TABLE OF CONTENTS
Descriptive Summary
Historical Note
Scope and Contents
Arrangement
Restrictions
Index Terms
Related Material
Administrative Information
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series I: Administrative Files, 1962-1968
Series II: Committees - On and Off Campus, 1965-1968
Series III: Courses and Enrollment 1965-1969
Series IV: Exhibits and Gallery Information 1960-1969
Series V: General Business and Correspondence, 1961-1968
Series VI: Personnel 1962-1969
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| Repository: |
Woodson Research Center, Fondren
Library, Rice University, Houston, Texas
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| Creator: |
Rice University. Department
of Fine Arts
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| Title: |
Guide to the Rice University
Department of Fine Arts records, John O'Neil, Chairman,
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| Dates: |
1960-1969 |
| Extent: |
3.50 cubic
feet
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| Abstract: |
This collection contains
correspondence, memos, budgeting and accounting records, and other materials
associated with the operation of the Fine Arts Department of Rice University
from 1960-1969. The bulk of the material is from 1965 to 1968.
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| Identification: |
UA
036
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| Language: |
English. |
Rice University's Department of Fine Arts was established as part of
Architecture in 1959 and James Chillman acted as the temporary chairman. Mr.
William Caudill took over this job in 1961. In the early 1960’s the Fine Arts
Department (changed to the Department of Art and Art History in 1978) consisted
of several courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, and art history. The
faculty at that time was made up of Charles Schorre, David Parsons, Katherine
Brown, and James Chillman as well as Jasper Rose, an Englishman who taught
painting and art history. Eleanor Evans came in 1964 to teach a basic design
course for freshmen architects. During that time the department offered neither
a degree nor a major in fine arts. It served as a service department for the
entire University to provide electives for all students. Sandy Havens, director
of the Rice Players, requested he be assigned to the Fine Arts Department
instead of the English Department.
At that time the Department was
housed in the basement of Fondren Library with studio courses being taught in a
temporary metal building at the base of the track stadium. In 1968, the
Department moved to Allen Center where the first art gallery was established.
During the first years, important exhibits included drawings of Dorothy Hood
and photographs of Geoff Winningham. It was decided to begin building a
permanent collection. The department moved to their new quarters in Sewall Hall
in the early 1970’s. There they had classrooms, studios and offices.
In
1969 Dominique and John de Menil left the sponsorship of the Art History
Department and gallery at the University of St. Thomas and proposed moving
these activities to Rice University. The move of the entire Art Department,
collection and staff, was completed and the de Menil’s Institute for the Arts
at Rice was born. The Institute sponsored exhibits and published catalogs of
national and international interest.
In 1965 John O’Neil was asked to
become Chairman of the Department of Fine Arts. He accepted on the basis of
being ‘acting’ chairman since it was not certain what the situation would be.
In 1967 he decided to accept a permanent appointment at Rice. When the de Menil
merger was completed, he continued as Chairman and Mrs. de Menil was the
director of the Institute for the Arts.
In 1965 a proposal was made for
an undergraduate major in Fine Arts at Rice University. In the 1970’s and
1980’s a Master of Arts degree in history of art and 5th year bachelors degree
in studio were offered.
Parts excerpted from
The Cornerstone, published by the Rice
Historical Society, Winter/Spring 2001. Also see History of Fine Arts, File 7.8
Return to the Table of Contents
This collection contains correspondence, memos, budgeting and accounting
records, and other materials associated with the operation of the Fine Arts
Department of Rice University from 1960-1969. The bulk of the material is from
1965 to 1968. Additional records include materials associated with the
operation and promotion of the Allen Center gallery. Most of the papers are
from the years when John O'Neil was active in the department. Some early papers
are from Bill Lacy, associate chairman, and William Caudill, chairman of the
Architecture Department. This collection offers a look at how Rice University
created the Fine Arts Department that eventually led Dominique and John de
Menil to transfer their patronage from the University of St. Thomas to Rice in
1969.
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Materials are organized into six series:
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Restrictions on Access
This material is open for research.
Restrictions on Use
Permission to publish from the Rice University Department of Fine Arts,
John O'Neil, Chairman records must be obtained from the Woodson Research
Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.
Return to the Table of Contents
See also information files for Fine Arts
Department and Art and Art History Department and John O'Neil.
Return to the Table of Contents
Names:
O'Neil, John
Subjects (Organizations)
Rice University, Dept. of Art and Art
History.
