ASU Retirees Association (ASURA) Video History Project Interviews

The Rio Salado Project began in the College of Architecture in the fall of 1966 when Dean James Elmore proposed to the studio faculty "Let's do something with the (Salt) River." This is a collection of videos describing the progress of the project since students presented their work over 50 years ago. The most prominent development is the Tempe Town Lake.

Robert (Coach) Fleming was Professor of Music, Associate Director of Bands, and Director of Marching Band from 1974-2002, Coach Fleming grew up in a music family playing the flute. He briefly taught in high school, before moving to the University of Tennessee at Martin where he was band director for seven years. The interview touches on numerous topics and stories including winning the Sudler Trophy, performing at the 1991 Midwest Band Orchestra Clinic, conducting at Carnegie Hall, both ASU Rose Bowl appearance, etc. The interview ends with various discussions of the importance of the Band as a family

James W. Elmore will always be remembered as the founding dean of the College of Architecture at Arizona State University. Jim’s original intent in coming to Phoenix in 1948 was to work as an architect for Guirey & Jones. Jim came to ASU in 1949 to a non-existent department at then Arizona State College. He nurtured the department into a nationally prominent design school in less than 20 years. Jim was also instrumental in the design and development of the Rio Salado Project. After retirement from ASU, he continued to promote his design for aerial (elevated) transit and a city for Phoenix and greater Phoenix area.

Jim is a native of Nebraska receiving his BA degree in architecture in 1938 from the University of Nebraska. After spending six years with the US Army Corp of Engineers, he went back to school on the GI Bill and received his Masters in Architecture from Columbia University. This interview has Jim telling us about his road to becoming an architect, to becoming a teacher, developing the College of Architecture and his continued community involvement after retirement.

Susan (Clouse) Dolbert is a former ASU employee who at the time of this interview, was working at Rutgers University. Susan has a long history with ASU starting off as a student for her undergraduate degree in Political Science/Latin American Studies. After graduation she went on to work in different positions within ASU, taking a brief break to work at Emory Riddle in Prescott. She returned to ASU and worked in Engineering before becoming the Director of Undergraduate Admissions. She completed her Masters degree in Communications with an emphasis on Organization Communications. She then went on to complete her PhD in Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Policy and Organizational Development. Her last position at ASU was as President and Director of the Alumni Association.

Susan left ASU to pursue a position as Head of Development at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. From there she became Head of Development at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, WA and then on to lead Rutgers Bio-American Health Sciences. Even though she is no longer physically at ASU, her heart will always beat as a Sun Devil!