Philip T. Parkerson, a historian and retired U.S. Foreign Service official, begins by discussing his early life in Eastman, Georgia, U.S. Navy service during the Vietnam War, and education at the University of Georgia. Parkerson joined the U.S.…
Thai Le, from Lawrenceville, GA, served active duty in the Marine Corps for four years. He deployed twice, once on a tour of the Black Sea and the other to Okinawa, Japan. In this interview, Le discusses his experiences as a Marine, including boot…
Magill discusses his early life in Athens and working on UGA’s athletic fields before enrolling at the University and graduating with a degree in journalism in 1942. He remembers working at the Atlanta Journal newspaper covering sports, the Sports…
Magill remembers Athens and the University of Georgia while he was a student there in the late 1930s and early 1940s, particularly the University’s cavalry and the locations of its athletic fields. He discusses how UGA became the semi-permanent host…
Trippi reflects upon growing up in a Pennsylvania coal mining community during the Great Depression and the way it motivated him to pursue education and professional athletics. He discusses accepting an offer from UGA to play football and his…
Chaffin remembers growing up in Toccoa and details his undergraduate experiences at UGA in the late 1930s, particularly the campus buildings, campus politics between fraternity members and independents, campus traditions like freshman hazing and…
Early discusses growing up in Atlanta and the influence her parents had on her pursuing music education professionally. She talks about attending Clark College and teaching music in Atlanta Public Schools before deciding to pursue a master’s degree…
Anderson recalls growing up in Decatur and his early interest in sports journalism, which he initially pursued at UGA. He discusses his shifting interest toward broadcast journalism, his work as a DJ in Athens and Commerce, and his move to Nashville…
Davis reflects upon artists who influenced his drawing style and his early experiences drawing for his high school newspaper and yearbook. He recalls his tenure in the Navy during World War II and attending UGA after the war, including his…
Young discusses his early life in Cedartown, Georgia and his experiences at UGA in the early 1960s, particularly as a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. He talks about his career as a newspaper editor and publisher for newspapers around the state…
Christine Packwood interviews Athens native Virginia Schultz. Schultz talks about her experience growing up in Normaltown in the 1930s and 1940s, working for the University of Georgia and General Motors, her family, and her religious…
Henry "Dink" NeSmith interviews his mother, Marjorie NeSmith, about her early life, living in Putney, Georgia, and later in Baker County. Marjorie talks about being in college at Georgia Southwestern State University when the US entered World War II,…
Jan Levinson interviews Adam Hebbard about early life, growing up in various locations throughout the Southeast and in Australia. Topics include Hebbard's parents' backgrounds, family vacations, holidays, and Hebbard's relationship with his siblings.…
Rayna Carter, age 9, interviews her parents, Raymond and Litashia Carter, about her birth and their family. This interview is part of the Georgia Narratives series.
Yancey Gulley and Corey Johnson discuss the development of their relationship over the past decade, finding a balance between career and family, and their community involvement and activism in Athens. This interview is part of the Georgia Narratives…
April King and Jake Mosley discuss their relationship, from meeting at a Drive-By Truckers show at the 40 Watt Club to their upcoming nuptials in South Carolina. This interview is part of the Georgia Narratives series.
Jenniffer Jones interviews her mother, Dawn Bennett-Alexander, about first loves, how relationships change and grow, and "the gender of love." This interview is part of the Georgia Narratives series.
