The collection is open for research.
Permission to publish material from Walter S. Newman Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Walter S. Newman Collection, Ms2015-006, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The Walter S. Newman Collection was purchased by Special Collections in May 2014.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Walter S. Newman Collection was completed in February, 2015.
Walter Stephenson Newman was the 10th President of Virginia Tech from 1947-1962. He was the first vice-president of Virginia Tech. His presidency is often called the "era of good feeling." He is credited for developing Virginia Tech into a major university. Under his term, the university experienced growth in almost all areas. He worked to strengthen the humanities, social sciences and added graduate degrees.
Newman was born in 1895 in Woodstock, Virginia to Walter and Sallie Newman. He got his Bachelor's degree from Hampton-Sydney, his master's from VPI and his Ph.D. from Penn State. He taught Vocational Agriculture in Windsor, Va., and later became an associate professor in vocational education at VPI. He served as state superintendent of vocational education and was the assistant superintendent of public instruction. He was a highly respected educator and was one of the founders of the Future Farmers of Virginia. He married Liz Otey Hoge in 1923 and had one son.
More information on his life may be found at the following links:
Presidents of Virginia Tech:
This collection consists of an undated photograph album, program from his Inauguration as President of Virginia Tech, The Techgram, May 1, 1949 and an official photogram taken by The Foster Studio in Richmond, Virginia. There are several postcards and letters sent to Ella Boyer, possibly a housekeeper in the Newman family. Most materials are not dated, but at least some images are from the 1940s.
The photograph album includes photos of the Newman family, including one of the "Three Walters", Newman's father, himself and his son. There are photos of his parents as young adults and many depicting visits to a family farm.
Several postcards and a letter addressed to Ella Boyer were found in the photograph album. There are two early postcards dated 1937 from Oregon, Illinois. The letter dated 1968 mentions a Civil Rights event and also the Vietnam War. Several newspaper clippings are also included.
The collection is arranged by material type.
Records of the Office of the President, Walter S. Newman, 1947-1962 (Bulk 1947-1961), RG 2/10. Finding aid available
Records of the Office of the Vice-President, Walter S. Newman, 1946-1947, RG 3/1. Collection available in Special Collections.