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Special Collections and Archives

William D. Taylor, Papers

William D. Taylor, Papers, 1938-71

Inventory

Prepared by Leslie Warren, Mar. 17, 1977
Prepared for World Wide Web by Barbara Bass, May 30, 1997
4 rsb's, 3 document boxes, 5.75 cubic ft., 11th floor

Biography

William D. Taylor was born in Hartford, Kansas on Dec. 5, 1903. He received his Master and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Washington where his family had moved when Taylor was at an early age.

Taylor began his journalism career as a reporter for the Spokane (Washington) Daily Chronicle. He taught at Arizona State University and Northwestern University before coming to Kent State University. Taylor was the first Chairman of the School of Journalism from 1936-1963. The new architecture and journalism building was named for Taylor after Pres. White learned that he was to retire during the year (1967) that the new building would be opened.

He was given a commendation for pioneering leadership in education for press photography by the National Press Photographers Association in 1949. In 1950 he was awarded the Governor's Award for advancement and in 1952 he won the Crusade for Freedom Citation. In 1961 a journalism alumni award was established and named the William Taylor Award and has been presented to an alumus each year since.

Taylor served on boards for the Canton Art Institute and the Canton Symphony Orchestra and many other community organizations including the Kent Rotary where he held the position of president at one time.

Taylor retired in 1967 and kept in contact with his students and they with him. He served on the Inauguration Committee for President Robert I. White and Presidential Search Committee in 1971. He served as a trustee from 1969 until his death on Nov. 3, 1975 at the age of 71.

Scope and Content

This collection contains materials relating to Kent State University and the activities in which Taylor played a major role especially in the area of journalism and performing arts such as the Ohio Arts Council contained in box 3.

Box 1, folder 1 contains correspondence on the proposal of a land purchase in 1966 next to Blossom Music Center for use by the university for the College of Fine and Professional Arts. The Historical correspondence and subject files in Box 1, folders 5-43 relate to the early days of Kent State including listings of names and dates of early buildings.

The collection is divided into three categories:

