RU Archives

Christopher Reed Papers Processed

The Roosevelt University Archives is proud to announce that the papers of former faculty member Christopher Reed are processed and the finding aid can now be accessed via our online catalog at https://roosevelt.cuadra.com/starweb1/l.skca-catalog/servlet.starweb1?path=l.skca-catalog/skcacatalog.web

Reed is an author and historian who specializes in the history of African-Americans in Chicago. From 1987 to 2009, he served as a professor at Roosevelt University. Aside from his academic pursuits, Dr. Reed serves on the Commission on Chicago Landmarks and various community organizations on the city’s West Side. The Christopher Reed papers span from 1830 to 2010. The papers include research files for his publications on black Chicago history, material from his tenure as a professor at Roosevelt University, and files on his professional involvements outside of academia.

Happy Valentine's Day!

The couple that studies together, stays together.

 

 

 

Registrar Donald Steward (right) registering husband and wife students Sol and [?] Davis for classes.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the RU Archives!  Enjoy your break.

 

Thomas Hart (in Santa suit) and Joan Brimm collecting money, photo by Mary Parkinson, December 1947.

Good Luck on Finals!

Students studying in the library in the Wells Street building, November 1945.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the Roosevelt University Archives!

The new Career Services Office holding a Halloween open house, ca. 1980's

October is Archives Month

October is Archives Month.  Find out how the Roosevelt University Archives can help you or browse our online catalog at

http://www.roosevelt.edu/Library/Locations/UniversityArchives.aspx

New Projects

Well the semester is off to a busy start.  Three student projects under way.  The papers of former faculty member Dale Pontius and Teamsters Local 743 are being processed and hundreds of still images are being scanned and added to the on-line catalog.

Welcome Back!

 

Welcome new and returning students.  Have a great semester!

 

 

 

 

 

Students in the Michigan Avenue Lobby, October 1958

Happy Founder’s Day

In November 1944, Edward Sparling, then president of the Central YMCA College was asked by the board how many black students were enrolled in the college.  At the time quotas on the number of non-white students were common.  When Sparling insisted on knowing the purpose of the question, "some unpleasantness occurred in a Board Meeting."   Believing that higher education should be available to all, regardless of race, gender, or religion, Sparling would not comply.  When the board informed him that he should start looking for another job Sparling proposed that the college separate itself from the YMCA.  When that failed, he enlisted the help of Marshall Field and others to establish a new college to be named after Thomas Jefferson because of his efforts on behalf of equality. 

On April 9, 1945 incorporation papers were drawn up and on April 24^th Edward Sparling and most of the faculty submitted a mass letter of resignation.  Two days later, the college was officially renamed Roosevelt College in memory of Franklin Roosevelt, who had died earlier that month.  On September 9^th registration opened and on September 24^th classes began.  The college was officially dedicated by Eleanor Roosevelt on November 16, 1945.

The RU Archives would like to thank all those who stood up for a better way and made Roosevelt University a reality.

Founder's Correspondence
The Archives has received a donation of correspondence and other papers from the family of Warner Wick. Wick was on the faculty of Central YMCA College and is one of the founders of Roosevelt University. These papers further document a pivotal time in RU’s history.