Interview no. 682

Interviewee

Joseph M. Ray

Interviewer

Oscar J. Martínez and Sarah E. John

Project

History of the University

Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee

Born in Kentucky; received a B.A ., M. A. and PH. D. in Political Science from the University of Texas, the latter in 1937; President of Texas Western College - U. T. EL Paso, 1960-1968; Professor Emeritus of Political Science.

Summary of Interview

Tape I, pp. 1-32: First impressions of Texas Western College; how he first came to El Paso as a hitchhiker in 1927; how he entered the University of Texas in 1928; employment experiences from 1937 until he came to Texas Western College in 1960; problems with the administration at Amarillo College concerning ethnic and fiscal policies; the El Paso business community; how he helped improve the academic standing of the institution; administrators he worked with during his presidency; the establishment of the H.Y. Benedict professorships; MexicanAmerican faculty on the campus.

Tape II, pp. 33-62: His rel ationship with Frank Erwin of the Board of Regents; more on his relationship with El Paso businessmen; TWC's involvement with the Second Peace Corps training program; Mission 73; the name change from Texas Western College to the University of Texas at El Paso.

Tape III, pp. 63-93: 1966 NCAA Basketball Championship team; black athletics at TWC; athletics; Sports Illustrated articles on the exploitation of black athletes; the building of the Sun Bowl; more on the name change of the university; how he raised funds for the Excellence Program. Tape IV, pp. 94-121: The acquisition of the Hoover House; the Faculty Senate; relations with the faculty; programs he would like to see carried on at UTEP, anecdotes involving faculty and students; his assessment of his tenure as President of TWC- UTEP.

Date of Interview

4-1981

Length of Interview

8 hours

Listen to the Interview

Click here

Tape Number

No. 682

Transcript Number

No. 682

Length of Transcript

121 pages

Interview Number

No. 682

Terms of Use

Unrestricted

Comments

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See also: Interview no. 750

Recommended Citation

Interview with Joseph M. Ray by Oscar J. Martínez and Sarah E. John, 1981, "Interview no. 682," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.