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.

Doug Anderson came to ASU in the summer of 1979 and joined the newly formed College of Public Programs. He left ASU as the Director of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Important ASU stories include:
1) the birth of the COLLEGE OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS,
2) the Tempe Campus SIZE and working ENVIRONMENT in 1979.
3) the naming of the WALTER CRONKITE School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and
4) the importance of the 1987 accreditation as a turning point for the School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Destined to be the third generation working at the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., the Cleveland born and raised boy who got kicked out of High School 5 times before graduating, became a key founder of not only Channel 8 but also the ASU Retirees Association! Bob Ellis speaks very candidly about his life growing up in Cleveland, military service and then student at Arizona State College as a secondary education major with an emphasis in speech and drama; his first job at KOY and how he married his boss, his biggest influence in his career. Bob was an on-air personality at KOY. He was lured to come to ASU to help start a new television station that would become Channel 8 (KAET). In his interview, he tells stories of the beginnings of Channel and how it grew from being a place for “tele-courses” to a member of the PBS family. He also tells of another contribution he made to ASU – one of the founders of the ASU Retirees Association!

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