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.
Jean Peabody Taylor (1914-2009) was a member of the Class of 1935. She graduated with a degree in Accounting, but retrained to be a teacher. Jean worked throughout college and lived at home.
June Foster (1917-2010) was a member of the Class of 1939 and a recipient of a Home Economics scholarship. She was widowed early and returned to graduate school, earning an MS in Child Development in 1962. June said her family had financial difficulties during the Great Depression.
Junette James (1913-2012) attended the University of Illinois on a full scholarship. She studied education and graduated in 1935. Also, she was active in the Lutheran Student Association. Junette's family was not wealthy, and she felt broke throughout the Great Depression.
Katharin Fishbaugh Carr (1908-2002) was a member of the Class of 1931. She joined the Alpha Phi sorority and studied Home Economics. Kay said she noticed the effects of the Great Depression, but did not experience hardships directly.
Kathryn Hansen (1912-2006) graduated in 1934. She attended the U of I on scholarship and studied Journalism, English, and History. She was inducted into several honor societies, and she joined the Alpha Delta Theta sorority. Kathryn loved literature; and she earned a Master's of Literature and wrote a book named <em>Grundy Corners</em>.
Anne Louise Kenyon Molitor (1911-2009) was a member of the Class of 1933. She majored in English and minored in French. Louise joined the Phi Mu sorority. In addition, Louise wanted to study dress design, but the Great Depression interrupted her plans.
Louise Procter Allen (1914-2005) was a member of the Class of 1936. Louise studied Art and Education; and she joined the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Although her family was prosperous, Louise remembered scrimping and saving during the Depression.
Marshall Scott (1910-2002) graduated in 1932. He earned a scholarship to the University and studied Agricultural Education. Later, he received a Master's from the U of I and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. Marshall joined the Theta Phi fraternity and held odd jobs in college.
