John A. DiBiaggio became the 17th president of Michigan State University on July 1, 1985. Prior to becoming president of MSU, he served as the president of the University of Connecticut for six years. DiBiaggio grew up in Detroit, the son of Italian immigrants. He was the first person on either side of his family to attend college. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1954, and then attended the University of Detroit School of Dentistry, graduating in 1958. He also earned a master's degree from the Rackham School of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan, and honorary degrees from several other institutions. DiBiaggio practiced dentistry in New Baltimore, Michigan, and served in faculty and administrative posts at the University of Detroit, the University of Kentucky and the Virginia Commonwealth University. He was then named President at Connecticut in 1979. DiBiaggio's activities encompassed education, government, and community service. He served on the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development and Economic Cooperation, the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of the American Film Institute, and the Board of Nominators for the American Institute of Public Service. As president of MSU, DiBiaggio headed the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges during its Centennial Year. He was also a frequent spokesperson for public higher education and for land-grant universities. Topics/people covered in the interview include: Walter Adams; Charles Blackman; Governor Blanchard; Molly Brennan; Breslin Student Events Center; Jack Breslin; Lee Carr; Chrysler; John Collins; Dolores Cook; Cooley Law School; Cowles House; Duffy Daugherty; Detroit College of Law; Stanley Drobak; Jim Duderstadt; Eli Broad Gift; John Engler; Robin Fleming; Ford; General Motors; Brad Greenburg; John Hannah; Harlan Hatcher; Theodore Hesburgh; Lee Iaccoca; Ned Joyce; Knight Commission; Blanche Martin; Russell Mawby; Medical College of Virginia; adoption of semester system; alumni relations; Big Ten; capital campaign; diversity on campus; legislature and government relationships; needs of handicapped students; tuition; National Association of State Unviersities Land Grants; Larry Owen; George Perles; Don Peterson; Dean Pridgeon; Barbara Sawyer-Koch; David Scott; Robert Smith; Sports Illustrated; The State News; Tufts University; U of Connecticut, Detroit, Kentucky, Michigan; Wayne State University; Doug Weaver; Robert Weiss; Clifton Wharton; Roger Wilkinson; Patrick Wilson; Lee Winder
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