These oral histories document the history of Salisbury University from its founding in 1925 to the present through interviews with former faculty, staff, and students. Subjects range from the development of the campus in the 1920's and 1930's, the expansion of the campus and its programs under the various administrations, to the growing LGBTQ community in the 1980's and 90's. Compiled transcriptions are attached.

In 1922, the Maryland Legislature established a commission to determine a location for a two-year college to train elementary teachers on the state’s Eastern Shore. A site in Salisbury was selected and the Maryland State Normal School at Salisbury opened in September 1925.

The school’s two-year course of study was increased to three years in 1931 and to four years in 1934. In 1935, the Legislature authorized the college to grant Bachelor of Science degrees. The school was first accredited by the American Association of Teachers Colleges (later the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education) in 1942 and by the Middle States Association in 1956.

Today, Salisbury University is a nationally accredited, four-year comprehensive university within the University System of Maryland. It offers many distinct undergraduate and graduate degree programs within four endowed schools: the Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, the Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts, the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, and the Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies. In 2016, the Honors College was created.

The school’s name has changed several times over the course of its history: Maryland State Normal School (1925-1935), Maryland State Teachers College (1935-1963), Salisbury State College (1963-1988), Salisbury State University (1988-2001), and Salisbury University (2001-present)

NCOH-0001_00001-00005: These interviews were conducted by Ian Post with Jefferson Boyer; former student at Salisbury University and later adjunct faculty with the English department. His interviews cover a wide range of topics from the on-campus LGBTQ community in the 1980's and 1990's, including the formation of the Gay and Lesbian Student Alliance, to various aspects and activities surrounding student life at that time. Interviews were conducted on 9/1/2017 and on 10/25/2017. 

NCOH-0001_00006-00007: These two interviews were conducted by G. Ray Thomas with Dr. Norman Crawfrod; former President of Salisbury University from 1970-1979. His interviews describe the racial politics of the University at the time in relation to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, including the inclusion of African-American students and faculty in the school, as well as his relationship with the faculty and his legacy with the University. Interview was conducted on 10/20/2015.

NCOH-0001_00008: This interview was conducted by Ian Post with Dr. Jessie Fleming; long-time professor of music at Salisbury State from 1948 to 1993. She discusses her transition to the Eastern Shore from New York as well as the developments of the campus and music department in her 45-year tenure. Interview was conucted on 11/6/2017.

NCOH-0001_00009: This interview was conducted by Richard Culver with Joey Brinks; a Carillionneur from the University of Chicago, about his inaugural performace on the Brown and Church Carillon the previous night, Sept. 6, 2017. He discusses the details of his performance as well as his ideal carillon program for universities. Interview was conducted on 9/7/2017.

NCOH-0001_00010:  This interview was conducted by Ian Post with Dr. Thomas Elliot and his assistant Lacey Robinson. Dr. Elliot was the former chair of Salisbury University's music department.  They discuss their development and growth of Salisbury University's music program, Dr. Elliot's involvement in the development of Fulton Hall in 1991, and Dr. Elliot's foundation of the Salisbury Symphonic Orchestra in 1986. Interview was conducted on 11/10/2017.

NCOH-0001_00011: This interview was conducted by Ian Post and Donna Brittingham with Margaret Laws Engle; former student at Maryland State Normal School (Salisbury University) from 1929-1931 and 1937-1939. At 106, she discusses student life on the campus, her training to become an educator in the early Twentieth Century, as well as the developments of Holloway Hall and the rest of the campus over the past 80+ years. Interview was conducted on 11/15/2017.

NCOH-0001_00012: This interview was conducted by Ian Post with Mary Starnes; widow to Dr. Leland Starnes, educator, and Nabb Center vollunteer. They discuss her time at Salisbury State College as well as Dr. Leland Starnes' development of the Salisbury State Theater from 1972 to 1980. Interview was conducted on 11/30/2017.

NCOH-0001_00013-00014: These interviews were conducted by Ian Post with Mariuna Morrison and Frederica "Fritz" Danielus. Dr. Morrison was one of the original Physical Education teachers at Salisbury Univeristy from 1962-1998 and took the Women's Basketball team to compete in California. They discuss physical education and women's athletics before Title IX. Interview was conducted on 12/1/2017

NCOH-0001_00015: This interview was conducted by Ian Post with Dornell Woolford; former student at Salisbury State College from 1983-1988. He discusses his experiences working with "the Flyer", his encounters with various administrators including Dr. Bellavance, and his experiences as an African-American student. Interview was conducted on 12/1/2017.

NCOH-0001_00016: This interview was conducted by Ian Post with Thomas Wimbrow and his wife Betty Wimbrow. Thomas is a former student at Salisbury State Teachers College from 1957-1961. The two describe the atmosphere of the State Teachers College under Dr. Devilbiss in the 1950s, life on campus, and the differences between men and women on campus. The audio malfunctioned and the last five-minutes were lost, but are recounted in the addendum file. Interview was conducted on 12/15/2017.

NCOH-0001_00017: This interview was conducted by Ian Post with Dr. Janet Dudley-Eshbach; former President of Salisbury University from 2000-2018. She speaks of her proudest accomplishments and the various challenges she faced as President during her 18-year term. Interview was conducted on 3/14/2018.

NCOH-0001_00018: This interview was conducted by Ian Post with Shirley Fields Levitz; a student at Maryland State Teachers College elementary school from 1940-1942. She discusses her experiences at the elementary school as well as the views of race in Salisbury at the time, including Wallops Flight Facility. Interview was conducted on 6/12/2018.

NCOH-0001_00019: This interview was conducted by Ian Post with Sylvia Bradley; Salisbury University alumni and co-founder of the Nabb Reaserch Center. She discusses her time as a student at the State Teachers College, the changes that occured to the campus over the years, and the founding and development of the Nabb Research Center. Interview was conducted on 2/5/2019.

Archive.org Links:

1. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100001
2. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100002
3. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100003
4. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100004
5. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100005
6. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100006
7. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100007
8. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100008
9. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100009
10. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100010
11. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100011
12. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100012
13. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100013
14. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100014
15. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100015
16. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100016
17. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100017
18. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100018
19. https://archive.org/details/ncoh000100019

Oral history interviews are arranged by date of the interviews conducted and files are given unique identifiers. Administrative files are arranged alphabetically by interviewee surnames.