Experienced oral historian takes reins of UF's Samuel Proctor Oral History Program

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Paul Ortiz has become the director for the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program at the University of Florida.

Ortiz's interest in oral history began as a reporter for Evergreen State College's radio station in Washington, documenting the experiences of labor activists at events and rallies. This experience led him to graduate school at Duke University, where he earned his doctorate and worked on "Remembering Jim Crow," an oral history documentary accounting the experiences of black Southerners during segregation. This research brought him frequently to UF, where he worked closely with the Oral History Program and its archive.

Ortiz looks forward to developing larger, community-driven efforts to present the project's collections to the public. In November, the program will release a film that details the experience of four American soldiers who were taken prisoner in the Pacific Theatre. Following the film, the program will work with the Matheson Museum and the Alachua County Veterans Services to capture the experiences of local World War II veterans.

Other future projects include documenting the histories of smaller Florida towns and their business districts; the black communities of Gainesville; Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party members and their experiences with segregation and civil rights; and people in various occupations such as farm workers and longshoremen. The program will also explore the social impact of NASA on Florida, as well as the stories of people involved in water management issues and sugar cultivation. The last project will culminate in a series of public events on the issue that will allow community involvement and discussion on the issue.

Ortiz is the third director of the Oral History Program, which was founded by Professor Emeritus Samuel Proctor in 1967. The purpose of the program is to preserve for future generations an eyewitness account of the economic, social, political, religious, and intellectual life of Florida and the South. For more information on the program and future events, visit www.history.ufl.edu/oral.

Credits

Writer

Jeff Stevens, jstevens@ufl.edu, 352-846-2032

Contact

Paul Ortiz, portiz@ufl.edu, 352-392-7168