Centennial Committee Records

 Collection
Identifier: AC 0065

Scope and Contents

The Centennial Committee Records contains budget reports, correspondence, committee minutes, memorandums, and other planning material, 1973-1975, including the script for a traveling slide presentation sponsored by General University Extension in conjunction with the Centennial theme; Mackay Week programming; and a scrapbook. The Centennial Commencement program is included with other programs. Of particular interest is a draft history of the university prepared by History Professor James Hulse for U. S. Senators Alan Bible and Howard Cannon to draft a joint resolution for Congressional recognition of the centennial. The scrapbook includes a list of student leaders from 1893-1975, brochures, newspaper articles, photographs, and posters.

Dates

  • 1893-1975
  • Majority of material found within 1971-1975

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Materials must be used on-site; advance notice suggested. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Historical Note

In April 1973, University President N. Edd Miller appointed the University of Nevada Centennial Committee to plan and execute the 1974 observance of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the University. The chairman of the committee was Samuel M. Basta, Dean of Community Relations. The theme was "Evolution of a Dream, 1874-1974-2074."

The Centennial's objectives included commemorating the accomplishments of the University's first century to foster pride, obtaining broader geographic recognition to attract students, faculty, and financial support. It also served as a springboard for strengthening and developing educational opportunities, and provided a suitable climate of public opinion to support a major fund-raising campaign. The celebration occurred during the administrations of Acting President James T. Anderson and President Max Milam, who was inaugurated during the Centennial Convocation. There was widespread engagement among the campus community, while regional involvement included the Nevada State Fair, the Reno Chamber of Commerce, Troop One of the Boy Scout Peavine District, and the Sea School of the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot of San Diego. Nevada politicians introduced a federal resolution in Congress to commemorate the occasion.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

In April 1973, University President N. Edd Miller appointed the University of Nevada Centennial Committee to plan and execute the observance, in 1974-1975, of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the University of Nevada, Reno. The chairman of the committee was Samuel M. Basta, Dean of Community Relations. The collection contains correspondence, committee minutes, memorandums, and reports, 1973-1975; a traveling slide presentation sponsored by General University Extension in conjunction with the Centennial theme; Mackey Week; and a scrapbook with photographs, brochures, newspaper clippings, and posters documenting the special events held in honor of the university's centennial.

Arrangement

Arranged into the following series: 1) Correspondence and Minutes; 2) Subcommittees; 3) Budget Reports; 4) Programming Events and Commemorations

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transferred by Samuel M. Basta in 1980. A 1974 Summer Session Centennial Activities Book was donated in 2014.

Related Materials

Related archival materials held by the University of Nevada, Reno University Archives:

AC 0062: University Archives Sound Recording Collection; AC 0103: Charles Paul Keyser Collection; AC 0143: James W. Hulse Papers, 1970-1974; AC 0182: Orvis School of Nursing, School History, 1974; LD 3763 .S44 1974 - Centennial: a portfolio of drawings commemorating the University of Nevada, by Craig Sheppard, Chairman of the Department of Art; NUB 12/07/10: UNR. Office of Information Records; NUB 24/06/64-NUB 24/06/72: University Events Records; NUB 24/06/73: UNR Centennial at Reno, including a 1985 etching by Roy Purcell

Separated Materials

Photographs transferred to University Archives photo archive as collection number UNRA-P3618.

  • 25 duplicate slide transparencies
Title
Guide to the Centennial Committee Records
Status
Completed
Author
Karen Gash
Date
Approximately 1998
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University of Nevada, Reno. University Archives Repository

Contact:
Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
1664 N. Virginia St.
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno NV 89557-0322 USA
775-682-5665
775-682-5724 (Fax)