to a career as an art professor specializing in jewelry design. A professor at Indiana University from 1947 until her retirement in 1978, she founded the university's jewelry department and remained dedicated to expanding the department. In addition, Professor Eikerman discusses the significant growth of the craft field in higher education after World War II, including jewelry design, ceramics, and weaving.

Born in 1913, Douglas Ellson came with his family from England to the United States at the age of six. He discusses his father's career, his own education, and his career as an experimental psychologist and psychology professor. Professor Ellson began his work at Indiana University in 1945, and he comments on the research grants he received, the contracts he worked on, and his relationship with the faculty and his students.

Mary E. Gaither, born on May 1, 1917, talks about her childhood education and undergraduate education in teaching, which she thought she would not use. She discusses joining the WAVES in the United States Navy during World War II to avoid teaching in high schools. After the war she was offered a position as an English teacher at the University of Louisville her alma mater. She then pursued a Ph.D. at Indiana University. Gaither discusses becoming a professor of English, with a speciality in comparative literature at Indiana University and the many other roles she played in academia as well as the level of social interaction in the school. She discusses the changes in the students over the years as well as those in universities in general. Finally, she discusses retirement.

Louis Lambert, born 1909, was a professor of political science. He speaks about his early life, including his education and jobs during the Great Depression. His background had been journalism, but he received an assistantship in the Government Department and remained there, except for his service in the Navy, until his retirement. He also discusses the change in students and the university during his time teaching.

Charles Lundin, born 1907, began teaching in the History Department in 1937. He speaks about his early life, particularly his education, and his work in the Army during World War II. After the war, he returned to teaching, and became active in many campus activities. He discusses the changes in students' attitudes, the women's movement, and the effect it may or may not have had on faculty hiring. Though he conducted research, he admits his greatest enjoyment was teaching and the interaction with the students.

John F. Mee, born 1908, was a professor of business at Indiana University. He speaks about his childhood and education in Ohio, particularly his progression from literature, to psychology, and finally business. He discusses his time in the United States Army and Air Force during World War II, the numerous connections he made there, and other business pursuits. Mr. Mee comments on his life's ambitions. He also goes into detail about the differences in students and faculty between his generation and those of post-World War II.

Delbert C. Miller, born on November 14, 1913, discusses his youth, family, the pressure he experienced from his mother to succeed, and his education. A professor of sociology, Dr. Miller wrote and traveled extensively, as well as providing his services as a labor arbitrator and university mediator. He comments on his activities and trials during the Great Depression and World War II, his specialization in industrial sociology, and his thoughts on retirement.

Born in 1895, Josephine Piercy discusses her education, the support she received from her parents as she pursued an academic career, and her years as an English professor at Indiana University. She speaks of the sexism and discrimination she and other female faculty members experienced. In addition, Dr. Piercy comments on some of the books she wrote and her thoughts about retirement.

Born in September of 1918, Robert Quirk discusses his youth during the Great Depression, the time he spent in the military during World War II, his education, and his career as a history professor and editor at Indiana University. A professor in Latin American studies and a teacher of a wide variety of courses, Dr. Quirk comments on the post-war growth of Indiana University, the efforts of several university leaders, and the disparity in salaries between faculty and administration. In addition, he describes his love of research and writing, and addresses the teaching vs. research debate.

Born on November 27, 1905, Arthur Schweitzer discusses his youth and education in Germany, his memories of World War I, and he and his wife's departure from Germany upon the ascension of the Nazi Party to power. The economic depression following World War I spurred his interest in studying economics, eventually leading to a career as a professor of economics and a prolific writer on that topic. In addition, Professor Schweitzer comments on the dynamics of the Indiana University faculty, the salary scale, and his retirement.

Henry B. Veatch, born on September 26, 1911, discusses his education and career as a professor of philosophy. He comments on the tension between humanistic and scientific education at Indiana University, the change in teaching loads over time, and how the faculty is involved in university administration. In addition, he contrasts the ideas of different philosophers, including Kant, Aquinas, and Aristotle, and he speaks of his negative experiences at Northwestern University.

Born on February 12, 1906, William E. Wilson discusses his youth, his experiences as the son of a United States senator, his work as a newspaper writer, and his eventual career as an English professor. He speaks of the teaching vs. research debate, his negative views on the student population of the nineteen sixties, and the increase in female students after the nineteen fifties. In addition, Dr. Wilson comments on his novels and other writings, as well as his retirement.