  • Correspondence/subject files - Boxes 1-4
  • Artifacts/Photographs - Boxes 5-7
  • Oversized materials - in Horizontal File
    •
    Box 1
    Folder--Contents--Date
    1. Correspondence: Blossom Music Center (cooperative relationship)
    2. Subject file: Board Meeting materials, Aug. 26, 1971
    3. Subject file: Board Meeting materials, Aug. 26, 1971
    4. Subject file: Federal Relations materials log, 1967-69
    5. Historical file, Correspondence: Presidential, May 28, 1928-Feb. 8, 1960
    6. Historical file, Correspondence: Presidential on Holidays, Nov. 13, 1942-Dec. 10, 1945
    7. Subject file: Address by J. O. Engleman, "Kent State Univerity Ten Years Hence-A Goal and A Prophecy"
    8. Historical file, Publication: American Forests , August 1969
    9. Historical file, Subject file: Aviation History at Kent State University (to 1953)
    10. Historical file, Subject file: Buildings now under construction, Sept. 17, 1948
    11. Historical file, Subject file: Calendar, Kent State University, 1959-1960
    12. Historical file, Clippings: Kent State University
    13. Historical file, Subject file: Faculty Wives of Kent State University, Yearbook, 1962-1963
    14. Historical file, Subject file: Faculty Women's Club, Yearbook, 1962-1963
    15. Historical file, Subject file: "Footnotes", Dec. 1955, Mar. 1956, Jun. 1956
    16. Historical file, Subject file: History of state-supported higher education in Ohio
    17. Historical file, Subject file: J.T. Johnson's notes on the early history of Kent State Normal School, Oct. 31., 1951
    18. Subject file: Kent State University administrative organization chart, 1960
    19. Historical file, Publication: The Kentonian, June 1924
    20. Historical file, Subject file: letter on the Kent State University Flying Club, Apr. 1956
    21. Historical file, Subject file: list of Kent State University Presidents from May 31, 1911 to Feb. 21, 1952
    22. Historical file, Subject file: list of buildings on campus with erection dates, 1910-1955
    23. Historical file, Subject file: J.E. McGilvrey's Fifty Year Plan for Kent State University
    24. Historical file, Subject file: meter stamp, Jul. 23, 1960
    25. Historical file, Subject file: Music and Speech Center brochure, printed for the opening of the Recital Hall, Jan. 20, 1961
    26. Historical file, Subject file: News release on Groundskeeping, June 27, 1956
    27. Historical file, Subject file: News release on Health Center, Apr. 7, 1949
    28. Historical file, Subject file: News release on Kent State University Police, Jul. 17, 1956
    29. Historical file, Subject file: News release on Terrace Hall, Mar. 5, 1955
    30. Historical file, Subject file: News release on the removal of "K" from front campus, May 14, 1956
    31. Historical file, Subject file: Notes on articles appearing in The Kent Courier, May 23, 1913, concerning Kent State Normal School
    32. Historical file, Subject file: Notes on university committees, Mar. 20, 1953
    33. Historical file, Subject file: Photographs of 20th Anniversary, Kent State University Symphonic Band Concert and the outer office of the President's office while it was being redecorated, Mar. 27, 1964
    34. Historical file, Subject file: The Plain Dealer supplement on Kent State University, Oct. 30, 1938
    35. Historical file, Subject file: postcards of Men's Physical Education Building, Arts Building, and Memorial Field
    36. Historical file, Subject file: "Radio Broadcasting Activities and Instruction at Kent State University"
    37. Historical file, Subject file: Record Courier supplement on Kent State University, Sept. 23, 1958
    38. Historical file, Subject file: Report of the Director of the Survey of the Kent State Normal College, June 2, 1928
    39. Historical file, Subject file: Standard Operating Procedure for Student Publications, Jan. 1951
    40. Historical file, Subject file: Statement regarding housing for veterans, Dec. 20, 1946
    41. Historical file, Subject file: Terrace Hall brochure, 1955
    42. Historical file, Subject file: E. Turner Stump Theatre brochure, Oct. 1960
    43. Historical file, Subject file: Traffic Code for Kent State University, Sept. 27, 1950
    44. Correspondence: Inauguration, President White, Oct. 25 1963
    45. Correspondence: Inauguration, Inaugural Committee, June 13 - Sept. 19, 1963
    46. Correspondence: Inauguration, Inaugural Committee, Changes in Delegates, Transportation, Sept. - Oct., 1963
    47. Subject file: Inauguration, Convocation Committee Reports, 1963
    48. Subject file: Inaurguration, Inauguration Committees, (organization chart, subcommittee members, responsibilities), 1963
    49. Subject file: Inauguration, delegate packet
    50. Subject file: Inauguration, final reports from President White Inaugural Committee members
    51. Subject file: Inauguration, "A (Handbook) Directory for the Robert I. White Inauguration", Oct. 25, 1963
    52. Subject file: Inauguration invitations, response cards, etc.
    53. Subject file: Inauguration invitation lists from Eileen's (Gosche) office for Giving Delegates from colleges, universities, learned societies
    54. Subject file: Inauguration, mailing list, complete guest list
    55. Subject file: Inauguration, minutes of Inauguration Committee, June-Aug., 1963
    56. Subject file: Inauguration, miscellaneous (includes program from inauguration ceremony)
    57. Subject file: Inauguration, miscellaneous (includes press material, directory of committees, correspondence to members of faculty)
    58. Subject file: Inauguration, miscellaneous items (includes list of faculty members representing colleges, universities and learned societies, and correspondence to members of university administration and faculty
    59. Subject file: Inauguration, miscellaneous items (includes tickets, ribbons, banners for automobiles, parking permits
    60. Subject file: Inauguration, program
    61. Subject file: Inauguration, speeches
    62. Subject file: Kent School Bell (short history)
    63. Correspondence: Presidential search, July 1971
    64. Correspondence: Presidential search, May - Jul., 1971
    65. Correspondence: Presidential search, Jul. 1971
    66. Correspondence: Presidential search, May - Jul., 1971
    67. Subject file: Presidential search, General information, July 1971
    68. Subject file: Presidential search, "Papers on Candidates, Candid and Revealing"
    69. Subject file: Presidential search, Samuel Gates (nomination to the presidency)
    70. Subject file: Presidential search, John Kamerick (nomination to the presidency)
    71. Subject file: Presidential search, Calvin B. T. Lee (nomination to the presidency)
    72. Subject file: Presidential search, James G. Miller (nomination to the presidency)
    73. Subject file: Presidential search, Glenn A. Olds (nomination to the presidency)
    74. Correspondence: Semicentennial (includes congratulations from other colleges and universities)
    75. Clippings: "Semicentennial Clipping File", Sept. 1959-May 1960
    76. Subject file: Semicentennial, "The Third and Final Report to the President of the University-The Semicentennial Program for 1959-1960" and "The Story of Its Planning and Complettion"

