This month we are showing off another tiny, but fascinating, collection at the Delaware State University Archives. Like the Viola Young Scrivens collection highlighted last month, The Eula Maloy Oliver collection is small in stature, but it is representative of an era in DSU history that is not well documented.
Beginning in the late 1950s Eula Maloy Oliver attended the DuPont High School, more commonly referred to as the laboratory school on the campus of Delaware State College. After completion of the high school division, Eula continued her DSC education at the collegiate level. She attained a bachelors degree in education in 1962. While in attendance, Eula was very active socially and became a member of the then-newly established Delta Lambda chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Eula also married one of her classmates, William A. Oliver.
The Eula Maloy Oliver collection is a treasure trove of black and white photographs depicting 1950s Delaware State College. The subject matter ranges from campus scenery to athletics, to student organizations and more. The individuals most commonly shown are Mr. and Mrs. Oliver and their mutual friends. The images found here are just two examples: Above - two female students promenade on the campus circle, a popular spot for croquet games and relaxation, and a hangout for the children of faculty members. Below - Students typically enjoyed dancing and card games in "the canteen" located in the basement of Conrad Hall. The canteen was one of the few social locations on campus where male and female students could enjoy time together. Dorm visitations at this time were very strict.
Other contents in this collection include a 1952 Dupont High School yearbook, a 1962 DSC yearbook, and a letter written by Eula to Dr. Claibourne Smill dated November 9, 2005 in which she addresses concerns for the further expansion of the campus and maintaining a diverse student population.
Through her DSC degree, Mrs. Eula Oliver was employed as an elementary school teacher for 35 years. She was an influential individual in Delaware Education and served on a great number of local, state, and national committees. Perhaps most significantly, she worked to formulate the Delaware State Assessment Standards in the areas of math, science and social studies.
Mrs. Oliver had two sisters who additionally attended Delaware State College, Mrs. Mary Scott and Mrs. Bertha Turner. Please note that Mrs. Scott also has an archival collection of photographic scrapbooks available for public viewing.
