Histories, Biographies & Miscellanea | University History

This collection contains histories of the institution as well as biographical information on notable JSU figures, digitized primary source documents relating to JSU, videos, and more.

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My Relative Helped Found JSU: A Biographical Article on Wilson Parks Howell

Winston Mark Fagan

This biographical article is the work for Mark Fagan, Professor Emeritus in the university's Department of Sociology and Social Work. It offers a brief summary of the life of Wilson Parks Howell, a relative of Fagan's and a founding member of the Board of Directors of the State Normal School at Jacksonville, which would later become JSU. Fagan has also published a book-length biography of Howell: A Biography of Captain Wilson Parks Howell (1832-1912).
Cultural Resources Survey and FEMA Section 106 Condition Survey of the Jacksonville State University Main Campus

Stacey L. Griffin

This architectural and condition survey of JSU's main campus (Survey PA-04-AL-4632-PW-00065) was prepared for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Environmental Planning & Historic Preservation section by Panamerican Consultants, a part of the Commonwealth Heritage Group, at the request of the Alabama Historic Commission. The impetus for the survey was the demolition of Alumni House and the former Merrill Hall, both damaged by the EF-3 tornado that struck JSU's campus March 19, 2018.

The report contains historical contextual information (e.g., campus growth from 1883-present), an architectural survey of all relevant buildings, and findings and recommendations regarding Angle Hall (formerly Bibb Graves Hall), the Quad Historic District, and the Kitty Stone Campus Historic District.
9/11 20th Anniversary Remembrance Panel | 2021

Jacksonville State University

The 9/11 20th Anniversary Remembrance Panel was held at the Stone Center Performing Arts Theatre on 9 September 2021, from 11:00am-12:30pm. A variety of panelists shared their memories of how the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 affected them and Jacksonville State University.

Panelists included:
- Ben Cunningham
- LTC Travis J. Easterling
- Robert F. Hayes, III, Ph.D.
- Angie L. McPherson
- (COL. Ret.) David A. McPherson
- William A. Meehan, Ed.D.
- Lori J. Owens, Ph.D.
- Miranda Killingsworth Pate
Fight On, Fight On for Ole Jax State: Houston Cole Library's Historical Collections Highlight JSU's Resiliency During Its First Pandemic

Bethany Latham, John-Bauer Graham, and Allison M. Boswell

This document highlights some of the Houston Cole Library's archival materials as they relate to the Jacksonville State Normal School during the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918-1919. The authors examine events in the greater context of Alabama and other institutions of higher education, and focus on how JSNS responded to its first pandemic.
The Legacy of William A. Meehan: 1968-2015

Jacksonville State University

This biography of JSU's 11th president, William A. Meehan, was produced by the Offices of Marketing and Communications and Public Relations, upon Meehan's retirement in 2015. It is written and illustrated by various JSU personnel, including Heather Greene, Buffy Lockette and Angie Ayers Finley Ray, with photographs by University Photographer Steve Latham. It details Meehan's life from JSU student to faculty member to university president, and includes insights into Meehan's family and community life, in addition to his career.
The Houston Cole Library, Jacksonville State University, 1836-1988

Thomas J. Freeman and Martha Merrill

"The Houston Cole Library, Jacksonville State University, 1836-1988" is a chapter from the book A Dynamic Tradition: The History of Alabama Academic Libraries from Their Establishment through 1988 (ed. by Vicki L. Gregory). The chapter was authored by Library faculty members Thomas J. Freeman and Martha Merrill, and recounts the history of the Library from 1836-1988, covering the institution, collection, librarians, and physical facilities.
The Life and Times of Houston Cole

Jacksonville State University

This biography of JSU President Dr. Houston Cole was created under the auspices of the Friends of the Houston Cole Library.
The First Hundred Years: The History of Jacksonville State University, 1883-1983 | Video, Vol. 1

Jacksonville State University

This video was created in 1983 by JSU Television Services as part of the University's centennial celebration. It accompanies The First Hundred Years book. There are 3 volumes of video; this is volume 1. Volume 1 presents still photographs and interviews that focus on the early history of the University, from 1883-1942. Introduction by Harry Butler. Featuring Clarence W. Daugette, Jr. and Effie Sawyer. Speakers include: Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Shelton, James B. 'Red' Kemp, Newburn Bush, John Stewart, Clare Renfrow, Alie Renfrow, Albert Rains, Jim Johnson, and Catherine Whitehead.
The First Hundred Years: The History of Jacksonville State University, 1883-1983 | Video, Vol. 2

Jacksonville State University

This video was created in 1983 by JSU Television Services as part of the University's centennial celebration. It accompanies The First Hundred Years book. There are 3 volumes of video; this is volume 2. Volume 2 presents still photographs and interviews that focus on the University during the presidency of Dr. Houston Cole, from the 1940s to the 1970s..Introduction by John Stewart. Host: Houston Cole. Speakers: Alta Millican, Don Salls, John Stewart, Lawrence R. Miles, Mrs. Clifford Coffee, Ralph Porch, and Theron Montgomery.
The First Hundred Years: The History of Jacksonville State University, 1883-1983 | Video, Vol. 3

