Joseph W. Stack papers

Record Group

Identifier: UA-17.44

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Joseph W. Stack papers relate to Stack's tenure as a professor in the Department of Zoology and as curator and director of the MSU Museum. His particular areas of interest were ornithology and bird banding. Other subjects covered in Stack's papers are the university curriculum, the Inland Bird Banding Association, and Stack's work with the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Materials found in the collection include maps, bird banding records, student reports and papers, manuscripts, publications, and WKAR radio scripts.

Dates

Creation: 1916 - 1953

Creator

Stack, Joseph W. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Student records are restricted (box 1024, folders 35-41)

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Biographical Note

Joseph William Stack was born in Jefferson, Ohio on February 2, 1893. His parents were Robert S. Stack, a railroad clerk, and Ann M. Murray. Graduating from Jefferson High School in 1911, he received a B.S. (1915) and an M.S. (1918) from Notre Dame University. He also attended Ohio State University for a short while in 1916.

Stack came to Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) in 1915 as an instructor in zoology, physiology, and geology. In 1924 he began serving as the curator of the museum and was appointed director in 1941. In 1942 the Department of Zoology promoted him to professor. With his particular area of interest centering on ornithology and bird banding, Stack continued the bird banding station started in 1923. He was also involved in the Works Progress Administration Museum Project and the Committee to Reorganize the Curriculum.

Joseph Stack was married to Helen Elizabeth Dodge on September 6, 1917. They had two children, Joseph William Stack, Jr. and Helen Elizabeth Stack. Stack died in 1954. Additional biographical data and a list of university positions held and other affiliations are included in the biographical section of the collection.