The Oregon State University Sesquicentennial Oral History Project

Sort Interviews by Affiliation or Theme

Theme: Sociology

George Abed Oral History Interview - December 16, 2014

George Abed Oral History Interview

Life history interview conducted by Janice Dilg.
December 16, 2014
George Abed (b. 1938), a native of Jordan, attended Oregon State from 1958-1962, graduating with a degree in General Social Science. During his undergraduate years, Abed was heavily involved with campus life and especially with student government, ultimately serving as the school's first foreign-born student body president. After completing a Ph.D. in Economics, Abed went on to a lengthy and multifaceted career in international development and public policy, including more than two decades spent working for the International Monetary Fund. The founder and former director of the Palestine Welfare Association, Abed is also a former head of the Palestine Monetary Authority, which he oversaw for two years at the invitation of Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the State of Palestine. Abed's interview focuses on his Oregon State years, his career in public policy, and his association with development efforts all across the Middle East.

Main Page | Video | Abstract | Biography

Alan Acock Oral History Interview - March 2, 2017

Alan Acock Oral History Interview

Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
March 2, 2017
Alan Acock (b. 1944), a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Human Development and Family Science, chaired OSU's HDFS department for twelve years, beginning with its creation in 1990. An accomplished scholar in the field of family studies, Acock is also well-known for his work in quantitative analysis - one particularly influential book, A Gentle Introduction to Stata, is now in its fifth edition. He has likewise authored major papers on topics including the impact of divorce on children and improved methods for working with missing statistical values. In his interview, Acock traces his career as a sociologist at four different institutions; comments on growth and change within the HDFS department; and lends insight into his diverse body of scholarship.

Main Page | Video | Abstract | Biography

Baseball National Champions, Back-to-Back - October 2015 - July 2016

Baseball National Champions, Back-to-Back

Four interviews conducted by Greg Garcia, Chris Petersen, and Mike Dicianna.
October 2015 - July 2016
From 2005 to 2007, the Oregon State University baseball program enjoyed a sustained run of success that is without parallel in university history. Over the course of three seasons, the Beavers participated in the College World Series three times, winning back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. In the process, OSU also achieved multiple milestones that are unequalled in the history of college baseball: in 2006, the Beavers won six consecutive elimination games to claim the national championship, and in 2007 they won four tournament games by six runs or more. This unprecedented era of championship baseball is the primary subject of a collection of interviews conducted with four individuals: players Kevin Gunderson and Chris Kunda; broadcaster Mike Parker; and manager Pat Casey.

Main Page | Video | Abstracts | Biography

Geoffrey Brooks Oral History Interview - February 18, 2014

Geoffrey Brooks Oral History Interview

Life history interview conducted by Janice Dilg.
February 18, 2014
Geoffrey Brooks (1947-2016), a native of Portland, attended Oregon State University from 1970 to 1973, graduating with a B.S. in Elementary Education. While at OSU, Brooks was heavily involved with student activist groups including the Black Student Union. Following the completion of his studies, Brooks began what would become a forty-year career with the Portland Public Schools. His connection with OSU continued through his service on the President's Board of Visitors, the Office of Equity and Inclusion's Board of Multicultural Advisors, and the College of Education, among other groups. His interview concentrates on his undergraduate experience at OSU with particular focus paid to student activism in the early 1970s and the circumstances faced by students of color at that time.

Main Page | Video | Abstract | Biography

Joe Hendricks Oral History Interview - August 4, 2014

Joe Hendricks Oral History Interview

Life history interview conducted by Janice Dilg.
August 4, 2014
Joe Hendricks (b. 1943) is an acclaimed gerontologist who chaired the OSU Sociology department from 1989-1995. On the OSU campus, he is more widely known for having served as the first Dean of the University Honors College (UHC), which he led from its formation in 1995 to 2008. As Dean, Hendricks helped to shape the UHC's admissions standards, grew enrollments, recruited teaching faculty, and carved out physical spaces, including an honors dorm and two dedicated honors study spaces. Hendricks' interview focuses on his scholarly achievements in gerontology, and the formation and growth of the University Honors College at OSU.

Main Page | Video | Abstract | Biography

Denise Lach Oral History Interview - July 21, 2015

Denise Lach Oral History Interview

Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
July 21, 2015
Denise Lach (b. 1955) is a social scientist who has lead multiple research institutes at OSU, including the Center for the Analysis of Environmental Change, and the Center for Water and Environmental Stability. A member of the Oregon State faculty since 1996, Lach was named director of the College of Liberal Arts' School of Public Policy when it was created in 2010, and she continues to serve in that capacity today. Lach's interview focuses upon her path through academia, her development as a social scientist, her research on the social and policy dimensions of various natural resources issues, and her perspective on change and advancement within OSU's College of Liberal Arts.

Main Page | Video | Abstract | Biography