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Records of the Dean of the College, John E. Williams

 Record Group
Identifier: RG-11-02

Scope and Content

The collection primarily consists of correspondence, dealing with such subjects as absences, athletics, budget, the Civilian Student Union, complaints, Corps of Cadets, curricula changes, diplomas, English requirements, Honor System, influenza epidemic, insurance, job applications (student jobs, faculty positions, and placement of recent graduates), letters of recommendation, loans and scholarships, Mess Hall investigation (1928), rat system, Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, student activities and organizations, student publications, transfers, and the Virginia General Assembly. There is also a sizable amount of correspondence between Williams and President Burruss.

The collection also contains annual reports of the Academic-Science Division, 1929-1932, which includes separate annual reports for the following departments: Business Administration (1929-1931), Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (1929-1932, 1937-1938), English and Foreign Languages (1929-1932), Geology (1929-1931), Mathematics (1929-1931), Military (1931-1932), Metallurgy and Metallography (1929-1930), Physical Education (1929-1930), Physics (1929-1932), Zoology and Animal Pathology (1931-1932).

There are lists of statistical information for various years, including enrollment, number of students passing various subjects, civilian students, waiterships, non-Virginia students, transfers, resignations, accredited high schools in Virginia, loan recipients, Catholic students, German Club members, and students eligible for Phi Kappa Phi. The collection also has departmental budget sheets, notices and memoranda concerning the Administrative Council, Executive Bulletins (1923-1929), "Report of the President to the Board of Visitors" (April 16, 1924), and requisitions and orders.

Dates

  • 1920 - 1940

Creator

Language of Materials

The materials in this collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Biographical Note

John Edward Williams (1867-1943) was a Virginia Tech mathematics professor and Dean of the College. He was born in Charlotte County, Virginia on September 17, 1867, to Albert H. and Matilda Berkeley Williams. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1892, before serving as principal of Boydton High School for two years. From 1894 to 1895, Williams served as assistant principal of Roanoke's Commerce Street School, then returned to Boydton as a private instructor for Col. Thomas F. Goode.

Williams next entered a special course in pure mathematics at the University of Virginia in 1896, obtaining his master's degree in 1899 and doctoral degree in 1902. He served as a mathematics instructor at the university from 1899 until 1903, when he was appointed to the mathematics department at Virginia Tech.

In 1924, Williams was named Virginia Tech's Dean of the College, a position he held until his death. Williams also served on the State Board of Education and on the Hampden-Sydney Board of Trustees and was a member of several mathematics- and science-related societies. In 1925, Hampden-Sydney conferred upon him an honorary doctorate of laws.

Williams married Sallie Taylor Patton, daughter of Col. William M. Patton, in 1905. The couple had three children. Williams died in Blacksburg on April 19, 1943.

Extent

8.4 Cubic Feet (6 boxes)

Abstract

This collection contains several series of documents related to Professor John E. Williams's (1867-1943) service as Dean of the College for Virginia Tech between 1924 and 1943. They include correspondence with businesses, governmental organizations, parents, alumni, and other administration members of Virginia Tech. Also included are lists of statistics on enrollment, student organization and university finances, scholarships, as well as reports on the honor and "rat" system. Williams was appointed as professor of mathematics at Virginia Tech in 1903 and served as Dean of the College between 1924 and 1943, when he died.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into six series, and each series is arranged alphabetically. The collection remains in original order as received.

Series

  1. Series I: VPI Correspondence, 1929-1937, includes letters and notes to college administration members, professors, and other staff.
  2. Series II: Non-VPI Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1926-1927, 1929-1937, contains correspondence with non-college individuals, such as government officials, business leaders, and private citizens.
  3. Series III: Subject Files, 1920-1925, contains multiple subjects regarding university administration, arranged alphabetically.
  4. Series IV: Subject Files, 1925-1930, contains multiple subjects regarding university administration, arranged alphabetically.
  5. Series V: Subject Files, 1930-1935, contains multiple subjects regarding university administration, arranged alphabetically.
  6. Series VI: Subject Files, 1935-1936, contains multiple subjects regarding university administration, arranged alphabetically.

Source of Acquisition

The Records of the Dean of the College, John E. Williams were transferred to Special Collections and University Archives in March 1973.

Related Archival Materials

See also the John Edward Williams Papers, Ms1956-005 at Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Records of the Dean of the College, John E. Williams by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your- work/public-domain/cc0/).

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Records of the Dean of the College, John E. Williams was completed in August 2021.

Title
Records of the Dean of the College, John E. Williams, 1920-1940
Status
Completed
Author
Miles Abernethy, Student Worker
Date
2021 (CC0 1.0)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308