Interviews

Search more than 1,000 interviews in more than a dozen oral history collections. Search by collection name or interviewee name.

Take me back to the Oral History landing page.


David Luechtefeld - School District Reorganization

Career educator and Illinois State Legislator discusses school reorganization issues.

Dean Lynn - Korean War

Army tank crew member serving in Korea during the last year of the war

Naomi B Lynn - General Interest-Education is Key

President of Sangamon State University and Chancellor of University of Illinois at Springfield.

Laurie Mabry - Girls Basketball

Former women’s Athletic Director at ISU and president of the Assn for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women.

Gary MacDougal - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Head of Gov. Edgar's special task force on welfare reform

Eric Madiar - Pension Crisis in Illinois

A discussion of Illinois's long public pension history

Robert Maher - Community College Project

Legislative Assistant to Governor Otto Kerner when the Jr. College Act of 1965 was passed.

Senator Andrew Manar - Public School Funding

Sen. Manar discusses SB 1947, landmark school funding legislation.

Robert Mandeville - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Gov. Jim Thompson's budget director from 1977 to 1990

Michelle Mangan - Public School Funding

Concordia University professor discusses Illinois school funding.

Jay Mann - Civics Education

Director of School and Community Experiences at the University of Illinois.

Brent Manning - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Former Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (1991-2003)

Caroline Manock - Modern Era

Farming from a farm wife's perspective.

Ivan Maras - Korean War

Illinoisan assigned to Puerto Rico's 65th Inf Regiment during Korean War

Father Ronald Margherio - Alternatives in Education

Chaplain and former superintendent for St. Bede Academy in Peru, Illinois.

Carol Marin - Civics Education

Respected TV journalist discusses media literacy, ethics and challenges for journalists

Robert Marion - World War II

African-American quartermaster soldier who served in northern Europe

Andrea Markert - Alternatives in Education

Principal at University High School (UIS) discusses the Lab School.

Laura Marks - Looking for Lincoln

Looking for Lincoln in Jacksonville and evolution of the LOL Board of Directors.

Rabbi Barry Marks - People of Faith

Rabbi for the Temple Israel in Springfield, IL for 43 years.

Ron Marlow - Ronald Reagan In Dixon

Historian for the First Christian Church in Dixon talks about his research on the city and its connection to Ronald Reagan.

Gail Marquis - Girls Basketball

Member of the 1976 U.S. Woman’s Olympic Team and teammate and friend of Charlotte Lewis.

George Marquis - World War II

WW II Submariner on boat patrolling Japanese shipping lanes in the Pacific

Dr. Stephanie Marshall - Educational Reform Act 1985

First President of the IL Math Science Academy discusses its creation and development.

Sandra Martell - Tumultuous 2020

Winnebago County Health Department administrator details the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic

Bill Martin - Vietnam War

Artillery forward observer's service in Vietnam

Jason Martin - Civics Education

Professor of Journalism at DePaul University discusses civics education

Lynn Martin - Alternatives in Education

Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications for Elgin Academy.

Rayburn Martin - World War II

WW II Martin tells his experiences in medical supply, being wounded and postwar work.

Terry Martin - Community College Project

Long-time instructor discusses history of Kishwaukee College.

Thomas Martin - Modern Era

One of Illinois' Master Farmers, and an entrepreneur from Logan County

Tom Martin - Looking for Lincoln

Martin's involvement with Looking For Lincoln from its inception.

Jose Martinez - Immigrant Stories

Discussion of a Mexican migrant worker at Eckert's Orchard in Belleville, IL.

Jose Martinez - Modern Era

Discussion of a Mexican migrant worker at Eckert's Orchard in Belleville, IL.

Tessa Martinez - Tumultuous 2020

Non-profit worker shares her experience with employment instability and personal growth during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ralph Martire - Public School Funding

Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.

Ralph Martire - Pension Crisis in Illinois

Executive Director of Center for Tax & Budget Accountability discusses pension reform

Glenn Matthews - World War II

Matthews’ experiences in WW II in the Pacific & Japan

Glenn Matthews - Rochester

WW II veteran and contractor in the Rochester area for over fifty years

Wesley Matthews - World War II

Infantryman in the 99th Infantry Division in Europe

Barb Maue - IHSA

A life officiating high school volleyball in Illinois.

David Maurer - Historians Speak

Creator of Eastern Illinois Historic Administration Master’s Degree program discusses his career

Martin Mauricio - Immigrant Stories

Mexican immigrant and manager for the migrant labor force at Eckert’s Orchard in Belleville, IL.

Martin Mauricio - Modern Era

Manager for the migrant labor force at Eckert's Orchard in Belleville, IL.

Rep. Rita Mayfield - School District Reorganization

Rep. Mayfield's efforts to improve efficiency through school reorganization.

Judy McCann-Floeter - Tumultuous 2020

Elementary School principal describes impact of COVID-19 on the school

Gary McCants - General Interest -Statecraft

AME Presiding Elder who ministered to public congregations and within the halls of the IL Legislature

Gary McCants - Obama in Illinois

AME Presiding Elder who ministered to public congregations and within the halls of the IL Legislature

Gary McCants - People of Faith

AME Presiding Elder who ministered to public congregations and within the halls of the IL Legislature

Kevin McClain - Alternatives in Education

Parents' perspective on why they sent their children to a parochial school.

