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.
Mary Anne Reifsteck Barnfield (1912-2006) studied Business and graduated in 1934. She lived on her family's farm during college and found rides to campus. Mary Anne did not notice the Great Depression because her family always had enough to eat.
Mary Kay Hansen Peer (1914-2002) graduated in 1934. She majored in English, but she had an unfulfilled dream of studying Business and managing a hotel. Mary Kay was a typist in high school and college. Also, she worked for a handful of departments across the University. She said the Depression was hard, but she did not suffer too much.
Mary Monahan (1905-2003) was a member of the Class of 1927. She studied Journalism and wrote for the <em>Daily Illini</em>. Mary did not need to have a job when she was in college. She enjoyed watching sports and was active in the Newman Chapel.
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.
Merle Boren (1912-2004) grew up in Champaign in the boarding house that his family operated and lived in. He studied Business, graduated in 1937, and pursued graduate studies at the University. Merle said that he did not especially feel the pains of the Great Depression.
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.
Portia Allyn Smith (1916-2015) attended the University from the fall of 1934 through 1937. She studied Geology and lived in a co-op house. Portia worked for the National Youth Administration as a clerk to pay for her living expenses. She remembered a bias against women in the sciences.
Royal Bartlett (1909-2005) began his studies at the University of Illinois in 1927. He studied Accounting and Banking. Royal said that he did not notice the effect of the Great Depression until he tried to find a job after graduation. Royal has fond memories of his friendships and campus life at the University.
