Mellichamp, T. Lawrence (Thomas Lawrence)

Wright, Christina

Charlotte, North Carolina

J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections & University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

2014-06-19

1 audio file (2:28:24) : Digital, MP3

Audio

spoken word

eng

Dr. Mellichamp was a 65-year-old man at the time of interview, which took place in the greenhouse on the campus of UNC Charlotte. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1948 and was educated at UNC Charlotte, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Botany (1970), and at the University of Michigan, where he earned his PhD in Botany (1976). He was employed as a professor of botany and horticulture at UNC Charlotte and as director of the university’s botanical gardens.

In this second of two interviews, Dr. Larry Mellichamp, long-time faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, continues to share about his experience managing the university's botanical gardens and describes his relationship with Bonnie Cone. He recalls her love of gardening and interest in the gardens on campus, comments on her relationships with donors such as the McMillans, recounts some of her common sayings and the lessons he learned from them, and describes her empathy, thoughtfulness, positivity, and advocacy for students as well as her home and behavioral quirks. He explains the attitude of some in the university administration toward Ms. Cone and the gardens, briefly comments on general feelings regarding her not being given the chancellorship, discusses the circumstances surrounding her burial on campus, and reflects on her legacy and how best to remember her. Dr. Mellichamp also describes Dr. Herbert Hechenbleikner, comparing and contrasting him with Bonnie Cone.

MP3 access copy created on ingest from WAV preservation master. Interview originally recorded on a Marantz PDM 670 digital recorder.

Mellichamp, T. Lawrence (Thomas Lawrence)
Cone, Bonnie E., 1907-2003
Hechenbleikner, Herbert, 1909-2004
Witherspoon, Loy H., 1930-
Fretwell, E. K., 1923-2012
Woodward, James H. (University chancellor)

College teachers
Women in higher education
Universities and colleges--Faculty
Public universities and colleges--Administration
College benefactors
Botanical gardens

North Carolina--Charlotte

Interviews
Oral histories

1960-2020

UNC Charlotte Oral History Interviews

Memories of Bonnie Cone

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audio/mpeg

Larry Mellichamp oral history interview 1, 2014 May 22 , J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Bonnie Ethel Cone papers, J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

UA-ME0106

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/uncc:2566