Formats
Correspondence
Financial
records
Printed
materials
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Rice University Department of Fine Arts records, John O'Neil, Chairman,
UA 036, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University
On November 21, 2002, Geraldine Aramanda, the archivist with the Menil
Museum, gave these papers on behalf of the Menil to Rice University.
Archivist removed some items including
personnel files that contained correspondence, resumes, letters of
recommendation, etc. for applicants for positions in the Fine Arts Department.
As far as can be determined, none of these applicants were hired. Some of these
files had water damage and were not suitable for retention.
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| Series I: Administrative Files, 1962-1968 |
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Included are budget and accounting papers, University policy memos,
faculty travel and flood insurance correspondence and claims generated from a
flood in the basement of Fondren Library on May 13, 1966 that damaged artwork
from applicants for a faculty position. Some salary information for faculty may
be found in the budget files. Budget for library purchases is in this
series.
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Folder |
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1 |
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Accounting Memos, 1965-1968 |
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2 |
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Accounting Policies - Fine Arts Department, 1965 |
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3 |
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Budget, Current, 1965-1966 |
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4 |
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Budget, Current, 1966-1967 |
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Budget, Current, 1967-1968 |
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Budget, Request, 1965-1966 |
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7 |
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Budget, Request, 1966-1967 |
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Budget, Request, 1967-1968 |
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Budget-Library, 1967-1968 |
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Flood Insurance, 1966-1967 |
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Policies - Dr. Pitzer, 1962-1968 |
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Policies - General, 1965-1968 |
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Travel - Faculty, 1964-1968 |
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| Series II: Committees - On and Off Campus, 1965-1968 |
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Series II contains correspondence and in a few cases,
minutes, from various on and off campus committees and organizations.
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Folder |
| 2 |
1 |
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Advisory Councils, 1967 |
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Committees - Miscellaneous, 1965-1968 |
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Cultural Affairs Committee, 1968 |
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Committee on Examinations and Standing, 1966-1967 |
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Committee on Humanities Research, 1966 |
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Committee on Public Lectures, 1966-1968 |
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| Series III: Courses and Enrollment 1965-1969 |
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Series III contains documents pertaining to the art and
art history courses offered, enrollment, and schedules. There is also
correspondence relating to the proposal of a Fine Arts Major at Rice
University. Also there are lists of students accepted as majors. Grading and
examination schedules, etc., are also included.
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Folder |
| 3 |
1 |
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Course Enrollment, 1965-1968 |
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Course Schedules, 1966-1967 |
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Course Schedules, 1967-1968 |
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Course Enrollment, 1965-1967 |
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Course Offered, 1967-1968 |
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Course Offered, 1968-1969 |
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Fine Arts, Majors, 1966-1968 |
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Fine Arts, Proposal 1965 |
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Grading and Examination Schedule, 1965-1968 |
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| Series IV: Exhibits and Gallery Information 1960-1969 |
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Series IV contains material from art department exhibits
and gallery information. The exhibits are listed by artist name. There are
gallery exhibits and transient exhibitions. These files may include press
releases, brochures and announcements sent out to the community. Some of the
general files pertain to artwork gifts and the CAA collection. There is also a
folder of membership information such as MOMA, College Art Association,
American Educational Theatre Association, Print Council of America, etc.
Policies for operation of the gallery are included as well as a brief outline
of the opening of the Allen Center Gallery and the plans for its operation.
