Series 3. Subject Files 1939-1970

Scope and content:

Ellison's role as college administrator meant that he was involved in every facet of campus business, as well as with many civic, state and national organizations. These subject files demonstrate the multiple hats Ellison wore as president of Virginia Union. Materials such as those in the administrative, Athletics Department and Library files reveal that he was active in the day-to-day business of the campus departments. It was this same intimate involvement that made him so active in personnel and student affairs as exemplified in the application and recommendation letters. (Job applicants often included photographs with their resumes. These snapshots have been removed and housed in PMS-001.)

A definite portrait of the times in which Ellison was working can also be found in the subject files. In files regarding wartime matters, there is material about life during World War II and the Negro's role and expectations during and after it. The many organizations dealing with race relations belie the tense days as institutionalized segregation was coming to an end. The files for educational organizations show the support available at that time to the president of a small African American university.

Arrangement:

alphabetical then chronological

Physical description:

2000 items

Access and use

Contents