Digital Commons Network^™

Killingsworth Inauguration Documentation: Finding Aid, Bethany Latham

Finding Aids

This collection contains documentation and a pop-up exhibit (banners relating to presidential history) created for the inauguration of JSU’s 13^th President, Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. (appointed president 2019), which occurred on 9 April 2021. Killingsworth attended JSU as a student, graduating in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in geography and in 2001 with a master’s in counseling. He received his Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama in 2016.

Killingsworth began working at JSU in 2002 as Coordinator of Academic Advisement. He was appointed Director of Government Relations and later Chief External Affairs Officer. He …

Meehan Inauguration Documentation: Finding Aid, Bethany Latham

Finding Aids

This collection contains documentation related to the inauguration of JSU’s 11^th President, Dr. William Arthur Meehan (president 1999-2015), which occurred on 7 February 2000. Meehan attended Jacksonville State University as a student, graduating in 1976 with a degree in biology. He began his career in 1977 teaching anatomy and biology at JSU; Meehan later rose through several different positions with the University, including Associate Vice-president for Academic and Student Affairs, before being named president in 1999.

Meehan’s administration was noted for a variety of building projects, mostly notably Stadium Tower, later re-named William Meehan Hall in his honor. Meehan’s …

Mcgee Inauguration Documentation: Finding Aid, Bethany Latham

Finding Aids

This collection contains documentation related to the inauguration of JSU’s 10^th President, Dr. Harold Johnston McGee (1937-2012, president 1986-1999), which occurred on 20 October 1986. McGee was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, received his bachelor degree from Old Dominion University, and master and doctoral degrees in counseling from the University of Virginia. Prior to assuming the presidency at JSU, he held various positions, including Vice-president for Administrative Affairs at James Madison University.

McGee’s administration was noted for a 30% enrollment increase, an increase in JSU’s accredited programs, $50 million in capital improvements, and the formulation of the University’s first capital …

Claude Rodolphus Wood Papers: Finding Aid, Bethany Latham

Finding Aids

This collection contains correspondence, receipts, dissertation information, speeches, clippings and other miscellaneous materials from Claude Rodolphus (C.R.) Wood (1892-1981), first academic dean of Jacksonville State Normal School. Wood graduated from the Sixth District Agricultural School in Hamilton, Alabama, and went on to Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) in 1910. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1912 and a Master of Science in 1914; he also spent some time as a summer school student in 1915 at the University of Alabama. He went on to a career as a teacher for three years, and four years as a …

Ralph Rogers Wheeler Papers: Finding Aid, Bethany Latham

Finding Aids

This collection contains photographic prints, newspaper clippings, conference programs, photocopies from various sources, military records, booklets, original essays, and more most likely compiled by Ralph Rogers Wheeler (1918-2004), an Alabama native. Items relate to Wheeler’s life and especially his military service and time as a Japanese prisoner of war. Beginning in 1942, he was first housed in a prison camp in the Philippines, and then sent via ship to a prison camp near Osaka, Japan. He was rescued in 1945 after Japan’s surrender. Supplementary materials appear to be related to research he did into Bataan and Corregidor, as well as …

Beth Cole Wedding Photographs: Finding Aid, Bethany Latham

Finding Aids

This collection contains photographic prints from the wedding of Beth Cole (1927-2014) to Dr. Guy Leslie Rutledge (1923-1998) which occurred at 7 p.m. on Saturday, 19 March 1949 at St. Paul Methodist Church in Boaz, Alabama. Beth Cole was the daughter of Jacksonville State Teachers College president, Dr. Houston Cole (1899-1996, president 1942-1971). The collection also contains an informational binder with newspaper clippings regarding the ceremony, a copy of the marriage certificate, and information related to Dr. Houston Cole, including photographs of Dr. Cole with family circa 1980s and two essays written by Dr. Cole about his wives, Leone Pruett …