A Finding Aid for the Ferris Institute Journal Records 1899-1910

Collection Summary

Collection Title: Ferris Institute Journal Records

Creator: Ferris Institute

Dates: 1899-1910

Abstract: The Ferris Institute Journal replaced the quarterly Useful Education as the publication detailing programs at Ferris Institute. It included schedules, activities and information for potential students. It also had articles on educational issues. The last known issue was July 1910.

Language: English

Quantity: 0.2 cubic feet; 1 Hollinger box

Identification: UA 18.3.604

Repository: Ferris State University Archives and Records Management Program

Historical Note

The October 1899 Ferris Institute Journal issue reported that the journal replaced Useful Education as a quarterly journal "in harmony with the work of the Ferris Institute." A subscription cost $0.25 per year and was published quarterly- in January, April, July and October. It focused on popular education and the quest for self-knowledge.

Issues were approximately 4 pages and also included testimonials from former students and employers. Supplemental information about the catalog and course offerings were also included for potential applicants. The publication also contained information about the placement of recent graduates.

The Ferris Institute Journal ceased publication in 1910.

Scope and Content Note

The Ferris Institute Journal served as an educational newsletter produced by Woodbridge N. Ferris. The audience was not just the students and alumni, but also the individual who hungered for self-knowledge. It was not meant to be a scholarly treatise of pedagogical theory but rather an exploration of educational issues. The tag line in the masthead read "Devoted to making the world better." It was a subscription based publication.

Ferris coordinated the publication but the articles are unsigned. It is believed that some were written by Helen Ferris and by other faculty members. Large portions of the journal are devoted to description of summer school catalogs and testimonials from graduates.

The issues are in extremely poor condition, and some have been taped together. This collection only contains published issues.

Arrangement

The papers are included in a single series.

Access Information

Conditions of Access

The Ferris Institute JournalRecords 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.

• Ferris Institute Journal (Big Rapids, Mich.)
• Ferris Institute (Big Rapids, Mich.)- History- 1899-1910
• Ferris Institute (Big Rapids, Mich.)- Periodicals
• Universities and colleges-Michigan-Curricula-Periodicals
• Vocational education- Michigan

Related Materials

None specified.

Administrative Information

Citations

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

Provenance (Acquisition Information)

These records were transferred to the archives prior to 1980. A few additional issues were donated by Herbert Moss of Portland, Michigan in September 1992.

Processing Information

The Ferris Institute Journal Records were processed to the folder level by Melinda McMartin Isler in June 2005. 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).

Technical Requirements

This collection consists of printed publications. No specialized software or hardware is required for viewing.

Content Listing

Series 1. Ferris Institute Journal. 1899-1910.

This series consists of approximately 0.2 cubic feet of paper and contains general information about the school and educational philosophies.

The issues are arranged chronologically. Multiple copies are noted.

Box	Folder	Contents
1	1	Ferris Institute Journal. October 1899. 2 copies.
1	2	Ferris Institute Journal. April 1900.
1	3	Ferris Institute Journal. April 1901.
1	4	Ferris Institute Journal. July 1902.
1	5	Ferris Institute Journal. October 1902.
1	6	Ferris Institute Journal. October 1905.
1	7	Ferris Institute Journal.. October 1906.
1	8	Ferris Institute Journal. July 1910. 2 copies.