A Finding Aid for the Centennial Task Force Records 1964-1987

Collection Summary

Collection Title: Centennial Task Force Records

Creator: Ferris State College. Centennial Task Force.

Dates: 1964-1987 (bulk 1979-1984)

Abstract: Ferris State College celebrated its centennial during the 1983-1984 academic year. The planning for the celebrations had begun in 1979 through an advisory committee created by President Robert L. Ewigleben. The Centennial Task Force records consist of the planning files and products of the celebration, as collected by the Centennial Task Force office and from the chairman.

Language: English

Quantity: 7.5 cubic feet; 5 records center boxes

Identification: UA 31.10.5

Repository: Ferris State University Archives and Records Management Program

Historical Note

Following the conclusion of Ferris State College's United States bicentennial celebrations in 1976, the suggestion was made to roll over the unused portion of the budget into the upcoming centennial celebrations. On March 22, 1979, a committee chaired by Stanley J. Dean, special assistant to the President, was created by presidential executive memorandum to plan the centennial. The seventeen members represented the various academic and administrative units. Later, representatives from the College of Optometry and the student body were added. They researched centennial celebrations at other institutions (including the Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the University of Kansas) and asked for suggestions from the college community.

The committee then formed into subcommittees: correlation, special programs, special fundraising and special publicity/ publications. The decision was made for the centennial to place an equal focus on the beginning of the second century, as well as a celebration of the past. Three large thematic events were chosen- an inaugural event, a Founders Day event and a Heritage Day event. These events and other college-sponsored activities would be placed onto a master calender so that everyone would be aware of all events. Each college was encouraged to create its own planning committee and complementary activities.

In June 1980, a final report from the committee was submitted to the president. In this report the committee recommended "replacing this planning advisory body with a new group to be called something like 'FSC Centennial Task Force.' Recommend for attention during this coming summer, this move would reinforce the concept that the College is now ready to move fro the mapping of broadly sketched plans to the pinpointing of specific tactics and the initiation of actual action as circumstances may dictate."

On September 10, 1980, President Robert L. Ewigleben issued a new executive memorandum creating the Centennial Task Force, chaired by Dr. Richard Santer, geography professor. The goals of the new task force were to: 1) give leadership to comprehensive appropriate observances, 2) establish a Centennial Task Force office, 3) identify potential fundraising sources and 4) initiate special Centennial communications program. The new task force continued to meet regularly, and break out into smaller groups to work on specific projects such as the Centennial Dining Room, Paul Collins centennial poster, student sculpture project or the grant funded Russell Nye monograph project.

The task force office was set up in Johnson Hall. Caryl Ferguson was hired as the Centennial Task Force consultant in December 1980. She served as the primary coordinator of event logistics and budget lines. During this period, Michigan was in recession and the original budget became smaller and smaller. Ferguson remained on staff full-time until December 1983. Barbara Straley also served as a part-time consultant from December 1983 until June 1984. The majority of celebratory activities took place between August 1983 and June 1984.

Scope and Content Note

Chairman Richard Santer wrote in the final report to the president that although the centennial was finished, "the primary task for the institution is education and that task remains." Despite budget cuts, staff turnover and other challenges, the task force persevered in educating the outside world about the importance of the centennial celebration and making the centennial celebrations an event to remember for the college and surrounding community. The Centennial Task Force records are the records of the organizational structure that put together the celebrations. This was done both through advisory committees, and between 1980-1984 through a one-person office.

A number of publications came out of the celebration. The final report, which details the activities and budgets is in the publications series. Copies of all publications, programs and speech transcripts can be found in the publications series. Many of these projects, such as the School of Technology symposium, Technology and the Changing Work Experience, were sponsored by individual colleges. Some projects, such as the Russell Nye monograph, Ferris Comes of Age, or the Deupree book, Century of Opportunity, also have related materials in the office subject files. These files are correspondence, or early drafts. With the publications there are also artifact items, such as medals or placemats. Several objects were removed from the collection to be placed in displays around campus. For a complete list of artifacts originally donated, look at the inventory list folder in the publications series.

The office subject files comprise a miscellany of topics and projects. It includes membership and minutes from the original advisory committee, and project files on major events such as the Heritage Event day. A project file may contain invitation lists, logistics, planning committee minutes, copies of speeches, or correspondence. Of special interest are two files from Stanley Dean concerning the planning of Ferris State College's 80th anniversary celebrations in 1963-1964. Also, there is a series of folders relating to a Journalism 224 class project in which students were asked to design events and programs for the centennial. Some of these events were later incorporated into the master calender. There are also several budget files, divided by budget line. For some events sponsored by an individual college, there may be less documentation about the planning and logistics.

The Chairman's series consists of the records of Richard Santer, chair from September 1980 - June 1984. Santer had previously been a member of the advisory committee. Records relating to Dean's tenure as chair are interfiled with the office subject files. These records are primarily chronological, with a few subject files as well. Meeting agendas and minutes are annotated by the chair.

Arrangement

The papers are divided into a three series.

• Series 1. Office Subject Files.
• Series 2. Chairman's Records.
• Series 3. Publications and Artifacts.

Access Information

Conditions of Access

The Centennial Task Force 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 not 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.

• Anniversaries
• Big Rapids (Mich.)
• Ferris State College- Centennial Advisory Planning Committee
• Ferris State College- Centennial Task Force
• Ferris Institute (Big Rapids, Mich.)- History
• Ferris State College (Big Rapids, Mich.)- History- 1884-1984
• Vocational education- Michigan

Related Materials

Century of Opportunity Records (UA 0.10)

Administrative Information

Citations

Footnotes and bibliographic references should use the following format:
[Item], Folder, Box. Centennial Task Force Records. Ferris State University Archives. Big Rapids, Michigan.

Provenance (Acquisition Information)

The Centennial Task Force Records were donated by Barbara Straley (Centennial Task Force Office consultant) in June 1984 and by Richard Santer of Big Rapids, Michigan in 1996.

Processing Information

The Centennial Task Force Records were processed to the folder level by Melinda McMartin Isler in December 2004. A finding aid was prepared in a word processing format and converted to EAD 1.0. A revised finding aid was created in January 2008. A collection level MARC-format record was prepared and placed in the library online public access catalog. Description was based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2004).

Separated Materials

During processing, duplicate materials were discarded. There were no other materials placed in other collections.

Technical Requirements

This collection consists of primarily paper based materials and artifacts. No specialized hardware or software is required for viewing except for the 6 audiocassette recordings of a program.

Content Listing

Series 1. Office Subject Files. 1964-1987.

This series consists of approximately 2.75 cubic feet of records. Subjects may include a specific event, office or particular project. These records provide basic information about what happened and the activities which preceded it.

The issues are arranged in alphabetically by subject

Box	Folder	Contents
1	1	Academic Affairs; department heads. 1982-1983.
1	2	Academic Affairs/ library. 1981-1983.
1	3	Alumni Office. 1982-1983.
1	4	Art gallery. 1983-1984.
1	5	Big Rapids (Mich.) community projects. 1982-1984.
1	6	Bookstore. 1982-1983.
1	7	Budget. 1980-1983.
1	8	Budget- Academic Affairs/library. 1984.
1	9	Budget- Budget proposals. 1981-1984.
1	10	Budget- community play. 1984.
1	11	Budget- Founders Day [#6561] 1983-1984.
1	12	Budget- Heritage Day [#6562] 1984.
1	13	Budget- Inaugural [#6567] 1983-1984.
1	14	Budget- Inaugural grant[#5092] 1983.
1	15	Budget- Office [#6555] 1983-1984.
1	16	Budget- Poster [#6556] 1983-1984.
1	17	Budget- Public Affairs. 1984.
1	18	Buildings and Grounds. 1983-1984.
1	19	Buildings- names. 1984.
1	20	Campus museum. 1980.
1	21	Catering. 1983-1984.
1	22	Centennial Advisory Planning Committee. External correspondence. 1979-1980.
1	23	Centennial Advisory Planning Committee. Internal correspondence. 1979-1980.
1	24	Centennial Advisory Planning Committee. Membership. 1979-1980.
1	25	Centennial Advisory Planning Committee. Final report. June 1980.
1	26	Centennial Dining Room. 1981-1983.
1	27	Centennial Fund. 1984.
1	28	Centennial Heritage Day. March 1984.
1	29	Centennial Inaugural Event. September 1983.
1	30	Centennial invitations. 1983.
1	31	Centennial Task Force. Membership list. 1980-1984.
1	32	Commencement 1984. 1981-1984.
1	33	Concurrent resolutions. 1983.
1	34	Deans; chairman; liaisons. Correspondence. 1981-1983.
1	35	Deupree, Joseph. Century of Opportunity. Centennial history. 1979.
1	36	Development office. 1982-1983.
1	37	Distinctive leadership lists. 1982-1983.
1	38	Enrollment. 1948-1983.
1	39	Ferris, Woodbridge N. Film/audio search. 1981.
1	40	Ferris Heritage. 1980-1983.
1	41	Ferris Playhouse. 1982.
1	42	Ferris State College. 80th anniversary. 1964.
1	43	Ferris State College. 80th anniversary brochures. 1964.
1	44	Festival of the Arts. 1980-1984.
1	45	Flags; flag raising. 1982-1983.
1	46	Former faculty and staff members, 1884-1983. List. Compiled by Neva Martin.
1	47	Founders Day. February 1984.
1	48	Founders Day. Dow Chemical Company. 1982-1983.
1	49	General Education Convocation Council (GECC). 1981-1983.
1	50	Guest lists- part 1.
1	51	Guest lists- part 2.

