T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History Collection

ABSTRACT

INTERVIEWEE NAME: Arden French #4700.0018

IDENTIFICATION: [1906-1993] Dean of Men at LSU, 1941-77

INTERVIEWER: Susie Crews, Assistant, LSU Recording Services

PROJECT: LSU History

DATES: 3/24/77, 3/31/77, 4/14/77 FOCUS DATES: ca.1935-1977

ABSTRACT:

Tape 20

Arrival on campus; responsibilities of personnel program; YMCA's contribution to America's youth; Fred C. Frey; became interested in YMCA program at Millsaps College; W.D. Weatherford, founder of the YMCA training program; George W. Dameroh, YMCA director; YWCA; Paul M. Hebert appoints French Dean of Men; church buildings on Dalrymple Dr.; state support of religion; discussion of building a Jewish center on campus; University Religious Council; Department of Religious Education; exposing university students to religion; discussion of LSU presidents from Hodges, 1941, to Murrill, 1977; Martin Woodin, pres. of system; dean of men as profession; changes in the philosophies of dealing with students; Paul M. Hebert beliefs and approaches to administration.

Tape 21

Keeping the university conscious of the individual; controlling student movements in the 1960's; external influences on student revolts; students want to expand curriculum; student organizational life top priority; Greek activities created not only to socialize but to support academic achievement; declining enrollment in World War II; GI's on campus; reduced enrollment in World War II; government training programs on campus; French assigned by the Navy to four universities; training on the U.S.S. Prairie Steed; develops high regard and respect for pres. and chancellor; discipline problems; "in loco parentis"; YMCA movement not part of Dean's office; office of dean of men; system for locating individual students quickly; university provides an atmosphere for religious growth.

Tape 22A

Birth and early life; French's family's origins; education: Greenville High School, Millsaps College, graduate education at Vanderbilt and Columbia and at LSU; work and student aid; sociology; religious education and psychology; Dean French's sons, Arden O. French and David L. French; his wife, Roberta Grigsby French and her background; selective service and the dean of men; selective service and the dean of men; General Hershey's leadership in selective service system; selective service; campus reactions to the 30's scandals; J. Perry Cole; Ione Burden; YMCA and the University Religious Council; ecumenical concept; religion.

Tape 22B

University Religious Council and religion; personnel administration, mediator; discussion of the 1960's, dress; new movements in the church, 1960's and after; university's view on religion; dealing with students; influence of Troy Middleton on student affairs; non-directive counseling; law enforcement and students; prejudices against college students from locals.

TAPES: T 20, 21, 22A, 22B CASSETTES TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 5 hrs.

# PAGES TRANSCRIPT: 137

RESTRICTIONS: None