University Archives Audio-Visual Collection

George P. Couper's interview with Charles Elgin Knott, former faculty member of the Cal Poly engineering department. [00:00:07] Cooper opens with restarting the interview [00:00:18] Knott describes conditions of the facilities at Cal Poly when he arrived here in 1921 [00:02:12] Knott discusses the level of instruction and scope of the institution at that time [00:02:53] Knott discusses teaching electrical work, surveying, and drafting when he first arrived here [00:03:14] Knott discusses the military school-like attributes of the institution, like military drills and wearing uniforms [00:03:56] Knott describes the local Board of Trustees [00:04:27] Knott describes the president at the time [00:04:35] Knott recalls the pattern of enrollment [00:05:37] Knott describes changes that Crendall brought about upon becoming president [00:06:41] Knott discusses how the school went about advertising, such as participation at the state fair [00:07:24] Knott recalls the county fair taking place on campus [00:08:02] Knott recalls the addition of new buildings [00:08:47] Knott recalls the effects of the Depression and additional course offerings on enrollment [00:09:55] Knott recalls McPhee being sent to take control of the school [00:11:55] Knott describes the expansion of the engineering department in the late 1930s [00:13:10] Knott discusses the requirements that potential instructors needed to meet [00:13:35] Knott recalls the addition of the air conditioning and refrigeration department [00:14:13] Knott discusses increases and decreases in enrollment as a result of the war [00:15:51] Knott describes the presence of navy and civilian students on campus [00:16:20] Knott discusses the expansion of the engineering department and reasons for increases in enrollment [00:18:25] Knott recalls companies' perceptions of Cal Poly students [00:20:21] Knott discusses the hiring of Cal Poly students [00:20:46] Knott discusses the reasons for increase in enrollment at Cal Poly [00:21:00] Knott discusses the practical training program at Cal Poly and its effect on enrollment [00:22:35] Knott recalls the addition of new departments in the 1950s [00:23:17] Knott describes the building program and the addition of buildings as enrollment increased [00:23:58] Knott describes the "Call to War Production" training program [00:25:34] Knott recalls the beginnings of the architectural engineering program in the late 1940s [00:26:39] Knott discusses acquiring good instructors for the engineering program [00:27:33] Knott discusses the change to a four-year program after the war [00:28:15] Knott recalls becoming more selective in the admissions process [00:28:49] Knott recalls McPhee turning the engineering department over to him and being engineering dean [00:29:35] Knott what he did upon retiring and later visiting Europe [00:31:03] Knott describes his trip in Europe [00:31:41] As I Remember Closing

George P. Cooper's interview with Stanton Gray, who served as a member of the Agriculture Department faculty at Cal Poly from 1940 to 1941, and 1946-1960. [00:00:19] As I Remember Intro [00:00:36] Gray discusses his first contact with Cal Poly during the first summer session in 1931 [00:01:20] Gray recalls his first visit to Cal Poly [00:01:40] Gray recalls his honeymoon while he went to school [00:02:15] Gray describes coming from Hamilton City to Corning(?) [00:02:24] Gray recalls his role in the California Agriculture Teacher's Association [00:02:54] Gray recalls his preparation for becoming an agriculture teacher [00:03:30] Gray describes his experience at San Dimas [00:04:50] Gray recalls planting an orchard at Cal Poly [00:05:26] Gray recalls other faculty members during his time [00:06:47] Gray describes the opportunity he had to bring his students to the Los Angeles fruit market [00:07:18] Gray recalls becoming director of agriculture at Yuba(?) City High School [00:08:25] Gray describes working with Mexican nationals [00:09:33] Gray recalls what brought him back to Cal Poly in 1946 [00:10:15] Gray recalls what he had to learn upon arriving at Cal Poly [00:11:57] Gray describes running the store where Cal Poly products could be purchased [00:13:05] Gray describes the facilities of the agriculture department, such as an irrigation system, a field unit, and classrooms [00:13:31] Gray recalls working with international students [00:14:42] Gray describes his experiences when he was part of faculty and clubs [00:16:33] Gray recalls his participation in the summer conference of the Agriculture Teachers of America [00:17:36] Gray recalls his role in Future Farmers of America [00:18:38] Gray describes the differences between teaching college students and high school students [00:19:26] Gray describes the motivation of Cal Poly students [00:19:59] Gray recalls the increase in his workload as the agricultural department grew [00:20:33] Gray describes his role as adviser in crops club [00:21:25] Gray attributes his accomplishments to his wife [00:22:11] As I Remember Closing

