Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Found: Harriet R. Williams research notes


While sifting through some of the remaining unprocessed collections I came across a box full of handwritten notes on yellow notepads.  Each note contained cramped, cursive handwriting that filled the entirety of the page with notations about the history of Delaware State College.  At first glance there was no identifying information to be able to know to whom the research belonged. However, a second flip through the pages revealed clues - reminders about hair appointment, the chemistry club, and Administrative Council meetings.

It became evident that this was the work of Harriet Ruth Williams, a chemistry professor and prominent university figure from 1941 until c. 1993.  She is the second-longest serving professor in the history of the university and was a central figure in the growth of the science department during Luna I. Mishoe's early presidency. She additionally served the university as an administrator for public relations, alumni relations, admissions, and academic affairs to name a few.

Toward the end of her career and into retirement Dr. Williams had been compiling a comprehensive history of then-Delaware State College with the hopes of writing a book. She never completed the book and for a long time the location of her research notes was unknown to us.  Myself and campus historians believed them to be forever gone.

It therefore with great pleasure that I announce the existence of the notes and drafts for what appears to be "Chapter One" of Dr. Williams' manuscript.   The research primarily discusses the history of the Loockerman Family, Morrill Acts, and the incorporation of the college.  There are additionally scattered notes for the Webb and Gregg presidencies.  If you would like to view the full finding aid for the collection you may find it on the archives LibGuide or at https://desu.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=46335455

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Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Mr. Townsend and the Polish Prince by Mike Gastineau

The DSU archives is celebrating yet another landmark achievement! For the first time ever, the archives and I, by name, have received acknowledgement in a book.

Last year Mr. Mike Gastineau visited the William C. Jason Library to conduct research regarding the 1981 DSC football team and its controversial coach, Mr. Joe Purzycki. At that time he examined Board of Trustee records, news clippings, and sports media guides. These records, in conjunction with conversations with Mr. Purzycki, led to a book.

Mr. Townsend and the Polish Prince tells the story of the racial tensions that resulted from an unprecedented move by Delaware State University to hire a white coach football. After a embarrassing 1980 season, concluded by a 105-0 loss to Portland State University, the then-athletic director, Nelsen Townsend, decided a radical change was necessary. Townsend hired Purzycki, the assistant football coach at University of Delaware.

When Purzycki came to work on his first day, he had to force his way through a picket line of students protesting his presence on campus and seventeen scholarship players immediately quit the team. Despite these and numerous other challenges, Purzycki won the admiration of the DSC community and ultimately turned the team around.

I haven't read Mr. Townsend and the Polish Prince, yet, but I am eager to begin.  This a chapter of University history that I was hitherto unaware of, and I'm grateful to Mr. Gastineau for bringing it to the limelight.

If you'd like to learn more about this story you can checkout the book's website at https://thepolishprince.com/ or you can purchase the book on Amazon.  It is available in both paperback and kindle editions. https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Townsend-Polish-Prince-redemption/dp/1728922488

Congratulations Mr. Gastineau and Mr. Purzycki!