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In the 90 years that the Health Science Center has been located in Memphis, Orren W. Hyman, Vice President of the Medical Unites, is one of its most imposing figures. Stories about his administrative acumen and his personal qualities are told and retold on campus. In May of 1961, shortly before he was to leave office, a retirement dinner was held in his honor. At this dinner the speakers below talked for over an hour about their experiences and their recollections of the honored guest. It is our good fortune that many of the stories told about Dr. Hyman are recorded here by some of the people who worked with him and who knew him.

A reel-to-reel audio recording of this occasion was discovered in the James Etteldorf Collection of the Health Sciences Historical Collections. It was digitized and, although the tape is now 40 years old, the voices are still remarkably clear. A description of each speaker's comments is given along with an approximate run time in minutes.

NOTE: To hear any of the speaches below, click on the start button located beneath each image to hear the speaker. These files can be played with a QuickTime Pro player. If you are unable to access these audio files, click here to go to a site for a free copy of QuickTime for either Mac or Windows.

	1. Roland Alden, Ph.D. Dean, Basic Medical Sciences Dr. Alden is the moderator. In addition to introducing the speakers, he tells of his experiences and stories about Dr. Hyman. (Time 5:47)
	2. Andrew Holt, Ph.D., LL.D. President, University of Tennessee Dr. Holt speaks with animation and humor about what he learned from Dr. Hyman in the year since becoming President of UT in 1959. He describes point by point what he learned from Dr. Hyman as a "postgraduate course in university administration." (Time 14:28)
	3. Roland Alden., Ph.D. Dean, Basic Medical Sciences Dr. Alden comments on Dr. Hyman's virtues by recounting a river hunting trip, a trip to the Rocky Mountains involving a hornets nest, and an unanticipated drive into a country river after getting lost. (Time 4:47)
	4. Maston Callison, M.D. Dean, College of Medicine Dr. Callison remembers some early details of how the Medical Units evolved, beginning in 1913 when Dr. Hyman arrived from Mississippi as a new faculty member. He provides a biographical sketch of Dr. Hyman's early years and recounts how Dr. Hyman guided the Medical Units through the 20's and the Great Depression. (Time 19:40)
	5. Roland Alden, Ph.D. Dean, Basic Medical Sciences Dr. Alden relates how Dean Robert L. Crowe influenced Dr. Hyman's administrative character by recounting an incident that occurred while river bar goose hunting. (Time 2:53)
	6. Wassell Randolph Philanthropist Mr. Randolph praises Dr. Hyman for his success in building the administrative quadrangle, which today includes the Hyman Building and recounts stories of Dr. Hyman's relationship with members of the board of trustees. (Time 14:38)
	7. Roland Alden, Ph.D. Dean, Basic Medical Sciences In this short presentation, Dr. Alden tells a story that illustrates how Dr. Hyman developed his strong sense of initiative. (Time 1:40)
	8. T.P. Nash, Ph.D. Dean, School of Biological Sciences Dr. Nash presents the gifts funded from the donations of friends and colleagues as an expression of their appreciation. Gifts include a bound collection of letters from friends and colleagues and a stereo system with long playing records. (Time 2:58)
	9. O.W. Hyman, MD Vice President, UT Medical Units Dr. Hyman accepts the kind words of the preceding speakers, and comments on the Medical Units, his retirement and the future. Dr. Alden adjourns the evening. (Time 8:02)

For more Information contact Richard Nollan
Last updated September 5, 2001