Michael A. Cappeto papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], [box #, folder #], Michael A. Cappeto Letters, 1967-1970, 2011, SC 0053, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 cubic feet 2 folders
Creator:
Cappeto, Michael Arnold
Abstract:
The Michael A. Cappeto papers, 1967-1970, 2011, are comprised of several documents including a request from Madison College to prospective student Michael Cappeto for an on-campus interview with William J. DeLong, Director of Admissions and Student Aid and Michael Cappeto's personal reflection on that interaction.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], [box #, folder #], Michael A. Cappeto Letters, 1967-1970, 2011, SC 0053, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Michael A. Cappeto papers, 1967-1970, 2011, are comprised of several documents including a request from Madison College to prospective student Michael Cappeto for an on-campus interview with William J. DeLong, Director of Admissions and Student Aid and Michael Cappeto's personal reflection on that interaction.

In the letter to Michael Cappeto dated June 12, 1967, William J. DeLong, Director of Admissions and Student Aid requests that Cappeto come to campus for a personal interview sometime after June 19, 1967 before the Admissions Committee can take further action on his application. Cappeto describes his interactions with DeLong in a letter dated June 30, 2011 to Steve Smith, Associate Vice President of Constituent Relations. Of his interview with DeLong, Cappeto, who was transferring from a self-described hippie college, recounted the director's words – Madison College "doesn't need anyone coming from the north to tell us how to run things in Virginia," particularly in reference to African Americans. Cappeto was active in student government at his former college, Franklin Pierce College, and his perception was that the administration assumed that as a student leader, he would attempt to impose his progressive ideals onto Madison College.

Additional materials include a 1970 commencement program, a blank sheet of stationery from Wise Tourist Home where Cappeto lived for a time while a student at Madison College, and a 1970 membership photo of Sigma Phi Epsilon featuring Cappeto as president.

Biographical / historical:

A native of Union, New Jersey, Michael Arnold Cappeto transferred to Madison College from New Hampshire's Franklin Pierce College in 1967. While at Madison, Cappeto was an active member of the student body, serving as feature editor of The Breeze, SGO president, and Sigma Phi Epsilon president. In 1970, he was recognized as Man of the Year, the male counterpart to Miss Madison. Cappeto graduated from Madison College in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and in 1971 with his Master of Science in Education degree. He earned his doctoral degree from Virginia Tech. Cappeto went on to have a successful career in higher education. Between 1992 and 2003, he served as vice president and dean of the College at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. From 2005 and 2010, Cappeto served as vice president for assessment, research, and test development at CPS Placement. Additionally, he has held various faculty and administrative positions at Marymount Manhattan College, Harvey Mudd College, and Washington and Lee University.

Acquisition information:

Michael Cappeto sent the documents relating to his 1967 admission to Steve Smith, Associate Vice President of Constituent Relations in June 2011. Smith then forwarded them to Special Collections.

Additional materials were donated by Cappeto via Steve Smith in September 2025. They included a 1970 commencement program, a blank sheet of stationery from Wise Tourist Home, and a 1970 membership photo of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Processing information:

The donor and his wife Beverlee Johnson Cappeto met with Special Collections staff on June 12, 2017 to describe their experience at Madison College and the conditions under which Michael Cappeto applied.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard