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Interview with Ruth Ault, 2019 February 22

 Item
Identifier: OHI-0237

Scope and Contents

Oral history interview and transcript with Ruth Ault conducted on February 22, 2019. Ruth Ault describes her Jewish background prior to Davidson College: raised in Conservative Judaism and being in non-Jewish communities, like Pomona College and the University of Utah. Ault recounts her interview process for Davidson College in 1979, as the first hired Jewish professor at Davidson, and the college’s Presbyterian tradition and bylaws. She recounts how her arrival to Davidson was received by the local community, and in relation to the Linden Affair. Ault then discusses the growing presence but overall lack of Jewish community members, as well as inclusive and exclusive practices and bylaws. She also explains her less visible but not purposely hidden Jewish identity at Davidson, in contrast to her identity as female and to the experiences of other Jewish professors and students. Ault traces the major changes in reception of Jewishness at Davidson College, including the hiring of Rob Spach and the foundation of Kool Tikvah. She talks about the role of religion in Davidson’s Board of Trustees, hiring process for professors and college presidents, and when she received tenure. Finally, Ault responds to the 2018 doxxing of neo-Nazis at Davidson College and current Jewish Studies activism.

Dates

  • Creation: 2019 February 22

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This interview is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Access to this interview is given for personal research use and does not imply the right to use it for other purposes, including publication. Use of our collections is subject to the provisions of current intellectual property, privacy, and libel laws. Researchers assume full responsibility for their use of these materials. For publication or other use requests, email archives@davidson.edu.

Extent

1 Digital (Sound recordings) (M4A)

1 Transcripts (Digital) (PDF)

1 Digital (Moving image) (MP4)

Language

English