Interviews

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

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John Knoepfle - World War II

Naval small boat officer discusses landing Marines on Iwo Jima and his injury

Terry Knox - Vietnam War

Light tank driver seeing combat near the DMZ in South Vietman

Jennifer Kolar-Burden - Alternatives in Education

Teacher and curriculum coordinator for the on-line Illinois Virtual School.

Peg Kopec - IHSA

St. Francis HS volleyball coach for over 40 years.

Helen Koser - World War II

English war bride and WW II blitz survivor

Mary Ann Koucky - World War II

Young American girl held prisoner by Japanese in the Philippines

Harold John Kraut - Modern Era

Calhoun County farmer, WW II Navy veteran and Soil Conservation Service employee during his over 100 years

Edward L Krolak - Community College Project

A career teacher discusses the early history of Illinois Valley Community College.

Philip S Krone - General Interest -Statecraft

Illinois political consultant from the late 1960s thru the early 2000s

Teresa Kruger - Civics Education

Experiences teaching Civics and serving as a Civics Trainer for Boone-Winnebago Counties

Daniel Krumrei - Gulf War

IL Adjutant General who spent a career as a minister and Army chaplain

Daniel K Krumrei - People of Faith

A career Christian Church-Disciples of Christ minister and Army National Guard chaplain

Linda Kull - Modern Era

Soybean research at National Soybean Research Center, U of Illinois.

Bob Kustra - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Governor Jim Edgar's lieutenant governor (1991-1999)

Kazimir Ladny - Immigrant Stories

Polish soldier and World War II emigrates to the U.S.

Kazimir Ladny - World War II

WW II Polish soldier in Russian & German POW camps

Joseph LaHood - Vietnam War

Vietnam veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps. Marine Corps supply specialist during the Vietnam War

Alice Lain - World War II

Typist for the Women's Navy Reserves

Lloyd Lain - World War II

Petty Officer on board the U.S.S. Tebenna in the Pacific Theater

Bill Lair - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Personal friend of Jim and Brenda Edgar and Managing Editor of the Mattoon Journal-Gazette

John Lalor - IHSA

Alden-Hebron High School's coach for eight-man football.

Dr. Patrick Lam - Immigrant Stories

Vietnamese boat person who fled his native land in 1979.

Patrick Lam - Tumultuous 2020

Former director of assisted living facility discusses impact of COVID-19 pandemic

Patrick Lam - Vietnam War

Vietnamese boat person who left that country in 1979 when 7 years old

Paul Lambert - Vietnam War

Marine who patrolled extensively in Quang Ngai province in 1969-70

Thomas Lamont - War On Terror

Civil Affairs officer with service both in Bosnia and Iraq

Tom Lamont - Obama in Illinois

Asst. Secretary of the Army during the Barack Obama administration

Carol Lampard - Educational Reform Act 1985

Democratic Caucus staff member's memories of Educational Reform Act of 1985.

Matthew Landrus - Community College Project

English teacher at Lake Land College discusses the Community College's history.

Samuel Lanford - World War II

Korean War veteran who recalls life on the home front during World War II

Louis 'Lou' Lang - General Interest -Statecraft

IL House Democratic leader discusses the Gov. Blagojevich impeachment

Sonia Lang - Immigrant Stories

Greek immigrant describes her childhood in Crete and life as an American soldier's wife.

Greg Langan - Ronald Reagan In Dixon

A native of Dixon who is active in historical preservation and promotion.

Ralph Langenheim - World War II

U.S. Naval officer on board LCI ships in Europe

Ossie Langfelder - Immigrant Stories

Austrian immigrant of Jewish descent whose family came to the United States prior to WW II.

Kay Langston - Community College Project

History of Triton College in River Grove, Illinois.

Keith Larson - Korean War

Navy seaman assigned to an LST during the Korean War

Michael Latting - Modern Era

Discussion as a farmer and Rodeo promoter in Illinois.

William (Bill) F. Laude - IHSA

High School sports official reflects on officiating football, basketball and baseball.

Bonnie Laughlin-Schultz - Civics Education

History/Social Studies Teaching Coordinator at Eastern Illinois University.

Mike Lawrence - Journalists View

Life-long journalist and Jim Edgar's Press Secretary from 1987 to 1997

Mike Lawrence - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Life-long journalist and Jim Edgar's Press Secretary from 1987 to 1997

Helen Lawton - Ronald Reagan In Dixon

A native of Dixon, Illinois who attended the Presidential Inauguration of Ronald Reagan.

Edward Layden - World War II

Worked alongside German POWs on his family's farm

Tom Layzell - Higher Education

Former Executive Director/Chancellor of the Board of Governors discusses his years in higher ed.