Lauren Griffith interviews Dr. Bruce Allen, Honorary Consul of Liechtenstein to the South, about his early life, his family, his interest in foreign service, his memories of UGA (including the Snack Shack), and the role of public diplomacy. This…
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…
Fannie Jordan discusses being born in Athens on Hull Street in 1922 and subsequently moving to Church Street, Finley Street, and Hancock Street. She reflects on playing basketball in school and attending a two-story school on Finley and Reese Street.…
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…
Hans Neuhauser discusses his early life and his decision to attend the University of Georgia in 1964. He recalls his decision to work with the Coastal Plains Conservancy in Savannah in 1972 and explains what sparked his interest in the Georgia coast.…
Bennie Tillman discusses his early life, family, education, and career. He recalls working for contractor J.W. Davis, Snelling Dining Commons, and for St. Mary’s Hospital as a cook. Tillman reflects on living in Rocksprings, raising and keeping…
Louis Boyd interviews Jill Clement. Clement talks about her early life in Massachusetts and her decision to attend Piedmont College in Demorest, Ga., where she met her husband, Charles Clement (see FPP -0020). Clement discusses her decades of…
Louis Boyd interviews Dr. Charles Clement. Clement discusses the background of his family, who settled in Indian territory in Oklahoma before moving west to Moscow, Idaho. He talks about his father's experience in a one-room school house where he…
Reverend Charlie Cook was born in Greer, South Carolina. As a child, Cook’s family moved around the southeast, which resulted in Cook’s exposure to different churches. Cook preached as a pastor at Wilson Presbyterian Church, Washington Presbyterian…
Raleigh Saperstein talks about her involvement with the farming and local food scene in Athens, including her work with the Athens Farmers Market and Wholesome Wave outreach. This interview is part of the Georgia Narratives series.
Kai Reidl talks about the music scene in downtown Athens, including Hot Corner and the Slingshot Festival. He also discusses economic development, collaboration, and the community. This interview is part of the Georgia Narratives series.
Jacob Kennedy describes his experience as an undergraduate at the University of Georgia, including his developing interest in music and seeing shows downtown. This interview is part of the Georgia Narratives series.
Christina Cotsakis talks about how her study abroad experience in Costa Rica changed her outlook on her life and studies. This interview is part of the Georgia Narratives series.
Paul Van Wicklen talks about his career with UGA Libraries, starting in periodicals, then becoming a stacks supervisor, and finally moving to the new Special Collections Library. He talks about his mentors and other staff at the library. He also…
Emogene Williams talks with her daughter Avis about her early life and family, growing up during the Great Depression in Covington, Georgia. She talks about what life was like for African Americans in rural Georgia, describing her memories of the KKK…
Edel Benson was born in 1921 in Athens, Georgia. Benson attended Athens High School and the University of Georgia. He served as a Second Lieutenant over the 48th fighters squadron in WWII. In this interview, Benson talks about his time in Europe and…
Claude Williams was born in Tifton, Georgia in 1922. He graduated from North Georgia College in 1942 and from the University of Georgia in 1944. Williams served in the European theater of WWII, after which he obtained a journalism degree from the…
Phillip Pollock was born in Joliet, Illinois in 1923. Pollock was drafted into the Army in 1943, where he began his infantry combat career in the European Theater of World War II. Upon his return home, Pollock earned both an undergraduate and…
Duard Baxter was born in Madison County, Georgia in 1924. After graduating high school, Baxter volunteered for the Marine Corps, serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII under the 6th Marine Division. Upon his return to the United States, Baxter…
Conulus Scott was born in Madison County, Georgia in 1920. He farmed and worked at a sugar mill before being drafted by the military in 1942. He served in the Medical Corps in Europe during the war. After the war, he became a plumber and continued to…
Thurman talks about his experience growing up as black kid in Panoramic City, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. He talks about riding VMX dirt bikes with his older brother. Thurman talks about his process of becoming race conscious while…
Dorothy Partridge is an educator and one of the participants in the earliest teacher workshops offered by Foxfire founder, Eliot Wigginton. She talks about that experience and the Foxfire model as a whole. This interview is part of the Georgia…
In this interview, Dawn Bennett-Alexander talks about her work in order to attend the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the importance of the convention to her, and her experience at the DNC. This interview is part of the Georgia Narratives…
Mike Wharton has worked for the Athens-Clarke County Government in the Leisure Services Department for approximately 30 years. In this interview, Wharton talks about the construction and planning of Beech Haven Park, future plans for the park, the…
