ASU Retirees Association (ASURA) Video History Project Interviews

Robert (Bob) Oliver was born in the small town of Anaconda, MT., a company town for Anaconda Copper Mines in the early 1900’s. His family later moved to the San Francisco Bay area when in his early teens. Bob received his BA in Architecture from UC Berkley. After spending 3 years in the military, he returned to Berkley and obtained his MA in Architecture.

Bob spent 2 years in Europe working in architecture in both Rome and Holland. Upon his return to the states, he opened up a private practice in northern California which maintained for eight years. He was introduced to academia by chance and fell in love with the idea of teaching. He started at ASU in 1964 in the College of Architecture. While at ASU, Bob pursued watercolor painting teaching himself from books and attending workshops of some noted California architectural watercolor painters.

Bob was married to Joanne Oliver and had 4 children.

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.

Paige Mulhollan came to ASU in 1978 as ASU’s first Provost. He left in 1985 to become President of Wright State University in Ohio. Paige discusses the impact of Frank Kush’s firing on President John Schwada and the birthing of ASU West. At several points Paige discusses the need for ASU to take advantage of Phoenix rather than just being located in Phoenix. Aspects of the University budget are discussed. There are a set of ASU reflections and reflections on an academic career.

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!