UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON ARCHIVES
ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

Interview #576
MARTEN, ELDOR A.

MARTEN, Eldor A. (1901-1985)
Undergraduate student; Graduate student
At UW: 1923-1927

Interviewed: August 1984	
Interviewer: Mailed questionnaire
Length: 6 minutes, 59 seconds

Education; Department of Chemistry; Social activities; Research areas.

Interview Session (August 1984): Tape 1

Tape 1/Side 1

00:00:01	Eldon Marten (EM) was born in Oshkosh, WI. He talks about a high school chemistry teacher who inspired him to attend UW and earn a degree in chemistry.  

00:00:55	EM enrolled in the chemistry course at UW with an emphasis on food chemistry under Dr. Schuette. He mentions several professors who taught his classes:  Dr. Fischer, Dr. Mathews, Dr. Daniels, and Dr. Calderwood. 

00:01:52	After earning his B.S., EM continued at UW for his Master's and Ph.D. degrees.  He was given a graduate assistantship in agricultural chemistry and bacteriology.

00:02:28	Dr. Peterson and Dr. Fred supervised his course of study. EM did research in applied and industrial chemistry and bacteriology.  

00:03:18	EM talks about the informal social structure of the department. There were occasional parties and picnics.  

00:03:31	Graduate students were expected to be in lab at 8 o'clock in the morning, and were allowed to leave after Dr. Fred's 9:00 p.m. laboratory rounds. EM describes the relationship between faculty and students as formal and friendly.

00:04:15	While EM was a graduate student, areas of study at UW were Vitamin D research and Dr. Elvehjem's work on the treatment of pellagra.

00:04:28	Social life was governed by the amount of free time and pocket money left after expenses. EM describes his living arrangements and part-time jobs.  Extra-curricular activities included attending church, fraternity dances and a few cultural events on campus.  

00:06:57	EM says he is happy to have attended UW.  

END