Gordon L. and Phyllis M. Thomas collection

Record Group

Identifier: UA-17.489

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Gordon L. and Phyllis M. Thomas collection contains articles about Gordon Thomas' election and time on the East Lansing City Council and as mayor, a small amount of correspondence, City of East Lansing annual reports, articles and two letters about Civil Rights, as well as articles and biographical information related to his time at Michigan State University. There are also photographs of Gordon Thomas.

The Phyllis Thomas materials contain articles, drafts, and notes for the East Lansing Town Courier articles she wrote, including an article about East Lansing religion and civil rights. Other topics include profiles on Mrs. Edward Thomas, Truman A. Morrison, Jerome V. MacEachin, Sally Swiss, Ray Krider, historic houses, Margot Evans' art show, Virginia Hutcheson and Cap and Gown Series, Helen Hendrickson, Louise Carpenter Adventure in World Understanding, James J. McCleary, Pat Brogan, Albert Vasils, Ellen Ferency, Raymond Campbell, Mrs. Baker (Central Elementary school principal).

Dates

Creation: undated

Creator

Thomas, Gordon L., 1914-1997 (Person)
Thomas, Phyllis M., 1913-1989 (Person)

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.

Biographical Note

Gordon Thomas was born on December 4, 1914 in England. He came to the United States in 1924. He received his Bachelor's degree from Albion College in 1936, his Master's degree from Michigan State College (now Michigan State University) in 1941, and his PhD from Northwestern University in 1952. He joined the faculty at Michigan State in 1945 in the Speech and Communication Department, later becoming associate chair of the Communication Department and assistant dean of Communication Arts for Continuing Education. He was mayor of East Lansing from 1961-1971. He passed away on October 15, 1997.

Phyllis Lenzner Thomas was born on Decmeber 2, 1913 in Cass City, Michigan. She received her MA degree in 1941 from the University of Michigan. She married Gordon on June 21, 1941 and they had two children. Phyllis was the Lively Arts editor for the East Lansing Town Courier and board member of several community groups. She died on September 14, 1989.

Extent

0.5 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Legal Status

Donor(s) have transferred rights to Michigan State University but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Copyright restrictions may apply. Property Rights: Michigan State University.