George Starcher Papers, 1909-1994

George Starcher Papers

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Collection Overview

Title: George Starcher Papers, 1909-1994

ID: OGLMC238

Primary Creator: Starcher, George

Extent: 15.75 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 04/24/1975. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: University of North Dakota - Presidents

Languages: English

Abstract

7th President of the University of North Dakota, 1954-1971

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The George Starcher Papers have been divided into nine series:

Series 1: Biographical Materials

Series 2: Scrapbooks

Series 3: Correspondence

Series 4: Speeches

Series 5: University of North Dakota Files

Series 6: National Education Organizations

Series 7: Human Relations Class, Ohio University

Series 8: Miscellaneous

Series 9: Photographs

Collection Historical Note

George W. Starcher served in a number of university posts before his appointment as the seventh president of the University of North Dakota in 1954. He graduated from Ohio University in 1926 and received his A.M. in 1927 and Ph.D. in 1930 in mathematics from the University of Illinois. It was Ohio University that offered Starcher extensive experience in university administration. There he attained the rank of Professor of Mathematics and served as acting Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School (1943-1945), Dean of the University College, Freshman Division (1946-1951), and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1951-1954), and was also a Fellow in Human Relations at Harvard (1945-1946).

Starcher's inauguration speech, "The Responsibilities of the University," outlined his broad vision:

"The mission of the University is to prepare men and women for life in a changing dynamic society. We would fail if we should concern ourselves solely with turning out men and women prepared to fit neatly into the grooves of an established society...Leadership is something that is required at all levels-not the dramatic heroic leadership demanded in a crisis, but the civilized leadership of many people working together as equals in peaceful collaboration for a common purpose."

Although Starcher responded vigorously to campus construction needs, the essence of his 17 year tenure focused on enhancing the academic stature of UND and instituting administrative reform. He encouraged graduate and faculty research activities and improved faculty compensation. He enacted a faculty tenure policy in 1964 and honored distinguished faculty with the rank of University Professor. A freshmen advisement program was established through a new University College in 1955 and an Honors Program began in 1961.

In striving towards a decentralized administration, Starcher appointed Thomas Clifford, Dean of the College of Business and Public Administration, as Vice President for Finance in 1959 and created two other new administrative positions, VP for Academic Affairs in 1962 and VP for Student Affairs in 1967. The Division of Nursing became the College of Nursing in 1959, the New School of Behavioral Studies in Education was created in 1968, and humanities, computer science, and aviation programs were introduced.

Starcher strengthened the intellectual life of the campus. He revived the North Dakota Quarterly in 1956 and established a faculty lecture series. He pressed for increased student scholarships, funded by both public and private monies, including gifts from Chester Fritz and Maxwell Upson. The first grant of federal monies came in 1957 when UND sponsored a summer science institute for high school teachers. This was followed by funding from 1960s "Great Society" programs. Starcher also cultivated alumni donations. The Robert D. Campbell Foundation was established in 1955 "to promote the best interests" of UND. Chester Fritz donated one million dollars in 1958 and in 1965 to build a library dedicated in 1961 and an auditorium completed in 1972.

President Starcher was well regarded by both the public and faculty and students. He encouraged student participation on University committees and in 1970 ten students were seated on University Senate. Although challenged by 25 faculty referred to as "Young Turks" in 1965 to institute faster reforms, Starcher's leadership was recognized nationally when he served as President of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, 1964-1965. The prestigious Alexander Meiklejohn Award of the American Association of University Professors in 1969 again honored Starcher for his leadership and outstanding contributions to academic freedom, a principle that permitted the appearance of Gus Hall in 1968 and Vietnam War protests. These never became disruptive as on other campuses.

President Starcher retired in 1971 leaving a greatly expanded institution. Enrollment and legislative appropriations tripled, endowments increased more than tenfold, and the physical plant quadrupled in value, for a total of 37 major construction projects, including several academic buildings, several dormitories, and the acquisition of Wesley College complex in 1965. Starcher modernized the University, academically, administratively, and physically.

