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Oral history interview with Alma Kesner, 1997.

Creator: Kesner, Alma
Project: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory oral history collection.
(see all project interviews)
Phys. Desc. :Transcript 165 pages Sound recording 5 audiocassettes
Location: Columbia Center for Oral History
Full CLIO record >>

Biographical Note

Purchasing agent.

Scope and Contents

Childhood: New York City environs; director of book clubs, the Heritage Club and the Readers Club; marriage 1941; early Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory [LDEO] impressions: typist, 1956; informal atmosphere; government security clearance; LDEO purchasing agent and accounts payable manager, 1958-1980: interfacing with Columbia University’s Purchasing and Accounts Payable Departments; government audits; social environment; campus layout; running cafeteria; purchasing supplies for research vessel Vema; transportation of supplies to Bermuda station; impressions of LDEO directors; difficulties expanding LDEO facilities; electronic and machine shops; Columbia Presidential Award Recipient; interpersonal tensions among staff, late 1960s to 1970s; staff departures; reminiscences of colleagues and their families.

Subjects

Access Conditions

Copyright by the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, 1998

Using this collection

Columbia Center for Oral History

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