Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

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.

Biographical Note

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.

Scope and Content

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.

Arrangement

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.

Related Material

See also the John Edward Williams Papers, Ms1956-005 at Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Faculty and staff
• University Archives
• University History
• Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (1896-1944)
• Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute. Office of the Dean of the College (1919-1944)
• Williams, John Edward, 1867-1943

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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/).