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Location: AC.8.B.1.2.1 - AC.8.B.1.2.2

This file documents the life, professional career, and institutional impact of Dean Maxwell S. Thomas, a highly respected educator, administrator, and advocate for students at Florida A&M University. Spanning the years 1941 to 1987, with concentrated materials dating from 1973 to 1983, the collection provides a comprehensive view of Thomas’s contributions to higher education, his involvement in key university initiatives, and his broader engagement with community and professional organizations.

Born on June 24, 1907, in Ocala, Florida, Dean Maxwell S. Thomas served as Dean of Mechanical Arts at Florida A&M University and was widely recognized for his leadership, commitment to student development, and dedication to institutional advancement. The materials within this collection reflect his extensive professional network and influence, including correspondence with university presidents, faculty, and external organizations. His work with entities such as the Orange Blossom Classic Committee and the FAMU Foundation is well represented, illustrating his role in shaping both academic and extracurricular aspects of the university. In addition to documenting his professional achievements, the collection also captures personal dimensions of his life, including biographical materials, handwritten notes, and correspondence addressed to his wife, Jacqueline Holloway-Thomas, particularly letters of condolence following his passing in 1983.

The collection consists of manuscripts, photographs, publications, reports, correspondence, organizational records, programs, and printed materials that collectively highlight Thomas’s contributions to Florida A&M University and the broader educational landscape. These materials include annual and financial reports, institutional evaluations, program development documents, and publications that reflect the evolving priorities of the university during the mid- to late-twentieth century. News articles and obituaries further contextualize his legacy, emphasizing his impact as an educator and leader within the Tallahassee community and beyond.

At the time of processing, the collection had no discernible original order. The materials were therefore reorganized by subject and record type, with correspondences grouped by date and organizational records categorized by affiliated institutions or committees. Items were arranged in both alphabetical and chronological order to enhance accessibility and preserve contextual relationships. The collection was rehoused in acid-free folders and archival boxes, expanding to two boxes totaling approximately one linear foot. Processing also included preparation for digitization and the replacement of deteriorating fasteners with archival-safe materials. This collection serves as a significant resource for researchers examining the history of Florida A&M University, African American leadership in higher education, and the institutional development of historically Black colleges and universities during the twentieth century.

Box 2 of the Dean Maxwell and Jacqueline Holloway-Thomas Collection contains materials dated from 1969 to 1976 and further documents the professional, academic, and civic engagements of its creators during this period. This box reflects a strong emphasis on administrative, evaluative, and organizational records, highlighting institutional operations, leadership responsibilities, and broader professional involvement in the early years represented within the collection.

The folders within Box 2 are arranged alphabetically by subject and document type and include files such as Reports – Financial, Reports – Scholarship Reports, Reports – Institutional Self-Evaluation, and Resume, as well as Reports – Annual Reports and Reports – General Reports. Additional subject files include Budget Files, Annual Reports to the Florida Legislature, Information for the President, and materials related to The Florida Postsecondary Association. There is also a Report – Correspondence file that contains administrative communications, including items such as “The President’s Report ” and related institutional correspondence.

Within each folder, the materials are arranged chronologically, allowing for a clear and structured understanding of developments over time between 1969 and 1976. The reports provide insight into financial management, scholarship oversight, and institutional assessment processes, while legislative and administrative documents reflect broader institutional accountability and planning during this period. Correspondence files document communication among administrators, educators, and external stakeholders, illustrating professional networks and decision-making processes.

The Florida A&M University Hospital Collection documents the establishment, development, and administration of the Florida A&M College (FAMC) Hospital, later known as the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Hospital. Spanning the mid-twentieth century, this collection provides insight into the critical role the hospital played in serving the African American community during the era of segregation, when access to quality healthcare for Black patients was severely limited in the South.

The materials within this collection highlight the planning and funding efforts that led to the hospital’s creation, including correspondence, financial records, and reports related to state appropriations, community support, and institutional advocacy. Documentation of the building and expansion of the hospital illustrates the physical and infrastructural development of the facility, reflecting broader efforts to improve healthcare access and medical education opportunities for African Americans in Florida.

Additionally, the collection contains administrative records that detail the hospital’s operations, governance, and staff organization. These records may include internal memoranda, policy documents, personnel files, and reports that provide insight into the day-to-day management of the institution. Collectively, these materials offer valuable historical context on the intersection of healthcare, education, and racial inequality, and demonstrate the significance of FAMU Hospital as both a medical facility and a training ground for African American healthcare professionals.

Location: AC.3.B.1.3.5 - AC.3.B.1.4.3

Genevieve Josephine Wheeler Thomas (1914–December 24, 2006) was an educator whose career spanned 36 years in the field of home economics. She served as a classroom instructor before becoming Dean of the School of Home Economics, where she played a significant role in advancing academic programming and facilities. During her administration, notable developments included the construction and furnishing of a new Home Economics annex within the Perry-Paige Agriculture and Home Economics Building. She concluded her tenure in 1977 after returning to classroom instruction, leaving a lasting impact on both students and institutional growth.

The Genevieve J. Wheeler Thomas Collection consists of three boxes of materials dating from 1949 to 1960, documenting her professional contributions to education and academic administration. The collection includes instructional materials, meeting minutes, correspondence, and related documents that reflect her work as both an educator and administrator.

These materials provide insight into curriculum development, departmental operations, and the evolution of home economics education during the mid-twentieth century. The collection also highlights Wheeler Thomas’s leadership and involvement in institutional planning, particularly during a period of expansion and modernization. Collectively, the records offer valuable documentation of her career and the broader educational landscape in which she served.

This file contains administrative papers and related records dating from 1950 to 1965 generated during the presidency of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) President George W. Gore Jr. The materials reflect the routine administrative, financial, and institutional activities of the Office of the President during this period.

The papers include documentation related to faculty rankings, salary analyses, and faculty salary budget scales, as well as records concerning FAMU fire inspections. The file also contains materials related to FAMU football complimentary tickets issued to VIPs. Topics represented include faculty evaluation and compensation, campus safety and compliance, and institutional athletics and public relations.

Collectively, these papers provide insight into Florida A&M University’s administrative oversight of personnel, facilities, and athletics during the mid-twentieth century. The materials illustrate the role of the university presidency in balancing academic personnel management, campus safety, and institutional representation during a period of organizational growth and development.