Stacey Abrams served as State Representative for Georgia’s 89th House District and was selected to the role of House Minority Leader for the Georgia General Assembly. In this interview, she discusses her early life, education, and career, including…
Spiro Theodore Agnew was the Vice President of the United States, 1969-1973. Topics include anecdotes of Senator Russell; Richard M. Nixon; Violence and Demonstrations.
Interview with Spencer Monroe Grayson, U.S. Magistrate. Topics include anecdotes of Senator Russell; Lawrence Camp; Jimmy Carter; Civil Rights; Walter F. George; Georgia Bar Association; Georgia Governor's Election (1930, 1970); Georgia Politics and…
Skip Hulett talks with Dana Miller about his relationship with Mitchell Terry Mincey, a death row inmate who was executed in Bibb County in October 2001. Hulett, a newspaper reporter before coming to work at UGA, had known Mincey since covering…
Simon Levin was the president of the Ecological Society of America from 1990-1991 and a professor at Princeton University. He has also taught at Cornell University and the University of Maryland. In this interview he talks about the highlights of his…
Shundra Caldwell was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1969. She was raised there alongside her cousin by her aunt, mother, and grandmother. In 1987 she graduated from Callaway High School and enrolled in Tougaloo College. In 1992, Caldwell and her…
Showyn Walton, who goes by the name Al Gorjus Buddah, was born in 1971 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He got his start in the Athens artist scene through breakdancing and hip-hop before expanding into stand-up comedy and painting. In this interview…
Shirley Sherrod was born and raised in Baker County, Georgia. She was formerly the Georgia State Director of Rural Development for the United States Department of Agriculture. Sherrod married Charles Sherrod and built New Communities, Inc. alongside…
Shirley Carver Miller is the wife of former Georgia Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller. Her platform as first lady was adult literacy, and she campaigned to increase the number of people passing General Education Development tests. Miller…
Shelia Neely-Norman was born in Athens in 1948 where she attended East Athens Elementary School, Lyons Middle School, and Burney-Harris High School before continuing her education in sociology and early childhood education at Paine College and Troy…
Sharon Phillips is a retired music teacher of the Atlanta Public Schools. She taught at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School for 30 years.This interview was recorded remotely.
Sharon Cooper was born in Athens, Georgia in 1956. She was a member of the second class to graduate from Cedar Shoals High School, and after graduation she married her husband and they have been together ever since. She attended the University of…
Sharon August is a music specialist at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. August discusses her path to teaching music, the rewards and challenges of teaching, and the Alabama Music Educators Association, She also talks…
Content Warning: This interview includes references to substance abuse, prison violence and murder, and domestic violence.Shannondore “Shane” Sims was born and raised in Athens, Georgia, in a two-parent household until the age of 12. After this…
Shanna Sheats was born in 1975 in Athens and grew up off Timothy Road. In this interview, Sheats recalls her integrated education at Timothy Road Elementary, Clarke Middle School, and Clarke Central High School. She discusses attending several…
Bob Brussack interviews Seth Hendershot about Seth's involvement with the music scene in Athens in the early '90s, jazz in Athens, and Seth's experiences in the business world including founding Hendershot's Coffee Bar. This interview is part of the…
Scott Smith is a music teacher at Central Middle School in Carrollton, Georgia. Smith discusses his teacher training, why he stayed in the profession, and why some teachers have left teaching. He talks about his successes and challenges and ways he…
Scott Killian was born in 1955 in Athens and grew up in the Morristown neighborhood of Athens and in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1963, Killian was the first person to integrate Chase Street Elementary School and was one of the first five Black…
Scott Collins was the president of the Ecological Society of America from 2012-2013, and he has also been a professor at the University of New Mexico. In this interview, he talks about his involvement with the National Center of Ecological Analysis…
Clarence Saxby Chambliss was born in Warrenton, North Carolina on November 10, 1943. He attended Louisiana Tech University and the University of Georgia, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1966. He received his law degree from…
Saxby Chambliss moved around the southeast growing up, due to his father being an Episcopal priest. He attended the University of Georgia in the mid-1960s, obtained his J.D. from the University of Tennessee, and moved back to south Georgia after…
Sarah Ross is the Executive Director of the University of Georgia Center for Research and Education at Wormsloe in Savannah, Georgia. She is also the President of The Wormsloe Foundation and Executive Director of the Wormsloe Institute for…
Sarah Ross is the Executive Director of the University of Georgia Center for Research and Education at Wormsloe in Savannah, Georgia. She is also the President of The Wormsloe Foundation and Executive Director of the Wormsloe Institute for…
Sarah Black is an orchestra teacher at North Gwinnett Middle School in Sugar Hill, Georgia. Black discusses her path to teaching, her music education, and the challenges and rewards of teaching. She also talks about how she motivates students and how…
