University Communications and Marketing records, 1930/2017

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

Copyright for materials authored or otherwise produced as official business of James Madison University is retained by James Madison University. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Staff have taken special care to identify and remove sensitive materials, particularly those relating to students' academic records and personnel employment records, found within this collection. However, in rare instances, privacy protected information may be revealed during use of this collection. Researchers agree to make no notes or other recordation of privacy protected information if found within this collection, and further agree not to publish or disclose such information for any purpose.

For more information, contact the Special Collections Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], University Communications and Marketing records, 1930-2017, UA 0003, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
32.98 cubic feet 93 boxes, 1 flat file
Creator:
James Madison University. University Communications and Marketing, Hilton, Fred, 1943-2022, James Madison University. University Communications and Marketing, and William, Jackameit
Abstract:
Collection documents the varied functions and activities of James Madison University's Communications and Marketing office whose main objective is to advance the university's brand. Records include press releases, correspondence, general administrative files, event information, personnel biographical files, photographs, and assorted media.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], University Communications and Marketing records, 1930-2017, UA 0003, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection documents the varied functions and activities of James Madison University's Communications and Marketing office whose main objective is to advance the university's brand. Media relations, communications, public affairs, publicity, and brand strategy also fall under the department's portfolio.

Records include general and sports press releases; correspondence written by and on behalf of university administration and FOIA requests; general administrative files related to marketing and branding initiatives as well as select university publications; event information including speeches that primarily concern commencement and other large/recurring events; personnel biographical files; photographs documenting inaugurations, commencements and other events; and assorted media.

Biographical / historical:

James Madison University's Communications and Marketing Department, known variously throughout the years as Public Relations Department, Department of Public Services, Media Relations, University Marketing and Branding, etc., was created in 1967, headed by Richard C. Mandeville and overseen by the executive assistant to the president. The creation of this department was part of the major reorganization of the college in 1967 and one of its main concerns was information services. The Public Relations Department became the Department of Public Services in 1972. This department was headed by Ray V. Sonner, who oversaw the Office of Public Information which was responsible for sending press releases and pictures to off-campus media outlets. In 1973, sports information and public information each became a distinct office under the Department of Public Services. In 1976, the offices of sports information and public information were combined. Throughout this time, Sonner supervised the Department of Public and Sports Information, headed by Richard Murray and Milla Sue Wisecarver. The university's official publication, first known as Montpelier and later rebranded to Madison, was first published in 1977 and is produced for alumni, parents of JMU students, faculty and staff members, and friends of the university. Since 1984, the office that directed the public relations of the university has changed names many times. Fred Hilton, who served as chief public relations officer and later as Director of the Centennial Celebration from 1972 until 2009, contributed greatly to the administrative functions of JMU's Communications and Marketing Department. As a result, Hilton is a significant contributor to the collection as a records creator. Don Egle, Hilton's successor, served as Senior Director of Communications and University Spokesperson until 2015.

Acquisition information:
Sixty-two binders of press releases were transferred by Fred Hilton of JMU Communications in September 1987. Other offices in Wilson Hall presumably contributed to the transfer though specific provenance is unclear. Two accessions of 64 scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings from local newspapers were recieved in 1988. These materials were deaccessioned in 2022 due to duplication in other sources. Beginning in 2013 through 2022, ten record transfers from Communications and Marketing were made to Special Collections.
Appraisal information:

Approximately 64 scrapbooks (from accessions PR 88-1015, PR 88-1027) comprising newspaper clippings were deaccessioned in December 2022. The contents of the newspaper clippings is duplicated in the press releases and newspaper holdings within Carrier Library.

To the archivist's best ability, records containing personal identifying information (PII) particularly pertaining to student records and personnel files, were removed from the collection.

Extraneous and duplicative copies of university publications as well as photocopies of published materials and website print-outs (particularly related to James Madison) were not retained. Copies of Board of Visitors minutes, duplicative of those contained in UA 0010, were not retained.

Forms and documents issued by the Library of Virginia and related to JMU's public records retention and disposal including Certificates or Records Disposal (form RM-3), Records Transfer List and Receipt (form RM-17), Records Retention and Disposition Schedules (form RM-2), and other related forms were not retained. These files primarily contained photocopies and carbon copies of the aforementioned forms.

Draft versions of Montpelier/Madison Magazine articles as well as email correspondence related to edits were not retained. The final published issues of the magazines are held by Special Collections and are considered to be the official version of record. Unless markedly compelling or otherwise significant, documents related to the design, editing, and drafting process of Montpelier/Madison Magazine were not retained. A similar appraisal approach was taken for materials related to website updates.

Episodes of "With Good Reason" (copied on CDs), which originally aired on Virginia National Public Radio stations between 2007-2010 and featuring JMU faculty or on JMU-related topics, were not retained due to duplication of originals held by Virginia Humanities and made available online at https://www.withgoodreasonradio.org/.

Processing information:

The collection was minimally processed in June 2015 by Emily Rheault under the collection number PR 87-0922. Collection fully reprocessed in October 2022 under the collection number UA 0003. At this time, two boxes of duplicate press releases and photocopied newspaper clippings were deaccessioned. Approximately 64 scrapbooks comprising newspaper clippings were also deaccessioned. The contents of the newspaper clippings is duplicated in the press releases and newspaper holdings within Carrier Library. In August 2025, the collection organization and finding aid was significantly updated to reflect the incorporation of 10 previously unprocessed accessions from JMU Communications and Marketing. Prior to the incorporation of these additional records, the collection was titled Office of Public Affairs press releases.

Donor supplied folder labels and groupings of materials were retained where possible.

A group of drawings on paper and polyester transparencies documenting campus buildings and maps exhibited significant degradation due to adhesive transfer and adhesion to other materials. They were not salvageable and were not retained. Similarly impacted university logos were also discarded.

CASE awards, measuring 8.5" x 11" and mounted on foam board, were photocopied and originals discarded to conserve space.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into seven series:

  1. Press releases, 1969-2010
  2. Administrative files, 1954-2014
  3. Events, 1967-2014
  4. Personnel biographical files, 1930-2008
  5. Correspondence, 1979-2014
  6. Photographs, 1970-2011
  7. Media, 1980-2017
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard