Interviews Archive - Page 2 of 17 - Kansas Oral History Project

Interview of Cynthia (Cindy) Lane, March 25, 2025

Interviewed by Mark Tallman

Cindy Lane's leadership has helped transform Kansas education to benefit Kansas children. This interview shows the impact she had on education policy, from special education to the Kansas Board of Regent's newest endeavor, the Blueprint for Literacy. This quote from Dr. Lane sums up the interview: "Most of my career in KCK as a leader was to focus on outcomes that actually transformed kids’ lives, that opportunity piece." From changes in special education , to court cases on school finance, to the Kansas Board of Regents, she is still working to transform kids' lives.

Interview of Michael Young, February 28, 2025

Interviewed by Linda Jeffrey

This oral history of artist Michael Young was conducted in front of a live audience in the Kansas Statehouse while viewing the mural he painted depicting the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Brown v Board of Education. A short program preceded the interview which was followed by a question and answer session with the artist. The attached transcript includes the Q/A session but not the preliminary remarks by Senator Jeff Klemp, Senator Ty Masterson, Rep. Dave Buehler and Governor Laura Kelly. They were widely quoted in the press about the event. Two of the press accounts from Show MoreBryan Richardson, Hawvers Capitol Report/State Affairs and WIBW TV are also attached. To see the video of the introductory remarks, go to NEWS. Show Less

Interview of Jack Wempe, January 23, 2025

Interviewed by Mark Tallman

There is a 2021 interview of Jack Wempe in Statehouse Conversations that covers his legislative experience. This interview focuses on his experiences first as a student in a one-room school, next as a teacher, principal and superintendent in rural Kansas, then his legislative activities involving education issues, and finally, his service on the Kansas Board of Regents and interest in higher education. Wempe's experience covers the scope of education in Kansas over several decades of really critical change. His interviews covers school unification, changes in funding public schools, qualified admissions and a reorganization of higher education Show Morewith the Board of Regents assuming coordination of the nineteen community colleges. Show Less

Interview of Andy Tompkins, January 13, 2025

Interviewed by Mark Tallman

Dr. Andy Tompkins has had a leading role in education in Kansas that started in 1970 when he was hired to teach English in Hugoton. That job quickly became Principal and then Superintendent of 3 different districts until he was tapped in 1996 as Commissioner of Education. The interviewer, Mark Tallman skillfully leads Tompkins through the changes that have taken place in public education in Kansas over the years. His interview touches on special education, "A Nation at Risk", the movement to improve education, standards and the 1992 School Finance Reform Act. Tompkins is able to Show Moreexplain why things changed and with what result; Tallman has also been active in education with the Kansas Association of School Boards and the two, together lay out the changing educational landscape from 1970 - 2020 including what was happening in higher education. After leaving the commissioner's office, Tompkins began teaching at the college level, then became Dean of the College of Education in Pittsburg, and later, President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents and interim President of both Wichita State and Fort Hays Universities. The portrait of Andy Tompkins that emerges from this interview is one of skilled leadership, a trusted leader committed to improving education for all. Show Less

Interview of Mark Parkinson, December 14, 2010

Interviewed by Bob Beatty

The article linked below and downloadable, “ 'You can get a hell of a lot done as a governor': A Conversation with Former Governor Mark Parkinson," edited by Grant Armstrong, Bob Beatty, and Amber Dickinson, is, as noted in the body at footnote 3, excerpted from interviews conducted with Mark Parkinson in 2010 and 2021. The article was published in the Spring 2022 issue of Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains. The questions were removed and footnotes added during preparation of the transcripts for publication as a journal article. The Kansas Oral History Project is Show Moregrateful to the Kansas Historical Foundation for allowing us to post this article as part of the collection of interviews of Kansas Governors.

From the Kansas History Kansas History webpage: "The seventh piece in our special series of articles based on interviews with former Kansas governors, this conversation with former lieutenant governor and governor Mark Parkinson explores topics such as the Kansas death penalty law, alternative energy and the proposed Holcomb coal-fired power plants, budget cuts and tax increases to deal with the great recession of 2009, and the possibilities for Democrats and Republicans to work together in Kansas."

Show Less

A Conversation with outgoing U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, Sunflower State Journal, December 30, 2024

Interviewed by Brad Cooper

In this 30 minute interview with Sunflower State Journal editor, Brad Cooper, outgoing Republican Jake LaTurner candidly discusses his decision to leave Congress. He talks about what he liked most about public service (serving in the Kansas Senate) and his disappointment about the legislative process on Capitol Hill. LaTurner will return home to Kansas to spend time watching his kids grow up. He also plans to work for a political consulting firm.

