UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN ARCHIVES
ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

Interview #289
SIMPSON, ALTON JOHN

SIMPSON, Alton John (1909- )
Undergraduate Student
At UW: 1927-1934

Interviewed: 1984	
Interviewer: Laura Smail
Length: 1 hour

Background; Fraternity life; Courses in engineering; Professors; St. Patrick's Day parade; Speakeasies; Radio programs; Sports; Lack of political awareness; Graduation; Career.

Tape 1/Side 1

00:00:19	Background: Wisconsin born, father a doctor, began at University as a pre-med major.  Switched into engineering.

00:01:05	Engineering School.

00:02:30	Applying for jobs.

00:03:40	Beginning at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Three other family members attended University.

00:05:43	Fraternity life.  New fraternity house on Langdon Street.  Rush week.

00:06:35	Apartment life versus fraternity dwellings.

00:08:40	Pre-med courses.

00:09:30	Favorite professors included Gus Larson in the engineering school, along with Ben Elliott who taught thermodynamics.

00:11:33	Social gatherings.  Pre-med professors versus engineering professors.

00:14:00	Curriculum included experimental labs.

00:16:00	Financial situation.

00:16:50	Feud between the lawyers and the engineers.

00:17:40	St. Pat's Parade incident.

00:18:56	Leisure time very limited.  Fraternity parties part of social activities.

00:20:00	Prom at the Union.

00:20:25	Speakeasies and prohibition years.

00:22:31	Radio programs including Fred Allen and Jack Benny, football games and basketball.  Dick Hayward remembered as a great football player and a good friend.  Mickey McGuire.

00:24:50	Spears and Meanwell feud among football coach and basketball coach.

00:25:38	George Little and the Fieldhouse.

00:27:30	Ski jump at the end of Park Street.  Ice boating on Lake Mendota.

00:29:04	End of side.

Tape 1/Side 2

00:29:08	Read the Cardinal every morning.

00:29:58	Doesn't remember peace movement.  Didn't take ROTC, not required.  Those who did achieved high position in WWII.

00:32:35	Not very aware of national and world events.  Remembers Hoover's speech in 1932 at Field House.  Discusses costs in 1932 and 1933.

00:34:54	Not a church goer.  Fraternities had a hard time.  Some had to leave their house.

00:36:20	Kiekhofer a member of his fraternity.  Discusses Kiekhofer.  His wall.

00:38:22	Glenn Frank--his dress style.  AJS sorry to see him go.  Fine president.

00:39:40	John Weaver a fraternity brother.  Dean Goodnight not a factor in AJS's life.  Goodnight was Dean of Men.

00:42:20	Graduation.  Governor Schmedeman, a democrat, spoke.  Glenn Frank feud over budget.

00:43:56	End of side. End of tape.
					END