A 9-Month Update

It is nine months into the grant, which marks the end of the first Archival Fellowship. Much has been accomplished since February! Here are just a few bullet points:

•  The Archives has taken the first steps to getting its collection descriptions online and up to professional standards.
•  Many collections have been described and preserved – including a collection of over 20,000 photographs!
•  Our digitized collection has exploded! You can check out a near-complete run of our collection of The Echo here. Over 100 issues were digitized this month alone. That’s over 1000 pages! Access them anywhere and download them as PDFs. Some are even full-text searchable!

Processed collections, October 2014

The Archives remains committed to making the history of Delaware State University accessible to all interested parties. Going forward, we aim to serve this goal even further by re-evaluating our digitization priorities, incorporating collections into the library catalog, and designing a more interactive guide to the history of the campus. With that, the first Archival Fellow bids DSU adieu!

Homecoming Week at DSU

Homecoming 1971, Office of Public Relations Photographs

The Archives is excited for Homecoming Week here at DSU! The week will include concerts, alumni activities, the annual parade, and a football game against North Carolina A&T. You can find the full schedule here.

What better time to show off some photos of the Homecoming parade from days gone by? Here are just a few from our collection of photographs from the Office of Public Relations. There’s nothing like reflecting on old traditions to bolster your school spirit!

Homecoming 1998, Office of Public Relations Photographs

Creation of the Black Studies Program

During the spring of 1968, students protested dormitory conditions and regulations. The unrest reached its height in May when students occupied Grossley Hall, prompting the governor to dispatch the National Guard.

Black Majestic Society editorial, The Hornet, October 10, 1969

Among the most organized of the activists was the Black Majestic Society, who demanded the creation of a Black Studies Program. Their October 10, 1969, editorial in The Hornet, pictured here, represents their displeasure with the college, to put it mildly. 

By the 1970-1971 academic year, the Black Studies Program was approved as a multidisciplinary concentration that called upon a variety of fields in the humanities. You can read the Black Studies Planning Committee proposal here, as part of our digitized collection.

Farewell from Leigh-Anne

Written by: Leigh-Anne Yacovelli

My time here at DSU is done, and I am very sad to see it end. The work I was able to do was meaningful and exciting. I had access to items of historical significance that many people do not know existed, such as the course catalogs from 1899-1911 when the University was still called the State College for Colored Students. A lot of the material I processed showed the development of the University, as well as the changes in the departments and course offerings. I have to say one of my favorites was when I helped a researcher find material about student activities and influence that led to the addition of the Black Studies Program.

My confidence increased with the practice provided in the archives, which was the purpose of this post-graduate internship for me. Much of what I learned in school was under the direction of a teacher. However, nothing beats working in the field to learn how an activity can be the same but bring up a different set of questions each day. I was able to clarify my career goals. I not only learned that I can process archival records as quickly as I can catalog books (I interned in a corporate library and spent time in a public library while a MSLS student), I also learned that I enjoy spending time interacting with researchers and people from other University departments who want to learn more about what we have and do at the University Archives.

I wish the University were closer to my home. The two hour drive so early in the morning was very hard, but I never had a day where I woke up and wished I did not have to come in to work. The traffic was always minimal (it was, after all, the summer), the weather was just right, there appears to be no bad parking on campus, and the people are all really nice.

Speaking of the people, the employees at DSU are fantastic! They always had a smile for me. It felt good to be asked how I was doing, and to know the person asking really wanted to know. It did not take long before I was being included in conversations in the staff lunchroom and elsewhere in the library. It is my strongest hope that the people here in the William C. Jason Library remember me like I will them.

I am grateful for the opportunity to work at DSU, and be a part of building the University Archives. I look forward to watching the digital collection grow, and reading future blog posts to learn who else has come on board and where I might be able to meet up with them to compare notes about the collection material.

Digitization update

Written by: Emily Cottle

Since beginning our digitization work in January 2014, we are excited to report that we have grown our collection from our initial five items to over one hundred!

Items available include all issues from The Echo dating 1909-1912, items from our photograph collection, and inauguration programs from some of our presidents.

You can browse our available items here.

Click to browse digitized items.

My favorite things, part III

Written by: Leigh-Anne Yacovelli

This week's post features the last in our series documenting the favorite or most interesting finds of the Archives' staff.

At the same time HBO aired its movie, The Normal Heart, I came across Executive Order No. 83, issued by Delaware Governor Michael N. Castle, while processing employment materials for staff and faculty in the Delaware State archives. This executive order addressed the need to establish a policy on AIDS in the workplace.

