DOCSLIB.ORG

Queers on Campus: Lgbtq Student Visibility at Three Public Universities in Florida, 1970-1985

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Queers on Campus: Lgbtq Student Visibility at Three Public Universities in Florida, 1970-1985 QUEERS ON CAMPUS: LGBTQ STUDENT VISIBILITY AT THREE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN FLORIDA, 1970-1985 By JESSICA CLAWSON A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2014 © 2014 Jessica Clawson 2 To all of the heroes who have liberated spaces for LGBTQ people 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I could not have written this dissertation without the help of a large number of people. First, I thank my adviser, Sevan Terzian, without whose superb mentorship I would not know how to write, let alone how to navigate academia thoughtfully. My wonderful committee members Dorene Ross, Elizabeth Bondy, William Link, and Paul Ortiz were all instrumental in this process and in my graduate school career. I have learned so much from all of them about how to live in academia and the world. I will also be forever grateful to the fabulous education department at Denison University, who gave me the energy and inspiration to do good work in the final phases of this writing. Emily Nemeth, Jerrell Beckham, Suzanne Baker, and Karen Graves know how to make working in academia an absolute delight. I will remember my time at Denison with fondness. My queer academic family has been so helpful in their advice and support. First, were it not for Roland Sintos Coloma, I would not have known where to begin or even been sure I had anything to say. Roland knew when I needed to be pushed and when I needed space to figure myself out. Karen Graves has been beyond generous with her willingness to talk through sticky identity issues, in and out of academic contexts. For her friendship, and for the opportunity to teach at Denison, I will always be grateful. There is no better mentor. Jackie Blount has made it clear through word and deed that there is indeed a queer community of scholars and that we all look out for each other— this knowledge of solidarity has helped me be brave. Her kind sensitivity is unmatched. Catherine Lugg has been unfailingly supportive personally and professionally, and always knows how to see the humor through the rage. With a well-timed phone call, she 4 can transform despair into delight. I am so lucky to count all of these brilliant scholars as beloved friends. The encouragement of my family has been invaluable in this process. My parents, Tom and Teresa Clawson, have never stopped believing in me even when I gave them cause. They are smart, loving, delightful people who also happen to be unfailingly generous. My brother Jordan and his wife Becky are a source of eternal uplift for me. Their son, Logan, is the light of my life. My sister Jennifer and her husband Tim are always there for me with thoughtful ideas and wit. No one can make me laugh like Jennifer, and she has found her equal in Tim. I love them all beyond all measure and am so lucky they put up with me. Life is also about chosen family. My two favorite straight guys, Bill Fischer and Peter Zimmerman, have been endless sources of amusement and intellectual challenge. Bill read multiple versions of many of these chapters. Aimee Towell’s help in close reading this entire work and late-night chats about horses kept me sane. And then there is my queer family, especially Erin Powell, Todd Allen, Paul McDonough, Cody Miller, and Nate Bloemke, who make sure I eat well and laugh until I cry; and Cori O’Connor and Casey LaMarche, who ensure that life always has plenty of rainbow unicorn realness. There was no getting through this without them. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................................................. 4 ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 9 Twentieth Century University History and Diversity ................................................ 14 Queer History and Education History ...................................................................... 30 Central Questions ................................................................................................... 34 Sources, Methodology, and Theory ........................................................................ 36 Subjectivity Statement ............................................................................................ 46 Description of Each Chapter ................................................................................... 47 2 GAY LIBERATION IS HERE ................................................................................... 53 Florida State and Hiram Ruiz .................................................................................. 56 The University of Florida and Julius Johnson ......................................................... 69 The University of South Florida: A Story of the Underground ................................. 82 Student Affairs and Evolving Campus Climates ...................................................... 87 Gay Student Groups Nationwide: The Legal Strategy ............................................ 93 The APA and the Changing Queer Movements ...................................................... 97 3 DRAG AND THE PEDAGOGY OF SILENCE: PERFORMANCE AND GENDER IN THE QUEER STUDENT MOVEMENT ............................................................. 103 Queering Space in the South ................................................................................ 107 Silencing Heteronormativity: The Power of Drag .................................................. 110 When to Know is Not Enough: Silence as Echo Chambers of Oppression ........... 