This file contains general correspondence dating from 1949 to 1968 generated during the presidency of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) President George W. Gore Jr. The materials are arranged alphabetically by college and university names and reflect the routine administrative, academic, and external communications of the Office of the President during this period.
The correspondence documents interactions between President Gore Jr. and college and university leaders from Prairie View A&M College, North Carolina A&T College, Texas College, Talladega College, Voorhees School and Junior College, Tulane University, University of Arizona, Stillman College, University of Rhode Island, Spelman College, Morehouse College, University of Florida, Bethune-Cookman College, Tuskegee Institute, Fort Valley State College, Edward Waters College, and North Carolina College at Durham. The file also includes correspondence between President Gore Jr. and members of the Florida Legislature and state and local government officials, including State Senator Leroy Collins, Secretary of State R. A. Gray, State Senator John Branch, State Representative Farris C. Bryant, Mayor of Jacksonville Haydon Burns, Herbert T. Cooks, and Samuel W. Getzen. Topics represented include higher education policy, institutional planning, legislative affairs, funding and appropriations, inter-institutional collaboration, and matters affecting public higher education in Florida and beyond.
Collectively, these papers provide insight into Florida A&M University’s administrative leadership, inter-institutional networks, and governmental relationships during the mid-twentieth century. The correspondence illustrates the role of FAMU’s presidency in navigating segregation-era policies, state oversight, and national developments in higher education while advocating for institutional growth and stability.