Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 19/1/2
Iowa State University Press
Biographical Files, 1934-2011


Descriptive summary

creator: Iowa State University Press
title: Biographical Files
dates: 1934-2011
extent: 0.21 linear feet (1 half-document box)
collection number: RS 19/1/2
repository: University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.
language: English

 

Administrative information

access: Open for research
publication rights: Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation: Iowa State University Press Biographical Files, RS 19/1/2, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Abstract

Iowa State University Press began operations in 1924 for the primary purpose of publishing student and departmental periodicals for Iowa State College. In 1934, the Press expanded into book publishing and eventually became a recognized publisher of agriculture, journalism, veterinary medicine, and aviation books. In 2000, Iowa State University Press merged with Blackwell Science. This collection contains news clippings and biographical information regarding employees of the Iowa State University Press.

 

Historical note

The Iowa State University Press was initially incorporated as Collegiate Press, Inc., on August 14, 1924. Earlier that year, the Finance Committee of the State Board of Education approved the idea of a cooperatively owned press. Ownership of the press was spread amongst the student publication boards at the time. These boards were responsible for the publication of a number of student magazines such as the Iowa Homemaker, the Iowa Agriculturist, the Iowa State Student, and the Iowa Engineer.

In 1934, Collegiate Press began publishing books as a way to increase production levels in order to support fulltime staff. An amendment to the articles of incorporation was approved in 1946 changing the name to Iowa State College Press and by 1951 book publishing had become a larger portion of the business than student and departmental publications. The Press changed its name to the Iowa State University Press in 1959. Over the next several decades, the Press gained an international reputation for publishing books on topics related to agriculture, journalism, veterinary medicine, and aviation.

By the late 1930s, the Press had outgrown the space that Iowa State had allotted to it. The Press Building was constructed by Collegiate Press on the grounds of Iowa State in 1940 followed by several additions as business increased. The building, renamed Hamilton Hall in 1984, was sold to the University in 1985 to be converted from office space for student publications into classroom space for journalism students. By this time, the publishing division offices of the Press had already moved to a new building south of campus.

Concerns over future funding needs of the Iowa State University Press along with a lack of support from Iowa State University administration resulted in the Press merging with Blackwell Science in 2000.

 

Collection description

This collection (1934-2011) contains biographical information and news clippings regarding employees of the Iowa State University Press. These materials were primarily collected by staff of Special Collections and University Archives.

 

Related materials

Related materials in the Special Collections and University Archives include:

See also: Agricultural Journalism and Broadcasting Subject Guide

 

Organization

This collection is organized alphabetically.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Bailey, Merritt E.

1957-2005

1

2

Berry, Frank T.

1994

1

3

Blinn, Edmund G.

1950

1

4

Campbell, Robert

2002

1

5

Chaundry, Neelum S.

1989

1

6

Christopher, Lyle

1976

1

7

Daum, Elizabeth

1992

1

8

Fassel, Raymond P.

1986 circa

1

9

Gable, Rowena

1991

1

10

Goeppinger, Katherine

1946-1965

1

11

Holmes, William E.

1942-1971

1

12

Ingle, Harold E.

1942-1946

1

13

Jensen, Mabel

2001

1

14

Johnson, Carl Edward

undated

1

15

Kinney, Richard

1989

1

16

Lapp, Kathryn Benbrook

1943-1965

1

17

Leffler, George V.

1934-1960

1

18

McClurkin, Betty

2013

1

19

McLeod, Daniel

1970

1

20

Miller, Kathryn

2013

1

21

Schwartz, Robert A.

1962-2011

1

22

Sealine, Marilyn Ann

2001

1

23

Sevey, Helen

1980

1

24

Shaw, Alvin B.

1921-1928

1

25

Speth, Linda

1992

1

26

Thorton, Golda Mae

1996

1

27

Townsend, Marshall

1954-1963

1

28

Wildman, Robert Oliver

1995

1

29

Van Horn, William H.

1957