Brian S. Wills interviews D.W. Brooks. Topics include Brooks’ ancestors’ involvement in the Civil War, his early life, his siblings, his work ethic and schedule, and his father’s political views.
Brian S. Wills interviews D.W. Brooks. Topics include the Gold Kist philosophy, technology in broilers, the resurrection of the peanut industry, and Brooks’ mother’s philanthropy.
Brian S. Wills interviews D.W. Brooks. Topics include Brooks’ childhood in Royston, Georgia, his father, his educational background, his views on education and teaching, his conversion to Methodism, the beginning of his co-ops with farmers, and the…
Path to Economic War: Side A: post WWII background of upcoming economic war, plans for Germany, competing interests among occupying powers, international law. Side B: dynamics of Soviet leadership, relations between US and USSR, classical musicians,…
Side A: Escape from Rangoon; living in Calcutta; maintaining liaison to the Burmese government while in exile. Side B: Ph.D. research in India (non-violence philosophy); stay in Calcutta/Bombay; Indian desk assignment in D.C.
Side A: Wedding in Rangoon, 1941; Faith's odyssey to reunite with Dr. Hillenbrand. in Mozambique. Side B: Courtship of Faith, discussions between Faith and Dr. Hillenbrand; her evacuation from Rangoon.
April 6: Morals; background on Power and Morals. April 17: Morality in the modern world. Dr. Hillenbrand's experience with morality and power as a diplomat: Burma stay, running amuck, non-violence practitioners in India.
Dr. Martin J. Hillenbrand interviewed by John Stark. Hillenbrand discusses Eastern Europe and Russia, and the influence of Russian culture on Eastern European countries, the transition from imperial Russia to Soviet Russia in the early twentieth…
Dr. Martin J. Hillenbrand interviewed by John Stark. Hillenbrand discusses his involvement with the Center for East-West Trade at UGA, including the origins of the center and Hillenbrand and Bertsch's motivations for founding the center, the focus on…
Dr. Martin Hillenbrand interviewed by John Stark. Hillenbrand discusses the rebuilding of Germany, post-WWII, and the move towards German unification, including the differences between West German Chancellors Willy Brandt and Konrad Adenauer, the…
Dr. Martin Hillenbrand interviewed by John Stark. Hillenbrand discusses the European Union, the economic impacts of European colonialism, and post-World War II Europe. He talks about Winston Churchill, his impact on Great Britain, and his speeches.…
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…
Daniel Parshely was a project manager for the Glynn Environmental Coalition. In this interview he discusses the Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund Site. He describes the pollution of the site and outlines the cleanup and waste containment history.…
Virginia Gunn was a prominent television personality in Atlanta before she moved to St. Simons, Georgia where she worked to protect sea turtles. Gunn started the nonprofit Save the Beach and successfully ran for County Commissioner in order to…
In an addendum to an earlier interview, Thomason discusses the work of Virginia Gunn to prevent beach renourishment at St. Simons Island. She describes Gunns’ work as County Commissioner and as president of Save the Beaches.
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…
Larry Caldwell grew up in Springhill, Georgia during the era of segregation. He served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and when he returned, attended Griffin Technical Institute before he attained employment at General Motors. In this…
Howard Wallace grew up in the 1930s in Griffin, Georgia. As a young adult, Wallace joined the Biracial Committee where he worked on the integration process of Griffin. In this interview, Wallace talks about his upbringing, the racial aspects of…
Harvey Pilkenton grew up in rural Griffin, Georgia in the 1950’s during desegregation. Pilkenton currently works with the Griffin Housing Authority. In this interview, Pilkenton talks about his experiences during desegregation, his family, and his…
Wyomia Tyus grew up in Griffin, Georgia where she attended Anne-Shockley Elementary School and Fairmont High School. She later attended Tennessee State University where she ran, and competed in the 1964 and 1968 Olympics. In this interview Tyus talks…
Love Maddox was born in Griffin, Georgia and served as one of the first African American policemen during the integration of the Griffin community police force. Throughout his career, Maddox also served in the city of Atlanta. In this interview,…
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.
Charles Palella is an elementary school music teacher in New York. Palella discusses why he became a teacher, his early teaching experiences, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. He describes his 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.
Timothy Adams, Sr. is a retired music teacher who began working in Georgia schools in 1959. He discusses his career influences, his passion for teaching, and his mentorship of students.
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…
Jeffrey Rowser is a band director at Morgan County High School in Madison, Georgia. Rowser discusses why he became a teacher, his music education, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. He describes music as a positive outlet for students,…
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…
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…
Bo Na is an orchestra teacher at North Gwinnett Middle School in Sugar Hill, Georgia. Na discusses her path to teaching, challenging and rewarding moments, and her teaching style. She also talks about influential teachers and motivating her students.