Box	Folder	Contents
2	1	Guest lists- part 3.
2	2	Historical material. Xerox copies. Undated.
2	3	Homecoming 1984. 1982-1983.
2	4	Journalism 224. Assignments. 1982-1983.
2	5	Journalism 224. Exhibit A.
2	6	Journalism 224. Exhibit B.
2	7	Journalism 224. Exhibits C-I.
2	8	Journalism 224. Exhibits J-S.
2	9	Journalism 224. Exhibits T-V.
2	10	License plates. 1978-1984.
2	11	Logos. 1981-1982; undated.
2	12	Master calender. 1983.
2	13	Mecosta County (Mich). Resolutions. 1983.
2	14	Media Production. 1984.
2	15	Meeting notices. 1979-1980.
2	16	Michigan Academy of Arts, Sciences and Letters. Meeting March 1984. 1981-1984.
2	17	Michigan Manual. 1981.
2	18	Minutes. 1979-1981.
2	19	Minutes. 1982-1984.
2	20	Miscellaneous. 1982-1983.
2	21	Mission statement. 1981; undated.
2	22	Newton book. (Autobiography of W.N. Ferris.) 1981
2	23	Nye, Russell. Monograph. Ferris Comes of Age. Correspondence. 1981-1983.
2	24	Nye, Russell. Monograph. Ferris Comes of Age. Distribution list. 1984.
2	25	Nye, Russell. Monograph. Ferris Comes of Age. Draft proofed by Neva Martin.
2	26	Nye, Russell. Monograph. Ferris Comes of Age. Draft.
2	27	Office notebook- part 1. 1980-1984.
2	28	Office notebook- part 2. 1980-1984.
2	29	Office notebook- part 3. 1980-1984.
2	30	Ongoing activities. 1981-1983.
2	31	Postage stamp; cancellations. 1980-1981.
2	32	Poster projects (student). 1982-1984.
2	33	Poster reception. Grand Rapids (Mich.) August 1983.
2	34	Presidents office. Board of Control. 1981-1984.
2	35	Presidents office. Report to president. June 1980.