George P. Cooper's interview with George M. Drumm, a former faculty member of the Cal Poly dairy department. [00:00:13] As I Remember Opening [00:00:26] Drumm recalls his first contact with Cal Poly and how he heard about it [00:01:14] Drumm describes the students and facilities at Cal Poly in 1935 [00:01:49] Drumm recalls the small number of faculty and staff members and the lack of funding [00:02:25] Drumm recalls working for the Bureau of Vocational Education while also working at Cal Poly [00:03:15] Drumm describes his goals that he set out for the dairy department, such as increasing enrollment, and how he went about accomplishing it [00:04:21] Drumm recalls the results of his efforts to increase enrollment and the effect of the Depression on enrollment [00:05:17] Drumm recalls the high point in enrollment after World War II [00:05:43] Drumm describes his objective in developing a high-class dairy herd [00:06:28] Drumm the benefits of having outstanding dairy cattle [00:07:16] Drumm describes what he accomplished with his dairy herd [00:08:04] Drumm describes the butter fat production with the herd at Cal Poly [00:09:04] Drumm recalls selling stock to Future Farmers and mature breeders and the reputation of the program internationally [00:10:20] Drumm discusses the initial lack of proper facilities [00:11:16] Drumm discusses the addition of new facilities, such as a dairy plant [00:12:05] Drumm recalls the practicality of the facilities [00:12:50] Drumm describes how the dairy department went about paying its own operating expenses through cattle sales and milk sales [00:14:18] Drumm recalls training judges in dairy products and dairy cattle [00:15:00] Drumm describes the contest at Waterloo [00:15:30] Drumm discusses other contests in which his dairy team competed [00:16:04] Drumm describes some of his students and the work that they entered [00:18:00] Drumm discusses his students going into teaching high school agriculture education [00:18:43] Drumm discusses his students entering veterinary medicine [00:19:05] Drumm recalls helping with the students' project animals [00:20:30] Drumm describes making high-quality seed stock available to students, graduates, and breeders [00:22:39] Drumm recalls how much money he had to purchase a bull [00:23:44] Drumm recalls visiting the places of origin of certain breeds of dairy cows [00:24:50] Drumm reflects on his career [00:25:50] Interview wrap-up and As I Remember Closing

George P. Cooper's interview with James Carrington, a former faculty member who was involved with the auto shop, farm power for foreign students, and surplus property at Cal Poly from 1943-1968. [00:00:21] As I Remember Opening [00:00:36] Carrington describes the first job he had outside of farm work [00:01:21] Carrington recalls an experience with a Chinese customer during his switchboard work [00:02:28] Carrington recalls operating a garage while he was still in high school in the mid-1920s [00:02:54] Carrington recalls being asked to teach high school auto shop classes in 1938 [00:03:38] Carrington discusses attending UC Berkeley and University of Los Angeles (UCLA?) to get proper credentials [00:04:05] Carrington recalls how he came to Cal Poly in 1943 [00:05:13] Carrington describes the Geiberger family [00:06:18] Carrington recalls the facilities and equipment when he first arrived at Cal Poly [00:07:17] Carrington describes working for President Merson [00:08:15] Carrington recalls Lief Fletcher(?) and Earl Campbell taking over the farm shop [00:08:39] Carrington recalls teaching ag engineering to foreign students at Cal Poly [00:09:07] Carrington describes the planning of building additional facilities [00:09:40] Carrington recalls his role in acquiring war surplus for the university [00:10:14] Carrington describes acquiring materials for classes and senior projects [00:11:13] Carrington describes the use of the acquired materials in classrooms and machinery [00:11:46] Carrington recalls acquiring buses through surplus [00:12:40] Carrington estimates the replacement value of surplus materials he acquired [00:12:59] Carrington describes how the trucks he had acquired have been used [00:13:40] Carrington describes taking stock to market [00:14:22] Carrington discusses student employment [00:15:09] Carrington estimates total annual student payroll [00:15:27] Carrington discusses student certification for operating state vehicles [00:15:55] Carrington estimates the number of students who hold permits to operate state vehicles [00:16:41] Carrington describes a student running a shop on a 24-hour basis [00:17:44] Carrington discusses the growing airport-driving operation [00:18:22] Carrington discusses vehicle breakdowns [00:19:31] Carrington describes his role in the development of mechanical equipment to aid people with crippling conditions [00:20:26] Carrington discusses how his equipment can be used [00:21:19] Carrington discusses his desire to travel and places he'd like to visit [00:22:20] Carrington describes his children and grandchildren [00:23:37] Carrington briefly reflects on his retirement [00:24:00] Cooper reflects on Carrington's career [00:24:55] As I Remember Closing