Sara Womack is a music specialist at Greystone Elementary School in Hoover, Alabama and the president of the Alabama Music Educators Association. Dr. Womack discusses her path to teaching, what keeps her in the profession, and what factors lead some…
Sandra Walter was born in the Concord Community of Sumter County in 1939. Sumter moved to Americus, Georgia at the age of fifteen where she graduated from Americus High School. Walter currently lives in Plains, Georgia after her husband, C.L Walters…
Sam Olens was born on July 8, 1957 in Miami, Florida, and grew up in South New Jersey. He graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international politics from American University in Washington D.C. and earned a J.D. from Emory University…
Samuel McCray was born in 1949 near Lambert. He was raised by his grandparents who were sharecroppers on a plantation. He attended Delta State University and he worked for various nonprofits before becoming a Field Representative and Caseworker in…
Interview with Samuel J. Ervin Jr., U.S. Senator (D-North Carolina). Topics include Cuban Missile Crisis; Democratic National Convention (1948; 1952); Lyndon Baines Johnson; John F. Kennedy; Douglas MacArthur; Russell's character and leadership;…
Samuel Ernest Vandiver, Jr., interviewed by Hal Henderson. Ernest Vandiver served as governor of Georgia from 1959 to 1963. Vandiver talks about the 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election, including his decision to run and his subsequent decision to…
Interview with Samuiel E. Vandiver, Governor of Georgia. Topics include Phil Campbell; Civil rights; John Connally; Democratic National Conventions (1936, 1952, 1960); Marvin Griffin; Orval Faubus; Walter F. George; Georgia gubernatorial elections…
Interview with Samuel E. Vandiver, Governor of Georgia. Topics include Robert C. Byrd; Jimmy Carter; Cuban Missile Crisis, Oct. 1962; Lyndon B. Johnson; John F. Kennedy; Robert Kennedy; Korean War, 1950-1953; Douglas MacArthur; Military bases;…
Sam Zamarripa was born in Fort Benning to a Mexican immigrant and an American national. As his father was in the military, Zamarripa’s family moved often, but he considers himself a Southerner. In this interview, Zamarripa discusses his…
Sam Way lives in Pulaski County of Hawkinsville, Georgia. In this interview, Way talks about the history of Hawkinsville and historical landmarks. This interview is part of the Hawkinsville, Georgia series.
Sam Thomas works at the T.R.R Cobb House located in Athens, Georgia, though he grew up in Montreat, North Carolina. Thomas talks about the restoration and transportation of the historical house, the creation and history of the Beech Haven property,…
Sam Mixon talks about his early affinity for music, taking piano lessons, and teaching himself how to play drums, guitar, and the bass guitar. He remembers how working as a DJ for the local radio station and selling records in his father's store…
In 1969, Sam Massell was elected as a Democrat to be the Atlanta's first Jewish mayor. He discusses his early political career and his time as mayor, including the development of MARTA, his support for the advancement of minorities, and the role of…
Samuel Marvin Griffin, Jr. was the publisher of the Bainbridge Post-Searchlight from 1972 until 2008 and son of Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin, who held office from 1955 to 1959. In this interview he discusses the life and career of his father. Ben…
Sam Doss was elected to the Georgia State Senate as a Democrat in 1968. In the legislature, he served on the Higher Education and Appropriations Committees. He was responsible for advocating for the legislation that led to the establishment of the…
Sam Denney was born in Athens in 1989 and is an aerial dance instructor at Canopy Studios. In this interview she discusses the development of her lesbian identity, the difficulties she has faced as a Queer person, and the Queer community in Athens.…
Sally Brown Rhoden recalls growing up in Monroe, Georgia. She discusses seeing plays at the Fox Theater, her family, and social life. She recalls participating in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Monroe Drum and Bugle Corps. She reflects…
Sadie Fields is best known for her work for the Christian Coalition in Georgia. In this interview, Fields discusses her early years growing up in south Georgia and the formation of her interest in politics. She describes her experience working for…
In this interview, Levison discusses his early life in Georgia and his decision to enlist in the military. He talks about going to college and law school at Emory University and his legal career in tax law. Levison then describes his early…
Rusty Paul grew up in the Birmingham, Alabama area during the 1950s and 60s. He has worked in journalism as a newspaper and radio reporter, chaired the Republican Party in Georgia, and served as a state senator in the Georgia General Assembly. In…
Rusty Paul discusses his early exposure to politics while growing up in civil rights-era Alabama and his involvement in Republican politics after moving to Georgia, including creating a statewide Republican Party newspaper. Paul recalls the political…
Russell Thomas Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1934, though he grew up in Americus, Georgia. He graduated from Auburn University in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural administration and served as mayor of Americus for fifteen years.…
Interview with Russell B. Long, U.S. Senator (D-Louisiana). Topics include Carl Trumbull Hayden; Lyndon B. Johnson; Huey Long; Presidential election (1952); Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Russ Hallauer was first exposed to the Athens music scene while he was a student at Clemson University in the early 1990s. He moved to Athens in 1995 and worked at Flagpole Magazine. In this interview, Hallauer talks about the creation and…
Interview with Rufus Judson Pearson, Rear Admiral USN and attending physician U.S. Capitol. Topics include emphysema; Senator Russell's health; Walter Reed Army Hospital.