115 Gay Bars as Contested Sites ................................................................................ 120 4 THOROUGHLY MODERN HOMOPHOBIA: HOW ANITA BRYANT BOLSTERED QUEER STUDENT ACTIVISM ....................................................... 130 Conservatism ........................................................................................................ 132 Religion ................................................................................................................. 140 Queer Community Responses .............................................................................. 149 5 HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY: CONSERVATIVES, FRATERNITIES, AND PRINCESSES ....................................................................................................... 169 Conservatism, The Moral Majority, and Lethal Homophobia ................................ 170 Bill Wade, Homecoming Princess ......................................................................... 187 6 6 “A PERVERSION OF THE LOWEST ORDER”: THE TRASK-BUSH AMENDMENT AND LEGISLATING MORALITY .................................................. 201 How Two Legislators Made A Whole State Think About Sodomy ......................... 201 UFLAGS Loses an Office and a Fraternity Loses its Pants .................................. 225 7 DEATH AND DISEASE, RESILIENCE AND COMMUNITY: THE COMPLEXITIES OF QUEER LIFE IN FLORIDA IN THE MID-1980S .................. 242 Howard Appledorf and the Price of Silence .......................................................... 243 The Perpetual Fight for Space .............................................................................. 247 Gay Awareness and Gay Republicans ................................................................. 257 AIDS ..................................................................................................................... 270 Councille Blye ....................................................................................................... 289 8 CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................... 293 Theoretical Implications ........................................................................................ 303 Practical Implications ............................................................................................ 309 Recommendations for Future Research ............................................................... 312 LIST OF REFERENCES ............................................................................................. 317 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH .......................................................................................... 329 7 Abstract of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy QUEERS ON CAMPUS: LGBTQ STUDENT VISIBILITY AT THREE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN FLORIDA, 1970-1985 By Jessica Clawson August 2014 Chair: Sevan Terzian Major: Curriculum and Instruction This study examines three sets of questions about the emergence of queer visibility in the context of three of Florida’s largest universities: The University of Florida, Florida State University, and the University of South Florida. First, what characteristics of the climate of each university discussed here helped and hindered the struggle for campus queer visibility? Second, how were the larger political and social contexts in which each university was situated significant to queer emergence? Third, how did queer students interact with social movements and position themselves as activists in their struggles for liberation? This study also makes a methodological contribution to the historical study of queer
Load more

Recommended publications
  • UF Postdoctoral Update: January 22, 2013 - Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
    UF Postdoctoral Update: January 22, 2013 - Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for Students Faculty & Staff Alumni & Friends Parents, Visitors & Fans Office of Postdoctoral Affairs UNIVERSITY of FLORIDA Connections Resources Newsletter Programs Jobs Contact Postdoctoral Update Newsletter College Contacts Listserv Postdoc Profiles OFFICE OF CONTACT PAST ISSUES SUBMISSIONS OFFICE OF THE Postdoc Social Events POSTDOCTORAL AFFAIRS PROVOST Postdoc Discussion Board January 22, 2013 Advisory Committee January 29 Postdoc Tour of Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator Careers in Academia: Interviewing Workshop UF News and Career Trends: Industry or Academia Information Where do I fit in? Free English classes held every Tuesday StrengthsWeek 2013 UFOAP expended for the year Authors@UF: Paul Ortiz Reminder: UF Postdocs on Facebook and LinkedIn FREE Affiliate NPA Memberships Postdoc Info Listserv Reminder: All University of Florida employees on an appointment as a Postdoctoral Associate or Postdoctoral Fellow may enroll in the PostDocCare health plan online at www.hr.ufl.edu/benefits/post_doc_care/enroll.asp. Enrollment must be completed within 30 days of the employee’s date of hire, regardless of the Post Doc’s status in the PeopleSoft system. More info January 29 Postdoc Tour of Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator The Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator invites all UF postdocs for a tour of their facility on January 29, 2013 at 3:00pm. The Incubator is located in Alachua, Florida at 12085 Research Drive. In order to attend you must register on this site: http://postdocbiotechtour.eventbrite.com/# by January 22, 2013. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will help to coordinate transportation for those http://postdoc.aa.ufl.edu/012213[1/22/2013 10:46:22 AM] UF Postdoctoral Update: January 22, 2013 - Office of Postdoctoral Affairs who do not have a way to get to the facility.
