Center for Archival Collections

Introduction | Historical Sketch | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

 Introduction

The President McDonald Controversy collection consists of 1.5 linear feet of committee minutes, committee reports, correspondence, literary productions, clippings, and printed material related to the series of events that culminated in the resignation of Dr. Ralph McDonald as the fourth President of Bowling Green State University. The collection spans the years 1956 to 1971.

No restrictions exist on the research use of this collection. This material was removed from the University Archives by Dana Nemeth, Library Associate II, and processed as a separate collection by Jason Skock, Student Archival Assistant in August 2009 and by Rex Childers, History Graduate Research Assistant, in September 2009. The register was prepared by Rex Childers and Dana Nemeth in October 2009.

 Historical Sketch

Ralph McDonald served as the fourth President of Bowling Green State University from 1951 to 1961, during a critical growth period in the University’s history, but whose tenure eventually ended in his resignation due to student and faculty unrest. Dr. McDonald was hired in 1951 as a leader to move BGSU from its traditional role as a teacher training college to a full-fledged liberal arts university. With this goal in mind, Dr. McDonald sought to increase the number of faculty holding Ph.D. degrees who were active in research and publication, in addition to classroom teaching. Over half of the faculty was replaced during McDonald’s tenure, which caused disputes between faculty and administration, culminating in faculty petitions and counter-petitions supporting the administration.

Another factor which led to McDonald’s unpopularity was his view of the role of the university president in campus affairs. Dr. McDonald’s style was strongly authoritative, which countered a national trend on campuses allowing faculty and students to provide some influence on university policies. The underlying tensions came to a head in student demonstrations, alternately described either as riots, protests, or demonstrations, subject to the judgment of the commentator. These occurred over a three day period prior to the Easter break in the spring of 1961, and are sometimes referred to as the “Easter Riots,” receiving significant local, state and national attention.

The President Ralph McDonald Controversy Collection is comprised of several small collections which were originally part of the Bowling Green State University Archives. Because of the subject’s importance in the development of BGSU and in order to make the material more accessible, documents from various contributors and offices have been pulled together to create this one manuscript collection. It includes documents collected for and academic papers from a spring 1971 history undergraduate senior seminar. The collection also includes information on key figures involved in the controversies surrounding McDonald’s resignation, such as Sherman Stanage, Howard Brogan, and Charles Young, who were all professors serving on the faculty during the time of the disputes.

 Scope and Content

The President McDonald Controversy collection consists of several folders of minutes and reports of university and non-university entities, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), subject files on key players in the controversy, correspondence authored or received by secondary faculty, trustee, and elected officials, and literary productions on the sequence of events that occurred on campus during the period covered. A sampling of campus, local and regional newspaper clippings, ranging in dates from September 1960 to May 1968, are included, as well as opposing campus publications disputing the events and motivations of the demonstrators.

Most unique to the collection are the literary productions, ranging from essays written as history course assignments to student and faculty protest material and statements, handwritten timelines and investigative queries made by key players in summation of the events of the 1961 “Easter riots” and its aftermath, and personal recollections and testimonies regarding issues that contributed to the disturbances.

A separate major focus of the material gathered in this collection is on President McDonald’s handling of the termination of Dr. Sherman Stanage from his position in the Philosophy Department following the riots. The response of the faculty, both in organized and individual commentary, is provided. Communications, recollections, and notes on the political and social struggles on campus by faculty, elected leaders, and press outlets, are also prominent. A separate collection related to this is a scrapbook compiled by faculty member Bernard Rabin (MMS 1796)

The collection covers the time period leading up to and through the resignation of Dr. McDonald, the interim and subsequent Presidency of Ralph Harshman, and into the administration of President William Jerome III. The collection provides a sense of the turmoil that existed on campus during this time of transition in BGSU’s history.

 Series Description

PROCEEDINGS

MINUTES
March 1961-October 1964
Arranged chronologically
Minutes for BGSU Faculty and Student Senate, Toledo and Northwest Ohio Civil Liberties Union, and American Association of University Professors

CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDENCE
1959-1961, [1962-1963?]
Arranged chronologically
Various forms of correspondence, covering issues from general campus affairs to the specific events surrounding McDonald’s presidency

SUBJECT FILES

OFFICE FILES
1956-1961
Arranged alphabetically
Files on Howard Brogan, Ralph Harshman, William Jerome, Paul Leedy, Ralph McDonald and Sherman Stanage

REPORTS

ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
May [1959], 1960-1963
Arranged chronologically
American Civil Liberties Union “Academic Freedom” general report, faculty study and salary reports.

LITERARY PRODUCTIONS

ACADEMIC PAPERS, DIARIES, RESEARCH NOTES, SPEECHES
1961- 1963, 1971
Arranged Chronologically
Public statements, postings and protest material, individual research notes and event recollections pertaining to riot and subsequent events. Also includes academic papers written by students for a 1971 history course.

SCRAPBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS

NEWS CLIPPINGS
1960-1966, 1968
Arranged Chronologically
News stories and editorials relating to campus growth and disputes, including significant coverage of the March 1961 riots, the initial controversies, key individuals, and subsequent public information on Dr. Sherman Stanage

PRINTED MATERIALS

EXCERPTS, NEWSLETTERS, FLYERS
1960-1961, 1964
Reprints, excerpts from academic bulletins, and local newsletters illustrating opposing views on the controversial 1961 campus events

 Inventory

Box 1

1. Faculty Senate, University Council, and American March 29, 1961- Association of University Professors (AAUP) Minutes, October 4, 1964
2. Student Senate minutes April 13, 1961, April 20, 1961
3. Toledo and Northwest Ohio Civil Liberties Union minutes, July 11, 1961
4. Special Study Committee minutes [1961?]
5. Various correspondence regarding BGSU non-accreditation by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), [October 22, 1959?] - September 20, 1961
6. Draft of letter to BG News editor from Thomas L. Kinney signed "Isaac Bickerstaff", November 17, 1959
7. Ohio NAACP letter to Ohio Governor DiSalle requesting Attorney General decision on off-campus housing discrimination at the Ohio State University (BGSU President’s copy), May 3, 1960
8. Dean Emerson Shuck note to faculty on duties in classrooms following March 1961 disturbances on [April 5, 1961?]
9. Correspondence from Elden Smith (Dean of Students) to various faculty on university dismissals of students involved, April 15, 1961
10. Various correspondence to Grover Platt regarding his role on faculty study committee, the Stanage affair, and rumors of communist influence on campus, May 18, 1961-December 3, 1961
11. Correspondence to Richard C. Carpenter from State of Ohio elected officials and draft of Carpenter letter to the Toledo Blade on campus situation, June 1, 1961-July 10, 1961
12. Correspondence of State Rep. Charles Kurfess to board of trustees and its President E. Tappan Rodgers on campus situation, critical of President McDonald promotions and salary increases to faculty upon resignation. June 11, 1961-November 1, 1961
13. Various correspondence to non-university entities regarding situation on campus, June 21-22, 1961, [ca. 1961?]
14. Correspondence from R.P. Luse to Alva Bachman, board of trustees member, on Dr. McDonald’s resignation and rumors of return plot by board of trustees, July 31, 1961
15. Various correspondence regarding non-renewal of graduate contract for student involved in campus disturbance of March 1961, December 21, 1961-[May 9, 1962?]
16. Correspondence to Bernard Gundlach, BGSU professor, [ca. June 8, 1962?]
17. Rough draft of letter to Anita Ward, by author unknown, objecting to appointment of Donald Kleckner as Dean of College of Liberal Arts, [May 16, 1963?]

Box 2

1. Howard Brogan subject file [April 6, 1961 – April 5, 1963?]
2. Ralph Harshman subject file September 6, 1961 – May 9, 1963
3. William Jerome III subject file February 6, 1963 – September 16, 1965
4. Paul Leedy subject file September 6, 1961 – September 16, 1965
5. Ralph McDonald subject file January 6, 1956 – September 25, 1961
6. Sherman Stanage subject file [September 1, 1959 - July 19, 1961?]
7. Report, “Academic Freedom and Civil Liberties of Students,” American Civil Liberties Union [May 1959]
8. Faculty Salaries: 1960-1961, 1961-1962, 1962-1963 1960-1963
9. Report of the Faculty Study Committee November 3, 1961
10. Salary Increase Studies January 18, 1962, March 31, 1963
11. Report of Sub-Committee on Senate Structure and Functioning, November 26, 1962
12. Typed notes on conversations with Bob Acox and Father Trautwein on Easter 1961 riots (author unknown) March 29, 1961 - April 1, 1961
13. Various handwritten notes on events and occurrences [ca. March- April during “Easter campus riots” of 1961 1961?]
14. Student protest material and student statements [April 6, 1961 – June 4, 1961?]
15. Faculty protest material and faculty statements [April 8, 1961 – July 27, 1961?]
16. Typed memo from Lloyd Helms to members of University Senate calling for the activation of the University Senate and meeting on April 17, 1961, April 12, 1961
17. Summary of Grover Platt’s June 11, 1961 Statement to BGSU Board of Trustees regarding dismissal of Sherman Stanage, June 11, 1961
18. Various handwritten notes on potential financial scandals rumored in occurrence during McDonald administration (author unknown), [ca. July 1961?]
19. Draft essay on “Long Range Planning at BGSU” [ca. September 1961?]
20. Draft of BGSU Board of Trustees November 3, 1961 "Statement With Regard to Committees," November 3, 1961
21. Student protest flyer supporting Sherman Stanage collected from Memorial Hall bulletin board [Nov. 29, 1961?]
22. Copy of statement by Bernard Gundlach on issues and sequence of events regarding campus unrest and Dr. McDonald’s response, [ca. 1961-1962?]
23. BGSU chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) May 16, 1963 resolution objecting to the appointment of Donald Kleckner as Dean of College of Liberal Arts, May 16, 1963
24. Draft resolution of “Committee A” of the BGSU Chapter of the AAUP entitled "Freedom of Political Expression" [ca. October 1964?]
25. "Reactivation of the Faculty Senate: Overreaction or Logical Maneuver?" by Marie Apidome, June 1, 1971
26. "From a Water Fight to a State of Emergency: Why did Bowling Green State University Become the Scene of Student Unrest?" by Janice K. Yurista, including written interview responses from George Howick, alumni and J.C. Donnell II, past trustee, May 1-26, 1971

