Samantha Hastings

Samantha Hastings

In Conversation

Episode 18 Sam Hastings

Retired Professor, School Director, Interim Dean

In Conversation with Samantha Hastings, who has been Professor and Director of the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina, Interim Dean at the University of North Texas, a Librarian, and a Consultant. She is a Past President of top information associations – ASIS&T and ALISE. She talks about growing up in Avra Valley, Arizona, her career, random acts of kindness, and fighting prejudice.

Trailer (1:05)

Interview (1:13:25)

Timecodes

0:00 Trailer

0:59 Intro

5:44 Time as a Math Teacher

10:24 Random Acts of Kindness

11:39 Childhood

15:19 Prejudice

19:53 Career

23:56 Art

28:08 AI

32:56 Significant Steps in Career

37:28 Serendipity

48:10 Information Science Field

50:12 Influences

55:45 Favorite Books

59:15 Importance of Kindness

1:03:53 Biggest Successes

1:04:50 Resilience

1:07:57 Life Principles

1:09:02 Goals

1:10:58 Mentoring Advice

This interview was supported by the ASIS&T Bob Williams Research Grant 2025.

More about Samantha Hastings ASIS&T | LinkedIn

Madhav Kakkar

Madhav Kakkar and Naresh Agarwal on March 25, 2025

In Conversation

Episode 11 Madhav Kakkar
Seeing India become independent, academia, loneliness in old age

In conversation with Professor Madhav Kakkar, who talks about his childhood in India and seeing India become independent from British rule, moving to the US, career in academia and leadership roles, losing his wife, and loneliness of old age.

Trailer (0:56)

Interview (57:02)

Timecodes

0:00 Trailer

0:53 Introduction

3:13 Childhood

4:50 College

5:45 First Job

6:04 Civil Service Exam

7:36 Teaching in Hindi or English

8:04 Witnessing Independence of India

12:55 Moving to the United States

20:00 Turning Points in Career

23:02 Reunited with Family

26:28 Serendipity

27:46 Influences

35:28 Biggest Success

36:09 Hardest part of his life

38:25 Difficulties of Old Age

51:01 Life Principles

51:56 Meaning of Happiness

This interview was supported by the iSchools Research Grant 2023.

Madhav Kakkar watching his interview on March 25, 2025