ASU Retirees Association (ASURA) Video History Project Interviews

Brent Brown, a faculty member of the School of Public Programs, served for many years as ASU's chief lobbyist. The interview covered a number of topics including: working to get ASU to be viewed as a player at the Legislature and Board of Regents, planning for West Campus, Downtown Campus, and Polytechnic Campus, the arrival of the NFL and becoming a Research 1 University.

Panel Discussion by J. Russell Nelson, Frank Sackton and Brent Brown on the history of ASU during the presidency of Russell Nelson, 1981 -- 1989. Recorded in February 2006. It was a wide ranging discussion including the birth of West Campus, the coming of the Cardinal football team, handling NCAA violations including protecting Jim Brock, moving the research agenda forward toward a Research 1 University.

Suzanne Steadman managed the Office of International Student Programs for her entire ASU career. She came to ASU in 1971 and retired in 2001. The interview addresses a wide range of issues associated with international students and how she addressed them. The common thread throughout the interview is Suzanne’s desire to help the students succeed, academically and personally. Part I discusses several pre-ASU experiences. Parts II & III discuss the work of the office and things done to help ensure student success. Part IV discusses the impact of nine world events on ASU and ASU students. Part V has six student related stories.

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

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.

Kristin Valentine came to ASU in 1976 and joined the Communication faculty in the Fine Arts College. She retired as professor of Human Communication in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication twenty-eight years later. Kristin describes what oral interpretation of literature is and the interview includes numerous examples of oral interp and how it enhanced the transfer of new ideas to an audience / community. The interview covers the creation of the School of Public Programs and the changing role of women at ASU. The interview ends with a discussion of the importance of community.

Brian Foster came to ASU in 1980 as Associate Professor of Anthropology. He became chair in 1982, then was Dean of the Graduate College from 1986 to 1994. He went on to the University of Nebraska as Dean of Arts and Sciences. He served as Provost at the University of New Mexico ( 2000 - 2005) and at the University of Missouri (2005 - 2014). He is Provost Emeritus and Professor of Anthropology Emeritus at the University of Missouri - Columbia. In the interview, Brian describes his early life and education in Dixon IL before entering college at age 28. Brian's varied University academic experiences bring a unique view of the current state of University education and particularly of the pioneering changes taking place at Arizona State University.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised in a small town in Indiana (Seymour, IN), Harold Fearon received his BA in Management and his MBA from Indiana University where he became interested in teaching as a career. After his military service, he went to Michigan State University where he received his PhD in Management with a dissertation titled “Purchasing Research in American Business”. His specialty was industrial purchasing.

Harold was invited to come to ASU to be part of the College of Business by a former professor from IU who had moved to ASU. He talks about how he promised to only stay 2 years and has been here close to 30! During his time at ASU he was chair of the Department of Management in the College of Business. He became chair of the Department of Purchasing, Transportation and Operation which he founded to support the increase in interest in the purchasing field. After his retirement, he established a research institute (the first institute located at the ASU Research Park) that was nationally supported called The Center for Advanced Purchasing Studies (CAPS). He also was the founder and first editor of the “Journal of Purchasing and Materials Management” which is still in publication today. In his spare time, he was co-founder of the Rio Salado Bank, a community bank in Tempe, about which he relates many funny events!

Troy Crowder received his undergraduate degree in journalism with a minor in education from the University of South Dakota. He received his masters degree in journalism from the University of Iowa. He began his college/university career serving in university relations at various college/universities across the nation. He came to ASU in 1970 and remained here until he retirement in 1986. He talks about many things in this interview, but almost always refers, in some sense, to the financial difficulties of running the University.