Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434) 560 Drillfield Drive Newman Library, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Business Number: 540-231-6308 specref@vt.edu URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Miles Abernethy, Student Worker
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
RG.11.02
Title
Records of the Dean of the College, John E. Williams 1920-1940
Quantity
8.4 Cubic Feet, 6 boxes
Creator
Williams, John Edward, 1867-1943
Creator
Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute. Office of the Dean of the College (1919-1944)
Language
The materials in this collection are in English.
Abstract
This collection contains several series of documents related to Professor John E. Williams's (1867-1943) service as Dean of
the College for Virginia Tech between 1924 and 1943. They include correspondence with businesses, governmental organizations,
parents, alumni, and other administration members of Virginia Tech. Also included are lists of statistics on enrollment, student
organization and university finances, scholarships, as well as reports on the honor and "rat" system. Williams was appointed
as professor of mathematics at Virginia Tech in 1903 and served as Dean of the College between 1924 and 1943, when he died.
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University
Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization
form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested
using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives
(specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information:[identification of item], [box], [folder],
Records of the Dean of the College, John E. Williams, RG 11/2, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech,
Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Records of the Dean of the College, John E. Williams were transferred to Special Collections and University Archives in
March 1973.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Records of the Dean of the College, John E. Williams was completed in
August 2021.
John Edward Williams (1867-1943) was a Virginia Tech mathematics professor and Dean of the College. He was born in Charlotte
County, Virginia on September 17, 1867, to Albert H. and Matilda Berkeley Williams. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College
in 1892, before serving as principal of Boydton High School for two years. From 1894 to 1895, Williams served as assistant
principal of Roanoke's Commerce Street School, then returned to Boydton as a private instructor for Col. Thomas F. Goode.
Williams next entered a special course in pure mathematics at the University of Virginia in 1896, obtaining his master's degree
in 1899 and doctoral degree in 1902. He served as a mathematics instructor at the university from 1899 until 1903, when he
was appointed to the mathematics department at Virginia Tech.
In 1924, Williams was named Virginia Tech's Dean of the College, a position he held until his death. Williams also served
on the State Board of Education and on the Hampden-Sydney Board of Trustees and was a member of several mathematics- and science-related
societies. In 1925, Hampden-Sydney conferred upon him an honorary doctorate of laws.
Williams married Sallie Taylor Patton, daughter of Col. William M. Patton, in 1905. The couple had three children. Williams
died in Blacksburg on April 19, 1943.
The collection primarily consists of correspondence, dealing with such subjects as absences, athletics, budget, the Civilian
Student Union, complaints, Corps of Cadets, curricula changes, diplomas, English requirements, Honor System, influenza epidemic,
insurance, job applications (student jobs, faculty positions, and placement of recent graduates), letters of recommendation,
loans and scholarships, Mess Hall investigation (1928), rat system, Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools,
student activities and organizations, student publications, transfers, and the Virginia General Assembly. There is also a
sizable amount of correspondence between Williams and President Burruss.
The collection also contains annual reports of the Academic-Science Division, 1929-1932, which includes separate annual reports
for the following departments: Business Administration (1929-1931), Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (1929-1932, 1937-1938),
English and Foreign Languages (1929-1932), Geology (1929-1931), Mathematics (1929-1931), Military (1931-1932), Metallurgy
and Metallography (1929-1930), Physical Education (1929-1930), Physics (1929-1932), Zoology and Animal Pathology (1931-1932).
There are lists of statistical information for various years, including enrollment, number of students passing various subjects,
civilian students, waiterships, non-Virginia students, transfers, resignations, accredited high schools in Virginia, loan
recipients, Catholic students, German Club members, and students eligible for Phi Kappa Phi. The collection also has departmental
budget sheets, notices and memoranda concerning the Administrative Council, Executive Bulletins (1923-1929), "Report of the
President to the Board of Visitors" (April 16, 1924), and requisitions and orders.
The collection is arranged into six series, and each series is arranged alphabetically. The collection remains in original
order as received.
Series
Series I: VPI Correspondence, 1929-1937, includes letters and notes to college administration members, professors, and other
staff.
Series II: Non-VPI Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1926-1927, 1929-1937, contains correspondence with non-college individuals,
such as government officials, business leaders, and private citizens.
Series III: Subject Files, 1920-1925, contains multiple subjects regarding university administration, arranged alphabetically.
Series IV: Subject Files, 1925-1930, contains multiple subjects regarding university administration, arranged alphabetically.
Series V: Subject Files, 1930-1935, contains multiple subjects regarding university administration, arranged alphabetically.
Series VI: Subject Files, 1935-1936, contains multiple subjects regarding university administration, arranged alphabetically.
The guide to the Records of the Dean of the College, John E. Williams by Special Collections and University Archives,
Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-
work/public-domain/cc0/).