    Box 2

    Folder--Contents--Date

    1. Correspondence: Vice-President Ronald W. Roskens, Feb. 7, 1968-Mar. 4, 1968
    2. Subject file: Early residents reception, (contains lists of early Kent residents, invitation, and clippings of the May 13, 1968 event)
    3. Subject file: Emeritus Citations (proposal for a citation for Kent State University emeritus professors)
    4. Subject file: Emeritus Professors (lists of emeritus professors and invitation to luncheon
    5. Subject file: England Seminar (concerning a proposal for a new course in journalism to be held in England)
    6. Subject file: Kent Stater, State Edition (meeting notes concerning a state edition for branches
    7. Subject file: Dr. Karl Clayton Leebrick (correspondence on the dedication of Leebrick Hall, personal information, speeches and clippings)
    8. Subject file: Tape recordings, Dr. K. C. Leebrick (proposed narration of history of Kent State University)
    9. Subject file: Tape recordings, records (list of documentary tapes on Kent State University and by Kent State University faculty)
    10. Correspondence: Taylor Hall-letters and comments from alumni and others on the announcement (of a building named for Taylor) March 1966-Feb. 1967
    11. Correspondence: Letters and comments from alumni and others on the announcement, Mar. - July, 1967
    12. Subject file: Taylor Hall, Invitation list (to dedication ceremony held April 15, 1967)
    13. Subject file: Taylor Hall, New Journalism Building (contains letter from Dean O. William Perlmutter, and publications which discuss the building
    14. Subject file: Taylor Hall, photographs, n.d.
    15. Subject file: William Taylor Hall Dedication (program of events, guests, seating, information on architect Constantinos A. Doxiadis, brochure on Haylor Hall, speeches and clippings on the April 15, 1967 event)
    16. Correspondence: Public Relations Society of America, 1963-1968, (includes questionnaire, "Are Public Relations Men Born or Made?")
    17. Subject file: Public Relations Society of America, Public Relations Accreditation, and PRSA bulletins and information on the accreditation program)
    18. Publications file: PRSA BulletinApr. 1964-Feb. 1967, Public Relations Memo, (Feb., 1966 and 1967), 2 issues, Public Relations News, (Jan. 8, 1968)

    Box 3

    Folder--Contents--Date

    1. Correspondence: Ohio Arts Council, Apr. 25, 1966 - Dec. 18, 1970
    2. Correspondence: Ohio Arts Council, James A. Rhodes, May 25,1965 - Dec. 10, 1970
    3. Correspondence: Ohio Arts Council, Donald Streibig, Oct. 2, 1967 - July 8, 1968
    4. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, Annual meeting, Cincinnati, Nov. 28, 1967
    5. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, Executive Committee Minutes, Jul. 21, 1966 - Sept. 15, 1970
    6. Suject file: Ohio Arts Council. First & third Annual Reports, June 1967 to Dec. 1969
    7. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, Goals and Aims
    8. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, "The Law" (House and Senate bills)
    9. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, Meeting, Cleveland Museum of Art, June 1968
    10. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, Meeting, 10:30 a.m. Taylor Hall, July 11, 1968
    11. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, Members of Legislature, 1967-1968
    12. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, Minutes, 1965-1963
    13. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, Miscellaneous Items (includes appropriations grant application, news release, circulating art shows)
    14. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, advisory panels
    15. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, programs, 1968
    16. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, rosters (committee members)
    17. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, rules and regulations, May 12, 1969
    18. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, state song contenst (includes clippings and correspondence
    19. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, Summer News letter August 1967
    20. Subject file: Ohio Arts Council, workshop, 1968
    21. Subject file: Kent Arts Council, (proposal to establish a Kent Municipal Arts Council)
    22. Subject file: Clark Mitze, Director, State and Community Operations, National Council on the Arts
    23. Subject file: Museum Committee Meeting, Feb. 23, 1968 (Kent State University) also Museum News (Feb. 1968
    24. Subject file: Museum Committee Meeting, Room 201 Union, 12:00-1:30 p.m., May 24, 1968 (Kent State University)
    25. Subject file: Museum Gift from James N. Holm, of Marvin Kent dresser (to Kent State University)
    26. Subject file: Museum Gift, Rolls Royce, (Thomas C. Cox's offer to Kent State University)
    27. Subject file: Museum Gift, Trory (photographs)
    28. Subject file: National Arts Conference, San Francisco, June 6-8, 1968
    29. Subject file: Ohio Outdoor Historic Drama (includes correspondence, clippings, history, newsletter, minutes)
    30. Subject file: Sohio Oil Paintings, (concerning Kent State University receiving some of the paintings)
    31. Subject file: Biographical Data (Taylor's personal data sheeet and pre'cis)
    32. Subject file: Certificates, (from Kappa Alpha Mu, Sigma Delta Chi, Rotary Club, and from James A. Rhodes on membership in Ohio Arts Council and Kent State University Board of Trustees)
    33. Subject file: Miscellaneous-speeches, invitations, clippings, etc., 1947, 1949, 1950
    34. Subject file: personal calendar, 1968
    35. Clippings: Personal clippings, (on donation of silk script and appointment to Ohio Historic Site Preservation Committee)
    36. Subject file: Personal directory, (telephone numbers and addresses
    37. Subject file: Personal file of Lt. Col. William Taylor, (contains personal data, commendations, ORC information and WWII information)
    38. Subject file: personal pictures, photographs from 1964 European trip
    39. Subject file: slides of 1964 European trip
    40. Subject file: slides, miscellaneous
    41. Publications file: Publications by William Taylor - A Guide to the Tagalog Dialect in the Philippines
    42. Subject file: Sperry, photos of posters submitted to Sperry Gyroscope Co. for Puroduction Poster Exhibit at War Congress of American Industry (about 1943)
    43. Subject file: Ditto originals and copies of exams given by Taylor to his Kent State University classes
    44. Subject file: Press information (on 1961 Ford trucks)
    45. Subject file: Christmas cards