Keith McClow - Modern Era

Discussion of historic farm practices at the Kline Creek Farms.

Joseph McCormick - World War II

Quartermaster and interpreter with the Free French in the European Theater

Mike McCormick - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Personal Assistant to Governor Jim Edgar

Tom McCoy - Modern Era

Will County, Illinois grain and livestock farmer

Toby McDaniel - Rochester

Prominent Springfield journalist and Cold War era Navy veteran

Toby McDaniel - Cold War Era

Cold War era Navy veteran

Jess McDonald - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Director of the Department of MHDD and Director of DCFS for Governor Edgar

Max McGee - School District Reorganization

A former Illinois State Superintendent discusses school consolidation issues.

Travis Gillum and Lara McGlaughlin - IHPA legacy

Creators of Presidential Museum's historical figures discuss their art

Chris "Thor" McGovern - Tumultuous 2020

Thor role player discusses the importance of heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ron McGraw - IHSA

Former coach, athletic director, principal and IHSA administrator reflects on the IHSA.

Irene McGuire - Modern Era

A farm wife discusses the pain of loosing the family peach orchard.

T Ray McJunkins - People of Faith

Baptist pastor's ministry in Kansas, Texas and in Springfield, Illinois

Jim and Lenore McKenzie - Ronald Reagan In Dixon

The son and daughter-in-law of Ralph 'Mac' McKenzie, Ronald Reagan's football coach at Eureka College discuss Reagan's college years.

Donald McKinley - Modern Era

A central Illinois farmer and manager of an Agricultural Museum.

Bruce McMillan - Illinois State Museum

Director of the Illinois State Museum from 1977 to 2005.

DeLoyce McMurray - World War II

An African-American Marine, and veteran of WW II.

Robert McPeek - World War II

Service with the U.S. Coast Guard in immediate post-WW II era

Wendell Meeks - Family Memories

Growing up African-American in small town southern Illinois.

Donald Meier - Korean War

Korean War veteran who spent his tour on a small island off the coast of North Korea

Dave Meister - School District Reorganization

The director of the state's first Cooperative High School since 2009.

Isaac Mercer - Korean War

African-American infantryman with 45th Division during the Korea War

Francis Merkley - World War II

Army truck driver who served both in Persia and China-Burma-India

Marvin Merriweather - Tumultuous 2020

Licensed Clinical Social Worker shares his experience with the COVID-19 pandemic

Lisa Mestinsek - Tumultuous 2020

Lincoln, IL business owner details the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her small business

Sam Meteer - Modern Era

Son of a hog farmer becomes IL State FFA Vice President.

Dennis Metzger - Vietnam War

Conscientious objector during the Vietnam War who nevertheless spent five years in South Vietnam

John Metzger - Vietnam War

Chaplain's Assistant during the Vietnam War

Ron Michaelson - General Interest -Statecraft

Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Elections from 1976 to 2003

Stanley Mietus - IHSA

Thomas Kelly High boys' and girls' soccer coach discusses his teams' successes.

George Mihel - Community College Project

History of Sauk Valley Community College and IL Community Colleges in general.

Abner Mikva - Obama in Illinois

Legal counsel to Bill Clinton and mentor to Barack Obama

Judge Abner Mikva - Legislators Project

Independent Democrat who served IL legislature, then the U.S. House, finishing career as legal counsel to Pres. Bill Clinton

Gwyneth Milbrath - Tumultuous 2020

A clinical nursing professor details the impact of the pandemic on her university and her nursing career

Clarence Leroy 'Lee' Miller - Williamsville

Long-time resident, village president and township president for Williamsville

Grant Miller - Civics Education

Coordinator for Curriculum and Assessment at SIU-C discusses civics education

Jill Loeser and Jean Miller - Sangamon County

Descendants of Leonard Trainer discuss their ancestor's connection to the William Herndon home

Stephen Miller - Public School Funding

An auditor discusses his work as a school auditor in Illinois.

Sam Million - World War II

WW II Army veteran who was stationed at Sugamo Prison guarding Japanese war criminals in 1947

Richard Mills - Korean War

Counter-Intelligence soldier during Korean War

Newton Minow - General Interest -Statecraft

Former FCC chair for Pres. Kennedy and friend and mentor to Barack Obama

Newton Minow - Obama in Illinois

Former FCC chair for Pres. Kennedy and friend and mentor to Barack Obama

Robert Mitchler - Legislators Project

Republican Illinois State Senator from 1965 through 1980

Robert Mitchler - World War II

Navy chief petty officer (yeoman) during both World War II and the Korean War

Robert Mitchler - Korean War

Navy chief petty officer (yeoman) during both World War II and the Korean War

Julie Cellini, Bob Coomer, and Susan Mogerman - IHPA legacy

A talk with three of the prime movers behind the creation of the Presidential Library and Museum

Susan Mogerman - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Assistant Press Secretary for Gov. Jim Thompson administration

Susan Mogerman - IHPA legacy

The IHPA Director from 1991 thru 2002, and key player in creation of ALPLM

Michael Monaghan - Pension Crisis in Illinois

Ex. Director of the IL Community College Trustees Assn shares his views on IL pension crisis

Mike Monaghan - Community College Project

Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association.



Social Links