George P. Cooper's interview with Harry Parker, a former faculty member of the animal husbandry department at Cal Poly from 1932 to 1954. [00:00:19] As I Remember Opening [00:00:33] Parker recalls leaving Scotland and coming to North America [00:01:11] Parker recalls his first job in California [00:01:27] Parker describes the circumstances that led to him coming to Cal Poly [00:02:46] Parker describes his role in teaching animal husbandry [00:03:13] Parker discusses the students' participation in the competitions held by the Future Farmers and the Cow Palace [00:04:30] Parker discusses the facilities for animal husbandry and beef production when he first arrived at Cal Poly [00:05:35] Parker describes the financial difficulties the university experienced and the students' response [00:06:22] Parker describes his role in the development of the school's purebred herd of beef cattle [00:07:46] Parker recalls purchasing feeder calves for shows and the benefits of doing so [00:08:33] Parker describes other facilities for the calves, such as pastures and barns [00:09:25] Parker recalls how the university went about acquiring new land [00:10:37] Parker describes some of his outstanding students [00:13:05] Parker recalls the addition of new facilities in the late 1930s [00:14:47] Parker discusses successful showings despite changes brought about by World War II [00:16:15] Parker describes how cattle shows have changed [00:17:08] Parker describes who of his "Randall" crew were still alive [00:17:24] Parker discusses how he went about developing his own beef herd later in his career [00:18:49] Parker describes the locations of his operations and the size of his land [00:20:41] Parker describes the expansion of the SLO and the city limits inching towards his his land [00:21:21] Parker discusses judging beef cattle and locations of the shows in which he's been the judge [00:22:27] Parker discusses the changes in the beef cattle business and showing that have come about in the past 20-25 years [00:24:40] Parker touches on the problems with the beef industry [00:26:07] Cooper records the sound of cattle [00:26:40] As I Remember Closing

George P. Cooper's interview with James F. Merson, a former faculty member agricultural engineering department at Cal Poly from 1936 to 1966. [00:00:29] As I Remember Opening [00:00:43] Merson teaching agriculture mechanics at a high school level before coming to Cal Poly in 1936 [00:01:02] Merson recalls the lack of facilities and faculty when he first arrived [00:01:36] Merson describes the objectives of the ag mechanics program [00:02:02] Merson contends that they had a "different kind of agriculture" and describes the ag mechanics program [00:02:36] Merson describes some faculty members who taught in the ag mechanics program [00:03:30] Merson describes some courses that were part of curriculum [00:04:19] Merson describes some of the facilities that were present when he first arrived at Cal Poly [00:05:19] Merson expands on the absence of an ag mechanics course when he first arrived [00:06:33] Merson discusses lack of development and decrease in enrollment when the war broke out [00:06:59] Merson discusses his responsibilities during the war period, including odd jobs at the auto shop and directing all farm operations [00:08:50] Merson recalls having faculty members help pitch hay [00:09:45] Merson describes the increase in enrollment after the war period and the start of the four year agriculture engineering program [00:10:43] Merson recalls acquiring more highly-specialized, permanent staff [00:11:15] Merson discusses the start of the horse-shoeing program in 1948 [00:12:51] Merson describes the degree program and the first student to graduate from it [00:14:14] Merson discusses the increase in enrollment of international students in the agriculture program [00:16:16] Merson discusses the expansion of the ag mechanics program and the addition of new facilities [00:17:36] Merson describes some differences between the agricultural engineering program and the agricultural mechanics program [00:18:24] Merson recalls the addition of the Peace Corps program in 1960 and ag mechanics students' involvement in it [00:20:00] Merson estimates the amount of time faculty devotes to service courses in the agriculture department [00:20:58] Merson describes his hobbies and how he went about carrying them out [00:23:33] Merson and Cooper reflect on their careers [00:25:53] As I Remember Closing