    Box 4

    Folder--Contents--Date

    1. Correspondence: includes correspondence with Office of Naval Officer Procurement, U.S. Marine Corps, and Sperry Gyroscope Company, 1942, 1943, 1946
    2. Correspondence: includes sympathy cards on death of Taylor's father, correspondence with John S. Swift Company and American College Bureau, 1947
    3. Correspondence: miscellaneous, 1948
    4. Correspondence: miscellaneous, 1949
    5. Correspondence: miscellaneous, 1950
    6. Correspondence: includes an issue of the Camp Pickett Charger of Blackstone, Virginia, (Nov. 23, 1951), 1951
    7. Correspondence: includes correspondence concerning a chapter of the Reserve Officers Association and a booklet, Soldiers of Mercy, giving history and development of theArmy Medical Services and the Medical Replacement Training Center, 1952
    8. Correspondence: Taylor's resignation as head of the Journalism Department, March 1963
    9. Correspondence: Taylor's resignation as head of the Journalism Department, Apr. - June, 1963
    10. Correspondence: miscellaneous, 1963, 1965 - 1968

    Box 5

    Items

    Miscellaneous items relating to Kent State University's semicentennial in 1960.

    1. Ashtrays
    2. Banner
    3. Certificate of service-mark registration (for the semicentennial seal)
    4. Diplomas to Robert W. Sovey (bearing semicentennial seal)
    5. License plate holders
    6. Madallion
    7. Stationery
    8. Tributes from Ohio University, Wentworth Institute, Ohio Wesleyan University, the city of Kent, and the Ohio House of Representatives

    Box 6

    Folder--Contents--Date

  • Plaques
    •
    1. 1960 Governor's Award for the Advancement of the Prestige of Ohio to Kent State University
    2. Membership in the Kent State University Presidents Club to William Taylor
    3. Recognition of Support of Women in Journalism from Theta Sigma Phi to William Taylor
  • Certificates
    •
    1. Appreciation certificate from the Ohio Arts Council to William Taylor
    2. Public Relations Society of America, Declaration of Principles
    3. Public Relations Society of America, Inc., Certificate of Membership to William Taylor, March 1956
    4. Appointment of Taylor as Reserve Commissioned Officer in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel, Dec. 8, 1952
    5. Rotary International, Objects of Rotary
    6. The Advertising Club of New York, Certificate of Membership to William Taylor, 1955
    7. Appreciation from the Women's Association Robinson Memorial Hospital
    8. Acknowledgment from the Library of Congress upon receiving "A Guide to the Tagalog Dialect in the Philippines" Citation for outstanding service to the Crusade for Freedom, 1952
    9. Acknowledgment of William Taylor as an important and valuable human resource of the United States by the American Heritage Research Association, Inc., April 14, 1975
  • Photographs
    •
    1. Taylor being presented the Governor's Award
    2. Taylor at a semicentennial ceremony
    3. Taylor showing Charles Green, managing director of the Advertising Club of New York, the Press Photography Hall of Fame
  • Miscellany
    •
    1. Desk nameplate
    2. Trophy from the Northeastern Ohio Scholastic Press Association

    Box 7

    • Roll containing signatures of Kent State University students sending congratulations to Robert I. White on assuming the presidency of Kent State University, dated October 25, 1963.

    Horizontal file

    1. An oversized photograph of the semicentennial committee.
    2. An oversized photograph of the 12th class of the School for Special Service at Washington and Lee University, in Lexington, Virginia, dated June 9, 1943.
    3. An oversized certificate appointing Taylor to the Advisory Committee on the Arts (John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), March 17, 1970, signed by Richard Nixon.
    4. Semicentennial tribute certificate.

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