Ohio State University, Office of the President (Novice Gail Fawcett) Records 1930-1987

131.74 Cubic feet

(18) file folders, (14) audiocassettes, (2) 5" document box, (1) 5" letter document box, (1) oversize folder, (107) cartons, (3) 2.5" document box, (1) oversize flat box

The Ohio State University, Office of the President (Novice Gail Fawcett) Records contain administrative files, speeches, artifacts, publications, and other materials related to or created by Novice Fawcett and/or the Office of the President during and after his term as President. Novice Fawcett was the ninth president of Ohio State University, serving from 1956 to 1972.

[identification of item], Ohio State University, Office of the President (Novice Gail Fawcett) Records, RG 3.I, Ohio State University Archives, Ohio State University

The Ohio State University, Office of the President (Novice Gail Fawcett) Records contain documents pertaining to Novice Fawcett's inauguration, academic dismissals, committee appointments, investments, recommendations, and a vast array of other documents (Processed series, subseries 1-4). Subseries 5 of the Processed series contains speeches from Novice Fawcett, ranging from before he became University President for the Ohio State University, as well as after his retirement from the position. Note: Boxes 96 and 97, included in Subseries 4, also contain some speeches. Other series in this collection contain plaques, commencement clothing, diplomas, publications, newsletters and other papers related to or created by Novice Fawcett and/or the Office of the President during his term. The collection also contains transcripts and audiocassettes of six oral history interview recordings with President Fawcett.

The Processed series is arranged in the following subseries: Subseries 1: 1956-1963 Subseries 2: 1964-1965 Subseries 3: 1965-1968 Subseries 4: 1968-1972 Subseries 5: Speeches 1948-1982

Subseries 1: 1956-1963

Subseries 2: 1964-1965

Subseries 3: 1965-1968

Subseries 4: 1968-1972

Subseries 5: Speeches 1948-1982

Other series are arranged in the order received.

Materials in this collection are available for patron research, but may be used only in the University Archives Reading Room. Some materials are marked as confidential and may be restricted to the public. Audiovisual materials may need a use copy produced before access is allowed. Some materials in this collection may be stored off-site, and are only available if requested 72 hours in advance of your visit. Contact the University Archives for more information.

Contains audiocassettes.

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

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English

Accession Number UA.1971.0001: Office of the President, 1971 January; Accession Number UA.1971.0084: Mates Resources Center, 1971 August; Accession Number UA.1971.0092: Office of the President, 1971 September; Accession Number UA.1971.0100: Office of the President, 1971 October; Accession Number UA.1972.0001: Office of the President; Accession Number UA.1972.0014: News Service; Accession Number UA.1972.0036: Office of the President; Accession Number UA.1972.0037: Office of the President; Accession Number UA.1972.0047; Accession Number UA.1973.0001: Office of the President; Accession Number UA.1973.0054; Accession Number UA.1974.0064: News Service; Accession Number UA.1975.0119: Office of the President; Accession Number UA.1976.0103: Office of the President; Accession Number UA.1977.0025; Accession Number UA.1977.0121; Accession Number UA.1977.0132: Office of the President; Accession Number UA.1978.0100: Office of the President; Accession Number UA.1979.0007: Office of the President; Accession Number UA.1980.0069: Office of the President; Accession Number UA.1981.0085: Office of the President; Accession Number UA.1983.0055; Accession Number UA.1983.0059; Accession Number UA.1984.0003; Accession Number UA.1984.0109: Robert McCormick; Accession Number UA.1987.0139; Accession Number UA.1987.0141; Accession Number UA.1987.0201; Accession Number UA.1988.0038; Accession Number UA.1988.0089; Accession Number UA.1991.0029; Accession Number UA.1995.0126; Accession Number UA.2001.0020: Fawcett Center; Accession Number UA.2000.0091: Fawcett Center; Accession Number UA.2000.0114; Accession Number UA.2001.0053: Eugene Elleman; Accession Number UA.2002.0043: Fawcett Center; Accession Number UA.2003.0026: Novice Fawcett; Accession Number UA.2006.0054: Bob Esmond

Ohio State University Archives Subject File: Office of the President

Ohio State University Archives Biographical File: Novice Gail Fawcett

RG 35.D.1: Ohio State University, Committee on Rights and Responsibilities Records

Novice Gail Fawcett (1909-1998) was the ninth president of The Ohio State University, serving from 1956 to 1972.

Fawcett was born on March 29, 1909, in Gambier, Ohio. The son of a farmer, Fawcett was encouraged at a young age to pursue a life of education. In 1931, Fawcett graduated from Kenyon College with a bachelor's degree and later earned a master's degree in Education from Ohio State University in 1937. Fawcett spent many years leading public school districts: he was superintendent for Defiance City Schools from 1938 to 1943, Bexley City Schools from 1943 to 1947, Akron Public Schools from 1947 to 1949, and Columbus City Schools from 1949 to 1956.

Fawcett became OSU's eighth president on August 1, 1956, following the retirement of former President Howard Bevis. Fawcett's formal inauguration was not held until April 29, 1957, at the then-recently opened St. John Arena. His inaugural address was entitled "Toward a New Level of Greatness" and would reflect his resolve for the expansion and advancement of education.

While there was initial concern over his lack of a Ph.D., Fawcett's background in educational administration would lend itself well to the role of University President. He implemented several important organizational changes to the University, including an increase in the number of vice presidents; a structural reorganization of the departments and colleges; an expansion of student housing; and an increase in student scholarships. Fawcett's administration was not without controversy. In the late 1960s students demonstrating on various issues clashed repeatedly with his administration, which some saw as unresponsive to their demands. After four students died during a riot at Kent State University on May 4, 1970, Fawcett ordered the campus closed for two weeks. Fawcett ordered a task force to study the various demands, and eventually significant changes were made, such as the introduction of a Department of African-American Studies, an Office of Minority Affairs, and a childcare center. Due to a series of medical complications, Fawcett retired from the position of University President in 1972 after sixteen years. He retained close ties with the University, serving as an educational consultant to many local organizations. Novice G. Fawcett died on June 19, 1998 at the age of 89.

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Finding aid written by Karen Glenn, 2016 October

Finding aid prepared by Karen Glenn