The Great Depression

Item set

Title
The Great Depression
Description
During the 1930s, the state of Illinois suffered the effects of the Great Depression, just like the rest of the country. Students at the University of Illinois felt the effects of the economic downturn in a number of ways.

This collection of 45 oral histories was compiled from a series of interviews conducted by the Student Life and Culture Archival Program in 2000, 2001, and 2007 in an effort to document student life at the University of Illinois from the years 1928 to 1938.

The last living interviewee died in December 2021. This makes these recordings all the more important, as they preserve the experiences, memories, thoughts, and voices of those who are no longer here to share them.
project start date
2000

Items

Advanced search

  • Florence Hood Miner

    Florence Hood Miner (1909-2009) graduated in 1929. She joined the Delta Zeta sorority and studied Journalism.  In addition, Florence studied dress design in Paris for a year. Florence said her family did not experience hardship during the Depression.

  • Dwight Miller

    Dwight Miller (1913-2005) graduated in 1934. He majored Chemical Engineering, and was active in the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Dwight said he felt broke during the Depression. In fact, he worked for the University's Information Office in college.

  • Carl Milburn

    Carl Milburn (1914-2008) was a member of the Class of 1937. He majored in Economics and earned minors in Philosophy and Sociology. Carl joined the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, and he was active in the Glee Club. Also, he was responsible for some committees at the YMCA.

  • Charles McNaughton

    Charles McNaughton (1905-2009) graduated in 1928.  He began his studies in Architecture, but switched to Education after he heard of the coming Depression. Charles lived with his brother and a group of friends during college; and they enjoyed playing intramural basketball. He also joined ROTC.

  • Melvin McCoy

    Melvin McCoy (1908-2008) was a member of the Class of 1930. He majored in music and made the band. Also, Melvin taught music to high school students and played the saxophone in clubs to help pay for his education. In fact, the university band he played with toured the country for a year-and-a-half with vaudeville.

  • Pauline Linebarger McClain

    Pauline Linebarger McClain (1907-2008) was a member of the Class of 1929. She majored in History and studied to become a teacher. Also, she joined a sorority. She said the Great Depression made it hard for her to find a job.

  • Geraldine North Marrs

    Geraldine North Marrs (1913-2012) graduated in 1935. She received a scholarship and majored in Education. Geraldine was active in the Women's League and she joined the Phi Epsilon Omicron honorary society. Geraldine said that the Great Depression meant having less pocket money and a harder time on the job market.

  • Jean Lattan

    Jean Lattan (1909-2002) was a member of the Class of 1932.  He received a scholarship to the U of I and majored in Engineering and Mathematics. Jean said that he did not especially notice the effects of the Great Depression, but he worked as a waiter during college. Also, Jean was a member of the Glee Club and he was the Student Colonel.

  • Wanda Spencer Larson

    Wanda Spencer Larson (1918-2003) graduated in 1938.  She majored in Education and joined the Chi Omega sorority. Wanda had rich memories of the manners and mores of campus life at the time.

  • Frank Bernard Kuntz

    Frank Kuntz (1909-2012) graduated in 1933. Frank majored in Athletic Education; and he joined a fraternity, but left due to the expense.  In fact, Frank worked as a dishwasher and a janitor to make ends meet during the Depression.