Oral History Interviews Collection, 1974-1990
Collection Overview
Title: Oral History Interviews Collection, 1974-1990
ID: OGLMC1213
Extent: 1.25 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 00/00/1990
Subjects: Civil Rights, Great Depression, Politics and Government - Nonpartisan League (NPL), University of North Dakota - Administration, University of North Dakota - Camp Depression
Languages: English
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Subject/Index Terms
Civil Rights
Great Depression
Politics and Government - Nonpartisan League (NPL)
University of North Dakota - Administration
University of North Dakota - Camp Depression
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Method: Donation; 90-1723
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Oral History Interviews Collection. OGLMC 1213, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in October 2015.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Item:
[Item 1: Camp Depression - Paul Benson and Raymond Rund],
[Item 2: Camp Depression - John Holodick, Ray Ness, and Ken Gulmon],
[Item 3: Camp Depression - Algot Johnson],
[Item 4: Camp Depression - Mel Johnson],
[Item 5: Camp Depression Interview - Ralph Johnson, Lawrence Johnson, O.A. Hove, Walt Styer, and Franklin Vecon],
[Item 6: Agnes Geelan],
[Item 7: Leroy Goodwater and Hilda Goodwater],
[Item 8: Harold Groth and Grace Groth],
[Item 9: UND History Department Faculty - John Parker, Elwyn B. Robinson, Robert Wilkins, and Louis Geiger],
[Item 10: Elsie Brown],
[Item 11: Marian Meyers],
[Item 12: Frank Kelly],
[Item 13: Merle Kidder],
[Item 14: William Koenker],
[Item 15: William Koenker],
[Item 16: Soren Kolstoe],
[Item 17: Charles Libby and Margaret Libby Barr],
[Item 18: Henry Martinson],
[Item 19: Henry Martinson],
[Item 20: S.W. Melzer],
[Item 21: Ken Porter],
[Item 22: Benjamin Ring],
[Item 23: Elwyn and Eva Robinson],
[Item 24: Clarence Sande],
[Item 25: Gerald Skogley],
[Item 26: O.A. Stevens],
[Item 27: Robert Wilkins],
[Item 28: John R. Salter, Jr.],
[Item 29: John R. Salter, Jr.],
[All]
- Item 22: Benjamin Ring
Interviewed by Doug Crockett, June 27, 1975
Benjamin Ring began teaching in the Philosophy Department at the University of North Dakota in 1962.
Ring reported that the American school system ignores two kinds of students: the brightest and the least intelligent. He believed that the smart people should be taken care of, and this belief encouraged him to look for a job in an institution with an honors program.
He was appointed to the Honors Committee soon after arriving at the university. At that time many of the older faculty saw their job as civilizing the students from rural areas. The North Dakota work ethic would take students anywhere they wanted to go if they knew how to behave properly.
The Honors Program was started because many faculty members felt that no one really cared about learning, and a change was necessary. Some wanted the program to involve more work; others wanted to present an entirely new way of looking at things.
He recalled a letter written to President George Starcher in 1965. Some faculty members wrote to show Starcher that many people supported at a time when he was frustrated by entrenched Old Guard opposition. Ring was responsible for Starcher's receiving the Mikklejohn Award. This brought national recognition to UND for their stand on academic freedom. Ring also helped draft a statement that all kinds of speakers would be welcome at the university, but they had to be available to discuss their ideas and listen to opposing arguments.
Ring said he and Bob Branconier were the first two people in this area to decide the Vietnam War was a real disaster. Ring organized the first teach-in on Viet Nam. In 1969, he attended an institute run by student activists in California and left with a sense of oncoming disaster. What eventually happened was the Kent State massacre on May 4, 1970. Soon after the events at Kent State, students held a protest at the missile site at Nekoma, North Dakota, which was attended by over 2000 people.
Ring said a crucial problem for faculty is the tendency to forget they are always dealing with a new group of students who do not remember the same events. He said one of his best experiences has been seeing the success of the Honors Colloquium.
Interview: Audio Cassette Tape 465
Transcript: OGLMC 1213, Box 2, Folder 1
Browse by Item:
[Item 1: Camp Depression - Paul Benson and Raymond Rund],
[Item 2: Camp Depression - John Holodick, Ray Ness, and Ken Gulmon],
[Item 3: Camp Depression - Algot Johnson],
[Item 4: Camp Depression - Mel Johnson],
[Item 5: Camp Depression Interview - Ralph Johnson, Lawrence Johnson, O.A. Hove, Walt Styer, and Franklin Vecon],
[Item 6: Agnes Geelan],
[Item 7: Leroy Goodwater and Hilda Goodwater],
[Item 8: Harold Groth and Grace Groth],
[Item 9: UND History Department Faculty - John Parker, Elwyn B. Robinson, Robert Wilkins, and Louis Geiger],
[Item 10: Elsie Brown],
[Item 11: Marian Meyers],
[Item 12: Frank Kelly],
[Item 13: Merle Kidder],
[Item 14: William Koenker],
[Item 15: William Koenker],
[Item 16: Soren Kolstoe],
[Item 17: Charles Libby and Margaret Libby Barr],
[Item 18: Henry Martinson],
[Item 19: Henry Martinson],
[Item 20: S.W. Melzer],
[Item 21: Ken Porter],
[Item 22: Benjamin Ring],
[Item 23: Elwyn and Eva Robinson],
[Item 24: Clarence Sande],
[Item 25: Gerald Skogley],
[Item 26: O.A. Stevens],
[Item 27: Robert Wilkins],
[Item 28: John R. Salter, Jr.],
[Item 29: John R. Salter, Jr.],
[All]