Oral history interview with Shirley Van Hoeven, November 15, 1993

Oral history interview with Shirley Van Hoeven, Professor of Communication, conducted by Janelle Wilson on November 15, 1993. Shirley Van Hoeven was a WMU Professor of Communication. Shirley Van Hoeven discusses the differences between the 70s college student and the 90s students, class disruptions in the 60s, the women’s movement on campus, dealing with racial issues in the classroom, the black students take-over of the student union in 1968, and community activitism in the 60s and 70s. She also discusses her teaching experiences during Desert Storm, involvement with the Women’s Center, challenges women students face, the Speech Department’s restructuring and transition. She recalls experiences working with WMU presidents, her teaching awards, and the challenge of being a PhD woman married to the campus minister, Don Van Hoeven. Shirley Van Hoeven served on WMU's faculty from 1971 until her retirement in 1999. For most of that time, she was the department's graduate program director and adviser. She passed away in 2014.No audio available. Transcribed by Janelle Wilson