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KSU Semicentennial collection
Special Collections and Archives
KSU Semicentennial collection
Special Collections and Archives
KSU Semicentennial collection
- Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
- Title: Kent State University Semicentennial collection
- Inclusive Date(s): 1956-1961
- Bulk Date(s): 1959-1960
- Author: Finding aid prepared by Edith Serkownek, June 2008
- Creation: Finding aid encoded by Edith Serkownek using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2008
- Origination: Kent State University Semicentennial Committee
- Extent: 4.15 cubic feet (8 boxes and 1 oversize folder)
- Physical Location: 11th floor
- Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0063
- Abstract: This collection documents the celebration of Kent State University's Semicentennial in 1959-1960. It includes some of the working documents of the Semicentennial Committee, photographs, press releases, periodical clippings, KSU publications and souvenirs produced for the Semicentennial.
- Language(s): The records are in English
History of Kent State University Semicentennial
Kent State University celebrated its 50th anniversary during the 1959-1960 academic year. In order to prepare and promote the events and activities surrounding the anniversary, President George Bowman appointed a Semicentennial Committee in 1956. The committee, chaired by School of Journalism Head, Professor William Taylor, prepared a series of reports that outlined themes, symbols and a calendar of events for the year. Official souvenirs were created for the celebration including a medallion, a plate, an album of Kent State songs called Kent's Golden Year, and the publication of Phillip R. Shriver's KSU history, The Years of Youth. Semicentennial events throughout the year were documented through official photographs and KSU's Public Affairs Office sent out regular press releases and collected examples of press coverage.
Scope and Content
This collection documents the celebration of Kent State University's Semicentennial during the academic year 1959-1960. It includes some of the working documents of the Semicentennial Committee (1956-1961) including memorandum, correspondence and meeting minutes as well as the committee's official reports submitted to President George Bowman. The collection includes examples of invitations and programs created for Semicentennial events as well as general KSU publications bearing the Semicentennial logo, official photographs, press releases, clippings and periodicals. This collection also includes a number of souvenir and keepsake items created for the event.
Statement of Arrangement
The Kent State University Semicentennial collection is divided into the following series and subseries:
- Series 1: Semicentennial Committee Reports and Working Documents
- Series 2: KSU Publications
- Subseries 2A: KSU Publications: Semicentennial Official Calendar, Events and Convocations
- Subseries 2B: KSU Publications: General
- Series 3: Souvenirs and Promotional Objects
- Series 4: Photographs
- Subseries 4A: Photographs: Events
- Subseries 4B: Photographs: Souvenir and Promotional Objects
- Subseries 4C: Photographs: Photograph Albums
- Series 5: Press Kits, Releases and Clippings
- Series 6: Periodicals
- Series 7: Oversized Material
Related Material
Further materials relating to the KSU Semicentennial can be found in the William D. Taylor papers, the Philip R. Shriver papers and the Kent State University, Artifacts collection.
Preferred Citation
Kent State Univeristy Semicentennial collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Acquisition Information
This collection was compiled by the KSU Department of Special Collections and Archives from various sources, primarily the Kent State University Semicentennial Committee. The bulk of the photographs series was originally part of the Kent State University School of Journalism Short Course in News Photography records.
Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:
- Persons:
- Bowman, George A.
- Shriver, Phillip R. (Phillip Raymond), 1922-
- Taylor, William D., 1903-1975
- Organizations/Corporations:
- Kent State University--History
- Kent State University--Centennial celebrations, etc.
- Kent State University. Semicentennial Committee
- Places:
- Kent (Ohio)--History
- Occupations:
- College administrators
- College teachers
- Material Types:
- Souvenirs
- Press releases
- Photographs
- News photographs
- Photograph albums
Detailed Description of The Collection
Series 2: KSU Publications, 1957-1960
Subseries 2A: KSU Publications: Semicentennial Official Calendar, Events and Convocations, 1959-1960
- Scope and Content
- This material include invitations and programs for official Semicentennial events and convocations.
- Box 1 / Folder 11
- Semicentennial special event publications, 1959
- Box 1 / Folder 12
- Semicentennial special event publications, 1960
- Box 1 / Folder 13
- Semicentennial convocation programs, 1959
- Box 1 / Folder 14
- Semicentennial convocation programs, January-March, 1960
- Box 1 / Folder 15
- Semicentennial convocation programs, May, 1960
- Box 1 / Folder 16
- Semicentennial convocation programs, June-July, 1960
Series 3: Souvenirs and Promotional Objects, 1959-1960
- Box 1 / Folder 20
- Semicentennial souvenir promotional flyers, [1959]
- Box 1 / Folder 21
- Semicentennial promotional items including patch, envelopes, menus and postcards, [1959-1960]
Series 5: Press Kits, Releases and Clippings, 1959-1961
- Box 7 / Folder 1
- Semicentennial editorial kit/press kit, [1959-1960]
- Box 7 / Folder 2
- Semicentennial press releases, 1959-1960 and undated
- Box 7 / Folder 3
- As Others See Us: booklet of newspaper editorials, Public Affairs Office, May 30, 1960
- Box 7 / Folder 4
- Kent State Univeristy Semicentennial Clipping File: booklet of newspaper clippings, KSU Public Affairs Office, June, 1960
- Box 7 / Folder 5
- As Others See Us: Booklet of newspaper editorials, Public Affairs Office, May 31, 1961
Series 7: Oversized Material, 1960 and undated
- Box 8 / Folder 10
- Semicentennial Commemorative Plates working file, including sketches of Rockwell Hall, Merill Hall and the Administration Building signed by Alan Price; full scale plate mock-ups and backstamp copy for the plates., [1959]
- Box 8 / Folder 11
- KSU Semicentennial wall calendar, 1960
- Map-Case KSU Q-S
- Art Boards- Semicentennial Seal and Logo Ideas, undated
