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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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

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.

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.

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

Ruth Lockhart - World War II

A 'Rosy the Riveter' during WWII

Ann Lousin - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Chair of 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 - 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

Robert Maher - Community College Project

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

Robert Mandeville - Governor Jim Thompson Project

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Susan Mogerman - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Assistant Press Secretary for Gov. Jim Thompson administration

Mike Monaghan - Community College Project

Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association.

Billie Moore - Girls Basketball

Former women’s basketball coach for California State-Fullerton, 1976 Olympic Games, and UCLA.

Carl "Bud" Moore - Rochester

A resident of Rochester, IL and a community historian

Dr. Susie Morrison - Educational Reform Act 1985

State Board of Education and North Central Director discusses the 1985 Educational Reform Act



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