Contents
Series 1. Subject files 1899-1955 Series 2. Departments 1937-1952 |
William L. Machmer PapersFinding AidKatherine Emerson, Linda Seidman, Mike Milewski, and SCUA staff2007Administrative InformationAcquired from William L. Machmer. Collection processed by Katherine Emerson, Linda Seidman (1984), Mike Milewski (1988), and SCUA staff, September 2007. Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection: William L. Machmer Papers (RG6/1 M33). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst. The collection is open for research with the exception of files containing the academic records of individual students. Return to the Table of Contents William L. Machmer. Enjoying one of the longest tenures of any administrator in the history of the University of Massachusetts, William Lawson Machmer served under five presidents across 42 years, helping to guide the university through an economic depression, two world wars, and three name changes. During his years as Dean, Machmer witnessed the growth of the university from fewer than 500 students to almost 3,800, and helped guide its transformation from a small agricultural college into Massachusetts State College (1931) and finally into the University of Massachusetts (1947). Born in Moselem, Pa., on January 30, 1883, Machmer was trained as a teacher at Keystone State Normal School before receiving both his bachelors and masters degrees in languages (Latin and Greek) from Franklin and Marshall College. Having gained experience teaching for several years in the public school system in Pennsylvania and at the Franklin and Marshall Academy, Machmer was brought to Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1911 as instructor of mathematics, one of a small crop of younger faculty brought in to build the curriculum. Well regarded throughout the college and a favorite of the students, Machmer rose steadily up the academic ladder and in 1921, he was chosen by President Kenyon Butterfield to become Assistant Dean, followed four years later by his promotion to Dean. For nearly thirty years, Machmer was centrally involved in the academic affairs of campus. Although many of the curricular innovations and reforms introduced by Butterfield were never fully realized, Machmer was a steadfast advocate of raising academic standards, and he was highly effective in dealing with the changes brought by the Great Depression, the Second World War, and the return of war veterans in the late 1940s and early 1950s, as well as the gradual shift in emphasis away from agricultural education toward the liberal arts and sciences. As a close advisor to the college president, he oversaw both the curriculum and the student body, writing that philosophically, he wished to emphasize the "development of the complete individual," including the mental, physical, social, and moral aspects. As Machmer grew into the Dean's role, he took part in a number of regional and national organizations and initiatives, including the federal survey of Land Grant Colleges and Universities in 1928, the Association of Land Grant Colleges and Universities, the American Conference on Academic Deans, and the Eastern Association of Deans and Advisors of Men. Although his teaching load was reduced by his administrative responsibilities, he remained active as well in the Department of Mathematics, serving as Department head from 1935-1940. Outside the University, his slate was no less full. Deeply involved in the Amherst community, he took an interest generally in educational and Congregational Church matters, heading the Parent-Teachers Association and the Amherst School Committee at various times, and working with the local Democratic Party and the Masonic fraternity. On January 24, 1953, less than a month after retiring from the University, Machmer died of a heart attack while fighting a grass fire at his summer home at Chequesett Bluff, Wellfleet, Mass. In 1956, a new classroom building was named Machmer Hall in his honor. Return to the Table of Contents The papers of long-time Dean of the University William L. Machmer chronicle the fitful development of UMass Amherst from the presidency of Kenyon Butterfield just after the turn of the twentieth century until the time of