Jack Rowland was born in 1926 Cochran, Georgia; Alice Rowland was born in 1962 in Athens, Georgia. The Rowland family owned the property called Beech Haven, which would later be bought for Beech Haven Park located in Athens, Georgia. In this…
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,…
Katherine Ross was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1924. She frequently visited Beech Haven of Athens, Georgia while growing up. Ross is the granddaughter of Charles Rowland, who owned the Beech Haven property. In this interview, Ross talks about the…
Blake Aued was born in Kentucky and grew up in Alpharetta and Birmingham, Alabama. He attended the University of Mississippi, graduating with a degree in journalism. Aued worked at the Daily Tribune News in Cartersville, Georgia, before becoming a…
Lorie J. Smith was born in Atlanta. She attended the University of Georgia and Georgia State University before entering Democratic politics. Smith has worked, campaigned, and consulted for prominent Georgia Democrats such as former U.S.…
DuBose Porter was born October 2, 1953, in Dublin, Georgia. He attended Davidson College and received a bachelor’s degree in English. He interned in Washington, D.C., with Senator Sam Nunn before attending the Cumberland Law School at Samford…
Jerry Keen was born and raised in metro Atlanta. Keen attended Mercer University in Macon and Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. He has worked as a financial management professional. A past Chair of the Georgia Christian Coalition and Director of…
David Worley was born in Germany and grew up in Griffin and Jonesboro. He graduated from Harvard University in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in government. Worley worked for U.S. Representatives Dawson Mathis and Elliott Levitas in 1980. He earned…
Bryan Long was born and raised in Troy, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and American Studies. He worked as a writer and editor at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, CNN, and the Atlanta…
Keith W. Mason was born in Snellville, Georgia, on September 20, 1960. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia and University of Georgia School of Law. Mason, a Democrat, began his career in politics working for Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller…
Molly Dye Franklin was raised between Waynesboro and Augusta. She earned her bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandizing from the University of Georgia in 1980 before earning a certification in executive secretarial protocol from Katherine Gibbs…
James C. Cobb was born and raised in Hartwell, Georgia. A “Triple Dawg,” Cobb earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at the University of Georgia. A historian, Cobb has held numerous teaching positions around the country, and he is the…
John H. (Jack) Kingston was born on April 24, 1955 in Bryan, Texas. His family relocated to Athens, Georgia, after his father, Dr. Albert Kingston, joined the University of Georgia faculty. Kingston attended the University of Georgia where he earned…
Greg Bluestein is a political reporter at the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, covering local, state, and national politics. His work can be accessed in the print version of the AJC, the Political Insider blog, and the Politically Georgia subscription…
Blake Aued is the news editor for Flagpole Magazine in Athens, GA. He writes the weekly 'City Dope' column for Flagpole. He was also a writer at the Athens-Banner Herald, and is a regular contributor to WUGA's Athens News Matters with Alexia…
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…
Max Blau was born in Evanston, Illinois, and grew up on Chicago’s North Side. He is a graduate of Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Illinois), Emory University, and the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Blau began…
M.V. (Trey) Hood III was raised in Waco, Texas. A political scientist, Hood earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, master’s degree from Baylor University, and a doctorate from Texas Tech University. He was a visiting professor of…
J.A. (Sonny) Dixon was born in Savannah on August 5, 1952. He grew up in Savannah and attended the University of Florida. He served two terms as mayor of the Garden City, Georgia and five terms in the Georgia House of Representatives. Dixon retired…
Christopher M. (Chris) Carr was born on February 8, 1972 in Lansing, Michigan. He relocated to Georgia with his family in 1978. Carr is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Terry School of Business and School of Law. Carr worked for Georgia…
Jeff DiSantis was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in various locations around the country while his father served in the military. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a J.D. from the Emory University School of Law.…
Lea Agnew was born in Atlanta and grew up in southwest Atlanta. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia’s Grady School of Journalism. Agnew became active in politics during the 1968 presidential elections, and she eventually…
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…
William Bonner interviewed by Hal Henderson. Topics include Growing up in Lavonia with Ernest Vandiver, Vandiver as a student, and Vandiver’s upbringing and childhood.
