University Archives
Melinda Isler, Archivist
FLITE 438
1010 Campus Drive
Big Rapids MI 49307
(231) 591-3731
[email protected]
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Alumni Journal/School Bulletin Records
Creator: Ferris State College. Office of Public Affairs.
Dates: 1925-1972
Abstract: The Alumni Journal is a publication produced through the Office of Public Affairs for graduates and others interested in affairs of the institution. It is a monthly (later quarterly) publication produced in tabloid format that was later replaced by the Alumni Bulletin. This collection contains all known issues of the publication between 1925-1972.
Language: English
Quantity: 1.7 cubic feet; 1 Hollinger box and 1 records center box.
Identification: UA 9.3.605
Repository: Ferris State University Archives and Records Management Program
Historical Note
The School Bulletin most likely began publication in fall 1924. The earliest remaining copies date from February 1925, and are numbered "Volume 1, Number 4." The publication was quarterly, and included articles written by Institute staff and faculty. The audience was potential students, and much of the information was about specific programs, entry requirements and schedule information. It acted as a supplement to the regular catalog with articles by staff encouraging applications.
In November 1943, the bulletin entitled "A War Message" first addresses the former students of Ferris Institute rather than a potential student audience. Articles talk about the alumni association and the effect that the war had on the Institute. It was not, however, until the end of the decade that the focus of the publication shifted.
It was in August 1950 that the publication switched from a magazine format to a tabloid newsprint- printed by the Ferris printing department. The phrase "Alumni Journal" was added to the publication title. By 1953, the main title was Alumni Journal, with the School Bulletin listed as a subtitle. It was still edited by Roy Newton, who served as the Alumni secretary. It switched over to a multipage format with articles about current Institute activities, staff, buildings and alumni events. In the 1950s and 1960s, with the large expansion of students and the physical campus, there was much to report on. Class notes became expanded as the publication grew longer.
The Alumni Journal ceased to exist as a title in March 1972 and became the Alumni Bulletin in June 1972.
Scope and Content Note
The first issues of School Bulletin are almost identical in format to What School? They have paragraph descriptions of various courses from banking to telegraphy and teaching. Photographs showcase the modern facilities. Information is provided about registration and admissions requirements.
This is a publication with two distinct phases- before and after 1950. In 1950 the publication began to take on many aspects of more modern alumni publications. Earlier issues focused on attracting students to the institute. Both do provide articles about the programs of the institution, although the earlier issues focus more on specific graduation requirements and the later articles on the general features of the program. Both are published sporadically, and have several missing issues.
In the post-1950 journal, there are fewer photographs with the switch to tabloid format and greater information about alumni activities. Less academic credit information is included and straight news is more prevalent. More detailed events of current campus events and athletics are also included in the later version. Specific gifts to the university by alumni or industry begin to be listed within the publication, and later are given a separate issue for every year. This collection only contains the final issues, not drafts or correspondence about the running of the publication.
In 1972, this journal was renamed the Alumni Bulletin.
Arrangement
The papers are divided into a single series.
Access Information
Conditions of Access
The Alumni Journal/School Bulletin Records are open for research to all users in accordance with University Archives and Records Management access policies. It is available in the reading room of the Ferris State University Archives.
Conditions of Use
Requests for permission to publish material should be directed to the University Archivist. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.
Copyright interests for this collection have been transferred to Ferris State University. For more information, contact the University Archivist.
Subject Headings
Below are a list of names, organizations and subjects relating to the collection. Names have been taken from Library of Congress Authority headings whenever possible.
- Alumni Journal (Big Rapids, Mich.)
- Ferris Institute (Big Rapids, Mich.)- History- 1925-1963
- Ferris Institute (Big Rapids, Mich.)- Periodicals
- Ferris State College (Big Rapids, Mich.)- Alumni Association
- Ferris State College (Big Rapids, Mich.)- History- 1963-1972
- Ferris State College (Big Rapids, Mich.)- Periodicals
- School Bulletin (Big Rapids, Mich.)
- Universities and colleges-Michigan-Curricula-Periodicals
Related Materials
Alumni Bulletin Records. (UA 9.3.608)
Crimson and Gold Records. (UA 9.3.612)
Administrative Information
Citations
Footnotes and bibliographic references should use the following format:
[Item], Folder, Box. Alumni Journal/ School Bulletin Records. Ferris State University Archives. Big Rapids, Michigan.
Provenance (Acquisition Information)
This publication was originally produced by Roy Newton, the Alumni Secretary and later taken over by the Office of Public Affairs. No record exists of a transfer, but it is likely at least part of the collection came from Roy Newton. The exact date of transfer is unknown, but occurred prior to 1980.