    [Show full text]
  • Whats Good Events Guide October 3-6 Gainesville and Alachua County
    WHAT’S GOOD. ALACHUA | ARCHER | GAINESVILLE | HAWTHORNE | HIGH SPRINGS | LA CROSSE | MICANOPY | NEWBERRY | WALDO Plan your weekend with the official events guide from Visit Gainesville, Alachua County October 3-6, 2019 Get in Step with the Festivities – Enjoy UF Mascots Albert and Alberta, Marching Bands, Cheerleaders, Floats and More at the UF Homecoming Parade Friday, October 4, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. | University Ave. Over 120 organizations march down University Avenue during this cherished community tradition. Find your seat along the parade route and join thousands of fans cheer on the Gator Nation. Parade-goers can also experience the local community through the street vendors lining University Avenue, bringing joy and full stomachs through pizza, snow cones, sandwiches, and more. Stand Up and Holler! Feel the Excitement at Gator Growl, the Nation’s Largest Student-run Pep Rally Friday, October 4, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Flavet Field 2307 Woodlawn St., Gainesville, FL 32611 Country music stars Chase Rice, LANCO and Blanco Brown headline the flagship homecoming event. The evening is hosted by YouTube sensation Scooter Magruder and includes appearances by Gator athletes, UF Cheerleaders, the Dazzlers and Pride of the Sunshine Marching Band. Tickets available at TicketMaster. Cheer for the Orange and Blue as the UF Gators Battle the Auburn Tigers in an SEC Top 10 Matchup Saturday, October 5, 3:30 p.m. | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 121 Gale Lemerand Dr., Gainesville, Florida 32608 It’s hard to beat the experience of watching Gator football on homecoming weekend. Fans can expect an amped up pre-game scene.
    [Show full text]
  • Curriculum Vitae
    Curriculum Vitae Paul Andrew Ortiz Director, Associate Professor, Samuel Proctor Oral History Program Department of History 245 Pugh Hall 210 Keene-Flint Hall P.O. Box 115215 P.O. Box 117320 University of Florida University of Florida Gainesville, Florida, 32611 Gainesville, Florida 32611 352-392-7168 (352) 392-6927 (Fax) http://www.history.ufl.edu/oral/ [email protected] Affiliated Faculty: University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies and African American Studies Program Areas of Specialization U.S. History; African American; Latina/o Studies; Oral History; African Diaspora; Social Documentary; Labor and Working Class; Race in the Americas; Social Movement Theory; U.S. South. Former Academic Positions/Affiliations Founding Co-Director, UCSC Center for Labor Studies, 2007-2008. Founding Faculty Member, UCSC Social Documentation Graduate Program, 2005-2008 Associate Professor of Community Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2005-2008 Participating Faculty Member, Latin American and Latino Studies; Affiliated Faculty Member, Department of History. Assistant Professor of Community Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2001-2005. Visiting Assistant Professor in History and Documentary Studies, Duke University, 2000-2001. Research Coordinator, "Behind the Veil: Documenting African American Life in the Jim Crow South," National Endowment for the Humanities-Funded Oral History Project, Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, 1996—2001. Visiting Instructor, African American Political Struggles and the Emergence of Segregation in the U.S. South, Grinnell College, Spring, 1999. (Short Course.) Research Assistant, “Behind the Veil,” CDS-Duke University, 1993-1996. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (History) Duke University, May 2000. Bachelor of Arts, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington, June 1990.