the GI Bill. During his tenure, Machmer helped the university weather the effects of two World Wars and the Great Depression, and to navigate the changes as it evolved first into Massachusetts State College and then into the University of Massachusetts. Throughout, he was a humane and effective voice for high academic standards and for the life of the student. Machmer's papers contain information on student academic achievement, educational expectations and challenges, and the efforts of the university to take part in regional and national organizations. As such, the collection offers a perspective on the evolution of thinking at the University during the transition from a narrowly defined mission as an agricultural college into a more broadly conceived liberal arts curriculum. Of particular interest is the relatively large quantity of material relating to the adjustments at the university during and after World War II and the efforts to meet the demand of returning veterans. The collection includes substantial information on the organization of courses at Fort Devens and Westover Air Force Base; statistics, letters, and other documents relating to returning veterans; and (especially in Series 2) information on the adaptation of the individual academic units at the university. Return to the Table of Contents Return to the Table of Contents Series 1. Subject files 1899-1955 8.0 linear feetThe bulk of the subject files in Series 1 pertains to Machmer's activities as Dean at the University of Massachusetts during the 1920s through 1953, and particularly his oversight of the changing curriculum and student academic success. From the controversy over introducing an BA degree (as opposed to the BS formerly granted to agricultural students) to the introduction of new ideas in how best to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth, the series documents the slow and sometimes agonizing reorganization of the university. Machmer was a strong proponent of student academic standards, and his files from his work on the Scholarship Committee (reviewing the academic standing of students), his annual reports as Dean, statistical summaries of student standing, and reports from various other committees provides a sense of academic life at the university during the 1930s and 1940s. To a lesser degree, the series also documents aspects of student non-academic life. The impact of World War II on the University can be seen throughout the series in terms of the dramatic impact on a student body mobilizing for war and the equally dramatic impact of integrating veterans back into the university following demobilization. Of particular note are a fine series of letters written by former Mass. State students in the service (filed under "Letters from soldiers") and a poignant file of requests from Japanese American students from the western states seeking to continue their education. In most cases, Machmer responded to say that while the university was willing to admit Japanese American students, the already strained facilities at Mass. State would not permit them to admit additional out of state students. Series 2. Departments 1937-1952 1.0 linear feetSeries 2 contains an effective snapshot of the state of the academic departments at UMass, concentrated in period 1950-1952, when the university was experiencing an influx of returning veterans from World War II. The files provide some insight into the efforts of each department, often with mixed success, to meet the educational demands of the post-war generation and their efforts to innovate or adapt the curriculum. Series 1. Subject files 1899-1955 8.0 linear feetA.B. material 1936-1939 3 foldersA.B. degree, Trustee Committee 1937-1938A.B. degree, Trustees' reaction to degree proposal 1937-1938Accreditation 1947-1951Academic credit for men in armed service 1943-1945Academics 1934-1946Addresses 1941-1947Addresses and introductions 1930-1951 4 foldersAdministrative expenses, Dean Lewis 1919-1921Adult education 1927-1929Agricultural controversy and committee on biography 1945Agricultural education 1912-1924Alumni 1921-1947American Bankers Association 1944-1946American Conference on Academic Deans 1947-1952Annual Reports 1919-1948 3 foldersAnnual