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…
Brenda Poss is a music teacher in Athens, Georgia. Poss discusses her path to teaching, her early teaching experiences, what keeps her in the profession, and what factors lead some teachers to leave. She also describes her favorite moments and her…
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…
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…
Phil Wilson is a music teacher at Ogletree Elementary School in Auburn, Alabama. Wilson discusses his early teaching experiences, the rewards and challenges of teaching, and his teaching approach. He also discusses professional development and…
Vicki Portis is a music specialist at Bluff Park Elementary School in Hoover, Alabama. Portis discusses her path to teaching, what keeps her in the profession, and what factors lead some teachers to quit. She describes funny moments and talks about…
Holly Seales is a music specialist at Rehobeth Elementary School in Dothan, Alabama. Seales discusses her path to teaching, the rewards and challenges of teaching, and making her class a comfortable experience for students. She also talks about…
Kelly Hollingsworth is a music specialist at Cary Woods Elementary School in Auburn, Alabama. Hollingsworth discusses her path to teaching, the curriculum, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She also recalls funny moments and talks about how…
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…
Katie Rogers is the Associate Band Director at Duluth High School in Duluth, Georgia. Rogers discusses her path to teaching and highlights specific moments of pride, challenge, and humor. She also discusses her teaching style, her role as both a…
Audrey Murphy is a band director at Hopewell Middle School in Milton, Georgia. Murphy discusses her path to teaching music, the requirements, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She also talks about proud moments and the importance of…
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,…
Judith Spears is a retired choral music teacher at Dacula High School in Dacula, Georgia. Spears discusses her music education, her path to teaching, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She talks about having her son as a student and also…
Angela Baddock is an orchestra director at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia. Baddock discusses her path to teaching music and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She also talks about making connections with students and other teachers.
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…
Luther Harris is a music teacher at Buford Middle School in Buford, Georgia. Harris discusses the demographics of the school, his workload, and his path to teaching. He also talks about rewards and challenges of teaching and recalls proud and…
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…
Angela McKee is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Kennesaw State University. In this interview, McKee discusses teaching elementary music classes in Rome, Georgia and Cartersville, Georgia. She also discusses student teaching and being a…
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…
Kelly Mraz is a music teacher at Head Elementary School in Lilburn, Georgia. Mraz discusses her career path, her experiences in the classroom, and the importance of working for a school system that values music education. She also discusses the…
Marcy Simmons is a music integrationist at Beecher Hills and West Manor Elementary Schools in Atlanta, Georgia. Simmons discusses her career path, the highs and lows of her work, and her approach to motivating students.
Victoria Knowles is a Music Specialist at Cloverleaf Elementary School in Bartow County, Georgia. Knowles discusses her work environment, her teaching style, and how she motivates her students. She also talks about staying connected with the…
Megan Endicott is the general music teacher at Dolvin Elementary School in Johns Creek, Georgia. Endicott discusses the rewards of teaching music as students make discoveries, as well as the challenges of working with difficult administrators. She…
Myra Rhoden is the Band Director and Fine Arts Department Chairperson at Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, Georgia. Dr. Rhoden discusses her career path, her proudest moments, and her approaches to teaching and mentorship. She also…
Jennifer Chambless is an elementary school music teacher in Chattahoochee, Georgia. In this interview, Chambless discusses her late journey into becoming an educator.
Craig Hurley is an elementary school music teacher in Cobb County, Georgia. In this interview, Hurley discusses his family’s long history of educators.
Mary McGowan is a music teacher at Adamson Middle School in Rex, Georgia. McGowan discusses her career path, her teaching style, why some choose to leave the profession, and shares some of her proudest moments.
Judith Beale is a Part-Time Music Instructor at Kennesaw State University who previously taught elementary music for 39 years. Beale discusses her years as a teacher, including the challenges and rewards that a music teacher faces. She also discusses…
Eric Williamson is a music teacher at PS32 in Brooklyn, New York. Williamson discusses his experience as a music teacher early in his career. He talks about his challenges and proud moments, and what keeps teachers in the profession and what factors…
Tanya Chanphanitpornkit is a high school orchestra teacher in Niagara, New York. Chanphanitpornkit discusses the diversity of her school, the challenges of teaching, and how she keeps her students engaged.
Laura Montanari is a music teacher at Growing Up Green Middle School in Long Island City, New York. Montanari describes her path to teaching, her proud moments and challenging moments, and mentoring.
Larrolyn Patterson Parms-Ford is a music teacher at Harlem Village Academy East Elementary in New York, New York. Parms-Ford discusses her experience as a new teacher, working with K-3 students, the challenges of teaching vs. student teaching, and…
Julia West is a music teacher in New York City. She discusses her experiences teaching in urban schools, both wealthy and low-income, in Dallas and New York. She talks about her path to teaching and the rewards and challenges of her work.
Vicky Orozco is a music teacher at the South Bronx Classical Charter School in Bronx, New York. Orozco discusses her path to teaching, her successes and challenges, and her hopes for the profession.
Daniel Brown is a music teacher in Rye, New York. Brown discusses his career path, the importance of his teacher training, and the highs and lows he’s experienced in the profession.
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…
Carolyn Akridge is a music specialist at Ivy Creek Elementary School in Buford, Georgia. Akridge discusses the demographic of the school and how she became a teacher. She also discusses her proud moments, personal challenges, and how she and the…
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…
Ashley Whelchel is a chorus, band, and musical theater teacher at North Hall High School in Gainesville, Georgia. Dr. Whelchel discusses her path to teaching, the demographics of the school, and the rewards and challenges of teaching.
