ASU Retirees Association (ASURA) Video History Project Interviews

Dr. J. Russell Nelson came to ASU in 1981 to be University President and he retired in 1989. He was born in Oregon but grew up in California and Utah. He received his PhD from UCLA and proceeded to teach at the University of Minnesota. He honed his administrative skills at the University of Colorado. When he arrived at ASU he was given the task of moving the university to a research university. In the interview he talks about the lack of teaching space and the effort required to reorient the faculties’ focus. Nelson spoke at length about several buildings, Hayden Library and the Nelson Fine Arts Center. There is discussion about getting around the Regents to get funding for the West Campus and the effort required to clean up the athletic department.

Charles Allen graduated from ASU in 1960; worked at KAET for four years; moved to Allentown PA; worked in Hollywood for 14 years; returned to KAET in 1980; and retired in 1995 as the third Director of KAET. His interview is divided into three videos: Early Years, ASC/U Years, and KAET Years. There are stories about the name change, the Tempe campus (size and faculty), Kay Gammage and Al Michaels. There are ten Hollywood stories many involving well know Hollywood personages. As Program Director of KAET, Allen recounts two memorable programs: the Supreme Court nomination hearings for Sandra Day O’Conner and the live coverage of an open heart surgery.