Sears, Charles, Oral History Interview Charles Sears Oral History Interview, 1988 Ms.1988.027

Charles Sears Oral History Interview, 1988 Ms.1988.027


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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

John M. Jackson, Archivist

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1988.027
Title
Charles Sears Oral History Interview 1988
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 1 folder
Creator
Sears, Charles, d. 1998
Creator
Straw, John B.
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
Audiocassette tape contains an oral history interview with Virginia Tech Professor Charles Sears, conducted by John Straw, University Archivist. Sears discusses the history of the Virginia Tech Geology Department (today the Department of Geosciences), where he served as a professor and founded the Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory.

Administrative Information

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], Charles Sears Oral History Interview, Ms1988-027, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Charles Sears Oral History Interview was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1988.

Processing Information

The processing and description of this collection commenced and was completed in April 2021.


Biographical Note

Charles E. Sears Jr. was born February 3, 1911. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a degree in mining geology and obtained his master's at VPI in 1935. Three years later, Sears was hired as acting head of mining engineering at his alma mater. In 1942, he was called to active military duty. Sears returned to VPI in 1946 and from 1950 to 1952 attended the Colorado School of Mines, from which he earned a doctoral degree. In addition to instruction and research, he founded and served as director of the Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory. Charles Sears retired from Virginia Tech in 1977 and died on July 8, 1998.

Scope and Content

The Charles Sears Oral History Interview consists of a single audiocassette containing an interview of Sears performed by University Archivist John Straw. The interview, approximately 55 minutes in length, focuses on Sears' experiences as a student at Virginia Tech in the late 1920s / early 1930s and as a professor in the Geology Department from the 1930s to the 1970s. The interview discusses Sears general student experiences as well as experiences specific to his major; the development and personnel of the Geology Department;, and the work of the Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Faculty
  • Students and alumni
  • University History
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1970-)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Charles Sears Cassette Tape by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Sears, Charles, d. 1998
  • Straw, John B.

Container List

folder 1
Audiocassette tape
1988