Subject/Index Terms

University of North Dakota - Presidents

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Accruals:

Additional materials were donated:

In 1979; 79-606

Transferred from the UND Biographical File in 1981; 81-882

Transferred from the UND Administration Records in April 1985; 85-1372

On November 16, 1990

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: George Starcher

Acquisition Method: Donation

Related Materials: President's Office Records - UA 43

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). George Starcher Papers. OGLMC 238, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in October 2014. The collection was reprocessed and reorganized by Curt Hanson in January 2017.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Biographical Materials],
[Series 2: Scrapbooks],
[Series 3: Correspondence],
[Series 4: Speeches],
[Series 5: University of North Dakota Files],
[Series 6: National Education Organizations],
[Series 7: Human Relations Class - Ohio University],
[Series 8: Photographs],
[Series 9: Miscellaneous],
[All]

Series 1: Biographical Materials

The first series mainly contains newspaper clippings from Starcher's tenure as the President of the University of North Dakota from 1954 to 1971.

Box 1

Folder 1: Biographical Materials on George Starcher
Folder 2: Chronology of the Starcher Administration, 1954-1971
Folder 3: Newspaper Clippings, 1954
Folder 4: Newspaper Clippings, 1955
Folder 5: Newspaper Clippings, 1956
Folder 6: Newspaper Clippings, 1957
Folder 7: Newspaper Clippings, 1958
Folder 8: Newspaper Clippings, 1959
Folder 9: Newspaper Clippings, 1960
Folder 10: Newspaper Clippings, 1961
Folder 11: Newspaper Clippings, 1962
Folder 12: Newspaper Clippings, 1963
Folder 13: Newspaper Clippings, 1964
Folder 14: Newspaper Clippings, 1965
Folder 15: Newspaper Clippings, 1966
Folder 16: Newspaper Clippings, 1967
Folder 17: Newspaper Clippings, 1968
Folder 18: Newspaper Clippings, 1969
Folder 19: Newspaper Clippings, 1970
Folder 20: Newspaper Clippings, January-April 1971
Folder 21: Newspaper Clippings, May-June 1971
Folder 22: Newspaper Clippings, July-December 1971
Folder 23: Newspaper Clippings, 1972-1977
Folder 24: Newspaper Clippings Regarding Starcher and the State Board of Higher Education, 1956-1964
Folder 25: Biographical Materials for Margaret (Shaver) Starcher

Box 8

Folder 14: Newspaper Clippings Regarding Alexander Meiklejohn Award from the American Association of University Professors, 1969

Folder 15: Starcher's Retirement, 1971

Folder 16: Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree, 1975

Folder 17: Newspaper Clippings, 1994

Folder 18: Certificates, 1920s

Item 1: Phi Delta Gamma, April 1926
Item 2: Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Ohio University, June 1926
Item 3: Pi Mu Epsilon, May 1928

Folder 19: Certificates, 1930s

Item 1: Sigma Xi, April 1930

Folder 20: Certificates, 1940s

Item 1: Phi Eta Sigma, December 1946

Folder 21: Certificates, 1950s

Item 1: Ohio University Alumni Sesquicentennial Scholarship Fund, June 1954
Item 2: Ohio University Alumni Association, June 1955
Item 3: American Business Women's Association, November 1956

Folder 22: Certificates, 1960s

Item 1: Dakota Territorial Centennial, 1961
Item 2: Kiwanis Club of Grand Forks, October 1962
Item 3: World Institute on the Teaching of Shorthand, July 1963
Item 4: Cherry River Navy of West Virginia, July 1966
Item 5: Exchange Club of Grand Forks, November 1966
Item 6: Kiwanis Club of Grand Forks, December 1966
Item 7: Arnold Air Society, May 1968
Item 8: Kiwanis Club of Grand Forks, September 1968
Item 9: Grand Forks Lions Club, September 1968
Item 10: Kiwanis Club of Grand Forks, June 1969
Item 11: Sertoma Club, July 1969
Item 12: Exchange Club of Grand Forks, July 1969