Box 3

Folders

1. Daily Sentinel-Tribune clippings on university September 9, 1960 construction projects and quality of faculty
2. Various newspaper clippings on March 1961 campus protests [March 1961]
3. Various newspaper clippings on March 1961 campus protests [April 1961]
4. Various newspaper clippings on debates on campus [May 1961]
5. Various newspaper clippings including reports of President McDonald’s resignation effective Sept. 1, 1961, [June 1961]
6. Various newspaper clippings regarding disputes over demotions of Howard Brogan, Charles Young, and Sherman Stanage, [July 1961]
7. Various newspaper clippings on progress of disputes on campus, [August 1961]
8. Various newspaper clippings on changes in board of trustees, welcome of interim President Harshman, [September 1961]
9. Various newspaper clippings on board of trustees and Harshman administration progress on inquiry regarding campus disputes, [October 1961]
10. Various newspaper clippings including stories on state funding and salary increases granted under President McDonald’s tenure effective at beginning of Harshman interim administration,  [November 1961]
11. Various newspaper clippings regarding search for University President, reinstatement of Howard Brogan and Charles Young, ongoing status of Sherman Stanage, [December 1961]
12. Various newspaper clippings regarding reinstatement of Sherman Stanage, selection of Ralph Harshman as University President, [January 1962]
13. Various newspaper clippings regarding Howard Brogan’s resignation, Sherman Stanage’s reinstatement, and Charles Young’s resignation as chair, [February 1962]
14. Various newspaper clippings regarding state revision of McDonald salary increases for faculty, [March 1962]
15. Various newspaper clippings on Ralph McDonald acceptance of Executive Director position for the National Committee for Support of the Public Schools,  [April 1962]
16. Various newspaper clippings on extended leave of absence for Ralph McDonald,  [July 1962]
17. Newspaper clipping on faculty pay rates in dispute [August 1962]
18. Various newspaper clippings on pay rate dispute and unendorsed Democratic state senate candidate Albert Anness’ criticism,  [October 1962?]
19. Newspaper clipping on Dr. McDonald activities while on leave, [November 1962?]
20. Various newspaper clippings including selection of Dr. William Jerome III as University President, [January 1963]
21. Various newspaper clippings on return of Donald Kleckner, Board of Trustee meetings relating to interviews of William Jerome III for President, [May 1963]
22. Various newspaper clippings, on final resignation of Ralph McDonald from faculty, promotions, appointments, and University President’s residence issues for President Jerome, [July 1963?]
23. Article on appointment of Archie Jones as Dean of College of Liberal Arts, [August 1, 1963?]
24. Article on BGSU Trustee meeting of October 4, 1963, approval of Faculty Study report, [October 5, 1963]
25. Daily Sentinel-Tribune article on the withdrawal of invitation to Dr. McDonald as commencement speaker for summer 1964,  [June 18, 1964?]
26. Daily Sentinel-Tribune article on replacement speaker (Dr. Carlson of University of Toledo) for summer commencement, in place of Dr. McDonald due to faculty request, [July 10, 1964]
27. Toledo Blade article on Inauguration of Dr. Jerome as sixth BGSU President, including brief review of prior administrations and future growth of campus, September 15, 1964
28. BG News edition featuring articles from students and faculty on the climate at BGSU, including an article by Sherman Stanage, February 23, 1965
29. Article entitled  "Stanage Leaves for Texas Post” on departure of Dr. Sherman Stanage [BG News?], [August 17, 1966?]
30. Daily Sentinel-Tribune article entitled "Jerome Assails Tactics by Chancellor" on conflict over Ohio Board of Regents proposal to standardize state universities to an academic quarter calendar, October 8, 1966
31. San Antonio Express/News article entitled “The Stanage Case: New Rumblings at Trinity” on the non-renewal of Dr. Stanage’s contract with Trinity University, January 7, 1968
32. Article entitled “Stanage Loses Job At Trinity” unattributed publisher, [May 20, 1968?]
33. Various undated and unattributed news clippings n.d.
34. "Faculty Participation in College and University Government", reprint from the Bulletin of the American Association of University Professors, 1960
35. BGSU Humanist Society newsletter, The Free Encounter, on Dr. Sherman Stanage, religion, and BGSU, April 30, 1961-December 4, 1961
36. BGSU Faculty Club newsletter, article by Faculty Club campus disturbance as a violation of policy, [ca. April-May President on use of club lounge by clergy during 1961?]
37. The Newman Society Newman Notes editorials on BG News and “An examination of the Humanist position”, [May 1961?]
38. St. Thomas More Chapel Bulletin including article on Spring 1961 riot, [October 1961?]
39. Excerpt from College & University Bulletin, Association for Higher Education, November 15, 1964
40. Excerpt from Saturday Review, “A University Presidency: What It Takes,” by Eric Ashby, November 21, 1964

Manuscripts by Subject | Education Collections | BGSU Centennial Collections