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Folder |
| 4 |
1 |
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Acquisitions Advisory Committee - Artwork gift for Rice
University, 1967
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Thomas Bang Sculpture, 1967-1968 |
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CAA Collection/Rice, 1960-1968 |
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College Art Association of America, 1965-1968 |
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DeKuffner, Tamara Donation n.d. |
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Exhibitions, 1965-1966 |
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Exhibitions, 1966-1967 |
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Exhibitions - Fine Arts Gallery, 1967-1969 |
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Exhibitions/Transient - American Federation of Art,
1967-1968
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Exhibitions/Transient - Museum of Modern Art, 1966-1968 |
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Exhibitions/Transient - Museum of Modern Art, 1968-1969 |
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Fine Arts Exhibit, 1964-1965 |
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Fine Arts Gallery, 1967 |
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Gallery Exhibitions - American Printmakers: The Avant
Garde, 1967-1968
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Gallery Exhibitions - Thomas Bang Sculpture, 1968-1969 |
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Gallery Exhibitions - The British Eye Prints, 1968 |
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Folder |
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1 |
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Gallery Exhibitions - Bob Camblin, 1967-1968 |
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Gallery Exhibitions - Dorothy Hood, 1969 |
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Gallery Exhibitions - Ferdinand Rotan Galleries, Inc.,
1968
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Gallery Exhibitions - Daniel Shapiro, 1967-1968 |
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Gallery Exhibitions - Oli Sihvonen, 1967 |
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Gallery Exhibitions - John Thomas Paintings, 1968 |
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Gallery Exhibitions - Winningham/Johnson, 1968 |
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Gallery Policies, 1967 |
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Memberships, 1965-1968 |
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Press Releases, 1967-1968 |
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Tony Smith Exhibition, 1969 |
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Earl Staley, One Man Show, 1967 |
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| Series V: General Business and Correspondence, 1961-1968 |
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Series V contains the general files such as calendars,
correspondence and other general business of the Fine Arts Department. Much of
the correspondence is between the chairman and other university offices, such
as Dean of Humanities, faculty, and other campus departments. There is one
folder of John O’Neil’s personal correspondence and includes a photograph of
him. Some of the general information pertains to students and a couple of
folders pertain to foreign study. There is correspondence about the publishing
of a student magazine called
Collage. Fellowship and scholarship
information is found in this series. One file contains correspondence relating
to the Fine Arts Studio Building near the old stadium. One architectural
drawing is included. There is a brief history of the department’s early
days.
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Folder |
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Calendar, 1965-1967 |
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Calendar - Fine Arts, 1966-1967 |
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Correspondence - Campus Departments, 1966-1968 |
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Correspondence - Dean of Humanities, 1965-1968 |
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Correspondence - Drama, 1966 |
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Correspondence - Faculty, 1965-1968 |
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Correspondence - Fine Arts, 1961-1964 |
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Correspondence - Fine Arts, 1964-1965 |
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Correspondence - Fine Arts, 1965-1968 |
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Correspondence - Fine Arts Studio, 1965-1967 |
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Correspondence - Miscellaneous, 1967-1968 |
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Correspondence - John O'Neil, Memos, 1967 |
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Correspondence - John O'Neil, Miscellaneous, 1965-1967 |
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Correspondence - John O'Neil, Miscellaneous, 1968 |
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Correspondence - John O'Neil, Personal, 1965-1967 |
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Folder |
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1 |
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Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1965 |
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Fellowships and Scholarships, 1965-1967 |
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Films, Lost Claim (Hepworth and American Folk Art),
1968
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Fine Arts in Texas Research Project, 1967 |
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Foreign Proposals, 1965-1966 |
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Graduate Student Information, 1956-1968 |
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Guadalajara Summer Session, 1966-1967 |
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History of Fine Arts Department |
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Houston Arts Festival, 1967 |
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Lecturers - John O'Neil, 1968 |
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Rice University Review, 1966-1967 |
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Student-Related Information, General, 1964-1968 |
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Student Journal, Collage, 1966 |
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Thresher, General Course Review, 1966 |
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| Series VI: Personnel 1962-1969 |
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Series VI contains the personnel files from the Fine
Arts Department. Files on some visiting lecturers and some resumes and
correspondence are included here. The then current staff member’s curriculum
vitae files are included. One file is from President Pitzer’s office and
pertains to Fine Arts candidates for employment. The Miscellaneous
Correspondence file includes some personnel correspondence that has references
to hiring decisions and other departmental milestones such as the gallery
program.
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Folder |
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15 |
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Alahadeff, Albert, History of Art, 1968 |
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Alloway, Lawrence, Visiting Lecturer, 1966-1967 |
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Bang, Thomas, Studio, 1967-1969 |
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Baumann, Edzard, Art History (Declined), 1965 |
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Begley, Wayne, Art History, 1966-1968 |
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Belz, Carl, Art History (Declined), 1968 |
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Caldwell, Martha, Art History, 1966-1967 |
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Fridge, Roy, Special Projects, 1968-1969 |
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Kane, William M., Art History, 1965 |
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Kung, David S., Lecturer, 1965-1966 1965-1966 |
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Mears, Herbert, Studio, 1965-1966 |
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Rose, Jasper, Art History, 1964-1965 |
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Staley, Earl V., Studio, 1966-1969 |
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Folder |
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1 |
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Candidates - Fine Arts (from President's Office),
1962-1965
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Personnel - Curriculum Vitae, 1966-1967 |
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Personnel - Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1963-1969 |
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Personnel - Recommendations, John O'Neil, 1965-1967 |
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Visiting Lecturers, 1964-1968 |
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