ASU Retirees Association (ASURA) Video History Project Interviews

Video History interview with Ellamae Branstetter, College of Nursing. Ella discusses helping set up the Nursing program with two others in 1957 and later setting up the Master's Degree Program. Ella grew up in Oklahoma and eventually got her nursing BS degree in 1944. She worked as a nurse in various locations, including stints with Indian Services Hospital and Visiting Nurse Service in Arizona. She earned her Master’s Degree in 1957 and her PHD in 1967. During her tenure at ASU Ella taught classes, founded and was director of a clinic in Scottsdale, and one summer helped train Bolivian Peace Corps Volunteers. Ella felt strongly that nurses needed a broad education and she was a strong advocate of advanced broad learning for nurses

Joe Schabacker came to ASU in 1963 after being at the University of Wisconsin and UCLA. When he came to ASU, he was chair of the Management Department in the College of Business. Two years later he became the Vice President for Special Services at ASU. He was well known for his achievements in gymnastics. He was an administrator, professor, writer, management consultant and public speaker. He served as Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve for 33 years. He provided valuable guidance in the establishment of ASU West. One of the highlights of his career was when he was asked by President Durham at the last minute to speak to a large crowd of people who had come to ASU to hear Barry Goldwater (but Goldwater's plane was delayed) Joe then gave a speech as a substitute for Barry Goldwater. He served ASU for 25 years and retired in 1988.

Gary Krahenbuhl, Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences came to ASU in 1973 as an Assistant Professor of Physical Education and retired in 2003 as Senior Vice President of the University. In the interview Gary discusses the battles with U of A for funding and recognition, keeping the branch campuses under one roof, and several short stores about Lattie Coor and Jim Mayer. In addition much of the interview addresses directly and indirectly Gary’s philosophy of academic administrative leadership.