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Washington State University Office of News and Information Service Records, 1947-1994

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Washington State University. Office of News and Information Services
Title
Washington State University Office of News and Information Service Records
Dates
1947-1994 (inclusive)
Quantity
14 Linear feet of shelf space, (14 Boxes)
Collection Number
Archives 226 (collection)
Summary
Contains information files about individuals who have worked for Washington State University, sports and news releases for each year that extensively cover athletic-oriented activities, workshops, conferences, organizational groups, concert series, committees, speeches, theatrical productions, referendums, initiatives, as well as correspondence files and back-to-school stories.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

The organizational role of the Washington State University News and Information Service, sometime known by its former name of News Bureau, was to provide media agencies with informational stories concerning all aspects of university activities. These activities involve students, faculty, and staff that have contributed newsworthy accomplishments while connected with Washington State University. The activities are divided into general sports and news releases. A number of university-related activities are covered by the WSU News Bureau. These include information files about individuals who have worked for Washington State University, sports and news releases for each year that extensively cover athletic-oriented activities, workshops, conferences, organizational groups, concert series, committees, speeches, theatrical productions, referendums, initiatives, as well as correspondence files and back-to-school stories. Over the years there have been a large number of editors of this organization: Alice Webb (1920s), Herbert Jenkins (1930s), Maynard Hicks (1940s-1950s), Dennis Morrison (1950s-1960s), and Richard Fry (1970s-1980s). Since the 1980s, the director has been Barbara Petura, with Al Ruddy, Sue Hinz and others serving as writers and editors. Other records are located at the WSU Libraries as record group Archives 65, WSU News Bureau releases from 1918 to 1977 and WSU 115, news releases from the early 1920s, located with University Publications. Archives 333 is a subsequent colleciton of WSU News Subject files.

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Content Description

The majority of the materials in this collection are press releases produced by Washington State University, and related documents or articles collected by WSU News and Information. A relatively small number of photographs can be found in this collection as well, interfiled with the relevant print materials. The collection is broken into four series of materials. Series 1, the WSU biographical / personnel files, covers a broad range of years (1940s-1990s). These are effectively vertical files, wherein press releases and other documents relating to individuals have been kept. Series 2 is sports press releases and news releases, can be accessed by the month and year of their initial release to the public. Each year is represented by a series of folders that denote which month of that year the releases were from. In regards to the releases from the 1950's, 1960's, and early 1970's, they are referenced according to whether or not they were miscellaneous or assorted, because there is not a consistent run of dates from those periods. The comprehensive "index to releases" subsection of this series lists, in chronological order, the succession of releases found in the monthly folders. Series 3 is approximately one half a box of departmental correspondence, covering 1969-1979. The fourth and final series of materials are subject files, an assortment of papers and releases in relation to various student and faculty groups at the university as well as information concerning speeches, concerts, plays, committees, workshops, conferences, and institutes that took place at Washington State University.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

Washington State University Office of News and Information Service Records, 1947-1994 (Archives 226)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The materials are arranged in 4 series. Series 1 is arranged alphabetically by last name. Series 2-3 are arranged chronologically. Series 4 is arranged alphabetically by topic.

Acquisition Information

Assorted News Bureau Files (ca. 1955- ca. 1995) Records and papers of the Washington State University News and Information Office were transferred to the University Libraries on many occasions. In 1996 much material was drawn together, appraised and arranged, amalgamating documents that had been identified by accession codes UA82-06, 82-10, 85-50, 86-11, 86-22, 87-24, 88-06, 88-16, 88-21, 88-25, 88-33, 89-09, 89-24, 90-28, 91-12, 91-24, 91-28, 92-12, 92-25, 93-10, 94-20, 95-15, 97-01, 97-08, and 98-10.

Processing Note

The papers were processed by Scott Stratton, June-July, 1996. A few small sets of additional materials from the same source and timeframe were interfiled shortly thereafter.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Finding aid prepared by Scott Stratton
2025

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