    [Show full text]
  • University of Florida Foundation, Inc
    University of Florida Foundation, Inc. Financial and Compliance Report June 30, 2015 Contents Independent Auditor’s Report on the Financial Statements 1 – 2 Financial Statements Statement of Financial Position 3 Statement of Activities 4 Statement of Cash Flows 5 – 6 Notes to Financial Statements 7 – 32 Supplemental Schedules Schedule of Receipts, Expenditures and Endowment Balances for Major Gifts Program 33 – 54 Schedule of Receipts, Expenditures and Endowment Balances for Eminent Scholar Program 55 Independent Auditor’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and on Compliance and Other Matters Based on an Audit of Financial Statements Performed in Accordance with Government Auditing Standards 56 – 57 Independent Auditor’s Report on Compliance for Each Major State Financial Assistance Project and Report on Internal Control Over Compliance Required by State of Florida Chapter 10.650, Rules of the Auditor General 58 – 59 Schedule of Expenditures of State Financial Assistance 60 Notes to Schedule of Expenditures of State Financial Assistance 61 Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs 62 Independent Auditor’s Report To the Board of Directors University of Florida Foundation, Inc. Gainesville, Florida Report on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the University of Florida Foundation, Inc. (the Foundation), (a component unit of the University of Florida), which comprise the statement of financial position as of June 30, 2015, and the related statements of activities and cash flows
    [Show full text]
  • December 4, 2018, Newsletter
    Barnard College Office of Institutional Funding December 4, 2018 Grant Opportunities & News You Can Use Hello Barnard faculty, We aim in our profiles section to post grant opportunities approximately three months ahead of their due date to give you plenty of time to plan, plot, and juggle the various components of a grant proposal. That works well for the many organizations who maintain consistent dates year over year or who announce deadlines with a commensurate lead time. Some, however, announce deadlines at shorter intervals, and that seems especially true during this season when one year rolls into the next. Several opportunities in this newsletter have deadlines in early January through February, so be mindful of the timing. The American Chemical Society takes the featured role in this latest Inside this issue edition of the newsletter. Our Sage Advice draws from Colorado State University’s “Principles of Effective Grantsmanship” blog series. News Featured Funder ...................... 2 comes next on page 4, including a link to an NIH Human Subjects Research Sage Advice for Competitive Questionnaire. Proposals ................................ 3 You can find the laundry list of opportunities with deadlines over the next News ........................................ 4 six months on page thirteen, grouped by discipline. Grants and Fellowships Arts & Humanities .................. 5 Upcoming internal grant deadlines are January 31st and March 8th. See the Barnard website, here, for more information. If you have colleagues Social Sciences ......................... 7 abroad whom you might like to bring to Barnard under the Weiss Language & Area Studies ......... 9 Fellowships for Visiting International Scholars Program, please see STEM ....................................... 10 information here. Library Sciences ....................... 13 If you would like assistance in finding grants for an upcoming project or Deadline Reminders would like to begin an application process, please contact Kari Steeves.
    [Show full text]
  • January/February 2014 Vol
    The Gainesville Iguana January/February 2014 Vol. 28, Issue 1/2 CMC SpringBoard fundraiser March 21 by Joe Courter The date for the Civic Media Center’s annual SpringBoard fundraiser is Friday evening, March 21. There will be a new location this year after last year’s venture at Prairie Creek Lodge, and that is in the heart of Down- town Gainesville at the Wooly, 20 N. Main St., a new event venue in what is the old Woolworth building next to and run by The Top restaurant. There will be food from various area restaurants, a si- lent auction and raffle items, and awards. The speaker this year is an old friend of McDonald’s workers and allies strike on July 31, 2013 in Chicago. Photo by Steve Rhodes. the CMC, David Barsamian, the founder and main man with Alternative Radio, who said he is “honored to follow in No- 2013 in review: Aiming higher, am’s footsteps.” labor tries new angles and alliances That is fitting because Alternative Ra- by Jenny Brown ment that jobs that once paid the bills, dio has made a special effort to archive from bank teller to university instructor, Noam Chomsky talks since its founding This article originally appeared in the now require food stamps and Medicaid to in 1989. David’s radio show was a staple January 2014 issue of LaborNotes. You supplement the wages of those who work See SPRINGBOARD, p. 2 can read the online version, complete with informative links and resources, at www. every day. labornotes.org/2013/12/2013-review- California Walmart worker Anthony INSIDE ..
    [Show full text]
  • UF Is Leader in Retail Crime Research
    Your campus news source In Focus Note This Produced by the University Relations Office Pulitzer Prize-winning author to speak on Oct. 16 Entries sought for Golden for faculty, staff and students Gator Awards of the University of Florida All the University of Florida freshmen learned through the program and provide The University of Florida Golden insideuf.ufl.edu participating in the Common Reading their own ideas,” Zdziarski said. Gator Awards recognize excellence Program will have the chance to meet the The Common Reading Program began in communications on behalf of the October 9, 2007 author of this year’s book on Oct.16. when the office of the Dean of Students university, honoring efforts which Tracy Kidder, Pulitzer Prize winner and sought to create a collective starting point COMMON strengthen the university and help to author of “Mountains Beyond Mountains: for incoming freshmen. Students received READING meet its mission of teaching, research The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who the book free of charge at last summer’s PROGRAM UF Voices Top Stories 2007 and service. All UF faculty and staff Would Cure the World,” will speak at 7 Preview, and professors have incorpo- Mr. Kidder’s conversation are eligible, and entries must meet the p.m. at the Phillips Center. rated themes from the book into their with UF: Tues. Oct. 16 specifications of the contest guidelines. Enhancing “We were a little uncertain if he would curriculum. 7:00 p.m. To catch a thief: UF is leader in retail crime research be able to come,” said Dean of Students “I think the program helps students Phillips Center The program is sponsored by University Communication Eugene Zdziarski.
