Collections : [Western Connecticut State University Archives and Special Collections]

Geddes was appointed Dean of Men at Danbury State Teacher's College in 1947 and served in that role until he retired in 1974. In 1939, he earned a Masters in education from Yale, and in 1955 received his Doctorate in Student Personnel from New York University. He joined the Army in the 1930s and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Geddes was a military history enthusiast and amassed a number of books on the subject. His papers contain personal materials from his career as an educator, soldier and military history collector.

Carl A. Pettersch was Professor of Social Science 1946-1955, Dean of Graduate Studies 1955-1973, Faculty Emeriti 1973-2003 as Professor of History. This collection comprises the papers of Dr. Pettersch while Dean of Graduate Studies.

The Connecticut State University System dates back to 1849. Colleges in the system all began as teachers colleges and gradually were given responsibility for educational programs such as liberal arts, business, technology, and health services. They were brought together into a state college system in 1965, and were granted university status in 1983.

The role of the the Division of Academic Affairs has evolved in name and purpose over the history of the WCSU. Currently the division is headed by the V.P. of Academic Affairs & Provost. The Division of Academic Affairs collection includes: administrative records, accreditation records, admissions data, institutional research and assessment records, and strategic planning information.

The records of the Office of Finance and Administration contain records from the following departments under the V.P. for Finance & Administration: Fiscal Affairs, Institutional Services, and the Division of Public Safety. Also incuded are University Events' invitations and programs from commencements, convocations and events from 1906-2007.

The Herbert F. Janick Papers span the years 1889-2003 and consist mainly of Janick's historical research (focused on CT and Danbury) for his many articles and in particular for his book on the history of Western Connecticut State University. The collection includes many oral history interviews conducted by Janick and many conducted by his students.

The Jack Friel University History Collection is his work in gathering information about the history of this university. Starting in 1976, under a grant authorized by the WestConn Foundation, Friel began to collect information about the history of then named Western Connecticut State College with the intended goal of writing the history of the college. Friel, who was a former graduate student, took on the task with the help of two students, Ronald Douglas and Sandy Connor. When it became apparent that he would be unable to accomplish his goal, he agreed to leave all the information he had collected with the school so the story could be told at later time.

The collection contains records from the President's office primarily from the 1990s. In particular, it contains a number of materials which document the construction of the Westside campus.

The University Publications and Design Department is responsible for the production of academic publications and promotional materials for the university. The bulk of this collection consists of the working files for Diane Golden, Director of UP&D, from 1988 to 2000.

In 1935 Ralph Jenkins became Principal of the Danbury Normal School, and, in 1937 became the first President of Danbury State Teacher's College. Through his doctoral research he became an outstanding authority on the life and works of Henry Barnard. This is a collection of his papers and some titles from his collection of books.

Ruth Alice Haas (1903-1986) arrived the Danbury Normal School in 1931 to serve as Dean of Women. For fifteen years, she lived in Fairfield Hall as the primary mentor and supervisor for boarding students. Over the years, she assumed more responsibility. In 1946, after President Jenkins' death, she was the unanimous choice for president. She served as president for twenty-eight years, through times of significant growth and change for the school. These papers contain a cross section of her administrative records and her personal papers.

The records in this collection contain materials regarding agreements between the University and: the Administrative and Residual Employee Union, Local 4200; American Association of University Professors; New England Regional Student Services; the State Board of Education; and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. It also includes materials regarding the Community Relations Program, Faculty Handbooks, and University Senate minutes.

This collection is an inventory of the yearbooks, course catalogs (with related supplements), academic journals, alumni newsletters, view books, registration booklets and other miscellany published by WestConn.

This collection is an inventory of the yearbooks, course catalogs (with related supplements), academic journals, alumni newsletters, view books, registration booklets and other miscellany published by WestConn.

This is a collection of photographs and realia spanning the history of Western Connecticut State University. The collection includes images and objects that document the growth, evolution and public profile of the institution.