Michigan State Normal College Diplomas (R-W)

File — oversize: 7

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Certificate, Diplomas, and Resolutions collection includes examples of Michigan State Normal School, Michigan State Normal College and Eastern Michigan University Certificates and Diplomas of alumni, and honorary degree holders, as well as official University Resolutions. Additionally, there is one folder of high school diplomas from MSNC alumni. Primarily materials are arranged chronologically and then alphabetically and date from the 1850s through 2024. The HONORARY DEGREES series documents the honorary degree recipients at Eastern Michigan University. Materials are arranged chronologically and include clippings, correspondence, and transcripts. Records span from 1914 until 2024. The collection is further arranged into three series: Administrative Files, Committee Meeting Minutes, and Degree Recipients including biographies, transcripts, and programs. This is not a complete record of the honorary degree recipients at Eastern Michigan University; the tradition of awarding honorary degrees at Eastern Michigan University began in 1890, the records begin in 1914. In addition, there are several years missing from the record, 1975-1976 and 1978, as well as 2009-2021.

Dates

Creation: 1850 - 2024

Creator

From the Collection: Eastern Michigan University (Organization)
From the Collection: Michigan State Normal College (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

Biographical / Historical

Max Wayne Ross and Eleanor Frances Clark Ross both attended Roosevelt School and Eastern Michigan Normal College. Eleanor held a lifetime teacher’s license specializing in French, but never taught in the public schools. She worked local elections and later served as Township Clerk of Saline Township. After marrying on January 31, 1934, they farmed in Ypsilanti until February of 1943 when their farms – Ross and Foster Farms, were taken by eminent domain by the U.S. government for the building of housing for those working at the Willow Run Bomber Plant. Two local elementary schools were named for them – Foster and Ross Schools. When they move to Saline, they farmed the Gross and Carr Farms on Austin Road.