Texas A&M University 
Oral History Collection

   This collection includes about ninety interviews concerning many aspects of the university, especially concentrating on agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine. Consult the introduction to the General History of the University.

• Engineering College and Research
• General History of the University
• Texas A&M Engineering and Experiment Station (TEES)
• Veterinary Medicine College and Research

Engineering College and Research

Ayoub, A. K.
   Engineering Professor at Texas A&M University. Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Kuwait from 1975 to 1977. From 1955-1961 worked in Egypt at the Ministry of Public Works and in 1961 at the Atomic Energy Establishment in Cairo. Attended school at Kurchatov Atomic Energy Institute in Moscow and Harwel Reactor School in England. Interviewed by Stephen R. Erbert, October 23, 1984. 11 pages.

Baen, Spencer R.
   Assistant director, Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) since 1970. Describes research projects underway or completed by the station, along with discussion of energy and department functions. July 16, 1981. 12 pages.

Benson, Fred J.
   President, Texas A&M Research Foundation since 1980. His career at Texas A&M since the 1930's and current role assisting individuals in obtaining research funds. August 5, 1981. 29 pages.

Bossler, Robert Burns and Mary Fisher Bossler
   See Texas A&M History Project.

Bradley, James R.
   Director, Texas Engineering Extension Service since 1973. Training role of TEES for industries, municipalities and counties. August 6, 1981. 9 pages.

Caddess, James H.
   Retired mechanical engineering professor relates his experiences at the university between 1958 and 1976.

Crawford, Charles William
   See Texas A&M History Project.

Cross, E. R. Jr.
   Head, Department of Aerospace Engineering since 1979. Current status of aerospace engineering at Texas A&M and in the nation with emphasis on engineering job market. July 24, 1981. 16 pages.

Ellis, Newton C.
   Head, Department of Industrial Engineering since 1975 discusses department and human factors involved inengineering, such as using psychology to increase industrial efficiency. July 29, 1981. 13 pages.

Hallmark, Glen D.
   Retired professor of electrical engineering at Texas A&M; former department head, 1957 - 1966. Native of Killeen and graduate of A&M, holding all three degrees from A&M. Reminiscences on his A&M career. September 24, 1981.

Harris, William B.
   Professor of chemical engineering at Texas A&M discusses his research in food protein. Other topics include solar heating and cooling, and methyl alcohol to power automobiles. October 12, 1981. 15 pages.

Hopkins, Gordon R.
   Head, Department of Industrial Engineering since 1977, discusses his department along with job prospects and future challenges. September 4, 1981. 18 pages.

Jones, William B.
   Head, Department of Electrical Engineering since 1967 examines history and current changes and challenges in his department. July 20, 1981. 10 pages.

Kozik, Thomas
   Professor of mechanical engineering at Texas A&M discusses engineering at Texas A&M and Polish issues in the U.S.A. such as the importance of city political machines in aiding immigrants during 1930's. October 1, 1981. 17 pages.

Lusas, Edmund W.
   Research Chemist and Head, Food Protein Center since 1977. Technical aspects of manufacturing high protein foods from products such as cottonseed and soybeans. August 4, 1981. 12 pages.

McDonald, Donald
   Head, Department of Civil Engineering since 1979, discusses his department with emphasis on railroad engineering.July 22, 1981. 18 pages.

O'Bannon, Lester
   A retired mechanical engineering professor at Texas A&M examines his teaching role at the University between 1948 and 1964. July 29, 1982. 12 pages.

Simmang, Clifford
   See Military History.

Thomas, Richard E.
   Head, Center for Strategic Technology since 1979, describes the center and national defense and security mattersas they relate to engineering research at Texas A&M. July 27, 1981. 30 pages.

Thompson, J. G. H.
   Professor Emeritus of mechanical engineering at Texas A&M comments on long career at university, with emphasis on teaching and research, 1938-1975. November 5, 1981.

Von Gonten, William
   Head of department of petroleum engineering at Texas A&M since 1976, discusses the industry and his department. October 23, 1981. 18 pages.

Whitmore, Harry E.
   Associate Director of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station since 1967, discusses his role in the Army and at TEES, primarily in the space research program. August 3, 1982.

