Judy Li Oral History Interview

In this interview, Judy Li tells the story of her life as a scientist, teacher, writer, mother and more. The granddaughter of Chinese immigrants, Li provides a brief history of her heritage, and discusses the social climate that prevailed during the time of her family’s arrival in the United States. Li then transitions into her experiences at the University of California, Berkeley, describing her academic progression, meeting her eventual husband (Hiram Li), and unrest on the Berkeley campus in the 1960s.

From there, Li moves on to her and her husband’s experiences moving around the western United States while Hiram pursued his master’s and Ph.D degrees. During this time, the Li’s welcomed both of their children into the world, and Judy enrolled in a master’s degree program at the University of California, Davis. Reflecting on this period, Judy recounts balancing her coursework and with the needs of her children, and the describes the strategies that she employed to make it all work.

Judy then moves on her experiences in Corvallis, recounting her and Hiram’s excitement at the opportunities that OSU presented, and recalling her early work with the Fisheries and Wildlife Department and her decision to enroll in a doctoral program. From there, Li expands on her time working at the university, noting research efforts that she and Hiram were part of, her involvement with the OSU Press, and the Difference, Power, and Discrimination course that she created. Throughout the interview Judy also provides insight into her volunteer, and the relationships that she formed with students she advised. Li concludes the interview with her impression of how Oregon State University has evolved over the years, and the direction that it is heading.