An Oral History of Columbia College Chicago, 1998 -2004

The Columbia College Chicago Oral History Project was conceived by Louis Silverstein, a Distinguished Professor in Humanities, History, and Social Sciences, who directed the project. While attending the memorial service in 1996 for Jane Alexandroff, wife of president Mirron 'Mike' Alexandroff, Silverstein realized "someone needed to take the initiative in fashioning a history of the college journey" through interviews with the people who contributed their talents toward the success of the college. The project goal was to preserve a record of college history from the 1960s on through the words of the people who shaped modern Columbia. Interviews were conducted by Louis Silverstein and oral historians Erin McCarthy and Chris Thale.

Early interviews were with people who joined the Columbia College community in the 1960s and 1970s and later interviews were with those who came to Columbia in the 1980s and 1990s. All interviews offer insight into the evolution and history of Columbia College Chicago through personal narrative.

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Interview with Fred Gardaphe,1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Fred Gardaphe was English department faculty.
Interview with Garnett Kilberg-Cohen, 2004

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Garnett Kilberg-Cohen was chair of the English department.
Interview with Gene DeKovic, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Gene DeKovic was former administrator, faculty member, and Board of Trustees member.
Interview with George Bailey. 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, George Bailey was an alumus (1974) and English department faculty
Interview with Glenn Graham, 1999

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Glenn Graham was Liberal Education department faculty.
Interview with Irvin Meyer, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Irvin Meyer was building engineer in the Building Services department.
Interview with Jacob Caref, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Jacob Caref was a carpenter in the Building Services department.
Interview with Jane Ganet-Siegel, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Janet Ganet-Siegel was chair of the Dance Movement/Therapy department.
Interview with Jan Erkert, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Jan Erkert was artistic director of Jan Erkert & Dancers and faculty in the Dance department.
Interview with Janet Talbot, 2001

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Janet Talbot was director of Academic Advising.
Interview with Janice Booker, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Janice Booker was Administrative Services manager.
Interview with Jeff Schiff, 2001

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Jeff Schiff was English department faculty.
Interview with Joan Erdman, 2001

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Joan Erdman was a Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty.
Interview with Joan McGrath, 2004

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Joan McGrath was administrative assistant in the Film and Video department.
Interview with John Duff, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, John Duff was Columbia College Chicago president.
Interview with John Moore, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, John Moore was associate dean of Student Affairs.
Interview with John Mulvany, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, John Mulvany was chair of Art & Design department and chair of the Photography department.
Interview with John Schiebel, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, John Schiebel was the former vice president of Finance.
Interview with John Schultz, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, John Schultz was professor emeritus of the Fiction Writing department.
Interview with Jon Wagner, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Jon Wagner was former Social Sciences faculty and program developer.
Interview with Judy Dyke, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Judy Dyke was associate director of Admissions.
Interview with Karen Osborne, 2004

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Karen Osbourne was English department faculty.
Interview with Kevin Cassidy, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Kevin Cassidy was facilities manager in the Art department .
Interview with Kim McCarthy, 2001

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Kim McCarthy was Liberal Education department faculty.
Interview with Larry Dunn, 1998

Columbia College Chicago

At the time of the interview, Larry Dunn was staff in the Building Services department.