Reports 1919-1929Annual Reports 1930-1939Annual Reports 1940-1948Armistice Day 1945Army Specialized Training Reserve Program 1943-1946Association of American Colleges 1941-1948Association of Institutional Business officers of New England Educational Institutions 1921Association of Land Grant Colleges and Universities 1928-1943 2 foldersAssociation of Land Grant Colleges and Universities 1928-1943Association of Land Grant Colleges and Universities 1944/1946Athletics 1935-1940Bachelor degrees 1945Baker, Hugh P. 1933-1947 12 foldersBaker, Hugh P. 1933Baker, Hugh P. 1934-1935Baker, Hugh P. 1936-1937Baker, Hugh P. 1938Baker, Hugh P. 1939Baker, Hugh P. 1940Baker, Hugh P. 1941Baker, Hugh P. 1942Baker, Hugh P. 1943-1944Baker, Hugh P. 1945Baker, Hugh P. 1946Baker, Hugh P. 1947Band 1933-1940Boston University Institute on Post-War Problem 1944-1946Brochures and programs 1916-1936Budget 1909-1920Building program 1929Building wardens 1941Buildings 1915, 1935Burnham and Flint Contest 1946, 1951Butterfield, Kenyon L. 1906-1924B.V.A. degree 1929-1943Campus guide 1926Campus planning 1935, 1940Certification out of state 1928-1934Classroom and laboratory accommodations UndatedCollege calendar 1932/1948College colors 1947College Entrance Examination Board 1939-1951 4 foldersCollegian 1934-1952Collegian publishing board 1949-1952Collegian Quarterly 1941-1945Commencements 1922-1938 14 foldersCommencements 1922-1924Commencements 1925-1929Commencements 1930-1932Commencements 1933-1934Commencements 1935-1936Commencements 1937-1938Commencements 1939Commencements 1940Commencements 1941-1942Commencements 1943-1944Commencements 1945-1946Commencements 1947Commencements 1948Commencements 1949Connecticut Valley Scientific Conference 1931-1953Convocations 1945-1947Correspondence 1922-1949 2 foldersCorrespondence 1922-1929Correspondence 1933-1949Correspondence course UndatedCost of instruction 1921Council of Churches. Town and Country Department 1938-1944Course of study 1931-1947 10 foldersCourse of study 1931-1934Course of study 1935-1936Course of study 1937Course of study 1938Course of study 1939-1940Course of study 1941Course of study 1942Course of study 1943-1944Course of study 1945-1946Course of study 1947Curriculum study 1933-1934Dad's Day 1936-1938Degrees 1949Department heads 1933-1945Department of the Interior: Occupational guidance 1937-1942Diamond Jubilee 1938Discipline Committee 1928-1942Dormitories 1932-1939Eastern Association of College Deans and Advisors of Men 1940-1951Eastern Colleges Science Conference 1950-1951Eligibility rules 1921-1930English Association 1949-1950Enrollment statistics 1916-1946Entrance examination: English 1943Experiment Station 1934-1936Faculty advisors 1947Faculty and staff 1920-1942Faculty Club 1935-1948Faculty meetings 1941-1942Faculty teaching load 1944-1949Faculty vacancies 1951Farewell to Bay State UndatedFine Arts 1933-1938Financial aid 1934-1935Fire wardens 1941Food Committee 1947-1948Fort Devens 1946-1950 11 foldersFort Devens: Business administration 1947-1948Fort Devens: Creative arts 1948-1949Fort Devens: Curriculum 1947-1948Fort Devens: Engineering 1947-1948Fort Devens: Faculty 1946-1949Fort Devens: Massachusetts State College, folder 1 1946-1949Fort Devens: Massachusetts State College, folder 2 1946-1949Fort Devens: News releases 1946-1948Fort Devens: Report 1947-1949Fort Devens: Statistics 1947-1950Fort Devens: Transfer problems 1947-19484-H Camp 1951Fraternities 1909-1947Freshman handbook 1939-1947Freshman scholars 1940Freshman science requirements 1948Freshman statistics 1936-1938Freshman week 1947-1948Gallant, James F. 1920-1925Goldberg, Maxwell 1945Grades 1943Graduate school 1944-1952Hillside School 1947-1952Higher Education in the Commonwealth 1940High School day 1935-1941High School preparation 1937-1938Honor system 1940-1945Housing and sanitation 1933Housing for women 1933Index 1937-1941Insignia Chapel (Awards for academic activities) 1928-1937Interchange of students between Valley colleges 1939Interchurch Council 1928-1931Japanese-American students 1942-1944Journalism 1944Land Grant Colleges 1928-1951Legislature 1946Letters from students in the service 1942-1945Lewis, Edward M. 1923-1936 3 foldersLewis, Edward M. Dean of MAC 1923-1936Lewis, Edward