Biographical Conversations With... | Unc-tv

The UNC Board of Governors Part 3 of 3 In the final installment of Biographical Conversations with…Jim Holshouser , the renowned public servant candidly recounts his life after the Governor’s mansion, his return to private law practice, his work on the UNC Board of Governors and political and public service as a way of life.

Governor of North Carolina Part 2 of 3 In the second installment of Biographical Conversations with…Jim Holshouser , the legendary state politician reminisces on leading a growing state Republican Party, his inauguration as the first Republican governor in 72 years and fostering economic development during challenging times.

Early Life and Political Career Part 1 of 3 In the first installment of the three-part series Biographical Conversations with…Jim Holshouser , join this prolific policymaker as he shares candid recollections from his childhood in the North Carolina mountains, remembrances of serving in the state legislature and his work to reform the state’s higher education system.

Childhood to City Council Part 1 of 3 Parts Born December 26, 1910, in Gaffney, NC, Ruth Moss was one of four children. When she was very young, her family moved from Gaffney to Blacksburg so that her father could have a job that paid one dollar a week more than he was making.

Election to and Service in the House of Representatives Part 2 of 3 Parts The second part of Biographical Conversations with…Ruth Easterling concerns her election to the state House of Representatives. Ruth first ran for representative in 1974 and was elated when she came in 3 rd in the primary,as it was rare for women to run for political positions at this time. Her main issue was ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, and she vowed to run until it was ratified or until she was 91.

The House of Representatives to the Present Part 3 of 3 Parts Ruth Easterling begins the conclusion of Biographical Conversations with a recollection of her experience in 1994, when the Republicans won the majority in the House. As she states, she went from seat 5 to seat 106—not too dissimilar to her placement during her first term, when she was in seat 104 because there were so many Democrats. She says that even though she disagreed with the Republican platform, she had many good friends who were Republicans.

Fighting for Clean Air Part 3 of 3 Parts Hugh Morton's story of Mildred's arrival to Grandfather Mountain begins the final installment of Biographical Conversations. Morton explains how Mildred and her kindred black bears became a protected species on the mountain. Politics began to be more and more a part of Morton's life, beginning with a campaign to institute liquor by the drink in North Carolina. In the early 1970s, he followed the suggestion of some of his friends in the travel industry to run for governor, but he pulled out of the race before the primary. After Jim Hunt was elected for governor, Morton assisted him with some of his agendas, including a campaign to change the state Constitution so that governors could run for more than one term. Morton did not always automatically comply with Governor Hunt's requests, however. When Governor Hunt asked him to campaign for an unpopular gas tax in the early 1980s, Morton suggested that he ask Arthur Smith for help instead.

Summers in the Mountains Part 1 of 3 Parts Hugh Morton begins the first episode of Biographical Conversations talking about his grandfather, Hugh MacRae. MacRae lived in Delaware but decided to move to the North Carolina mountains because of his interest in mining mica, an expensive stone at the time. As he familiarized himself with both east and west North Carolina, he began buying property on both the coast and in the mountains, including a 16,000 acre tract of land that included Grandfather Mountain. Morton says that his grandfather's original intent for the land was to use it as a summer resort.

Adult Life and Grandfather Mountain Part 2 of 3 Parts Morton's portrayal of his wife and three children opens the second part of our series. He describes his wife, Julia Hathaway Taylor, as "smarter" than he is and dedicated to her causes, as are his two daughters and one son, who help him with the family business. Morton sometimes fell into his leadership positions, as he recalls when he relates how his absence from a meeting landed him the position of president of the Wilmington Azalea Festival. The Azalea Festival was no small fair, he says, as he names some of the former Azalea Queens-Elizabeth Dole for one.