Processing Information
The Alumni Journal/ School Bulletin was processed to the folder level by Melinda McMartin Isler in October 2005. A finding aid was prepared in a word processing format and converted to EAD 1.0. A collection level MARC-21 record was prepared and placed in the library online public access catalog. Description based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2004).
Technical Requirements
This collection consists of printed publications. No specialized software or hardware is required for viewing. Most pages are 11 x15 page sized which makes copying and scanning difficult.
Content Listing
Series 1. Issues 1925-1972.
This series consists of approximately 1.7 cubic feet of paper records. There are several gaps in the collection. It contains up to 3 copies of the final publication (no drafts or notes) and are loose issues.
The issues are arranged in chronological order by month.
Box 1
| Box | Folder | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | School Bulletin. February 1925. |
| 1 | 2 | School Bulletin. August 1925. |
| 1 | 3 | School Bulletin. November 1925. |
| 1 | 4 | School Bulletin. March 1926. |
| 1 | 5 | School Bulletin. August 1926. |
| 1 | 6 | School Bulletin. November 1926. |
| 1 | 7 | School Bulletin. March 1927. |
| 1 | 8 | School Bulletin. May 1928. |
| 1 | 9 | School Bulletin. July 1928. |
| 1 | 10 | School Bulletin. November 1928. |
| 1 | 11 | School Bulletin. March 1929. |
| 1 | 12 | School Bulletin. May 1929. |
| 1 | 13 | School Bulletin. July 1929. |
| 1 | 14 | School Bulletin. November 1929. |
| 1 | 15 | School Bulletin. May 1930. |
| 1 | 16 | School Bulletin. November 1930. |
| 1 | 17 | School Bulletin. May 1931. |
| 1 | 18 | School Bulletin. February 1932. |
| 1 | 19 | School Bulletin. May 1932. |
| 1 | 20 | School Bulletin. July 1932. |
| 1 | 21 | School Bulletin. May 1933. |
| 1 | 22 | School Bulletin. July 1933. |
| 1 | 23 | School Bulletin. March 1934. |
| 1 | 24 | School Bulletin. August 1934. |
| 1 | 25 | School Bulletin. April 1935. |
| 1 | 26 | School Bulletin. May 1935. |
| 1 | 27 | School Bulletin. August 1935. |
| 1 | 28 | School Bulletin. December 1935. |
| 1 | 29 | School Bulletin. June 1936. |
| 1 | 30 | School Bulletin. August 1936. |
| 1 | 31 | School Bulletin. 1937/1938. |
| 1 | 32 | School Bulletin. April 1937. |
| 1 | 33 | School Bulletin. May 1937. |
| 1 | 34 | School Bulletin. August 1937. |
| 1 | 35 | School Bulletin. 1938/1939. |
| 1 | 36 | School Bulletin. April 1938. |
| 1 | 37 | School Bulletin. May 1938. |
| 1 | 38 | School Bulletin. August 1938. |
| 1 | 39 | School Bulletin. September 1938. |
| 1 | 40 | School Bulletin. 1939-1940. |
| 1 | 41 | School Bulletin. November 1938. |
| 1 | 42 | School Bulletin. March 1939. |
| 1 | 43 | School Bulletin. May 1939. |
| 1 | 44 | School Bulletin. September 1939. |
| 1 | 45 | School Bulletin. May-August 1940. |
| 1 | 46 | School Bulletin. May 1940. |
| 1 | 47 | School Bulletin. August 1940. |
| 1 | 48 | School Bulletin. March 1941. |
| 1 | 49 | School Bulletin. May 1941. |
| 1 | 50 | School Bulletin. February 1942. |
| 1 | 51 | School Bulletin. August 1942. |
| 1 | 52 | School Bulletin. May 1943. |
| 1 | 53 | School Bulletin. August 1943. |
| 1 | 54 | School Bulletin. November 1943. |
| 1 | 55 | School Bulletin. February 1944. |
| 1 | 56 | School Bulletin. August 1944. |
| 1 | 57 | School Bulletin. November 1944. |
| 1 | 58 | School Bulletin. February 1945. |
| 1 | 59 | School Bulletin. August 1945. |
| 1 | 60 | School Bulletin. October 1945. |
| 1 | 61 | School Bulletin. November 1945. |
| 1 | 62 | School Bulletin. February 1946. |