Ruby Moore talks about her experience investigating the death of 14–year old Sarah Crider, who was under the care of a Georgia state hospital when she died. Moore talks about the settlement agreement reached between the State of Georgia and the…
Interview with Roy V. Harris, Georgia Representative and Georgia Senator. Topics include M. Neil Andrews; Lawrence Camp; Phil Campbell; Democratic National Conventions (1952, 1960); Walter F. George; Georgia gubernatorial elections (1942, 1946,…
Interview with Roy Vincent Harris, Georgia Representative and Georgia Senator. Topics include Jimmy Carter; Communism; Dwight D. Eisenhower; Georgia House of Representatives; Lyndon B. Johnson; John F. Kennedy; Presidential elections (1952); Franklin…
Roy D. Moultrie was born in Hamilton, Georgia, on April 2, 1932. He attended West Georgia College and obtained his J.D. from Mercer University. Moultrie served as a probate judge in Harris County, Georgia, before running for state representative for…
Barnes and Irvin begin by talking about their early involvement in politics and why they chose to seek elected office. They then discuss their time in the legislature, the focus on national politics during that time, and the history of the Republican…
Roy Barnes was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 1974, serving for eight years. In 1990 he made his first run for governor, but lost to Zell Miller. From 1992 to 1998 he served in the Georgia House of Representatives, followed by a successful…
Roy Barnes grew up in rural Cobb County, Georgia in the 1950s-1960s. Barnes grew up in a Republican family but became affiliated with the Democratic Party. He graduated from the University of Georgia Law School in 1972, after which he moved back to…
Rosie Riquelme is a Director of Orchestras at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia. Riquelme discusses the diversity of the school, her approach to teaching, and the challenges she experienced. She also talks about her favorite moments and…
Interview with Ronald "Bo" Ginn, U.S. Representative (D-Georgia). Topics include anecdotes of Senator Russell; Federal Welfare Program; Georgia Politics and Government; Georgia Southern College; Russell's character; Dr. Fielding Russell; Russell's…
Ron Fennel has served in various political positions over his 33-year career, including two terms as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing his hometown of Brunswick (1988-1992). While a member of the Legislature, he…
Roland Ventura is a band instructor at Pinckneyville Middle School in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. Ventura discusses his path to teaching, the work environment, and his passion for teaching. He also recalls challenges and proud moments he’s…
Roland McElroy was born in Quitman, Georgia in 1945. He began working as a disc jockey for the local radio station when he was fourteen. He continued working in radio when he was a student at the University of Georgia and later became a freelance…
Interview with Roger H. Mudd, CBS News Correspondent. Topics include Civil rights law and legislation; Everett Dirksen; John F. Kennedy; Presidential election (1952); Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975.
Rodger Brown came to Athens, Georgia in 1979 as a University of Georgia student. Brown worked as an editor of the magazine Line of Sight while in school and also published the book Party out of Bounds, which retold stories about the music scene of…
Professor Robin Morris was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and grew up in Tucker, Georgia. A graduate of Tucker High School, she earned her bachelor’s degree at Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina. After participating in the Teach for…
Edwards was born in Florida, where her first introduction to music was her father’s love of jazz. In high school, Edwards played the guitar and occasionally sang in a small band. Edwards eventually moved to Athens in the early 1980’s where she played…
Interview with physician and Lt. Colonel Robert Zurek of the U.S. Army and the Walter Reed Army Hospital. Topics include cancer treatment; Russell's health and death.
