University of Minnesota Morris Stories

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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Edward Morrison Interview

Edward J. Morrison

Edward J. Morrison, former publisher of the Morris Sun Tribune, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
Jenny Nellis Interview, 2018

Jenny Nellis

Jenny Nellis, Professor of Studio Art Emeritus, discusses her education and career path that eventually lead her to University of Minnesota, Morris. She discusses administrative changes in the 90's; when UMM Athletics went from Division II to III; and women employment and issues on campus. She also talks about what she feels her legacy is at UMM.
Remembering Bill & Ida Stewart: Dorothy Nins 2023

Dorothy Nins and Sue Dieter

Reminiscences about William B. Stewart & Ida B. Stewart by UMN Morris alumni during the dedication for William B. and Ida B. Stewart Hall on September 9, 2023.
Jim Olson Interview

James M. Olson

Jim Olson, professor emeritus of chemistry, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
Jim Olson Interview, 2018

Jim Olson

Jim Olson, professor emeritus of chemistry, talks about the his time a University of Minnesota Morris. Jim was here when the West Central School of Agriculture transitioned to the University of Minnesota Morris. He discusses the challenges of building programs and majors at a new institution.
Peter Orr Interview, 2006

Peter Orr

Peter Orr was in charge of the campus greenhouse and landscaping, and was the grounds supervisor starting around 1974 until 2006.
Julie Pelletier Interview

Julie Pelletier

Julie Pelletier, associate professor of anthropology and American Indian studies, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
Fred Peterson Interview, 2022

Fred Peterson and Mary Klauda

During this interview, Fred Peterson discusses his time as art faculty at the University of Minnesota Morris. He discusses the creation of the art discipline curriculum, the art gallery on campus, the changes after the Humanities Fine Arts Building was constructed, and his publications and research on vernacular architecture.
Joe Pierret Interview, 1978

Joe Pierret

During the 1977-78 school year, Joe Pierret was the manager of Agoraphobia: the student-operated record and magazine store on the UMN Morris campus. In this interview, Pierret comments on the responsibilities of the store's manager and reaffirms the need for a student store on the UMN Morris campus in light of the fact that no student union exists. Pierret also offers his opinions on why the store had problems in the past and suggests that given good management, the store has a promising future.
Lowell Rasmussen Interview

Lowell Rasmussen

Lowell Rasmussen, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Facilities, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
Dave Reikowski Interview, 1979

Dave Reikowski

Agoraphobia was the name give in 1976 to the student-operated record and magazine store on the UMN Morris campus. Dave Reikowski, manager of Agoraphobia in winter and spring quarters of 1976, talks about his own goals for improving the image of the store by increasing advertising and providing the students with services they wanted. He also reflects on the store management in the previous 3 years and suggests consistency is the important factor for the store's future.
Bill Rickmeyer Interview

William Rickmeyer

Bill Rickmeyer, Morris community member, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
Nick Ripperger Interview

Nick Ripperger

Nick Ripperger '72 was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
Remembering Bill & Ida Stewart: Jeffery Robinson 2023

Jeffery Robinson and Sue Dieter

Reminiscences about William B. Stewart by UMN Morris alumni during the dedication for William B. and Ida B. Stewart Hall on September 9, 2023.
Gwen Rudney Interview 04/22/2023

Gwen Rudney, Christian Diederich, and Naomi Skulan

Gwen Rudney, retired education professor and past Division of Education chair, discusses her time at the University of Minnesota Morris, the Education Division, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on education.
Doug Smith Interview, 1979

Doug Smith

In the fall of 1973, Doug Smith (Director of Student Activities from July, 1973-May, 1975) was commissioned by the Provost to investigate the financial management difficulties experienced by the student-operated record and magazine store on the UMN Morris campus. Smith comments on the reasons for the founding of the student store, mentioning both administration and student concerns at the time of the store's establishment in 1971. There is also an account of the findings of the investigative commission be served on along with his own reflections on the need for and purpose served by a student-run store on campus.
W. Donald Spring Interview, 1976

W. Donald Spring

In this interview, W. Donald Spring discusses his first years at the University of Minnesota Morris, often in comparison with subsequent years. He discusses his perceptions of students, faculty, and early organizational problems, as well as his role in helping to develop the early curriculum. He briefly discusses his educational background.
Bill Stewart Interview

William B. Stewart

Bill Stewart, Director of the Minority Student Program, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
Pat Tanner Interview

Pat Tanner

Pat Tanner, secretary to the chancellor, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
Ruth Thielke Interview

Ruth Thielke

Ruth Thielke, past registrar, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
Ruth Thielke Interview, 1986

Ruth Thielke

Ruth Thielke discusses the Vietnam War and the University of Minnesota Morris.
Bonnie Tipcke Interview, 1986

Bonnie Tipcke

Bonnie Tipcke discusses the Vietnam War and its effects on the University of Minnesota Morris.
Jim Togeas Interview

James B. Togeas

Jim Togeas, professor of chemistry, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.
Jim Togeas Interview, 2016

Jim Togeas

Jim Togeas, professor emeritus of Chemistry, discusses his education and career path that eventually lead him to University of Minnesota, Morris. He talks about the early years of UMN Morris, campus planning and growth, and his thoughts on a what a liberal arts education should envision.
Carol Wilcox Interview

Carol Wilcox

Carol Wilcox, former mayor of Morris, was interviewed for the University of Minnesota Morris documentary Promise of the Prairie: Education in Three Parts.