Wootan, Charles V.
   Director, Texas Transportation Institite (TTI) since 1976. The role of TTI during the 1960s and 1970s, expecially promoting Texas highway development and safety. July 30, 1981. 18 pages.

General History of the University

   The general history of Texas A&M has been investigated by three scholars. The University Archivist, Charles Schultz, and Associate Archivist, David Chapman, and the former Head of the Department of History, Henry C. Dethloff, all initiated interviews concerning the main campus, Prairie View A&M, and Tarleton State College. Many of the interviews lead to Dethloff's "A Centennial History of Texas A&M University" (Texas A&M University Press, 1975). Unless stated, all are transcribed and open.

   Other interviews which concern the history of Texas A&M are: interviews with Duller, Harder, Jackson, Kidd, Logan, Luther, and Skabanek in the Descendants of Pioneers; Rothe, Thornton and Traux in the East Texas Oral History Consortium; and Geyer, Lieper, Pequegnat, and Treadwell in the Oceanography project; former students who became generals in Military History; and most interviews in Agricultural History. In addition, the Collection holds about sixty miscellaneous tapes, most of which are proceedings of Liberal Arts Faculty meetings since 1971.

Abbot, John Paul
   Career as a faculty member of the English Department from 1926-1972 discusses changes in that department and the university. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 19, 1974. 20 pages.

Abbott, Virginia Burnes, and Ruth Norris Harrington
   Two faculty wives discuss their social lives on campus from the 1920s to the 1940s. Interviewed by Candy Stroup, December 1, 1978. 30 pages.

Anderson, Frank
   Early years in 1920's as a baseball, basketball, track coach for Texas A&M. Colonel in 1935 and Commandant of Corps examines the problems during his reign, resignation in 1937, and trouble with former students in the 1950's. Interviewed by Terry Anderson, July 26, 1983. 46 pages.

Anderson, Helen Arnet Salyer
   Wife of Frank Anderson examines campus life from the 1920s to the 1950s. Interviewed by Candy Stroup, November 17, 1978. 23 pages.

Armstrong, P. W.
   Student life as a WWI veteran in 1920's, and his civil engineering career. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 2, 1974. 20 pages.

Badgett, W. H.
    Involvement as a as student from 1926 to 1932 and career in engineering. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 2, 1976. 24 pages.

Bossier, Robert Burns and Mary Fisher Bossier
   Career as professor of petroleum engineering from 1936 to 1962. Interviewed by David Chapman, July 1, 1974. Not transcribed.

Brison, Fred
   Involvement in the Department of Horticulture since the 1920's. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, May 14, 1971. Not transcribed.

Burns, D.
   His education from 1912 to 1916, including the corps and campus life. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 2, 1974. 20 pages.

Byrd, O. L.
   Daily life as a student in the early 1920's and his later work with the Ralston Purina Company. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 2, 1974. 18 pages.

Corrigan, Dean
   Dean of Texas A&M's College of Education in 1980's discusses educational reforms and his role on the Perot Commission and the resulting education program, House Bill 72. Interviewed by Glenda Burns, October 18, 1985. 23 pages.

Crawford, Charles William
   The corps and faculty from 1916 to 1920, and the development of the College of Engineering from the 1920's. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, March 30, 1971. 39 pages.

Davis, R. B.
   Life as a student from 1923 to 1927 and his work in the dairy. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 1, 1974. 20 pages.

Doak, Clifton C.
   Former Head of the Biology Department in the 1940's and 1950's describes life as a student and role as a facultymember. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, May 14, 1971. Not transcribed.

Doak, Henryetta Carter
   Social life on campus for faculty wives from the 1920s to the 1950s. Interviewed by Candy Stroup, November 17, 1978. 26 pages.

Draper, George H.
   Student life at Texas A&M during the early 1930's and his role as Professor of Poultry Science, 1946 - 1969. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, October 2, 1971. Not transcribed.

Eckles, Mary Bolton
   Daughter of former president of Texas A&M, Francis Cleveland Bolton, discusses growing upon campus in the 1920s. Interviewed by Candy Stroup, November 14, 1978. 18 pages.

Esten, C. K.
   Development and his career in the English and Drama Departments from 1946 to 1974. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 21, 1974. 26 pages.