Jason Leahy - Public School Funding

Executive Director of the IL Principal's Association discusses school funding.

Mary Lee Leahy - Governor Dan Walker Project

An attorney's involvement in the Dan Walker administration and in landmark Supreme Court cases

Mary Lee Leahy - General Interest -Statecraft

An attorney's involvement in the Dan Walker administration and in landmark Supreme Court cases.

Dr. Margaret Lee - Community College Project

President of Oakton Community College traces the school's history.

Dr. Margaret Lehner - Community College Project

History of Moraine Valley Community College.

Gary Leib - Korean War

Assigned to the USS Boxer, an Essex class aircraft carrier

Jack Leininger - Vietnam War

Army aviator an Medivac pilot during the Vietnam War

Robert Leininger - School District Reorganization

Illinois State Superintendent from 1988 to 1994 discusses school reorganizations.

Wade Lemons - Vietnam War

A non-commissioned officer remembers his experiences during the Vietnam War

Kristin Lems - ERA Fight in Illinois

Folksinger for the ERA movement in the 1970s, 1980s and today

Robert Lenz - Public School Funding

A discussion on school funding and the Committee for Educational Rights v Edgar lawsuit.

Jose Lera - Immigrant Stories

Immigrant from Venezuela who settled in Florida in mid-1990s.

Yeni Carolina Lera - Immigrant Stories

Growing up in Venezuela and immigrating to the U.S. in 1995.

Melvin Lester - Cold War Era

Air Force veteran during Cuban Missile Crisis and in Vietnam

Elizabeth Levin - IHSA

Journalism teacher discusses the IHSA's journalism competitions.

Ann Lewis - Ronald Reagan In Dixon

Executive Director of the IL Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission discusses centennial events

Charlotte Lewis - Girls Basketball

IL State University basketball star, Olympian and professional basketball player.

Doris Reynolds Lewis - Delta Sigma Theta

A retired teacher and charter member of Springfield Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta

James A 'Jim' Lewis - Civil Rights Stories

A former U S Attorney in Springfield, IL and Civil Rights Activist

Gay Lewison - Korean War

Army infantryman during first year of brutal combat during Korean War

Senator Kimberly Lightford - Educational Reform Act 1985

Illinois State Senator discusses the legacy of the 1985 Educational Reform Act.

Paul Lingenfelter - Higher Education

Former IBHE Dept. Dir. for Fiscal Affairs discusses budgeting and funding models.

Jenna Link - Tumultuous 2020

Administrator for the Warren County Health Department

Brian Liska - IHSA

East Aurora High School band director discusses music competitions.

Jim Livengood - Girls Basketball

Director of Athletics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale form 1985 to 1987.

Tom Livingston - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Travel aide, scheduler, then advisor on the policy staff for Governor Jim Edgar

Frank J. Llano - Educational Reform Act 1985

Educational reform from the perspective of Gov. Thompson's Education staff and State Board of Education.

Arlyn Lober - World War II

11th Armored Division tanker's experiences at the Bulge and Central Europe

Maureen Lober - World War II

Home front memories of World War II and VJ Day in San Francisco

Charles Lockhart - Springfield African-American History Foundation

Veteran, factory worker, first black uniformed police officer in Springfield

Richard Lockhart - World War II

Infantryman in 106th IN Div captured during Battle of the Bulge

Richard Lockhart - General Interest -Statecraft

Lockhart discusses his over 50 years as a lobbyist in Springfield

Ruth Lockhart - World War II

A 'Rosy the Riveter' during WWII

Mary Loken - People of Faith

Long-time member of Luther Memorial Church discusses the congregation's history.

Ann Lousin - Obama in Illinois

Law professor at the John Marshall Law School

Ann Lousin - Pension Crisis in Illinois

Renowned expert on 1970 state Constitution discusses IL pension crisis

Ann Lousin - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Chair of Civil Service Commission during Gov. Thompson administration

Ann Lousin - General Interest -Statecraft

Research Assistant at 1970 Constitutional Convention & Civil Service Commission during Gov. Thompson administration

Alan Lowe - Historians Speak

Former director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum discusses its founding.

Richard Lowe - World War II

Farmer, World War II veteran and career ag teacher shares his insights

Dave Luechtefeld - Obama in Illinois

IL State Senator and colleague of Barack Obama

Dave Luechtefeld - Legislators Project

A career teacher and coach becomes successful IL State Senator

Dave Luechtefeld - General Interest-Education is Key

Accomplishments of a career teacher and coach at Okawville High School

Dave Luechtefeld - Modern Era

Growing up on a southern Illinois dairy farm in 1940s & '50s

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.



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