Robert Woodward grew up in Decatur County, Georgia. He worked in a variety of jobs, including as an ambulance inspector, food services inspector, and as an employee of Georgia Industries for the Blind (GIB). After retirement, Woordward opened his own…
Robert Paine was the president of the Ecological Society of America from 1979-1980. He became a professor at the University of Washington in 1962, and he remained there for his entire career. In this interview he discusses his education, career, and…
Interview with Robert Mark Dunahoo, Judge of the Superior Court, Piedmont Circuit. Topics include anecdotes of Senator Russell; James F. Byrnes; Walter F. George; Georgia Governor's Election (1930); Georgia Politics and Government; Douglas MacArthur;…
Robert Lawrence has worked as a music teacher at Clarke Central High School for many years. Despite originally majoring in marine biology at Troy University, Lawrence has found joy in the teaching profession throughout his years. In this interview,…
Louis Boyd interviews his friend and neighbor Robert Henry Bohler about his transient childhood growing up in the Great Depression and his experiences at Berry College and at Fort Sill in Oklahoma during World War II. Bohler also talks about meeting…
Robert H. Hall interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Hall's introduction to Vandiver, the relationship between Marvin Griffin and Vandiver, Vandiver's “No, not one” speech, Vandiver’s administration, corruption in Griffin administration, the…
Robert G. Stephens interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Stephens' experiences in law school with Vandiver, Vandiver’s political rise, members of Griffin’s administration, Vandiver as a politician, Vandiver’s political philosophy, and…
Robert Farmer discusses his work with the Soil Conservation Service, priorities for the design of Sandy Creek Park, and the importance of setting, maintenance, and meeting citizens' desired uses for a park. He comments on the involvement of county…
Robert Dull works at the Griffin Housing Authority as the Chief Executive Officer. In this interview, Robert Dull discusses his work in the Fairmont community through the Griffin Housing Authority, as well as the effect of segregation and poverty on…
Robert Dull was born in Dearborn, Michigan, though his family moved around many times along the west coast throughout his childhood. Dull worked in public housing administration for many big cities before he eventually became the CEO of the Griffin…
Bill Shipp interviews journalist and writer Robert Coram. Robert Coram recalls working on Cumberland Island first as a caretaker and then a park ranger. He comments on the preservation of Georgia's barrier islands and shark fishing. Coram discusses…
Robert C. Norman interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Norman's first meeting Vandiver, attending UGA and law school with Vandiver, supporting Vandiver in 1954, the relationship between Marvin Griffin and Ernest Vandiver, the Sibley Commission…
Dr. Robert Bielen, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania medical school, joined the Peace Corps in order to fulfil his military obligations. He was in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s at the time where the country was facing political…
Interview with Robert Battey Troutman, Sr., attorney and friend of Senator Russell. Topics include Civil rights; Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962; Georgia gubernatorial election (1930); Georgia politics and government; Douglas MacArthur; New Deal,…
Interview with Robert A. Brenkworth, Comptroller, U.S. Senate (1969-1973). Topics include anecdotes of Senator Russell; Battleships--USS New Jersey; U. S. Senate; Vietnam Conflict, 1961-1975.
Russell Library Director Sheryl Vogt interviews Bobby Rowan about his tenure in the Georgia Senate (1963-1974) and as a Public Service Commissioner (1989-1994). Rowan discusses his early life, including schooling, family, church attendance, and…
Robert A. "Cheney" Griffin interviewed by Hal Henderson. Griffin was the executive aide to his brother, Gov. Marvin Griffin and also served as the mayor of Bainbridge, Ga. In this interview, topics include Griffin's role as aide to his brother…
Robbie Cucchiaro was born in New York and grew up playing various horn and percussion instruments for his school’s Drum and Bugle Corp. After graduating high school, Cucchiaro moved to Athens, Georgia after fellow musician Julian Koster, where they…
Cucchiaro was born in New York and grew up playing various horn and percussion instruments for his school’s Drum and Bugle Corp. After graduating high school, Cucchiaro moved to Athens, Georgia after fellow musician Julian Koster, where they both…
Robbie Buller was one of the first volunteers at Jubilee Partners and became a partner soon after. He speaks of his Mennonite upbringing and desire to live in Christian community, as well as his work at Jubilee. He discusses his marriage to Chou Ly…
Rob Veal was born in Athens in 1969 where he grew up listening to local music. In this interview, Veal talks about playing as the drummer for the La Di Das and the Dashboard Saviors. He also talks about his interactions with Vic Chesnutt and other…
Rita Harris was born in Good Hope, Georgia. She worked in the school system assisting children with disabilities before she became visually impaired due to retinitis pigmentosa. Harris describes adjusting to life as a visually impaired person. A…