Evans, Edward B. (and George R. Woolfolk)
   Discusses how he became president of Prairie View A&M and, with Dr. Woolfolk, traces the history of Prairie View from the 1870's. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, October 11, 1971. 55 pages.

Folweiler, Alfred D.
   Director of the Texas Forest Service from 1949 to 1967 discusses how he became involved and its role as part of the University system. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, November 10, 1971. 43 pages.

Fowler, W. H.
   Career in architecture with emphasis upon his life as a student from 1916 to 1920. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, July 31, 1974. 22 pages.

Gammons, Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Rhea
   Head of the Texas A&M History Department in the 1940's and 1950's and his wife discusses his career and the role of faculty wives. Interviewed by David Chapman, June 22, 1974. Not transcribed.

Geren, Linda Giesecke
   Growing up on the A&M campus as a professor's daughter until 1912. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, May 14, 1971. Not transcribed.

Hale, Fred
   Student days from 1918 to 1922 and his years in the Animal Science Department. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 20, 1974. 45 pages.

Harrington, Marion T.
   President and Chancellor of Texas A&M during 1950's and early 1960's describes the growth of faculty and administration from the 1930's to the early 1970's. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, September 13, 1971. 53 pages.

Harrington, Ruth Norris: see Abbot, Virginia

Heaton, Homer Lloyd
   Career as Registrar and Dean of Admissions and Records from 1930's to early 1970's. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, July 10, 1972. Not transcribed.

Heldenfels, Hugo C.
   Describes the school in early 1930's and role as member of Board of Regents during the 1950's and 1960's. Interviewed by David Chapman, July 5, 1974. 16 pages.

Hill, E. B.
   Life in the corps during WWI. Interviewed by Charles Schultz,  August 3, 1974. Not transcribed.

Howell, Eugene J.
   President of Tarleton State College from 1945 to 1960 discusses founding the school and his position. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, September 18, 1971. 42 pages.

Irving, Barlow (Bones)
   Athletic director from 1949 to 1958 discusses his college football career in the 1920's and later involvement in athletics. Interviewed by David Chapman, July 15, 1974. Not transcribed. Closed.

Jones, Luther
   Agriculture Department from 1926 to 1952 and his involvement in banking management. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 22 1974. 15 pages.

Kerbow, H. R.
   Corps from 1912 to 1916 and the rituals and routines.  Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 2, 1974. 16 pages.

Lancaster, Mrs. Robert R.
   Music in Bryan/College Station and at the University. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, September 9, 1971. 16 pages.

Langford, Ernest
   Chairman of the Department of Architecture and the University Archivist in the 1960's discusses student life during World War I. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, March 8, 1971. 46 pages.

Leiper, S. E.
   Student life from 1916 to 1923. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 6, 1974. 29 pages.

Lindsay, James Donald
   Head of Chemical Engineering during 1950's and 1960's discusses his education and formation of department. Interviewed by David Chapman, June 20, 1974. 19 pages.

Logan, Robert M.
   Discusses financial aid at Texas A&M University back from the 1930's. Interviewed by Dr. McFarland, June 9, 1981. 11 pages.

Quisenberry, J.
   Graduate in 1931 discusses his personal life during his stay at Texas A&M. Interviewed by Charles R. Schultz, August 27, 1974. 24 pages.

Reynolds, Maudames Destyger
   Wife of the Chief of the Division of Agronomy, E. B. Reynolds discusses campus social life from the 1920s to the 1940s. Interviewed by Candy Stroup, November 20, 1978. 21 pages.

Rich, Erma
   Secretary for Dean Charles Puryear examines Texas A&M in the 1920's. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, May 14, 1971. Not transcribed.

Robinson, E. L.
   The effects of World War I on Texas A&M. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, May 14, 1971. Not transcribed.

Rudder, Margaret
   Wife of former Texas A&M University President, James Earl Rudder, talks about her life and her husband's experiences in the Normandy D-Day landing and as A&M President. Interviewed by Lisa Rush, May, 1993. One tape. Indexed.

Schaffer, Ruth, Dr.
   Discusses women in academia. Interviewed by Martha Hunt. 3 pages.