M. Correspondence UndatedLewis, Edward M. President of MAC 1924-1927Liberal Arts, School of. Minutes of meetings 1939-1955 2 foldersLiberal Arts, School of. Minutes of meetings 1939-1948Liberal Arts, School of. Minutes of meetings 1949-1955Library 1923-1941Lotta agricultural loans 1931-1943Maroon Key Society 1939-1940Mass Action 1928-1929Mass. State College: Origin and scope 1940Mass. State College: Departmental descriptions 1933-1945Miscellaneous (background info, memors, reports) 1919-1945Mountain Day 1936-1946National Conference of College and University Presidents 1942New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools 1931-1952 2 foldersNew England Educational Institutions: Deans Association 1939-1952New England Educational Institutions: Council 1944-1948News Service 1937New York registration 1928-1947October conference 1944-1948Patents, Committee on 1935Phi Kappa Phi 1930-1937Regulations, Academic 1940Regulations, Non-academic 1933-1947Religious activities 1899-1937Religious activities: Finances 1923-1952 3 foldersReligious activities: Finances 1923-1945Religious activities: Finances 1941-1942Religious activities: Finances 1943-1952Religious Advisory Board 1937-1947Religious denomination statistics 1926-1947Religious Director (W. B. Easton) 1942-1946Resident teaching 1937ROTC 1941-1945ROTC Regional Conference Northeast 1947Salary standardization 1919Scholarship Committee 1910-1947Scholarship Committee 1910-1914Scholarship Committee 1912-1915Scholarship Committee 1916-1918Scholarship Committee 1919-1921Scholarship Committee 1922-1924Scholarship Committee 1925-1933Scholarship Committee 1934-1940Scholarship Committee 1941-1947Scholarship Day 1934-1939Scholarship Day 1940-1946Short courses 1935-1941Skinner, Edna L. 1924-1934Slogan contest 1923Special Planning Committee 1947Spring Day 1947-1949State Relationship Report 1934Statistics: New England Colleges 1941Steffanides,. George F. 1933Stone, Harlan Fiske 1941Student Christian Association 1945-1949Student employment statistics 1937-1941Student government constitution 1948Student Health Service 1946Student life 1938-1950Student tax 1932-1949Swimming pool agreement UndatedTeacher evaluations 1949Teacher training 1927-1945Teacher principles 1937Tenure 1948Thatcher Hall 1938Tobacco Farm 1947Torch Clubs 1942Treasurer (Robert Hawley) 1942-1950Tuition 1950United Religious Council 1928-1946 3 foldersUnited Religious Council 1928-1937United Religious Council 1938-1939United Religious Council 1940-1946University of Western Massachusetts 1944Van Meter, Ralph A. 1947-1954Vocational guidance 1916-1921Waugh, Frank A. 1937-1939Westover Air Force Base 1940-1950Winter Carnival 1937-1938World Aggie Night 1923World War II: Accelerated credit 1941-1944World War II: College War Information Service 1940-1945World War II: Commemoration services 1945World War II: Committee of College and Post-War Period 1944World War II: Military credit 1944World War II: Veterans 1937-1946World War II: Victory Farm Volunteer Program 1944World War II: War agricultural curricula 1945Ynkhorne 1926Series 2. Departments 1937-1952 1.0 linear feetAgricultural Engineering 1945-1947Agriculture 1946Arts and Sciences 1952Bacteriology 1948-1951Botany 1945-1952Business Administration 1947-1951Chemical Engineering 1947Chemistry 1946-1952Civil Engineering 1947Economics 1937-1952Education 1945-1951Electrical Engineering 1937Engineering 1946-1950Engineering School. Academic Standards Committee 1948-1950English 1947-1951Entomology 1945-1951Extension Service 1946-1950Fine Arts 1945-1951Food Technology 1945Forestry 1947-1950Geology and Mineralogy 1941-1949German 1951Government 1949-1951History 1949-1951Home Economics 1945-1952Horticulture 1948Industrial Engineering 1949-1952Journalism 1949-1952Landscape Architecture 1947-1951Liberal Arts 1945-1952Mathematics 1947-1951Mechanical Engineering 1951Military 1947-1952Modern Languages 1947Nature Education 1948-1951Philosophy 1945-1948Physical Education 1941-1951Physics 1947-1950Pomology 1947Pre-Medical 1944Psychology 1950Public Health 1947-1952Recreational Leadership 1947-1952Religion 1947-1950Romance Languages 1947-1950School of Science 1946-1951Short Course 1947-1952Sociology 1949Wildlife Management 1949Zoology and Physiology 1943-1952 |