Robert D. Campbell Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS 062

Staff Only

Summary

The collection consists of the photographs, correspondence, programs, postcards, and ephemera pertaining to the collegiate career of Mr. Robert D. Campbell, class of 1953. Mr. Campbell was careful to document every step of his college experience - from initial letter of acceptance, to final commencement program. The collection also contains as small amount of miscellaneous commemorative material from more recent years. Strengths of the collection include an impressive array of photographs documenting student life at F & M during the later years of the Distler administration (1949-1953). Numerous scenes of Franklin and Marshall College traditions, dormitory life, athletics, fraternity parties, alumni events, and campus landscapes are depicted throughout the collection. Documented athletic teams of note include the first F & M lacrosse team, and the 1952 national championship soccer team. The collection also contains printed flyers and programs documenting numerous F & M theatrical performances and campus religious services. In addition, travel itineraries and photographs from various Glee Club touring performances contribute to a broader regional understanding of United States higher education during this time. Mr. Campbell's collegiate service in the United States Naval Reserves is also noted throughout the collection, with numerous photographs, postcards, and naval documents. Finally, a highly detailed inventory, compiled by Mr. Campbell, adds valuable context to many of the photographs and materials collected. Mr. Campbell's numeric pagination scheme has been preserved to enhance the original organization and purpose of the collection.

Dates

1949-1953.

Creator

Campbell, Robert D. (Person)

Restrictions on Access

Access partially restricted.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Photocopying and publication restricted by copyright. except by permission of copyright holder..

Biographical / Historical

Robert D. Campbell attended Franklin and Marshall College from 1949 to 1953, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. While at F & M, he was an active member of the Glee Club, the Soccer and Lacrosse teams, the United States Naval Reserves, and the Zeta Chapter of Chi Phi national fraternity. Mr. Campbell provided the following autobiographical statement in his gift letter to the college dated January 8, 2004. I retired in 1995 after 40 years with Pfizer Inc. as Manager of Commercial Development. In that position I introduced important food additives now in use in reduced calorie and fat free products. My wife Ardis and I live in Newburyport. MA where our daughter Allison and her husband Steve reside. Since retirement, I have been a Scientific Lecturer for the Institute of Food Technologists providing information on new food developments to IFT chapters located on college/university campuses. While located in California for Pfizer (18 years) I wrote a weekly humor column for the local newspaper The Daily Sun Post, and they were later expanded into a book"Humor is Life's Lubricant". In retirement, I am writing a similar column for five newspapers in northeastern Massachusetts. I wish I had heeded Dr. Elias Phillips lectures more on Expository Writing at F & M. The seed was there, but it took years to blossom. At F & M, I was active in the Glee Club for 4 years, as you will note by the many programs, and President of the club during the first semester of my Senior year. I served as Manager in 1952 of our successful trip through New Jersey singing at 7 high schools and a church. I was on the 1950 and 1952 soccer teams which won MAC championships and in 1952 voted the outstanding team by the NCAA. In 2002 we had our 50th team reunion back on the campus. I played on the first lacrosse team at F & M (even scoring a goal against Lehigh). During my senior year, I was Manager of the wrestling team. I was active at the Chi Phi Fraternity at 603 Race Ave. and served as Program Chairman for various parties and VP during my senior year.

Extent

1 Linear feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Collection: Organized into folders corresponding to consecutive pages of original scrapbook arrangement. arranged in chronological order.

Ownership and Custodial History

All of the materials in this collection were donated to the Archives and Special Collections in January 2004 by F & M alumnus Robert D. Campbell, class of 1953.