George P. Cooper's interview with Theodore Matthew, a former faculty member of the physical sciences department at Cal Poly from 1948 to 1962. [00:00:10] As I Remember Opening [00:00:23] Matthew recalls his first meeting with a representative of Cal Poly [00:01:31] Matthew describes his experience upon arriving at Cal Poly [00:02:37] Matthew describes the temporary buildings present in 1948-49 [00:04:45] Matthew describes the temporary student housing in 1948-49 [00:05:43] Matthew recalls the changes that occurred in 1949-50, such as the development of the library building and increases in temporary student housing [00:07:42] Matthew discusses the changes that took place in 1959-60, such as larger dormitories and the development of a new science area [00:08:26] Matthew describes the new science building complex [00:09:27] Matthew describes how the staff went about determining what facilities they needed [00:09:57] Matthew discusses the addition of new buildings in 1961, such as the construction of a dining complex, gymnasium, and theater [00:12:13] Matthew describes the growth of the staff in the physical sciences department [00:12:58] Matthew recalls his role in the development of the "college counsel," a group that would represent the faculty [00:15:57] Cooper describes the current state of the faculty/staff counsel [00:16:53] Matthew describes his role in the state employees' organization [00:18:19] Matthew the difference between the problems of civil service employees and those of teachers [00:18:55] Matthew discusses his role in the Disaster Committee [00:20:52] Matthew discusses some of the details of the disaster plan as well as its use in other areas [00:23:19] Matthew discusses what he's being doing since he's retired [00:25:39] As I Remember Closing

George P. Cooper's interview with Louis E. "Mac" McFarland, former faculty member of the maintenance department from 1925 to 1963. [00:00:03] As I Remember Opening [00:00:17] McFarland recalls the circumstances that brought him to Cal Poly [00:00:47] McFarland describes his first job that he had when he came to Cal Poly [00:01:25] McFarland discusses the university presidents during his time: Crandall and McPhee [00:01:55] McFarland describes what the buildings were like when he first arrived in 1925 [00:03:07] McFarland recalls the Cal Poly's financial state during the Depression [00:03:39] McFarland describes the growth of enrollment during his time [00:04:11] McFarland discusses the expansion program, which included additional utilities and infrastructure [00:04:49] McFarland recalls the utilities present when he first arrived [00:06:05] McFarland discusses how he lived off campus when he first arrived [00:07:07] McFarland describes the navy presence on campus during WWII [00:08:33] McFarland describes the number of people that were responsible to him [00:09:06] McFarland describes some of his former students [00:10:25] McFarland describes some of the former members of the Naval Flight Refresher Program [00:11:32] McFarland describes the venues for faculty and student social functions [00:12:38] McFarland recalls being appointed Grand Marshall of the homecoming parade in 1963 [00:13:23] Cooper wraps up the interview [00:13:54] As I Remember Closing

Interview with Couper, who served on Cal Poly's Agriculture faculty from 1931-1965. Couper was also involved in the Future Farmers of America, Cal Poly's Kellogg-Voorhis campus (later Cal Poly Pomona), and the California Bureau of Agricultural Education. [00:00:08] As I Remember Opening [00:00:26] Couper recalls being picked, along with three others, by Julian McPhee in 1931 to be part of Cal Poly's agriculture program and discusses each person's roles [00:01:51] Couper discusses the addition of other personnel in 1932 and each person's respective roles [00:02:42] Couper describes the "old gang," which formed the nucleus of the agriculture faculty [00:03:07] Couper describes what he did to carry out McPhee's plans in the fall of 1931, which included "presenting to the public a good image of the Future Farmers of America" and "presenting a good image of Cal Poly" [00:04:02] Couper recalls making movies of the Future Farmers of America programs in California in the spring of 1932 [00:04:20] Couper describes when McPhee came down to Cal Poly to run it in 1933 [00:05:17] Couper talks about his experience in teaching classes at Cal Poly [00:05:57] Couper talks about what terminated his teaching responsibilities in 1936 [00:06:46] Couper recalls serving as public relations head for several national Future Farmers conventions [00:07:32] Couper describes the absence of limitations in his work [00:09:10] Couper talks about his involvement with the legislature [00:10:28] Couper describes the events that took place at Cal Poly in 1938, which include acquisition of the Voorhis unit, Leopold E. Rassi's fund to help needy students at Cal Poly, and the setting up of a degree transfer with UC Davis [00:13:00] Couper describes the acquisition of the Voorhis unit in greater detail [00:14:33] Couper describes the "PR aspect" of the situation with Rassi [00:15:57] Couper discusses balancing his work and keeping up with McPhee [00:16:43] Couper recalls his unusual experience with a train [00:18:20] Couper recalls when the State Board of Education gave Cal Poly the right to grant a bachelor's degree in 1940 [00:21:25] Couper describes when Robert E. Kennedy came to Cal Poly and assumed some of the former's previous responsibilities in 1940 [00:22:23] Couper recalls his professional reaction when World War II broke out [00:23:01] Couper describes how he aided in the war effort [00:24:32] Couper describes how the emphasis of his work changed when McPhee gave up his position as chief of the State Bureau of Agriculture Education in 1944 [00:25:19] Couper recalls how he worked with McPhee when the latter became the state director of vocational education [00:25:43] Couper recalls being called on to do various tasks at Cal Poly [00:26:16] Couper recalls taking a large group of California Future Farmers to the national convention for the first time in 1946 [00:26:55] Couper talks about his involvement with the acquisition of the Kellogg property [00:27:28] Couper describes in greater detail the "PR aspect" of the acquisition of the Kellogg Property [00:28:28] Couper describes when the Bureau of Agriculture headquarters moved back to Sacramento in 1953 [00:29:09] Couper recalls his final year at Cal Poly: 1964-65 [00:30:10] Couper describes what he did during his retirement [00:31:14] As I Remember Closing

