This collection contains interviews with important members of the University of Minnesota Morris campus, including many interviews done for the Promise of the Prairie documentary.
The digitization of some of these oral histories was made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Any views, findings, opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, or the Minnesota Historic Resources Advisory Committee.
Some additional interviews with UMN Morris faculty and administrators are available in the UMN Digital Conservancy, including interviews with Jack Imholte, Bettina Blake, Bill Stewart, and Bill and Ida Stewart.
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Bert Ahern Interview, Part I
Wilbert H. Ahern
Bert Ahern, Morris Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of History, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts. This is part one of two interviews.
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Bert Ahern Interview, Part II
Wilbert H. Ahern
Bert Ahern, Morris Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of History, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts. This is the second interview of two.
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Wilbert Ahern Interview, 1986
Wilbert H. Ahern
Wilbert Ahern discusses the Vietnam War and its effects on the University of Minnesota Morris.
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Kellcee Baker Interview
Kellcee Baker
Kellcee Baker '10 was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
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Les Bensch Interview
Lester Bensch
Les Bensch '59 (graduate of West Central School of Agriculture) was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
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Bettina Blake Interview
Elizabeth S. Blake
Bettina Blake, former academic dean, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
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Roger Boleman Interview, 2016
Roger Boleman
Roger Boleman, retired director of Instructional and Media Technologies, since 1968, talks about his background and his early years here at University of Minnesota, Morris. Roger discusses the changes over the years, within his department, and the evolution of audio-visual and instructional technologies along with the partnership with Pioneer PBS.
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Pamela J. Bretz Interview, 1984
Pamela J. Bretz
Pamela J. Bretz first joined the UMM Saddle Club during the 1977-78 school year when she was a senior at Morris High School. She later joined again during the 1980-81 school year when she attended UMN Morris for 1 year.
In this interview, Pamela discusses the changes she observed during that four year span, her personal reasons for joining the Saddle Club, and the satisfaction she received from the club. Other topics discussed were the disagreements encountered between the Saddle Club and Plant Services, the activities of the club, and some minor problems that occurred in the organization.
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Helen Briggs Interview
Helen Ryall Briggs
Helen Briggs, wife of Rodney Briggs, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
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Rodney A. Briggs Interview, 1976
Rodney A. Briggs
First Dean and Provost Rodney A. Briggs discusses the founding of the University of Minnesota Morris and what it took to get the liberal arts college running in the first few years.
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LeAnn Dean Interview, 2022
LeAnn Dean
LeAnn Dean worked at the University of Minnesota Morris Briggs Library from 1991-2022, where she was a reference librarian from 1991-1993, head of public services from 1994-2000, and director from 2000-2022. LeAnn led the library as director for over two decades, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Jill Doerfler Interview
Jill Doerfler
Jill Doerfler '01 was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
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Harold Fahl Interview, Part I
Harold Fahl
Harold Fahl was a WCSA student from 1942-1946, and superintendent of Plant Services at UMM, 1968-1993.
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Harold Fahl Interview, Part II
Harold Fahl
Harold Fahl was a WCSA student from 1942-1946, and superintendent of Plant Services at UMM, 1968-1993.
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Harold Fahl Interview
Harold W. Fahl
Harold Fahl, former Superintendent of Plant Services, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
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Harold Fahl Interview, 1984
Harold W. Fahl
Harold Fahl was Director of Plant Services at the University of Minnesota Morris.
In this interview, Harold discusses Plant Services interactions with the UMN Morris Saddle Club and the founding of the UMN Morris Saddle Club.
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Judy Flicker Interview, 2018
Judy Flicker
Judy (Collins) Flicker, University of Minnesota Morris alumni, talks about what drew her to attend UMM and her experiences as a student. Judy graduated in 1974 with degrees in English and Psychology. Judy continued to live in Morris and became an Early Childhood Special Educator as well as a local artist.
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Kevin Flicker Interview, 2018
Kevin Flicker
Kevin Flicker '74, retired teaching specialist in studio art, talks about what attracted him to attend UMM and coming back to live and work. He talks in depth about his path into ceramic arts.
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Mark Fohl Interview, 2018
Mark Fohl
Mark Fohl came to UMN Morris in 1985 as the baseball head coach and was the Athletic Director from 1987-2016. Mark talks about the increase of sports from 13 to 19 during his time here and how Title IX impacted the athletics program. He also discusses the switch from a Division III to II for approximately 10 years and then the switch back to Division III-UMAC conference. He talks about his part in the expansion of the athletics program and facilities that now includes Big Cat Stadium and the Regional Fitness Center (RFC) and the community relations with the UMN Morris. Mark also discusses his role in campus governance along with the balance of academic and athletic life of the students and some of the athletic highlights he remembers during his time at UMN Morris.
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Mimi Frenier Interview
Mariam Darce Frenier
Mimi Frenier, former professor, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
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Pieranna Garavaso Interview, 2019
Pieranna Garavaso
Pieranna Garavaso, professor emeritus of philosophy, talks about her educational and career path that eventually led her to University of Minnesota, Morris. She talks in detail about sexism, feminism and homosexuality on campus. Pieranna also discusses the creation of the Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies major and her time as division chair of the Humanities.
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Dennis Gimmestad Interview
Dennis Gimmestad
Dennis Gimmestad '73 was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
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Van Gooch Interview
Van Gooch
Van Gooch, former professor of biology, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
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Arden Granger Interview
Arden Granger
Arden Granger, former University Relations employee, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
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Steve Granger Interview
Stephen Granger
Steve Granger, chancellor of student affairs emeritus, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.