    [Show full text]
  • The Florida Historical Quarterly Volume Xlvi April 1968 Number 4
    A PRIL 1968 Published by THE FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY THE FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FLORIDA, 1856 THE FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, successor, 1902 THE FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, incoporated, 1905 by GEORGE R. FAIRBANKS, FRANCIS P. FLEMING, GEORGE W. WILSON, CHARLES M. COOPER, JAMES P. TALIAFERRO, V. W. SHIELDS, WILLIAM A. BLOUNT, GEORGE P. RANEY. OFFICERS WILLIAM M. GOZA, president HERBERT J. DOHERTY, JR., 1st vice president JAMES C. CRAIG, 2nd vice president PAT DODSON, recording secretary MARGARET L. CHAPMAN, executive secretary SAMUEL PROCTOR, editor D IRECTORS ROBERT H. AKERMAN MILTON D. JONES CHARLES O. ANDREWS, JR. FRANK J. LAUMER MRS. T. O. BRUCE JAMES H. LIPSCOMB, III JAMES D. BRUTON, JR. WILLIAM WARREN ROGERS AUGUST BURGHARD JAMES A. SERVIES MRS. HENRY J. BURKHARDT CHARLTON W. TEBEAU WALTER S. HARDIN JULIAN I. WEINKLE JAMES R. KNOTT, ex-officio (All correspondence relating to Society business, memberships, and Quarterly subscriptions should be addressed to Miss Margaret Chapman, University of South Florida Library, Tampa, Florida 33620. Articles for publication, books for review, and editorial correspondence should be ad- dressed to the Quarterly, Box 14045, University Station, Gainesville, Florida, 32601.) * * * To explore the field of Florida history, to seek and gather up the ancient chronicles in which its annals are contained, to retain the legendary lore which may yet throw light upon the past, to trace its monuments and remains to elucidate what has been written to disprove the false and support the true, to do justice to the men who have figured in the olden time, to keep and preserve all that is known in trust for those who are to come after us, to increase and extend the knowledge of our history, and to teach our children that first essential knowledge, the history of our State, are objects well worthy of our best efforts.
    [Show full text]
  • Homecoming 1990 L
    he idependeI florila lil all rO Ili I I- 1 - -,1 VOLUME 84, NUMBER 39 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19,1990 Fr t 4 We Oughta Be ~ r. .9 I In Pictures 4 Homecoming0 1990 virm t tt IV *6 li 4 Kit> 'I; F- L s~s 'I- 0 -9~ 9 / "I , ,- V - 00 r A WNTF0 L RE ] \ -1, iiioll" O (7$ 9; 2 AIJGAUR HOMECOMING FTMON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19. 1990 Inside . 5.Faculty look back at Homecoming. 8 .Gators biggest loss this year was to NCAA. 1'y .06 9.Growl comedians-- Son e were old, (A some were new, some were boring, 10 sin 14 RAV/ some were crude. 444 10.In 1892, Homecoming turned Orange & Blue. ,itoSTRANGER 11.Former student body president Tues.-Sat. 8-lOprim has traveled a difficult path. Ladies Drink Free & Men Drink 1/2 Price 20.Growl comedians as different as October 19th & 20th North and South. Don't Forget 39 .Basketball '89-- A season to forget. Miniskirt Finals Oct. 25 9r ~ 9 40 .Gators hope to Zip past Akron. Motor Oct. 23-27 (formerly Muggle Brothers) SV volume 84 ISSN 0889-2423 number 39 *lgthe independent norid. Not officially associated A l Cmpig ator oInc of GSeaSVi,. FL Akwsrom II76.4 5 Editor Judy A Plunk t CopyDok Criay Tract urlnam M.nagng e ditr M 0 Cueila AJoestnr Copy Deal Chi4 Oan W.n. News Edlor. GO BooEch r Dan Evan" Ad Ofirsetor Stephon. Swlh Stiar dner dnye Code AdoistariAn Di,.Wdy Lauaa h Phoo Edilr Nata Wai.s ApplauseSree Jeremy nlgar Opinion.