The 1980’s saw the emergence of what some have termed a world-wide pandemic. Although cases of HIV and AIDS were unknowingly reported decades before, the widespread publicity in the 1980’s regarding the spread infection alarmed everyone, and the alarm was validated by governments around the world. It did not end in the 1980’s. As recent as 2001, the CDC reported, “In the early 1980s, most AIDS cases occurred among whites. However, cases among blacks increased steadily and by 1996, more cases occurred among blacks than any other racial/ethnic population.”(1)

HBO’s movie showed us that the HIV/AIDS epidemic should not be forgotten. The purpose of Executive Order No. 83 was to prevent discrimination in light of the fear and ignorance that surrounded HIV/AIDS. Delaware State clearly supported this, and distributed the order to all of its staff and faculty.

Protecting the rights of current and potential workers was a step forward. Making sure historical material is cared for, such as policies and stories about this matter as they relate to Delaware State University, is an important task for those of us in the University Archives. Stop in and see how we do this!

(1) “HIV and AIDS --- United States, 1981--2000". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 8, 2001. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5021a2.htm [accessed June 20, 2014].

My favorite things, part II

Written by: Cale McCammon

Welcome to part II in our favorite things series. If you missed it, be sure to check out last week’s post here. My favorite items in the Archives are those that illuminate things that you walk by on a daily basis, especially things that concern university buildings.

Have you ever wondered about the mural around the William C. Jason Library’s entrance? Our collection of administrative records from the Library may provide some insight. These records date from the early 1970s to the present day and include staff meetings, publications, reports, and correspondence that provide information on the Library’s expansion.

William C. Jason Library entrance, November 1988

Completed in the late 1970s by alumnus Bernard Felch, the mural incorporates traditional African symbols, which ultimately speak to the Library’s place as the center of learning. That’s putting it in lay terms, however. These scanned pages of the records contain the words of the artist himself and speak more truly to what the symbols represent. So the next time you’re on campus and wonder what’s the deal with so-and-so, we just might be able to help you out.

The following document entitled Symbolism in the Wall for the Jason Library at Delaware State College is included in the William C. Jason Library Records available at the Archives. 

Be sure to check back next week for Leigh-Anne’s favorite item!

My favorite things, part I

Click to see available digitized newspapers.

Written by: Emily Cottle

This week’s post is the first in a three part series entitled my favorite things. Each week we will feature a staff member of the University Archives who will share their favorite collection items.

The collections at the University Archives contain so many wonderful items that trying to pick a single favorite is almost impossible! I’d say the group of items that I find most intriguing and historically valuable are the issues of the school newspaper.

I think school papers are interesting because they give a first-hand account of what’s happening at an institution at a particular time. You can tell what issues students were facing or learn about controversies that were happening on campus. There is also important basic information like when campus events, such as Homecoming, Commencement, Founders day, were held and accounts of who was there or what happened.

In addition to news articles providing these primary source accounts, you get to see advertisements, photographs, how formats or layout styles changed, and other contextual clues that provide so much information beyond the simple text of an article.

Our collection of school papers begins in 1909 with issues of The Echo, as the school paper was known then. (Note: Our complete collection of The Echo from 1909-1912 has been digitized and is available online.) Our run picks up with The Hornet in 1950 and continues through to 2014. Come visit the Archives to browse some of these newspapers yourself.

Come back next week to learn about Cale McCammon’s favorite item!

DSU Resources available at Delaware Public Archives

This week’s blog post follows up on some information provided in a recent post about the materials held by the Delaware Public Archives (DPA) that pertain to Delaware State. The following list describes materials held by DPA that relate to Delaware State University.

Photograph Collections

Delaware Economic Development Office (RG 1306.029):
Photographs taken for state Development Office promotional activities, especially for promotional publications.

Delaware State News photographs (RG 9210.013.011):
Photographs taken by staff photographers for use in the Delaware State News.

General Photograph Collection (RG 1325.003.036):
The General Collection is primarily the result of small donations by individuals or organizations. Because of the nature of the collection, a wide range of subjects and time periods are represented. Major subjects include business and industry, churches, city and town scenes, state and local government leaders and activities, houses, local events, portraits, public buildings, recreation, schools, and various types of transportation.