Folder 23: Certificates, 1970s

Item 1: Kiwanis Club of Grand Forks, September 1970
Item 2: Sigma Xi, March 1971
Item 3: Fellows of the University of North Dakota, August 1971
Item 4: Student Senate of the University of North Dakota, 1971
Item 5: Outstanding Educators of America, 1971

Folder 24: Certificates, Undated

Item 1: Wisdom Hall of Fame
Item 2: Martin Blades Hole in One Club
Item 3: National Pop Warner Conference

Folder 25: Article Written by Starcher: "Presidents and Editors," The School Press Review, December 1969

Folder 26: Article Written by Starcher: "Presidents and Editors," College Press Review, 1970

Folder 27: Article Written by Starcher: "Dr. Starcher Predicts Fraternity Growth," The Rattle of Ox, 1970

Box 9

Folder 1: Certificate: U.S. Air Force Operation North Star, July 1968
Folder 2: Certificate: "Resolution Commending Dr. George W. Starcher, Adopted by the State Board of Higher Education", May 1971

Series 2: Scrapbooks

The second series consists of scrapbooks which document news and events from Starcher's tenure as the President of the University of North Dakota from 1954 to 1971.

Box 2

Scrapbook 1: 1954-1955
Scrapbook 2: 1955-1956
Scrapbook 3: 1956-1957
Scrapbook 4: 1957-1958

Box 3

Scrapbook 5: 75th Anniversary of UND, 1957-1958
Scrapbook 6: 1958-1960
Scrapbook 7: 1960-1961

Box 4

Scrapbook 8: 1961-1962
Scrapbook 9: 1962-1963
Scrapbook 10: 1963-1964

Box 5

Scrapbook 11: 1964-1965
Scrapbook 12: 1965-1966

Box 6

Scrapbook 13: 1966-1967
Scrapbook 14: 1967-1970
Scrapbook 15: 1971: A number of blank, unused pages were removed from this scrapbook. The original order of all of the materials in the book was maintained.

Box 9

Scrapbook 16: Presented to "Uncle George and Aunt Margaret" from the Brucker Family, July 29, 1978: This scrapbook has mixture of photographs and newspaper clippings and regards both the Starcher family, as well as George Starcher's time as President of UND
Scrapbook 17: Scrapbook: "Starcher Hall", 1979

Series 3: Correspondence

The third series contains correspondence dating from 1935 until 1971. The correspondence from President Starcher's first several years at the University of North Dakota far outweigh those letters from later in his tenure.

Box 1

Folder 26: 1935-1939
Folder 27: 1940-1953
Folder 28: January-June 1954
Folder 29: July-December 1954
Folder 30: January-June 1955
Folder 31: July-December 1955
Folder 32: 1956
Folder 33: 1957
Folder 34: 1958-1959

Box 7

Folder 1: 1960-1965
Folder 2: 1966-1969
Folder 3: 1970-1972, 1984, 1988
Folder 4: UND Christmas Cards, 1955-1971
Folder 5: Undated

Series 4: Speeches

This series consists of the text of various speeches delivered by President Starcher. Additional speeches can be found in the records of the Office of the President, UA 43.

Box 7

Folder 6: 1955

Item 1: Greetings to the Freshman Class, 12 September 1955

Folder 7: 1957

Item 1: "The Ignorance of the Educated," Faith and Learning Symposium

Folder 8: 1958

Item 1: Introduction of Eric Sevareid at the 75th Founders Day
Item 2: Introduction to Graduates, Summer Commencement, August 9, 1958
Item 3: Citation for honorary degree for Hermann Hagedorn, August 9, 1958
Item 4: Closing Remarks to Graduates, Summer Commencement, August 9, 1958

Folder 9: 1960

Item 1: Alumni Banquet, June 3, 1960
Item 2: "Talk to Alumni Teachers Convention", October 1960
Item 3: Remarks to Alumni, 1960

Folder 10: 1962

Item 1: Closing Remarks to the Graduates, Winter Commencement, February 4, 1962
Item 2: "Talk to Alumni--Chicago", April 28, 1962