Jacksonville State University

This video was created in 1983 by JSU Television Services as part of the University's centennial celebration. It accompanies The First Hundred Years book. There are 3 volumes of video; this is volume 3. Volume presents still photographs and interviews that focus on the history of the University from 1971 to its centennial in 1983. Introduction by John Stewart. Host: Ernest Stone. Speakers: Theron Montgomery, Charles Rowe, Bascom Woodward III, Jerry Cole, Al Searway, John Stewart, Effie Sawyer, and Jack Hopper.
The First Hundred Years: The History of Jacksonville State University, 1883-1983

Effie White Sawyer

This book was written as a brief history of JSU by Effie White Sawyer, who served as secretary to two JSU Presidents. The book was published by JSU's Centennial Committee to commemorate the University's 100th anniversary in 1983.
A Centennial Salute: Jacksonville State University 1883-1983

Jacksonville State University

This 43-minute video was produced as part of the activities to mark the centennial of Jacksonville State University. The program features still photographs and interviews focusing on historical events and people involved with the university. The video is hosted by Malcolm Street. As the original video was produced by JSU Television Services in U-matic format, this digital conversion has single channel audio and some video quality issues.
Announcing a Teacher Hall of Fame, Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State University

JSU instituted a Teacher Hall of Fame under the auspices of Houston Cole in 1969. Its recipients would be noted on a plaque in the lobby of the library building, which was under construction. This brochure announces the Hall of Fame and delineates rules for nomination and committee members.

The original is held in the Crow Collection of Anniston-Calhoun County Public Library; ACCPL temporarily loaned the materials from which HCL created these digital surrogates.
Liston Crow Hall Scrapbook

Ross Liston Crow

This scrapbook was compiled by Ross Liston Crow upon the completion and naming of the Crow Hall dormitory in 1965. Crow served as treasurer of Jacksonville State, having attended the institution as a student when it was the State Normal School. He retired in 1962 after 35 years of service. The scrapbook contains official correspondence and thank you notes.

The original of this scrapbook is held in the Crow Collection of Anniston-Calhoun County Public Library; ACCPL temporarily loaned the materials from which HCL created these digital surrogates.
1960 Homecoming Program and 1916-1917 Class Reunion

R. Liston Crow and Jacksonville State University

This printed program was compiled for the Jacksonville State College Homecoming festivities in October 1960. As part of the activities, a class reunion was held October 7-8 for the State Normal School alumni from the 1916-1917 class and also the football teams of 1913-1918. Photographs of the alumni are included, along with a transcript of a speech given by R. Liston Crow, a S.N.S. alumnus who later served as treasurer at JSU. The speech details the lives and careers of many of the members of the Class of 1916-1917, along with school memories.

The originals of the printed program and speech notes are held in the Crow Collection of Anniston-Calhoun County Public Library; ACCPL temporarily loaned the materials from which HCL created these digital surrogates.
Leone Cole Auditorium: Formal Opening Program

Jacksonville State University

This printed program documents the formal opening ceremony of the Leone Cole Auditorium on Wednesday, February 1, 1950, at 8pm.

The original is held in the Crow Collection of Anniston-Calhoun County Public Library; ACCPL temporarily loaned the materials from which HCL created these digital surrogates.
Marie Louise Stevens Photo Album and Scrapbook

Marie Louise Stevens

This scrapbook and photo album (two volumes; see Additional Files for photo album) were compiled by Marie Louise Stevens while she was enrolled as a student at Jacksonville State Teachers College. According to her daughter, Kathy Guild, Ms. Stevens, from Bessemer, AL, was the first person in her family to attend college. She began compiling the scrapbook circa 1939 during her first year at Jacksonville State Teachers College. She dropped out and enrolled in the WAC and served during World War II. She returned to JSTC and received her degree circa 1948.
1934 Historical Pageant

Jacksonville State Teachers College

This document is a typewritten script of a historical pageant put on by the students of the Jacksonville State Teachers College in 1934, to celebrate the school's 50-year anniversary. The pageant covers local and school history.

The original document is held in the Crow Collection of Anniston-Calhoun County Public Library; ACCPL temporarily loaned the materials from which HCL created these digital surrogates.
School Day Treasures of Happy Memories: Iris Mildred Sellers O'Rear Scrapbook

Iris Mildred Sellers O'Rear

A scrapbook compiled by Iris Mildred Sellers O'Rear of memorabilia collected while enrolled as a student at Jacksonville State Teachers College from 1928-1930, and later. Biographical information about Iris Sellers may be found in the book Iron Butterfly by Terry Sellers, Jr. (2008), pp. 102-106. The scrapbook contains photographs, illustrations, poems, newspaper clippings, invitations, announcement flyers, postcards, letters, pins, dried flowers, napkins, etc.
Morgan Literary Society Membership Roster and Minute Book

Jacksonville State University and Jacksonville State Normal School

This is a bound volume containing membership rosters for the (John Tyler) Morgan Literary Society, which held its meetings and debates at the State Normal School, later Jacksonville State University. Also included are meeting minutes, assorted membership cards, and random correspondence (e.g., an invitation for debate from the Calhoun Literary Society). The volume spans the years 1912-1916. Portraits of Morgan Literary Society members can be found in the Historical Image Collection.
Minute Book, State Normal School, Jacksonville, Ala.

Jacksonville State University

This volume is a book of handwritten minutes from the meetings of the Jacksonville State Normal School's Board of Directors, beginning August 16, 1887 and concluding June 11, 1895. A searchable, typewritten transcript is also included.