Sell, Jane
   Associate Professor of Sociology discusses being a female professor at Texas A&M since 1978. Included are faculty biographical summaries, 1975-1984. Interviewed by Martha Hunt, November 15, 1985. 13 pages.

Smith, Travis L. Jr.
   Graduate of class of 1898 describes student life and faculty. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, May 14, 1971. Not transcribed.

Spense, Thomas Reese
   Manager of the Office of Physical Plants during 1950's discuss growth of Texas A&M. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, December 1, 1971. Not transcribed.

Spriggs, Rosa Feldman
   Wife of C. O. Spriggs discusses campus life in the 1920s and 1930s. Interviewed by Candy Stroup, November 27, 1978. 11 pages.

Stadelmann, Bonnie Sue Shelton
   Her fight with Texas A&M over tenure and resulting sexual discrimination suit. Interviewed by David Chapman, July 1, 1974. 19 pages. Closed.

Stangle, W. L.
   Graduate of Texas A&M University, 1915. Discusses his personal life during his stay at Texas A&M. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 2, 1974. 18 pages.

Sterns, Josh B.
   Life as a student during the 1890's. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, May 14, 1971. Not transcribed.

Trotter, Ide Peebles
   Head of Department of Agronomy in 1930's and Director of Agriculture Extension Service in 1940's discusses his care. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, November 17, 1971. 11 pages.

Trotter, Lina Ann
   Wife of Ide Trotter discusses her life and campus events and club during the 1930s and 1940s. Interviewed by Candy Stroup, November 15, 1978. 20 pages.

Waltman, Linda
   Attended Texas A&M University from 1976-1979. First woman on full athletic scholarship at A&M. Member of the Texas A&M Track Team. First woman inducted into the Texas A&M Hall of Fame. Became a member of the Olympic team, 1980. Interviewed by Robert Jones. November 9, 1985. 11 pages.

Wiesen, T. F.
   His education from 1916 to 1920 and later work in China. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 1, 1974. 23 pages.

Williams, David W.
   Acting President of Texas A&M, 1956 - 1957, and former Vice Chancellor for Agriculture in 1950's discusses school administration. Interviewed by Henry Dethloff, September 15, 1971. 52 pages.

Williams, Madge Rees
   Faculty wife of David W. Williams discusses campus life and women's clubs from the 1920s to the 1950. Interviewed by Candy Stroup, February 1, 1979. 43 pages.

Whitfield, C. W.
   Academics, social life, and faculty members from 1909 to 1913. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 2, 1974. 23 pages.

Woolfolk, George R.: see Evans, Edward B.

Zinn, Benny
   Director of Student Affairs during the 1960s discusses student and campus security issues. Interviewed by David Chapman, 1975. Not transcribed.

Texas Engineering Experiment Station 
(TEES) History

   In 1983 the Texas Engineering Experiment Station asked the History Department to write a history of the station. In the course of the project, TEES funded a graduate assistantship to conduct research and interviews. Between June 5 and June 15, Debra Bell, a graduate student in history, interviewed twelve former and present employees of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station. These interviews were used by Bell and Dr. Bruce Seely, an assistant professor of history, to write The Texas Engineering Experiment Station: Continuity and Change in the Land-Grant Tradition, published by TEES. All interviews are open and being transcribed.

Armstrong, Jane
   Assistant Director for Programs, Texas Engineering Experiment Station since March 1983. Describes the development of new programs at TEES dating back to her work as Assistant to the Director since July 1980 and her role as liaison to the Texas Legislature. June 5, 1984.

Baen, Spencer
   Assistant Director for Research, Texas Engineering Experiment Station since 1970 and Director, Center for Energy and Mineral Resources since 1977. Describes the development of programs at TEES, especially during the 1970's under Fred Benson and the contribution of TAMU's military tradition to TEES' success. June 6, 1984.

Benson, Fred
   Dean Emeritus, Texas Engineering Experiment Station. Involvement with TEES from 1937 as an instructor through almost twenty years as Director of TEES, including views since retiring in 1980. June 5, 1984.

Feltz, Donald
   Director, Nuclear Science Center, TEES since March 1983. His involvement with the Texas A&M Nuclear Science Center from the beginning in 1959, when he was a graduate assistant, to the present. June 14, 1984.

