A Finding Aid for the Ferris Institute News Records 1900-1931

Collection Summary

Collection Title: Ferris Institute News Records

Creator: Ferris Institute.

Dates: 1900-1931

Abstract: The publication Ferris Institute News served as a combination of alumni journal, school newspaper and staff newsletter. Special editions were created about significant events such as Homecoming or the deaths of Woodbridge N. Ferris or Gerrit Masselink. The News provided information about the current events to the Ferris Institute students and Big Rapids residents. The last known issue was March 1931.

Language: English

Quantity: 1.2 cubic feet; 5 Hollinger boxes

Identification: UA 18.3.606

Repository: Ferris State University Archives and Records Management Program

Historical Note

The first issue of the Ferris Institute News was published at the same time as the FI Journal and What School? While the other publications provided some information about current events, they focused on external audiences such as potential students and alumni. Ferris Institute News provided a monthly source of news for current students and Big Rapids residents. Articles in the first issues included educational pieces on Greek mythology and meteorites. It also included reports on departments such as kindergarten and activities such as the literary society. Woodbridge N. Ferris is listed as publisher, and some articles are signed by Ferris faculty members.

There is a gap in publication between January 1904 and October 1920. Because there is limited volume information available, it is unclear whether the publication actually ceased. The new publication was called FI News, and later shortened in the November 1921 issue to Institute News. The new publication was a magazine style publication instead of a 4/8 page tabloid sheet but the content of articles were similar. Again, there were articles about departments and college activities, and editorials on current events. Visitors to campus are often featured. This later publication version was written primarily by the students, with aid from the faculty. It is similar in style to the early issues of the student newspaper produced in the 1930s.

Issues were published weekly during the 1920s and 1930s. The last known issue of the Institute News was 2 March 1931.

Scope and Content Note

The Ferris Institute News was one of series of educational newsletters produced by the Ferris Institute. The audience was the current Institute students. The scope and content overlaps in part with the FI Journal and What School? However, it includes more information about the actual activities of the school and less about curricula.

Some articles are illustrated and include scenic pictures that range from photos of the campus to photos of the surrounding area. These photographs provide a rare source of visual resources for the time period of the twenties. Articles include information about activities such as the debate team or the prowess of sporting teams and list participants and/or officers. Articles also describe visiting speakers to campus and the topic of the morning exercises.

Some special issues were produced for homecoming or the spring reunion and have been noted. Other issues focused on a single individual- including memorial issues following the death of Woodbridge N. Ferris (1928) and Gerrit Masselink (1929).

Some of the earlier issues are made of newsprint paper that is in extremely poor condition.

Arrangement

The papers are divided into two series.

Series 1. Bound volumes. 1920-1930.
Series 2. Loose issues. 1900-1931.

Access Information

Conditions of Access

The Ferris Institute News 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.

Ferris Institute (Big Rapids, Mich.)- History- 1900-1931
Ferris Institute (Big Rapids, Mich.)- Periodicals
Ferris Institute News (Big Rapids, Mich.)
FI News (Big Rapids, Mich.)
Institute News (Big Rapids, Mich.)
Universities and colleges-Michigan- Curricula- Periodicals

Related Materials

None specified.

Administrative Information

Citations

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

Provenance (Acquisition Information)

These records were transferred to the archives prior to 1980.

Processing Information

The Ferris Institute News Records were processed to the folder level by Melinda McMartin Isler in September 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 News.* Bound volumes. 1920-1930.*

This series consists of approximately 0.6 cubic feet of bound volumes of the serial publication. This publication was a monthly source of campus information for students and alumni. These are available within the University Archives and include approximately 75% of known copies.

The issues are arranged in chronological order.

Ferris Institute News. 14 October 1920- 17 December 1920.
Ferris Institute News. 27 April 1927- 28 May 1928.
Ferris Institute News. 12 September 1928-30 January 1929.
Ferris Institute News. 6 February 1929-22 May 1929.
Ferris Institute News. 18 September 1929-29 April 1930.

Series 2. Ferris Institute News.* Issues. 1900-1931.*

This series consists of approximately 0.6 cubic feet of loose issues. The publication was a monthly source of campus information.