Interview with Bennion, who served as faculty in the Cal Poly Animal Husbandry department from 1938-1967. [00:00:10] "As I Remember" Introduction [00:00:24] Bennion asked about the year and the circumstances in which he arrived in San Luis Obispo [00:00:49] Bennion discusses how he heard about Cal Poly [00:01:46] Bennion shares information regarding the vocational agriculture program at Cal Poly [00:02:06] Bennion describes where he lived on campus, "The Annex" [00:03:01] Bennion talks about being a trainee in agricultural education [00:03:18] Bennion discusses the education level of the students with whom he worked [00:03:48] Bennion talks about forming a basketball team [00:04:36] Bennion discusses his training in Red Bluff [00:05:29] Bennion describes his experience at the agricultural education training center [00:05:45] Bennion discusses going to Salinas in 1932 to teach and coaching athletics [00:06:29] Bennion describes working in the agricultural extension program in Salinas and going to work in Merced County as a farm advisor [00:07:34] Bennion talks about returning to Cal Poly in 1938 [00:07:59] Bennion describes changes to Cal Poly's programs he observed when he returned [00:08:42] Bennion discusses the objectives of students in the agricultural program [00:09:21] Bennion describes the project program [00:10:51] Bennion discusses group projects and rationale behind them within the agricultural program [00:11:55] Bennion talks about the purpose and development of student participation in fairs [00:14:03] Bennion discusses his students competing with top breeders and feeders in county fairs [00:15:16] Bennion describes the impact that the war had on enrollment in the early 1940s [00:16:39] Bennion describes his experience as part the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the establishment of a Thorough-Bred Breeding Unit at Cal Poly [00:18:04] Bennion discusses obtaining stock and building the facilities for the program at Cal Poly [00:19:23] Bennion discusses students entering the thoroughbred business after graduating from Cal Poly [00:20:04] Bennion talks about limitations faced in breeding horses as a result of the war [00:21:21] Bennion talks about the men who were instrumental in establishing the Thoroughbred Breeding Program at Cal Poly [00:22:38] Bennion describes the obstacles brought about by the war [00:23:48] Bennion discusses the victory at Great Western in Los Angeles [00:24:42] Bennion discusses the expansion of facilities and land since his first visit to Cal Poly [00:26:14] Bennion describes training in the cow-calf operation [00:27:12] Bennion discusses the development of the feed-mill, slaughterhouse, and commercial feeding unit [00:28:44] Bennion talks about the increase in managerial positions on growing ranches in the 1950s [00:29:53] Bennion discusses graduates going into fair management work [00:30:39] Bennion discusses employment opportunities in high school agriculture teaching [00:31:20] Bennion discusses the success of students in the animal husbandry program [00:32:02] Bennion describes the trial and development program on the bulls for commercial cattlemen [00:34:10] Bennion discusses the process of grading and auctioning off the bulls [00:34:45] Bennion describes the size of the department at the time in which he retired [00:35:40] Closing Bennion's interview with the chant of a bull auctioneer [00:36:15] "As I Remember" Closing