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"Hannah Archives" Project records

 Record Group
Identifier: UA-2.1.12.2

Scope and Contents

The "Hannah Archives" Project records consist of the written recollections, as well as transcripts of the oral history interviews and the tape recordings from which they were made. The written statements focus almost entirely on the accomplishments of the Hannah administration, while the transcripts tend to stress the interviewees' career-related experiences. Most are prefaced with a short biographical statement prepared by Denison. Also included in the records is Denison's correspondence with both those who contributed to the project and those who declined to participate.

Dates

  • Creation: 1946 - 1973

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

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

Historical Note

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.

Extent

0.66 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Materials are arranged by record type (written responses, transcripts, tape recordings, or correspondence) and thereunder alphabetically by contributor.

Legal Status

Copyright: Michigan State University.

Property Rights: Michigan State University.

Title
“Hannah Archives" Project Records
Status
4 Published And Cataloged
Author
R. Viol, M. Patton
Date
May 1981
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives and Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
Conrad Hall
943 Conrad Road, Room 101
East Lansing MI 48824 US
517-355-2330