Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

An appointment for research is required. The collection is open for research. No interlibrary loan.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], John Preston McConnell Official Papers, Radford University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA. John Preston McConnell Official Papers, Accession # RU 2.1.1, University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University

Acquisition Information

Accruals

Additonal accruals are not expected.

Processing Information

Processed by Jim Gilson, Aaron Spelbring, and Gene Hyde, c. 2000-2009. Additional updating and conversion of finding aid by Gene Hyde and Kimberly Moore, 2009-2010.

Biographical Information

John Preston McConnell was appointed as president of the State Normal and Industrial School for Women in October, 1911. Dr. McConnell was born on February 22, 1866 in Scott County, Virginia and obtained his A.B. (Bachelors) and A.M. (Masters) from Milligan College in Milligan, Tennessee. He earned a Ph.D in History and Economics from the University of Virginia in 1904 and served as Professor of History and Economics at Emory and Henry College from 1904 until he assumed his presidential duties at Radford. McConnell served as President until 1937 when he retired because of failing health. He was rewarded for his services with emeritus presidential status. John Preston McConnell died in October, 1941.

Scope and Content

The John Preston McConnell Official Papers contain official papers of President John Preston MConnell during his administration of the Radford State Teachers College (formerly known as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women) from 1913 to 1937.

Materials in this collection include commencement materials inlcuding Commencement programs from 1923-1936, and various information on Commencement activities and instructions. The bulk of the collection deals with administration and subject files. These records include Accreditation correspondence and miscellaneous items from both the American Association of Teachers Colleges and the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools spanning the years 1926-1937. Information on administrative policies, advertising, campus buildings, building supplies, budget materials and information on the American Red Cross are also included in that area. Conference materials from the American Country Life Association of 1933 and other miscellaneous conferences from 1921-1936, information on dormitories such as Tyler and Helen Henderson Halls and departmental conferences exist in this collection. Also, under admistrative and subject files are general correspondence from 1913- 1938, various biographical materials of John Preston McConnell and information on the construction of McConnell Library. Press releases and public relations ifnormation spanning the years 1925- 1935 are also included in the same category.

A radio broadcast from 1937, the various anniversaries of the university such as the anniversary of the schools opening in 1923 and 1928 and the 20th anniversary of J.P McConnell's Presidency in 1931 are contained in this collection. As well as an application for admission to the Radford State Teachers College, historical sketches and religion statistics of the same. Finally, State Board of Education files, information on student loans from 1933-1936 and student recruitment letters from 1930 are also present. This is not a comprehensive list of all materials found in this collection. For a full inventory, again, see the online finding aid.

Arrangement

Box 1: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 1: Commencement Materials

Box 1: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 2: Administrative and Subject Files

Box 2: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 2: Administrative and Subject Files

Box 3: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 2: Administrative and Subject Files

Box 4: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 2: Administrative and Subject Files

Box 5: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 2: Administrative and Subject Files

Box 6: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 2: Administrative and Subject Files

Box 7: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 2: Administrative and Subject Files

Box 8: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 2: Administrative and Subject Files

Box 9: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 2: Administrative and Subject Files

Box 10: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 2: Administrative and Subject Files

Box 11: McConnell Official Papers 2.1.1 - Subseries 2: Administrative and Subject Files