Box	Folder	Contents
3	1	Program requests. 1982-1983.
3	2	Proposals. 1979-1981.
3	3	Public Affairs office. 1981-1983.
3	4	Public Safety office. 1982-1983.
3	5	Publicity. 1979-September 1983.
3	6	Publicity. October 1983-December 1983.
3	7	Publicity. January 1984-February 1984.
3	8	Publicity. March 1984.
3	9	Publicity. April 1984.
3	10	Publicity. May-June 1984.
3	11	Sayings of W.N. Ferris. 1981-1984.
3	12	School of Allied Health. Activities. 1981-1984.
3	13	School of Business. Activities. 1981-1984.
3	14	School of Education. Activities. 1980-1984.
3	15	School of General Education. Activities. 1981-1984.
3	16	School of Optometry. Activities. 1981-1982.
3	17	School of Pharmacy. Activities. 1980-1983.
3	18	School of Technology. Activities. 1980-1984.
3	19	School of Technology. Printing department. 1983.
3	20	Spathelf, Victor. 1983.
3	21	Speaker list. 1982-1983.
3	22	Stationary.
3	23	Student sculpture project (Ferris, Woodbridge N.) 1981-1983.
3	24	Student sculpture project (Ferris, Woodbridge N.) Fairbanks, Avard T. 1979-1984.
3	25	Telephone. 1981-1982.
3	26	Time capsule. 1984.
3	27	Video taping. 1983-1984.
3	28	Williams, G. Mennen. 1984.
3	29	Yolanda Springs project. Mineral well historic marker. 1982-1983.

Series 2. Chairman's Records. 1979-1984.

consists of approximately 1.25 cubic feet of material about the centennial compiled by the chairman Richard Santer. Of special interest is the chairman's notes, which are arranged chronologically divided based on their original binder arrangement

These records are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Box	Folder	Contents
3	30	Addresses; notes; reports. 1981-1984; undated.
3	31	Campus map. 1983-1984.
3	32	Campus (aerial) photographs. 1940s-1960s.
3	33	Centennial Collection of Sayings of Woobridge N. Ferris. 1981-1982.
3	34	Chronological files. 1979-June 1980.
3	35	Chronological file. September 1980-September 1981. Part 1.
3	36	Chronological file. September 1980-September 1981. Part 2.

Box	Folder	Contents
4	1	Chronological file. September 1981-June 1982. Part 1.
4	2	Chronological file. September 1981-June 1982. Part 2.
4	3	Chronological file. July 1982-March 1983. Part 1.
4	4	Chronological file. July 1982-March 1983. Part 2.
4	5	Chronological file. April 1983-June 1983. Part 1.
4	6	Chronological file. April 1983-June 1983. Part 2.
4	7	Chronological file. April 1983-June 1983. Part 3.
4	8	Chronological file. July 1983-December 1983. Part 1.
4	9	Chronological file. July 1983-December 1983. Part 2.
4	10	Chronological file. July 1983-December 1983. Part 3.
4	11	Chronological file. January 1984. Part 1.
4	12	Chronological file. January 1984. Part 2.
4	13	Chronological file. January 1984. Part 3.
4	14	Correspondence. 1979-1984.
4	15	Final report. 1984.
4	16	Geography. 1982-1983.
4	17	Historical Society of Michigan. 1983-1984.
4	18	Persons honored by Ferris State College by buildings named after them. Undated.
4	19	Phone log. 1981.
4	20	Yolanda Springs project. Mineral well historic marker. 1983.

Series 3. Publications and Artifacts.1982-1984.

This series consists of approximately one cubic foot of records. It includes artifacts such as placements, invitations and stickers. Official publications will have up to three copies in a folder.

This series is arranged alphabetically by name.

Box	Folder	Contents
5	1	Big Rapids Pioneer. 1983-1984.
5	2	Campus information. 1983-1984.
5	3	Cards. Undated.
5	4	Centennial calender. 1983-1984.
5	5	Deupree, Joseph. Century of Opportunity. 1983.
5	6	Ferguson, Caryl and Santer Richard. Sayings of W.N. Ferris. 1983.
5	7	Inventory list. Undated
5	8	Nye, Russell. Ferris Comes of Age: Years of Transition, 1946-1963. 1983.
5	9	Objects. Undated.
5	10	Office sign. Undated.
5	11	Personnel directories. 1983-1984.
5	12	Placemats. Undated.
5	13	Programs. 1983-1984.
5	14	Programs- part 2. 1983-1984.
5	15	Report to the President from the Centennial Task Force. June 1984.
5	16	School Bulletin. 1982-1984.
5	17	Speech transcripts. 1983-1984.
5	18	Stickers, undated.
5	19	Taped presentations (3 audiocassettes). 1983.
5	29	Taped symposium presentations (6 audiocassettes). 1983.
5	21	Technology and the Changing Work Experience. 1983.
5	22	Torch issues. 1983-1984.