In 1969, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees appointed James H. Denison, Special Assistant to the President in Charge of University Relations from 1947 to 1969, to organize the office files of President John A. Hannah. In the process of completing this task, Denison noted an absence of material documenting a number of significant developments during the early years (circa 1947 to 1954) of Hannah's tenure as president. In order to fill this gap in the official record and provide a "fair and honest picture of the Hannah Administration," Denison solicited testimony from faculty, administrative staff, and members of the Board of Trustees, and others who had been closely associated with Hannah during those early years. Potential contributors were asked not to eulogize Hannah or evaluate him as an administrator, but to explain how he was able to accomplish so very much as president. They were also given the option of placing restrictions on their contributions, although few did. Some responded with formal statements, others with personal letters. A few submitted documents from their files. In several instances, Denison also recorded interviews.