Scott’s Continued Legacy Part 3 of 3 Parts After Scott’s term as governor ended, three of the major state agricultural leaders asked if he would take a new full-time position with the Agribusiness Council. Scott agreed, knowing he had a strong agricultural background and could benefit the council. While he was serving with the council, he encouraged his wife to run for labor commissioner after the incumbent commissioner decided not to run for reelection. She won the first primary, but a close primary count forced a runoff, which she lost. Scott got a disappointment of his own; his application for the position of president of the community college system was denied, a decision that Scott says was recommended by the governor.

Serving As Governor Part 2 of 3 Parts Bob Scott begins part 2 by recounting his decision to run for lieutenant governor in 1964. Ironically, his decision to become involved in politics began after a short newspaper article surmised that he would be running for governor. Several phone calls from supporters and conversations with close colleagues made him realize that he did have support to run for political office, but by the time he formerly decided to run, the major gubernatorial candidates already had significant backing. After he held a press conference to announce that he would not be running for governor, his colleagues suggested the lieutenant governor’s race because they said it was a “sleeper” race and that the position of lieutenant governor had little governing power of its own.

A Legacy of Public Service Part 1 of 3 Parts Part 1 begins with Bob Scott’s memories of his grandfather, Robert Walter Scott. Raised on a farm and intensely interested in agriculture, Robert Scott wanted to learn more about farming practices. However, North Carolina had no agricultural training program. As a result, he went to a school in New York State and returned full of ideas about new methods of propagating and raising crops. Often others in the area would ask his advice, and he became known as “Farmer Bob.”

The Future of Education & Civil Rights Part 3 of 3 Parts In the conclusion of Biographical Conversations with.Julius Chambers , the civil rights leader recounts his ascent to the helm of North Carolina Central University as its chancellor, his battle with cancer and his thoughts on the future of civil rights. Throughout the 1970s and '80s, Chambers continued to fight for civil rights legislation and affirmative action programs as director-counsel of the NAACP LDF. Yet he remained devoted to education and in 1993, returned to his alma mater where he served as NCCU chancellor for eight years. Chambers has published numerous books, continues teaching at various law schools and remains a member of many boards and organizations. In this final episode, the unflappable civil rights activist discusses his passionate, four decades-long crusade for equality and the future of the movement to which he has dedicated his life.

Life & Career Challenges Life & Career Challenges Part 2 of 3 Parts Part two of Biographical Conversations with.Julius Chambers , deals with many unexpected and unusual situations Chambers faced in his career-including the legal legend's recollections of his hand in landmark civil rights litigation and overcoming the adversity and challenges faced during his life-long work.

Growing Up In The South Part 1 of 3 Parts The first installment of Biographical Conversations with.Julius Chambers begins with Chambers' remembrances of growing up in racially divided North Carolina, his college years and his beginnings in the civil rights movement.

Politics & Philanthropy Part 3 of 3 Parts The conclusion begins with a discussion of Mary Seman's political career after she won the election for the Durham City Council. Her involvement with the precinct meeting, which initiated black voter registration, inspired suggestions that she run for a council seat. In addition, groups wanted women to have more of a voice in Durham government, so Mary and another woman ran for and won seats on the Durham City Council. Mary and her female counterpart fought hard to keep their seats among male members who suggested that they "stay home" during meetings because it made them uncomfortable to discuss issues with women present. Only a year later she was elected as mayor.

Duke University & Marriage Part 2 of 3 Parts Mary Semans opens the second half of Biographical Conversations With. by explaining the background of the endowment that James "Buck" Buchanan Duke gave to Trinity College, benefiting both North and South Carolina. She also recalls the life of her cousin, Doris Duke, and recounts the many times that the press made her a target of sensational news.

Childhood & The Duke Legacy Part 1 of 3 Parts Well known for carrying on the Duke University founding family's legacy of philanthropic contributions to the community, Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans has become one of the state's principal philanthropists supporting education and arts programs across the Carolinas. This influential matriarch begins her one-on-one biographical conversations by discussing her rich family legacy beginning with her great-grandfather, Washington Duke, for whom the Duke University is named.

Part 3 of 3 Parts

Part 2 of 3 Parts