Hall, Kenneth
   Director, Thermodynamics Research Center, TEES since 1979. Evolution of the Thermodynamics Research Center, including how he became director, and the center's relationship to TEES. June 7, 1984.

Horn, Louis
   Associate Research Editor, Texas Transportation Institute since 1963. Publishing at TEES between 1948 and 1963while he was supervisor of publications at the station. June 13, 1984.

Norton, David
   Assistant Director of Research, Texas Engineering Experiment Station since March 1983. Experiences with TEESsince 1970 as
   professor of aerodynamics and the impact of recent administrative changes. June 12, 1984.

Porter, W. Arthur
   Director, Texas Engineering Experiment Station since April 1980. His involvement with TEES, since 1968 as a professor, in the 1970's as Director of the Institute for Solid State Electronics, during the transition from the Bensonera, and and his future goals for TEES. June 8, 1984.

Pustay, Michael
   Head, Business and Technology Research Division, TEES, and Associate Professor of Management since 1980. The formation, activities and responsibilities of the Business and Technology Research Division since its formation in 1982. June 11, 1984.

Sekera, Franklin
   Head, Institute for Ventures in New Technology (INVENT), TEES since 1983. Purpose, progress and problems involved in administering an experimental program such as INVENT, as well as his transition from the business to the academic world. June 13, 1984.

Thomas, Richard E.
   Director, Center for Strategic Technology, TEES since July 1979. Experiences with TEES projects as professor of aerodynamics in the 1960's and as special assistant to Dean Benson and head of several TEES' programs in the 1970's. June 15, 1984.

Whitmore, Harry
   Associate Director, Texas Engineering Experiment Station since 1970. Involvement in 1963 formation of TEES' Space Technology Division and activity as Assistant Director, TEES (1963 to 1970) and as Associate Director since, including the transition from Dean Benson. June 12, 1984.

Veterinary Medicine College 
and Research

   The project traces the development and growth of the school beginning under Dr. Mark Francis in 1916 to its present status as the largest College of Veterinary Medicine in the nation. Interviewees were former and present students, professors, and administrators. Tapes are Ascribed and open. Except where noted, interviews were conducted by Terry Anderson. Researchers also should consult Hubert Schmidt, Eighty Years of Veterinary Medicine at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (College Archives, 1958), and Patton Burns, Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University, 1958 - 1975 (College of Veterinary Medicine, undated).

Burns, Patton W.
   Head, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, 1935 - 1966. Students, faculty, and curriculum from the 1920's to the 1960's. Interviewed by Charles Schultz, August 26, 1974, 26 pages, and by Terry Anderson, April 7, 1980. 43 pages.

Harrison, R. H.
   Member of the first class, 1920. His professors, football teams of 1916 - 1919, and life as a veterinarian during the 1920's. January 29, 1981. 17 pages.

Jaggi, Frederick P.
   Head, Department of Veterinary Public Health, 1957 - 1969. College life and professors from 1919 - 1924, his practice during the Depression, and veterinary school since 1930's. January 24, 1980. 31 pages.

Maurer, Fred
   Cornell University, Ph.D. (1948); Officer in United States Army Veterinary Corps, 1941 - 1961; Retired as Colonel, Veterinary Corps, U.S. Army, 1964. Roles and issues while he served as Director, Institute of Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M, 1966 - 1976. September 22, 1982.

Milliff, John H.
   Head, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, 1941 - 1969. Corps hazing in the 1920's, changes in the school from the 1940's to the early 1970's and his duties as a professor. March 5, 1981. 85 pages.

Price, Alvin A.
   Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1957 - 1973. Professors in the late 1940's and significant changes during the 1960's, the admittance of women and blacks in the school. July 15, 1980. 48 pages.

Shelton, George C.
   Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1973 - 1988. Life as a student during the late 1940's and early 1950's, his problems and duties as Dean, changes in curriculum, research, and the student body. March 10, 1981. 42 pages.

Trevino, Gilberto S.
   Professor, Department of Veterinary Pathology. His years as student and later as a faculty member from a Hispanic viewpoint. Changes in the University between 1959 and 1976. June 12, 1980. 45 pages.