Brian S. Wills interviews Dean Rusk. Rusk discusses his first contact with D.W. Brooks, Gold Kist and foreign governments, Rusk's personal relationship with D.W. Brooks.
Cedric Huff (Amun-Ra), born in Athens, Georgia, is an influential member of the Athens hip-hop scene. He began recording music at age 14 and was introduced to the industry early. In his interview, he discusses musical influences, growing up in…
Clinton Maxwell, a Georgia Native and child of a veteran, served in the Army from 1995 to 2016. He worked many technology and communications-based positions and deployed to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. He shares his stories from all around the…
Benita Gladney is a music teacher in Chicago, Illinois. Gladney describes her path to teaching, her early experiences, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She describes proud moments, her teaching style, and experience in mentorship.
Eunice Kang is an orchestra director at Clarke Central High School and Clarke Middle School in Athens, Georgia. Eunice Kang discusses her path to teaching, what keeps her in the profession, and what factors lead some teachers to leave. She describes…
Mary Frances Early is a music teacher in Georgia and was the first African American to graduate from the University of Georgia. Early discusses her path to teaching, her early teaching experiences, why she stayed in the profession for so long, and…
Laura Stanley is a band director at Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia. Stanley discusses why she became a teacher, the rewards and challenges of teaching, and hopeful moments. She also talks about motivating her students and mentorship.
William Kilgore is a band director at West Jackson Middle School in Jefferson, Georgia. Kilgore discusses his path to teaching, administration obligations, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. He describes his teaching style, how he motivates…
Teresa Granger is a music teacher at Rocky Branch Elementary School in Bogart, Georgia. Granger discusses her path to teaching, her early teaching experiences, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She describes hopeful and funny moments, her…
Tiffany English is a music teacher at Sugar Hill Elementary School in Sugar Hill, Georgia. English discusses why she became a teacher, what keeps her in the profession, and what factors lead some teachers to leave. She describes funny moments, how…
Katie Williams is a choral director at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, Georgia. Williams discusses her path to teaching, her music education, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She also describes her teaching style, learning from…
Jessica Lawson is a music teacher at Northport Elementary School in Northport, Alabama. Lawson discusses her path to teaching, challenging moments, hopeful moments, and her teaching approach. She also talks about motivating her students by…
Mary Land is a Professor of Music at Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia. Land discusses why she became a teacher, why she moved from teaching middle school to teaching music education in college, and what factors lead some teachers to…
Erma Davis is a music teacher at Snellville Middle School in Snellville, Georgia. Davis discusses her early teaching experiences, the rewards and challenges of teaching, and how she overcame those challenges. She talks about her teaching approaches,…
Carla Jackson is a music teacher at Roopville Elementary School in Roopville, Georgia. Jackson discusses why she became a teacher, the importance of connecting with students, and her approaches to teaching. She also describes the rewards and…
Zandra Bell-McRoy is a band director at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Bell-McRoy discusses the demographics of the school, the school’s band program, and her path to teaching music. She also talks about her teacher training, why…
Kevin Hays is a music teacher at South Hart Elementary School in Hartwell, Georgia. Hays discusses why he became a music teacher, why some teachers quit, and proud moments. He also describes his influences and how he motivates his students with pop…
Chelsea Rhoades is a choral director at North Paulding High School in Dallas, Georgia. Rhoades discusses the demographics of the school, her path to teaching, and the highs and lows she’s experienced in the profession. She talks about how she…
Joya Harris is a music teacher at Alcova Elementary School in Dacula, Georgia. Harris discusses her path to teaching, the importance of connecting with students, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She describes music as an outlet for…
