Alumni Association records

Collection

Identifier: 15.500-Alumni

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Alumni Association records are comprised of correspondence, photographs and ephemera dating from the early 1900s to the 1940s. The records consist primarily of handwritten and typed correspondence from former Southwest Texas students during the 1940s, including those serving in the U.S. military during World War II. Items such as newspaper articles and military press releases are enclosed with some of the letters. It also includes one scrapbook from 1972.

Dudley Dobie served as secretary of the Ex-Student's Association during the 1940s. Dobie received and managed requests for newspapers to be sent to service members and ex-students; simple changes of address and other administrative correspondence are also among the materials found. Two of the three ephmera items are World War II-related--a radio script and sheet music dating from 1944. A small quantity of photographs of college presidents, faculty, buildings and campus scenes from this period also are included.

Materials are arranged by format and chronologically within each format.

Dates

1900-1949, 1972

Creator

Texas State University. Alumni Association (Organization)
Dobie, Dudley R., 1904-1982 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restriction.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. Special Collections and Archives owns the physical items in our collections, but copyright normally belongs to the creator of the materials or their heirs. The researcher has full responsibility for determining copyright status, obtaining permission to publish from copyright holders, and abiding by current copyright laws when publishing or displaying copies.

Historical note

The Ex-Student's Association was an early name for Texas State University's Alumni Association.

Dudley R. Dobie served as secretary of the Ex-Student's Association during the 1940s. Former students wrote to Dobie and the Ex-Student's Association to receive issues of the College Star newspaper by mail for a $1 fee. The College Star newspaper served as a means of connecting with fellow students, faculty, friends and family members; this was especially important during the tumultuous years of World War II.

In their letters to Dobie, many former students shared personal accounts of their lives, and many related their experiences serving in the U.S. military during World War II. Southwest Texas State alumni were stationed in various locations including Africa, Europe, and the South Pacific, and in various sites around the United States. Some female alumni served in roles such as the Women's Army Auxilliary Corps (WAACS) and the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. Former students living and working on the homefront were also among those corresponding with Dobie.

During this period, the Ex-Student's Association sought to raise funds for the purchase of a new pipe organ for the campus auditorium.

Extent

2.17 Linear Feet (2 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Physical Location

Materials may be stored off-site. Advance notice may be required for use.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials originated from Dudley Dobie, who served as secretary of the Ex-Student's Association during the 1940s. Transferred to the library’s holdings prior to the formal creation of the University Archives in 2006.

Ex-Students Association scrapbook transferred to the library’s holdings prior to the formal creation of the University Archives in 2006, circa 1994.

Related Materials

See the University Museum collection, 80.300.UnivMuseum, and the Dudley R. Dobie, Sr. papers, 90.200.Faculty.2016.Dobie, for additional materials relating to Dudley R. Dobie. See also the University artifact collection, 70.5000, for materials donated by and related to the Alumni Association.