| 1 | 63 | School Bulletin. May 1949. |
| 1 | 64 | School Bulletin. March 1950. |
Box 2
| Box | Folder | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | School Bulletin. August 1950. |
| 2 | 2 | School Bulletin. October 1950. |
| 2 | 3 | School Bulletin. December 1950. |
| 2 | 4 | School Bulletin. March 1951. |
| 2 | 5 | School Bulletin. September 1951. |
| 2 | 6 | School Bulletin. December 1951. |
| 2 | 7 | School Bulletin. March 1952. |
| 2 | 8 | School Bulletin. September 1952. |
| 2 | 9 | School Bulletin. December 1952. |
| 2 | 10 | Alumni Journal. January 1953. |
| 2 | 11 | Alumni Journal. March 1953. |
| 2 | 12 | Alumni Journal. October 1953. |
| 2 | 13 | Alumni Journal. February 1954. |
| 2 | 14 | Alumni Journal. June 1954. |
| 2 | 15 | Alumni Journal. October 1954. |
| 2 | 16 | Alumni Journal. December 1954. |
| 2 | 17 | Alumni Journal. March 1955. |
| 2 | 18 | Alumni Journal. June 1955. |
| 2 | 19 | Alumni Journal. October 1955. |
| 2 | 20 | Alumni Journal. March 1956. |
| 2 | 21 | Alumni Journal. September 1956. |
| 2 | 21b | Alumni Journal. October 1956. |
| 2 | 22 | Alumni Journal. January 1957. |
| 2 | 23 | Alumni Journal. June 1957. |
| 2 | 24 | Alumni Journal. December 1957. |
| 2 | 25 | Alumni Journal. April 1958. |
| 2 | 26 | Alumni Journal. May 1958. |
| 2 | 27 | Alumni Journal. October 1958. |
| 2 | 28 | Alumni Journal. February 1959. |
| 2 | 29 | Alumni Journal. May 1959. |
| 2 | 30 | Alumni Journal. September 1959. |
| 2 | 31 | Alumni Journal. December 1959. |
| 2 | 32 | Alumni Journal. June 1960. |
| 2 | 33 | Alumni Journal. September 1960. |
| 2 | 34 | Alumni Journal. December 1960. |
| 2 | 35 | Alumni Journal. March 1961. |
| 2 | 36 | Alumni Journal. May 1961. |
| 2 | 37 | Alumni Journal. September 1961. |
| 2 | 38 | Alumni Journal. December 1961. |
| 2 | 39 | Alumni Journal. March 1962. |
| 2 | 40 | Alumni Journal. June 1962. |
| 2 | 41 | Alumni Journal. September 1962. |
| 2 | 42 | Alumni Journal. December 1962. |
| 2 | 43 | Alumni Journal. Spring 1963. |
| 2 | 44 | Alumni Journal. Summer 1963. |
| 2 | 45 | Alumni Journal. Fall 1963. |
| 2 | 46 | Alumni Journal. Winter 1963. |
| 2 | 47 | Alumni Journal. Spring 1964. |
| 2 | 48 | Alumni Journal. Summer 1964. |
| 2 | 49 | Alumni Journal. Fall 1964. |
| 2 | 50 | Alumni Journal. Winter 1964. |
| 2 | 51 | Alumni Journal. Spring 1965. |
| 2 | 52 | Alumni Journal. Summer 1965. |
| 2 | 53 | Alumni Journal. Fall 1965. |
| 2 | 54 | Alumni Journal. Ferris honor roll edition. 1965-1966. |
| 2 | 55 | Alumni Journal. Summer 1966. |
| 2 | 56 | Alumni Journal. January 1967. |
| 2 | 57 | Alumni Journal. April 1967. |
| 2 | 58 | Alumni Journal. August 1967. |
| 2 | 59 | Alumni Journal. Ferris honor roll edition. September 1967. |
| 2 | 60 | Alumni Journal. November 1967. |
| 2 | 61 | Alumni Journal. March 1968. |
| 2 | 62 | Alumni Journal. June 1968. |
| 2 | 63 | Alumni Journal. September 1968. |
| 2 | 64 | Alumni Journal. November 1968. |
| 2 | 65 | Alumni Journal. March 1969. |
| 2 | 66 | Alumni Journal. July 1969. |
| 2 | 67 | Alumni Journal. Ferris honor roll edition. October 1969. |
| 2 | 68 | Alumni Journal. December 1969. |
| 2 | 69 | Alumni Journal. June 1970. |
| 2 | 70 | Alumni Journal. Ferris honor roll edition. September 1970. |
| 2 | 71 | Alumni Journal. Fall 1970. |
| 2 | 72 | Alumni Journal. Winter 1970-1971. |
| 2 | 73 | Alumni Journal. Ferris honor roll edition. March 1971. |
| 2 | 74 | Alumni Journal. June 1971. |
| 2 | 75 | Alumni Journal. August 1971. |
| 2 | 76 | Alumni Journal. November 1971. |
| 2 | 77 | Alumni Journal. March 1972. |