Rick Stanziale grew up in Athens, Georgia during the 1980s, during which he was an avid skateboarder. Stanziale later joined his first band, The Problem Children during the late 1980s. James Greer was also involved in the skating scene and punk rock…
Rick Main discusses his previous work for the U.S. Forest Service and the Soil Conservation Service. He reflects on the budgeting and construction of Sandy Creek Park and discusses using inmate labor in the construction of the park. Main comments on…
Rick Kelly discusses Sandy Creek Park’s role in the Athens community, its budget and maintenance, and many aspects of the lake including security, lifeguards, and concern for patron safety. He comments on the merger of the city and county governments…
Interview with United States President Richard Nixon. Topics include Central Intelligence Agency; Civil rights; Cloture; Dwight D. Eisenhower; Lyndon B. Johnson; Labor law and legislation; Presidential election (1952); U.S. Foreign relations; Senate…
Richard McKee is an Adjunct Instructor of Music Education at Kennesaw State University and teaches Music For Early And Middle Grades. McKee discusses teaching music in various school districts, including those in Rome and Acworth, Georgia. He also…
Richard Holbrooke interviewed by Richard Rusk and Thomas Schoenbaum. Topics include the Vietnam War, the U.S. Foreign Relations Administration, U.S. diplomatic and consular service, the U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Presidents. Richard Holbrooke…
Richard Holbrooke interviewed by Richard Rusk and Thomas Schoenbaum. Richard Holbrooke explores U.S. policy in Vietnam and in particular the decisions that led to such long-term U.S. involvement. Holbrooke discusses Johnson's March 31, 1968, speech…
Richard Rusk interviews Richard Holbrooke. Topics include the Vietnam War and U.S. foreign relations from 1963-74.Richard Holbrooke served in Vietnam (1963-1966), was a member of White House staff (1966-1967), and was part of the Paris peace talks on…
Richard Rusk and Thomas Schoenbaum interview Richard Holbrooke. Topics include the U.S. Department of State, the Vietnam War, and U.S. Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon.Richard Holbrooke served in Vietnam (1963-1966), was a member of White House…
Richard Geary Rusk interviews Richard Holbrooke about the Philippines. Topics include economic conditions, U.S. interests and policies in the region, the history of the Philippines, Japanese occupation and the period of 1946-1986, and the 1986…
Richard Guthman discusses his work on the Atlanta City Council and the major developments in the city since the 1970s. Guthman was elected to the council in 1973, representing District 8. Prior to this he chaired the Police Commission and the Fulton…
Content Warning: This interview contains racial slurs.Richard Dunn was born in 1952 in Washington, D.C., and was raised by his mother and grandmother. Dunn first came to Athens to pursue a television internship in the summer of 1971, but transferred…
Reid Walker Harris was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1964 and served for six years. During this time he worked on achieving the independence of the legislature, and was the principal author of several laws concerning conservation…
John Reginald "Reg" Murphy attended Mercer University in Macon, and worked for the Macon Telegraph. In 1955 he opened the Atlanta bureau of the Macon Telegraph. He was chosen to be a Neiman Fellow at Harvard in 1959, and in 1961 went to work for the…
Raymond Winfrey was born to a large family in Clarke County in 1951. He was raised there, and spent time on the family farm throughout his youth and attended the segregated schools Lyons Elementary School and Burney Harris High School. He was…
Ray Moore (b. 1922) was an Atlanta TV newsman for twenty-three years. In 1951, he joined WSB Radio and then WSB-TV the following year. Moore resigned as news director of WSB, in 1969, and joined WAGA-TV (Channel 5) until he retired from broadcasting…
Ray Holland is an attorney who served in the Georgia House from 1989-2003. In this interview Holland discusses his education at the University of Georgia and his introduction to politics through the YMCA Youth Assembly. He discusses his early…
Ray Baldwin was born in 1937 in Americus, Georgia where his family owned and operated the Americus Baking Company. Baldwin attended Georgia Southwestern State University, after which he came to own an insurance company called Baldwin Company. In this…
Randy Watkins was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. He is the current Director of Sales and Operations of More than Blinds as well as an umpire and an officiator of various different sports. In this interview, Watkins talks about the racial divide…
Reed discusses his childhood and describes how he became involved in politics. Reed discusses meeting Pat Robertson in 1989 and being coaxed into writing a memo explaining how to organize evangelical voters. Reed explains that the memo earned him the…
Ralph Reed is founder and chairman of the Faith & Freedom Coalition. He was senior advisor to the Bush-Cheney campaigns in both 2000 and 2004, and chairman of the Southeast Region for BC04. As chairman of the Georgia Republican Party he led the GOP…
