Tillinghast, Pardon (faculty), 1986

1 audio cassette tape containing interview with Pardon E. Tillinghast, Professor of History.

Brown University undergraduate, hired as history professor at Middlebury in 1947, Navy veteran (01:34); colleague called "Sleepy Davis" (03:25); men's campus and women's campus separate (04:10); taught one class in spring, age is 66, loves teaching (06:05) college in 1947 was quiet, he had a small office, did not interact with many colleagues- in 1941 war took away male students (07:23); President Samuel Stratton brought students from Washington D.C.(07:50); College had required chapel, including Sunday Vespers, 5:00 PM, community feeling was strong (08:25) by 1950, schedule changed to require half the college to attend once a week, alternating with other half-more disciplined students in 1940s-50s. (9:20); Stratton did his best to raise funds for College (11:50); extensive reading is required for professors and scholars, difficult and challenging while teaching (13:54); keeps bibliographies, library purchases plenty of new books-new computer to arrive next fall-type in a topic and get the book info quickly (16:04); rivalry at Middlebury (16:50); current students are reflection of society, they expect a lot from the College, more passive and demanding simultaneously (23:40); retreats from today's issues of homosexuality, divestment and others (25:43); stays away from arts/plays, wants to be the best teacher (26:25); being elected makes him proud (28:38); wants to write more-horror stories of interest, Count Dracula (31:41); taught winter term class on witchcraft (32:40); describes Middlebury as small college in rural area (33:47) in 1950 there was four types of students-most are combination (35:30); Middlebury is more isolated, Frog Hollow (37:47); College is not a country-club environment, faculty can afford to be less rich (39:49); in 1947 he ran errands on bike, simple life (41:07); administration promotes higher salaries for faculty, in 1948 salaries were $6,000 year (42:20); saw Dr. Cook twice a year for advice-enormous respect for Dr. Cook, Robert Frost (44:15); wants to be known as a good teacher (45:00); likes current administration and President Robison (45:46).