Budd, George Fitch

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:6825#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: George Budd was born on July 12, 1915, in Oswego, New York. His family, of English and Irish descent, lived in the Oswego area for several generations. Budd graduated from high school during the Great Depression, and therefore delayed going to college for three years while he worked in a wholesale grocery store. He then attended Oswego Normal School, then taught for three and half years in the area before heading to Buffalo, New York to obtain his Bachelor's degree. After a two year stint in the Air Force from 1942-1943, Budd returned to school for his Master's degree and later his Doctorate in Administration of Higher Education from Columbia University. After working in Washington State and Oneonta, New York, he accepted the position as St. Cloud State president in 1952. During his time at SCSU, which lasted until 1965, the college underwent tremendous growth and change, transforming from a teacher's college to a state university that offered a more diversified curriculum. Budd was involved in expanding the campus, the faculty, and community involvement during a period of growth and change that swept the entire nation.

Transcript Summary: George Budd discussed his family history as well as educational background. Here he talked about pursuing an education during the Great Depression, as well as his family's reaction to his decision to teach. Budd mentioned briefly his time in the Air Force, which made it possible for him to pursue a master's and doctorate degrees at Columbia University. This education led him to administrative positions in both Washington State and New York. He also in detailed the process by which he pursued the St. Cloud State presidency in 1951.

Budd covered his time at St. Cloud State. He felt that he was unprepared for a presidency, not really knowing what to expect. He also discussed the tremendous growth in population, both in St. Cloud itself as well as St. Cloud State, and how that affected his administration. In addition, he provided a detailed account of how the change from a teacher's college to a state university transformed the campus, leading to the addition to 12 new buildings and a complete makeover of the curriculum, as well as a growth in community involvement.

At the end of the interview, Budd tackled a variety of topics, from the change in student demeanor and activity throughout his years as president, from those accomplishments he is most proud of, including the establishment of a Summer Theatre and the Alexandria-St. Cloud State College Performing Arts Foundation, and of the importance of the Alumni Foundation. He also talked about the idea that this was a period of tremendous growth throughout the country, and he simply tried to help St. Cloud State adapt to growing needs and desires of students who did not all want to be teachers.