University of Wisconsin Oshkosh - Quiver Yearbook (Oshkosh, WI)

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Faculty Administration

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President Guiles What do you think is the major challenge facing university presidents today? I believe our major challenge is developing and maintaining an educational program adequate for our times and the student bodies we serve. In what specific cultural and social ways has the growth of the university changed Oshkosh? The university has had a major impact upon the city of Oshkosh and this can be seen by looking in a number of directions. The major part of the growth of the city is undoubtedly due to the growth of the university. Certainly, the fact that a good percentage of the university budget is spent here in Oshkosh would mean that the economic impact has been a major one. There has been considerable interaction between members of the university community and the downtown population, not only in clubs and organizations, but also in such events as the Town and Gown series. University cities are considered good places to live. Generally, communities like Oshkosh are attractive to people considering available employment opportunities. What is your opinion of our university-community relationship? Our relationship appears rather good. People I talk to downtown seem to be appreciative of the students. By and large, our students are responsible for introducing many important events into the community such as the APO Blood Drive Program. In recent ‘rap sessions' the climate and overall atmosphere has been good. At first blush our rating decreases after some of the incidents we've had, but in the long run, we can hope all goes well. There are bound to be some differences of opinion but we have differences within the university. Basically, our relations are very good and during vacations, businessmen are quick to remind me Oshkosh is dead without the students. Is this university too large? I don't think so. One of the major advantages of a large university lies in the alternatives it can offer to a student body. I believe our university is at a good size now, but expanded growth would be welcome up to a certain point. Is the Board of Regents frustrating at times? Not particularly. I think the Board of Regents tries to do the best they can in allocating funds to us. Our problem is not the Board of Regents but getting the dollars to support our programs. I do not think the Board of Regents places undue restrictions on the university. What do you like to do when you have free time? That depends upon the amount of time. It may be time to catch up on some long delayed reading, or if it is a weekend then I enjoy going to our place in the country where I can study ecology, not in the abstract, but in the real. When the more infrequent vacation periods occur, it is, of course, most fun to travel. One has to learn to use his time according to its availability. University presidents have to be ready to adjust schedules on short notice. What books have you found most helpful and who is your favorite author? Actually, I find my reading more subject-centered. Much of the reading quite naturally relates to the problems, issues, and concerns of higher education as these relate to the student and the several other publics. In a time of dynamic changes there is often little time for anything else. I try to keep abreast of the sociological, economic, and cultural forces which place real demands on education. Important authors and books continue to emerge, to be followed by others in endless array. A book such as James Michener's Quality of Life will be followed by others that will challenge and prod. If time permits, a humorous book like Up The Down Staircase, an Ellery Queen mystery, or a good biography help to make interesting reading. What is your favorite music? I’m not a musician but enjoy a wide variety of types of music from folk music to the semi-classical with a leaning toward the more traditional. Singers such as Robert Merril, Marian Anderson, or Jan Pierce can really thrill me. But the music of such writers as Rogers and Hammerstein has produced an effect all its own, and I find it satisfying. I haven't learned to understand or appreciate the modern beat of so-called rock music. What is your favorite sport? While at one time baseball seemed important to me, I now get most excited about football and basketball, probably in that order. I do enjoy athletic contests. If you could be anyone else in the world today who would you like to be? Rather than name a person, I would aspire to help bring about an educational program which would develop the full potential of the individual regardless of background, color, or natural heritage. If we could do this, they would in turn solve the problems of the world and help it reach its potential for human good. If you could live in another time and place when and where would you choose? I would choose the future in America. How far in the future I cannot tell, but of one thing I am sure; the challenges will be great and the frontiers limited only by man’s use of his intelligence and insights. It should prove to be the best period that man has known.