    [Show full text]
  • Making a Sunbelt Place: Tampa, Florida, 1923–1964
    MAKING A SUNBELT PLACE: TAMPA, FLORIDA, 1923 – 1964 By ALAN J. BLISS A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2010 1 © 2010 Alan J. Bliss 2 To my wife Lynn, with gratitude for traveling a long highway with me 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Such success as this project may enjoy owes to many teachers at both Santa Fe Community College and the University of Florida. No one has been more influential in my academic life than the remarkable Robert Zieger, now Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida. Since the day in 1998 when I appeared in his office doorway, he has skillfully supervised my undergraduate honors thesis, my master’s paper, and this dissertation. He has made me a historian, and pulled it off with a deft combination of scholarly rigor, expertise, and good humor. I count our professional relationship and our friendship as my good fortune. My thanks also go to Barbara Oberlander of Santa Fe Community College, who aimed me in the direction of a distant goal, and referred me to Robert Zieger. In addition to Bob Zieger as chair, my dissertation committee included Jack Davis, Joseph Spillane, Jeffrey Needell, and Grant Thrall. Their perspectives on my project varied, but their thoughtful criticism throughout the research and writing process encouraged me and improved my work. Contrary to what some outside the academy may believe, to members of the graduate faculty at a research institution such as the University of Florida, every working hour is precious.
    [Show full text]
  • AAHP 077 Samuel Taylor African American History Project (AAHP) Interview Conducted by Paul Ortiz on September 5, 2009 1 Hour, 22 Minutes | 34 Pages
    Joel Buchanan Archive of African American History: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/ohfb Samuel Proctor Oral History Program College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Program Director: Dr. Paul Ortiz 241 Pugh Hall PO Box 115215 Gainesville, FL 32611 (352) 392-7168 https://oral.history.ufl.edu AAHP 077 Samuel Taylor African American History Project (AAHP) Interview conducted by Paul Ortiz on September 5, 2009 1 hour, 22 minutes | 34 pages Abstract: Sam Taylor grew up in the 5th Avenue neighborhood of Gainesville, Florida, raised by a father who was a business owner with an eighth grade education and a mother with a master’s degree from Columbia University and an undergraduate degree from Tuskegee University. He relates the general lack of connection that he experienced growing up between the University of Florida and the Black community of Gainesville, other than once sitting in the segregated bleachers at a UF football game, and having an uncle who worked as a custodian. Mr. Taylor attended Lincoln High School in Gainesville, and he describes his family life and what it was like to grow up in Gainesville during the Jim Crow era. He also describes some of his family history and the impact that his parents had on him growing up, as well as Lincoln teachers who had particular impact. He matriculated into the University of Florida in 1964, and later went on to become the first Black student body president. He describes the importance of those leadership roles in terms of their impact on his later life. He also was running for president during Black Thursday, the student demonstration that led to the founding of the Institute of Black Culture and the African American Studies Program, and he describes the event as he experienced it.
    [Show full text]
  • Thursday, July 22, 2004 4:00 Pm Keene Faculty Center, Dauer Hall University of Florida the University of Florida and the College
    The University of Florida and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences presents the Honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree to Thursday, July 22, 2004 4:00 pm Keene Faculty Center, Dauer Hall University of Florida 2 Neil Sullivan Good afternoon! I am Neil Sullivan, dean of the College of have worked so hard to support the University of Florida and Liberal Arts and Sciences, and I would like to welcome make it into what it is today, one of the best. everyone here today for this very special occasion as we honor a very distinguished individual, Dr. Samuel Proctor. We have asked several individuals who have known Sam as a We are thrilled that so many of you could join us. Many colleague, mentor, friend, and historian to speak about him members of Sam’s family are here, including his wife Bessie today. One of Sam’s greatest accomplishments was creating and his sons Mark and Alan and their families, as well as col- the Oral History Program at UF in 1967. The program has leagues, former students, and faculty and staff from around been renamed in his honor, and at this time, I would like to the university, and many of you who have known Sam for a ask Julian Pleasants, director of the Samuel Proctor Oral long time. Sam and Bessie are two of the truest Gators who History Program to come and say a few words. Julian.... Julian Pleasants I am delighted to be present at the awarding of this much- been possible without the vision and hard work of Sam deserved and long-awaited honorary degree.
    [Show full text]