Insurance Evaluation Reports (RG 1305.005):
Inspection and survey of insurance coverage from the Insurance Company of North America on the property supervised by the Board of Trustees of the Permanent Budget Commission. The reports show the findings of inspection and survey of properties monitored by the board. Included in the information is a fire rate analysis, fire prevention recommendations, estimated insurable value of buildings, current policy and form analysis, extended coverage endorsement, contents coverage, and suggested changes to existing policy. Reports have been digitized and are available on the Delaware Heritage Collection.

Project Delaware (RG 9015.000):
A series of aerial view slides documenting the coastal areas of the state in 1970. Includes some interior parts of the state, especially waterways. Images have been digitized and are available on the Delaware Heritage Collection.

Other Collections

Attorney General’s General Administrative Files (RG 1560.023):
Subject files maintained by the Attorney General concerning activities of the office throughout Delaware. Attorney General David Buckson’s files contain two folders relating to the denial of service to Delaware State College and University of Delaware Students at Dover’s Hollywood Diner in 1962.

Board of Trustees of Delaware State College (RG 8300.000):
Proceedings of the Investigation of Howard D. Gregg, President of Delaware State College in 1947. Records are confidential.

Construction Documents (RG 1340.002.049):
Construction specifications and architectural drawings relating to projects overseen by the Delaware Division of Facilities Management. Records are confidential and require advance notice for access.

Delaware State College Building Specifications (RG 8300.002):
Building specifications for gym, girls dormitory, and pasteurization plant. Records are confidential and require advance notice for access.

Educational Directories:
Published by the Department of Public Instruction/Department of Education, the educational directories list all of the school districts and institutions of higher learning in the state. Educational directories also list names of administrators and educators at the various schools and institutions.

Enrolled Bills:
Original bills passed by both houses of the Legislature between 1776 and 1959. Entries show the General Assembly session number, bill number, title of bill, signatures of Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, bill clerks of House and Senate, Clerk of the House, Secretary of the Senate, and Governor, plus time and date of Governor's approval. Governor's signature was not part of final bill until 1898. Each bill also includes all amendments and resolutions. Enrolled bills can be searched by keyword through DPA’s online Collection Gateway.

George Vapaa Papers (RG 9200.V03.001):
A part of the Small Manuscripts Collection, the Vapaa Papers consist of typed transcriptions of interviews conducted by George Vapaa, a former Kent County Agricultural Agent. One of the interviews in the collection was conducted with Dr. Willie G. Adams from the Delaware State College and Extension Service. Interviews generally discussed subjects’ life and family before moving to Delaware and their careers in the state.

Governor’s Papers (RG 1302.007):
The records consist of proclamations, oaths of office, official’s bonds, commissions, extradition requests, appointments, resignations, correspondence, reports, accounts, pardons, and other general inquiries. Records are arranged chronologically by governor and thereunder by subject.

Governors Bacon, Carvel, Boggs, Terry, Peterson, Tribbitt, Castle, and Minner all have files relating to Delaware State College/University.

Newspaper Clippings (RG 1325.003.008):
A convenience collection of Delaware newspaper clippings concerning people and topics of historical interest created for research room and staff use.

A special thanks to Reference Archivist Katie Hall of Delaware Public Archives for assembling this helpful information for us!

11th Anniversary of name change to Delaware State University

Click here to view more about this photo.

Written by: Leigh-Anne Yacovelli

Today’s post celebrates the 11th anniversary of the day that Governor Thomas Carper signed the name change from Delaware State College (DSC) to Delaware State University (DSU) into law. This important event stemmed from a unanimous vote made on September 10, 1992 by the DSC Board of Trustees to conduct a study on the merits of changing the institution’s name. By May 13, 1993, they agreed it was a wanted change, and authorized the DSC’s president to send a formal request for name change to the General Assembly. 

Visit the Archives to read this report.

Why is it so important? After all, the size of the institution does not tip the scale from a college to a university. By 1991, different states developed different rationales for changing the name of an institution from college to university. Some states insisted the school be able to provide doctoral degrees, while others had to offer a minimum number of graduate degrees, or a minimum number of students enrolled in degrees not designed to produce teachers.

The designation of “university” resonates as a solid, worthy institution. For instance, institutions carrying that designation are more likely to gain notice over those simply labeled “college” when donors are deciding on where to contribute their money. For DSC, a name change would bring it on par with many of its peer institutions. The Board of Trustees noted in a background paper supporting the name change (written for the Governor and members of the Delaware General Assembly) that, of the 17 historically black land-grant institutions, only DSC and Fort Valley State College (in Georgia) are not designated as “university.”

If you want to learn more, come visit the archives or check out our past posts on DSU history.