Mandy Gunter is a music specialist at Burnette Elementary School in Suwanee, Georgia. Gunter discusses the diversity of the school, why she became a teacher, and what keeps teachers in the profession as well as what factors lead some teachers to…
Amanda Dodd is a music specialist at Lovin Elementary School in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Dodd discusses the demographics of the school, her path to teaching, challenging moments, and the rewards of teaching. She also recalls her funniest moments and…
Ariel Robins is a music specialist at Findley Oaks Elementary School in Johns Creek, Georgia. Robins discusses the demographics of the school, her path to teaching, and the difference between teaching in elementary and high school. She also talks…
Krissi Davis is an orchestra director at Grady High School in Atlanta, Georgia. Davis discusses the demographics of the school, why she became a teacher, and why some teachers quit. She also describes her motivations and pride in seeing students…
Ashley Drake is a guitar teacher at Duluth Middle School in Duluth, Georgia. Drake discusses the demographics of the school, her path to becoming a guitar teacher, and the challenges and rewards to teaching. She also talks about influences and…
Hayley Gallagher, now Hayley Atha, is an elementary music specialist and has been teaching in the Jackson County Schools for 14 years. She was selected as Teacher of the Year for her school for the 2021-2022 school year.
Growing up as the daughter of an Army Veteran, Jordan Goolsby enlisted in the Georgia National Guard after her first year at UGA. Goolsby explains the many effects that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on her service with the National Guard,…
Born and raised in Georgia, Patrick Testa attended the University of Georgia for his undergraduate degree where he studied International Relations. During his time as an undergraduate, he decided he wanted to join the Marine Corps after graduation…
Travis Parker George is a Georgia native whose interest in the military was sparked by a childhood trip to Pearl Harbor. After deciding to join the Army, George was sent to various training programs and eventually became a member of a selection-based…
Nicholas Sesing grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for his undergraduate degree. He notes that there were a variety of factors that influenced him to join the Marine Corps after his graduation and shares…
Reverend James Williams is the Church Historian for Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. He grew up in El Paso, Texas before moving to Elbert County, Georgia at age ten. In this interview, he focuses on his education. He compares his integrated school in…
Verna Miller Smith was born in 1946. She grew up on a family farm off Brooklyn road in Athens, Georgia. In this interview, she discusses her family history and describes the Brooklyn neighborhood which was historically African American. She…
Brenda Lopez Romero was born in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and immigrated to Georgia with her parents while she was a young child. As a first generation scholar, Romero recounts her experiences dealing with racism within public schools, university, and the…
Reverend James Williams is the Church Historian for Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. He grew up in El Paso, Texas before moving to Elbert County, Georgia at age ten. In this follow-up interview, he focuses on his time at the University of Georgia. He…
Tarik Camp, also known as Top Cat, was born in Athens, Georgia. His mother worked as a singer and his father as a DJ. Growing up, Camp worked as a D.J and music creator before he formed the band, Mascom. Camp currently has a wife and two daughters…
Gregory Jones was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. His first introduction to music was his mother’s records. Growing up and throughout adulthood, Jones left Athens many times before he eventually returned to work on his music. Jones served in the…
Pastor Nawanna Lewis Miller is Founding Chair and Leading Director of the Institute for Christian Discipleship, Inc. in Marietta, Georgia. She is a graduate of H.M. Turner High School in Atlanta, Georgia and one of the early African American…
Dr. Benjamin Rucker is a physician specializing in internal medicine in Augusta, Georgia. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 1975. Prior to medical school he attended Gainesville Junior College (now the University of…
Janis Ware is the publisher of The Atlanta Voice, a newspaper serving the city's African American community since 1966. She is also the Executive Director of SUMMECH Community Development Corporation, an organization that works to build affordable…
Kenneth Dious was born in Athens, Georgia and attended Athens-Clarke County public schools. After graduating from high school, he attended Savannah State College and later transferred to the University of Georgia. At UGA he earned a degree in…
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,…
William Hunter Bradford was born and raised in Colorado to parents who were both UGA graduates. After high school, Bradford decided to attend UGA and join the Georgia National Guard. After attending Basic Training and AIT (Advanced Individual…
Growing up as the child of Army parents, Joshua Cushing decided to join the Navy shortly after beginning college. Cushing discusses the ample training he was tasked with throughout his time in the Navy, but shares his disappointment that his platoon…
Born and raised in Suwanee, Georgia, Derek Huff followed in his grandfather’s footsteps by serving in the Marine Corps. He shares his experiences at boot camp in Parris Island, training as a Rifleman, and being deployed to countries such as Australia…
Brennan B. Sanders grew up in Georgia and followed in the footsteps of many of his family members when he decided to join the Navy. Sanders spent the majority of his Naval career patrolling international waters on submarines. He shares his underwater…
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…
Jeffrey Tapia is the former Executive Director of the Latin American Association (LAA) as well as the former Director of Hispanic Services at Catholic Social Services. Tapia has dedicated her life to serving the Latino community through outreach. In…
