The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with Michael A. Battle




Overview of the Item

Repository: The HistoryMakers
1900 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60616
(312) 674-1900
info@thehistorymakers.com
http://www.thehistorymakers.com
Interviewer: Jodi Merriday
Videographer: Scott Stearns
Title:Video Oral History Interview with Michael A. Battle
Dates:March 22, 2004
Abstract: (ABSTRACT)
Quantity: 4 Betacam SP videocassettes, 1 half-Hollinger box containing (NUMBER) folders of accompanying materials.
Identification: A2004.032
Language: The interviews and records are in English

Biographical Note

Dr. Michael A. Battle, the seventh president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), was born on July 28, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his B.A. degree from Trinity College, his masters of divinity degree from Duke University and his doctor of ministry from Howard University. Battle's other academic achievements include certifications from the Institute of Educational Management at Harvard University, the Executive Leadership Institute of Hampton University, and American Association of State Colleges and Universities' Millennium Leadership.

Before assuming the presidency of ITC, Battle served as vice president of student affairs at Chicago State University. From 1996 to 1998, Battle served as associate vice president of student affairs at Virginia State University, where, under his leadership, the institution's successful planning and assessment was widely acknowledged. From 1976 to 1996, Battle served as dean of the University Chapel at Hampton University, pastor to the Hampton University Memorial Church and executive secretary and treasurer of the Hampton University Ministers' Conference, the nation's largest interdenominational conference among African American clergy. His active participation in the conference helped increase the number of members and helped to raise significant amounts of money for construction of the university's convocation center. Battle also taught philosophy and religion, and served for twenty years as a Chaplain in the United States Army Reserve.

His other notable achievements include serving as vice president of the American Committee on Africa from 1994 to 1998, as well as participating as an election observer for the first free election in South Africa. Battle has also received numerous awards and honors including, the Leadership Award from the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals; the Martin Luther King Memorial Speakers Award from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; the Echoes of Excellence Award for Community Service; and the National Conference of Christians and Jews Humanitarian Award. Battle has also authored numerous books and publications on topics related to ecumenism and the Black church, including Hampton and Black Ecumenism and The African American Church at Work.

Battle is married to the former Linda Ann McClure, and is the father of three children: Michael Jr., Lisa Angela and Martin Luther. Michael is a graduate of Malcolm X College in Chicago, Lisa is a graduate of Elizabeth City State University and Central Michigan State University and is also a captain in the U.S. Army; and Martin is completing his undergraduate work in religious studies at Hampton University.

Biographical Note by The HistoryMakers®


Scope and Contents

This life oral history interview with Michael A. Battle was conducted by Jodi Merriday on 2004-03-22 in Interdenominational Theological Center; Atlanta, Georgia and is recorded on 4 30-minute Betacam SP videocassettes. Access copies exist on Betacam SP, VHS, DVD and MPEG-1. The interview contains information on (COMPLETE ONE SENTENCE DESCRIPTION OF INTERVIEW). Accompanying materials in the collection include Michael A. Battle's correspondence with The HistoryMakers® related to the interview; a copy of the signed release form and the production report; the biographical information used by the interviewer to prepare for the interview (DETAILS); paper copies of the interview transcripts, 3 1/2" floppy disks with electronic copies of the transcripts; selected quotes for video clips; photocopies of photographs captured on video; XML files with metadata created in editing and cataloguing the interview for The HistoryMakers Digital Video Library; and paper copies of these XML files.


Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Access to paper records is restricted. Other restrictions may be applied on a case-by-case basis.

Restrictions on Use

All use of materials must be pre-approved by The HistoryMakers® and appropriate credit must be given. All use credits must be pre-approved by The HistoryMakers®. Copyright is held by The HistoryMakers®.


Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access terms.
Contributors:
Battle, Michael A., 1950-
Merriday, Jodi
Stearns, Scott
Persons:
(PERSONS)
Corporate Bodies:
(CORPORATE BODIES)
Family Names:
Battle
Places:
(PLACES)
Subjects:
(SUBJECTS)
Document Types:
Video oral history interview
Titles:
The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with Michael A. Battle


Related Material

Accompanying materials: Accompanying materials are filed in (NUMBER) folders in a half-Hollinger box and shelved at The HistoryMakers® Archives and Collection Library by accession number, separately from the videos.


Administrative Information

Location of Originals

Betacam, VHS, DVD and MPEG-1 access copies are held for in-house use at The HistoryMakers®; Betacam SP, VHS and DVD playback hardware is provided for in-house viewing of the access copies; MPEG-1 copies are searchable and viewable via a digital video database.

Preferred Citation

The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with Michael A. Battle, March 22, 2004. The HistoryMakers® African American Video Oral History Collection, 1900 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois.


Detailed Description/Tape Listings

Video Oral History Interview with Michael A. Battle, Tape 1, March 22, 2004, TRT: 00:29:20.

Interdenominational Theological Center president Michael A. Battle describes his family background, sharing stories passed down from slavery. He explains how an encounter with the Ku Klux Klan forced his family to move from Mississippi to St. Louis, Missouri. Battle describes his own childhood growing up in St. Louis in the 1950s, including his struggling with a heart disorder, patronizing local black-owned businesses in the neighborhood, and comparing his upbringing with that of his parents.



Video Oral History Interview with Michael A. Battle, Tape 2, March 22, 2004, TRT: 00:28:44.

Dr. Michael A. Battle, president of Interdenominational Theological Center, talks about growing up in a nurturing, close-knit African American neighborhood in St. Louis Missouri, in the 1950s and 1960s. He discussses the destructive myths about black neighborhoods and the segregated black schools at that time, and examines the deterioration of black communities in the years since his own youth. He recalls his experiences at school and church and mentions some individual church folks who had a positive influence on him and other youth.



Video Oral History Interview with Michael A. Battle, Tape 3, March 22, 2004, TRT: 00:28:38.

Interdenominational Theological Center president Michael A. Battle talks about his adolescence including influential teachers and experiences at Soledad High School in St. Louis, Missouri and at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. He also talks about extracurricular activities including his volunteer work with the African American community in Hartford, teaching a GED course four nights a week. Battle also mentions his involvement with Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign while he was in seminary at Duke University.



Video Oral History Interview with Michael A. Battle, Tape 4, March 22, 2004, TRT: 00:27:56.

Dr. Michael A. Battle talks about his career--twenty years as chaplain at Hampton University, followed by vice-president jobs at Virginia State and Chicago State, and then the presidency of Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Battle explains how throughout his career he emphasized providing mentorship and counsel to African American students. He also discusses his family and reflects on his accomplishments and his personal philosophy.