Oral history interview with Michael Drakulich conducted by Jane Finfrock on May 8, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Drakulich discusses his career after graduating college and holding several teaching and coaching positions at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, including professor, golf coach, and athletic director. He also discusses the growth of the university, important figures in sports coaching at the university, and the growth of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elbert Edwards conducted by Ronald Johns in 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Edwards discusses his work in Las Vegas, Nevada public schools during the Great Depression. The two also discuss the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, Edwards’ involvement in politics, and mining in Nevada. He also talks about the development of Boulder City, Nevada, the early territorial boundaries of Nevada and Utah, the atomic testing at the Nevada Test Site, and early water sources in Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alfred Guzman conducted by Barbara Guzman on March 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Guzman first talks about his occupational history, including his career in public relations for the Sands Hotel and Casino. He then talks about Las Vegas, Nevada, including social changes, changes in the gaming industry, and mob influence in the casinos. He also talks about Reno, Nevada, how his job affects the public, and the MX Missile system.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Buddy Frank conducted by David Schwartz on January 03, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Frank discusses his career in slot operations, including the positions he held in both Nevada and California casino properties. Frank also discusses the utilization of free play as a marketing strategy and the use of Ethernet technology in slot machines. He then talks about how much slots have changed since his start in the business, millennials, skill-based gaming, and the future of slot machines.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Michael Green conducted by Michael Geeser on October 10, 2005 for the I Remember When: Recollections from Las Vegas Jewish Leaders Oral History Project. Green talks about the history of Jewish people in Las Vegas, their social clubs and religious temples, and their involvement in the running of casinos and in organized crime in Las Vegas. Dr. Green also answers questions from the audience.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jimmy Mulidore conducted by Claytee D. White on March 23, 2009 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Mulidore discusses his career as a jazz musician in Las Vegas, Nevada and working with musicians such as Sammy Davis, Jr., the Rat Pack, and Nat King Cole. He also discusses working in the El Rancho Hotel and Casino before the fire, and going on tour with the Billy May Band.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlie McLean conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on December 14, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. McLean discusses making a living playing for the Ice Capades—traveling entertainment shows featuring theatrical ice skating performances—and in jazz bands after graduating from college. He also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960 and playing at hotels such as the Frontier, Desert Inn, Riviera, Sahara, and the Tropicana.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Knox conducted by Rebecca Snetselaar and Brenda Cruz on April 13, 2016 for the Folklife Program of the Nevada Arts Council and the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries. Knox begins the interview by discussing how she learned to cook and different types of fish. She describes how she cooks catfish, what sides go well with catfish, fishing, and the fresh quality of fishes in Las Vegas, Nevada. Then, Knox talks about her restaurant, how she created the menu, and problems she has had with her chefs. Lastly, she describes her family customs and cooking style.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Matti Smith conducted by Jaime Golden on November 07, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith reflects upon her career as a teacher, counselor, and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). She discusses the process by which she first hired on with CCSD, different jobs that she held, and how her experiences shaped her approach to school administration. She also discusses some of her biggest responsibilities and challenges, offers suggestions for individuals interested in pursuing school administration, and provides her opinion on topics such as standardized testing and student values.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Jolene Wallace conducted by Cynthia Smith on October 12, 2009 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Wallace reflects upon her career as a teacher and administrator in Dayton, Ohio. She reflects upon some of her favorite programs in the school, such as school lock-ins. She then describes her philosophy of education and school administration, her working relationships with students and teachers, her typical responsibilities, and challenges with instances of school violence. She also discusses what she believes makes a successful school administrator, and why she believes she was a successful principal.
Archival Collection