Interview of Sam Brownback, December 2, 2024

Interviewed by Rex Buchanan

Sam Brownback reviews his service to Kansas beginning with his time as Kansas Secretary of Agriculture and extending through his terms as Governor. Brownback credits his upbringing on a farm in Linn County for development of his views on conservation and resource management. He recalled dealing with the farm crisis and water issues, particularly those involving the Ogallala Aquifer, during his tenure as Secretary of Agriculture. He described carrying his concern for water into his terms as Governor as a vision focused on long-term sustainability for the Ogallala. He also recalled using extensive public consultations to further policy Show Morechanges such as helping to eliminate the "use it or lose it" mentality in the approach to groundwater usage. Brownback described himself as a strong advocate for wind power, supporting development of wind farms, particularly in the central and western regions of the state. He also described extending the protection of the Flint Hills from wind farm development. In the interview, Brownback highlighted his pragmatic approach to policymaking and relationships developed during his public service career.

Highlights -- short excerpts from the interview

Show Less

Interview of Kathleen Sebelius, January 18, 2023

Interviewed by Rex Buchanan

In this 2023 interview of Kathleen Sebelius by Rex Buchanan, the former Kansas governor explored key energy and environmental issues and how they were addressed during her administration (2003-2009). Those issues included rejection of a new coal-powered electricity generation plant in western Kansas, voluntary protection of the 'heart of the Flint Hills' from wind farm development, and increased pressure on the state's dwindling water supplies. Sebelius attributes many of the energy and environmental approaches of her administration to the expertise and creativity of her cabinet, including Rod Bremby, Secretary of Show MoreHealth and Environment, former Governor Mike Hayden who served as Secretary of Wildlife and Parks in the Sebelius cabinet, and Joe Harkins, a trusted advisor. This interview was recorded by Dave Kendall for Prairie Hollow Productions, LLC. Portions of this interview were included in the documentary ‘Hot Times in the Heartland.’ The Kansas Oral History Project, Inc. is grateful to former Governor Sebelius, Rex Buchanan, and Dave Kendall for granting permission to include this interview in the KOHP Energy & Environment collection of oral histories.

Highlights -- short excerpts from the interview

Show Less

Interview of Kelly Harrison, September 17, 2024

Interviewed by Mike Lennen

This interview of Kelly Harrison, retired vice-president for transmission at Westar Energy, covers Harrison’s 37-year career in an evolving electric utility industry from the early 1980s through late twenty-teens and his contributions to transmission development in Kansas and the surrounding region. Harrison recalls his start in the industry working for Kansas Gas and Electric, headquartered in Wichita, KS, after his graduation from Wichita State University. He was involved in many changes in the transmission portion of the industry as federal regulations opened electricity markets to more participants and as regionalization of transmission placed states and individual utility companies in Show Morenew relationships with one another. Harrison saw his involvement with transmission expansion, regulatory affairs, and environmental issues as a way to use his education and his skills to help people. Harrison’s interview provides valuable insights into the development of the electric utility industry, the challenges of transmission expansion, incorporation of renewable energy sources, and the regulatory landscape. His experiences highlight the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning in ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy future.

Highlights -- short excerpts from the interview

Show Less

Interview of Edward Rolfs, September 23, 2024

Interviewed by Chris Courtwright

Rolfs served during a productive period in Kansas politics and he was a key player in tax and fiscal policy, chairing the tax committee through reappraisal and classification. and major income tax reform. Rolfs tells great stories, about his grandfather, Frank Carlson, Governor Bob Bennett and why he wasn't reelected, and leadership races. His interview discusses the rationale for sales tax exemptions, the politics of the severance tax in the 1982 election, the "booster" tax affecting Johnson County, the working relationship on the House Taxation Committee, and the simplification of the Kansas Income tax in 1988. Rolfs Show Moredescribes the conundrum of property tax reappraisal and classification and its resulting impacts on the 1990 governor's race where Joan Finney beat both prior governors, Carlin and Hayden. And Rolfs had several Joan Finney stories and one about Kathleen Sebelius. There is also a great story about how Rolfs, the Young Turk who wanted to cut everything was put on the Ways and Means Subcommittee for SRS and Mental Health/Retardation. Bob Harder, Secretary encouraged Rolf to visit the state institutions and it changed his attitude. The interview closes with his reflections on the state of government 35 years after he served. Show Less

Previous 123 Next