The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library.
Staff have taken special care to identify and remove sensitive materials, particularly those relating to students' academic
records, found within this collection. However, in rare instances, privacy protected information may be revealed during use
of this collection. Researchers agree to make no notes or other recordation of privacy protected information if found within
this collection, and further agree not to publish or disclose such information for any purpose. Researchers agree to alert
Special Collections staff if potentially privacy protected information is found within this collection. For more information,
contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Access Restrictions
Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this
collection.
Provenance
Bridgewater College acquired the collection from the Thomas estate, presumably as a bequest.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], William W. Thomas Papers, 1954-2004, SC 0227, Special Collections, Carrier Library,
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Acquisition Information
The collection was transferred from Bridgewater College. Special Collections staff collected the materials from the Thomas
house on S. Main Street, Harrisonburg in July 2010.
Processing Information
The collection was minimally processed in May 2013 by Chelsea Tholen under the collection number SC 5058. A copy of the original
finding aid is located in the collection control file. In October 2022, the collection was reprocessed, FERPA-protected student
records were deaccessioned, and the collection was renumbered to SC 0227.
Contents of folders were combined when appropriate.
Appraisal
In September 2022, approximately six boxes of FERPA-protected student records were deaccessioned and discarded. The records
included letters of recommendation, grades, papers, and class lists. The records were primarily paper-based but also included
floppy disks.
Tenure and promotion documentation related to faculty other than Thomas, collected as part of Thomas' work on the Personnel
Advisory Committee (PAC), was also discarded.
Dr. William W. Thomas (1933-2008) was a professor of religion and philosophy at James Madison University from 1971 to 2003
when he officially retired. He was a certified reverend and served as an advisor to Theta Alpha Kappa, Honors Religious Studies
Fraternity; and Intervarsity; as well as Phi Sigma Kappa, Philosophy Honors Fraternity. Dr. Thomas received his bachelor's
degree from Washington and Lee University, where he reached Cum Laude in 1954. He then received his master's degree from Yale
University in 1957, and his doctorate from Duke University in 1964. He first began his career teaching at the Lindenwood Colleges
and later taught summer sessions at Bridgewater College.
The collection comprises the papers related to Dr. William W. Thomas' teaching career at James Madison University where he
was a professor from 1971 to 2003. Early papers document Thomas' own undergraduate and graduate coursework. The collection
includes lecture notes, syllabi and course descriptions, correspondence, tenure and promotion materials, and materials related
to Thomas' advising of student organizations.
The collection is arranged into two series with Series 2: Professional Service and Activities including a sub-group dedicated
to William Thomas' responsibilities related to Theta Alpha Kappa. Each series is arranged chronologically.
Teaching and Scholarship, 1955-2001
Professional Service and Activities, 1954-2004
Series 1: Teaching and Scholarship, 1955-2001, comprises teaching materials and Thomas' own scholarship that informed his
teaching. The series primarily includes syllabi and course descriptions, reading and textbook lists, and lecture notes as
well as a small amount of material from Thomas' own undergraduate and graduate coursework.
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 1
Undergraduate and graduate coursework
1955-1959
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 2
PHIL 240
circa 1971-1976
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 3
Pascal lecture notes and class assignments
1971-1990
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 4
Courses taught and descriptions
1971-1994
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 5
REL 320
circa 1971-1997
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 6
REL 490
1972
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 7
Textbook orders
1972-1997
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 8
Theology for Everyday Living - School of Continuing Studies
1973
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 9
Summary Listing of Topics Considered Important by Some Harrisonburg (and Valley) Residents
1974 November 20
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 10
HUM 501
1975
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 11
Lecture notes - Satre
1976
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 12
Assorted syllabi
1977-2000
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 13
REL 200/201/202 reviews
1979
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 14
B. A. Gerrish, University of Chicago, lecture notes and syllabus
1979-1982
Mixed Materials [1000897724] box: 1 folder: 15
NEH seminars
1979-1987
Mixed Materials [1000897725] box: 2 folder: 1
REL 490
1980
Mixed Materials [1000897725] box: 2 folder: 2
PHIL/REL 375 lecture notes and syllabus
1982
Mixed Materials [1000897725] box: 2 folder: 3
Course proposal
1982
Mixed Materials [1000897725] box: 2 folder: 4
The 19th Century: Age of Ideology progressive course evaluations
Series 2: Professional Service and Activities, 1954-2004, comprises Thomas' tenure and promotion materials, faculty activities
reports, curricula vitae and resumes, and materials related to Thomas' duties as the advisor of student organizations including
Theta Alpha Kappa, the religious and theological studies honor society. Thomas' professional activities and service to JMU
outside of teaching are documented in this series.
Mixed Materials [1000897727] box: 4 folder: 16
Personnel record and course outlines
1954-1987
Mixed Materials [1000897728] box: 5 folder: 1
Faculty activities reports
1960-1988
Mixed Materials [1000897728] box: 5 folder: 2
Promotion and tenure criteria
1971-1982
Mixed Materials [1000897728] box: 5 folder: 3
Promotion and tenure criteria
1973-1981
Mixed Materials [1000897728] box: 5 folder: 4
Fall Symposium of Arts and Sciences - Morse Peckham