Hi all!

I just want to provide a quick overview of the interview I did on September 24, 2011 with Bernie Kapner. There are three points in particular that I think someone else may want to get more details about in a second interview. I definitely missed a lot of opportunities to ask follow-up questions, but lucky for us he is more than happy to do a second interview.

Kapner was born in Houston, Texas in 1937 and attended the UH from 1955 to 1959.

1) He came to UH with a basketball scholarship. Kapner played on the freshman team his first year, under Guy V. Lewis (the legend!). The next three years he played on the varsity team (also under Coach Lewis, as he had moved to the varsity team at the same time).

Anyone interested in UH sports history/themes might want to talk to Kapner. Another interviewee mentioned that Kapner still holds a record in basketball (can’t remember exactly what for). 2)

2) Kapner received his degree in Education (physical education?). He mentioned a few names of professors; most interesting is his mention of a female instructor.

Anyone interested in the gender theme may want to ask Kapner about this person. Considering the time period (late fifties) and the subject he may be able to describe how his classmates and department responded to a female instructor..??

3) Kapner remembers the veterans coming back from Korea. He describes seeing tents on the east side of the campus, “qoanset huts” for the many vets. Interesting to him because they were much older and mature… this stood out to him.

This would be a great addition to the Major Events or Campus Life themes.

These are just the ones I thought someone may want to roll with….but other points he mentions briefly include: Frontier Fiesta, he was the first in his family to go to college, and his classes were all held in the E. Cullen and Hugh Roy Cullen buildings.

Have a good day, see you all in class!
Mika