Folder 11: 1963

Item 1: "Word to Graduates," Spring Commencement, June 1963
Item 2: "Introduction for Rev. Fred Luchs," Spring Commencement Baccalaureate Service, June 1963
Item 3: Introduction of General S.L.A. Marshall, Spring Commencement, June 1963
Item 4: "To the Alumni in Bismarck", February 1963

Folder 12: 1965

Item 1: Opening Remarks to the Graduates, 1965

Folder 13: 1966

Item 1: Introduction of Joseph Freeman at Winter Commencement, January 30, 1966
Item 2: Founder's Day, February 24, 1966
Item 3: Introduction of Dr. Herbert Prochnow, Spring Commencement, June 5, 1966
Item 4: Introduction of Mildred Johnson, 1966

Folder 14: 1967

Item 1: Introduction of Kenneth Raschke, Winter Commencement, March 2, 1967
Item 2: Introduction of Bishop Leonard Cowley, Baccalaureate Commencement Service, June 4, 1967
Item 3: Welcoming Remarks, Summer Commencement, August 1967
Item 4: Introduction of William Golomski, Summer Commencement, August 1967

Folder 15: 1968

Item 1: "The Role of the University," Address to UND Faculty, April 1968
Item 2: Introduction of Dr. Raymond Darland, Summer Commencement, August 1968

Folder 16: 1969

Item 1: Introduction of Arthur Naftalin, Spring Commencement, June 8, 1969
Item 2: Closing Remarks to the Graduates, Summer Commencement, August 9, 1969
Item 3: "The Public Image of the Institution," 4th Annual College Faculty Conference, Park Rapids, Minnesota, September 10-11, 1969
Item 4: "Remarks in Acknowledgement of the ACP-NCPPA Award," Miami, Florida, November 1, 1969
Item 5: "Some Thoughts at Christmastime," UND Christmas Dinner, December 18, 1969

Folder 17: 1970

Item 1: "To the Graduating Class," Winter Commencement, February 1, 1970
Item 2: "Welcome to Participants," UND Conference on Ecology, March 5, 1970
Item 3: "To the Graduates," Spring Commencement, June 7, 1970: Marked as "Not Used"
Item 4: Introduction of Harry Huntt Ransom, Spring Commencement, June 7, 1970
Item 5: "Welcome," Summer Commencement, August 8, 1970
Item 6: Remarks at UND Christmas Dinner, December 10, 1970
Item 7: Remarks at UND ROTC Commissioning, December 20, 1970

Folder 18: 1971

Item 1: Parents Day Luncheon, April 2, 1971
Item 2: ROTC Commissioning, May 23, 1971
Item 3: "Full of Great Possibilities," Spring Commencement, May 23, 1971
Item 4: "Some Reflections on Higher Education in North Dakota", November 30, 1971

Folder 19: 1972

Item 1: "Remarks," Chester Fritz Auditorium Appreciation Dinner, October 12, 1972

Folder 46: Undated

Item 1: Remarks Following the Awarding of Degrees
Item 2: Introduction of Rev. Edward L.R. Elson
Item 3: Introduction of Dr. Arthur E. Mead
Item 4: "Some Thoughts for a Religious Foundation"
Item 5: Introduction of David E. Bell
Item 6: Camelback Inn Alumni Reunion
Item 7: "Address to Alumni"
Item 8: "Remarks to Alumni"
Item 9: "Alumni"
Item 10: "Remarks": Likely used at a commencement ceremony
Item 11: "To Members of the Graduating Class"
Item 12: "Close": Likely used at a commencement ceremony
Item 13: Untitled (typed): Beginning of speech: "The University of North Dakota is a place, it is buildings, but over and above all it is people." Likely used at a commencement ceremony.
Item 14: Untitled, to Alumni
Item 15: "Notes for Commencement Talk"
Item 16: "Education and Leadership"

Box 8

Folder 28: "Human Relations and Science," Ohio University Faculty Lecture, 1948

Series 5: University of North Dakota Files

The fifth series contains several subject files related to the University of North Dakota. This includes folders related to President and Mrs. Starcher's social calendar, the conduct of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement.

Box 7

Folder 20: "Social Capers" Appointment Book, 1955
Folder 21: "Social Capers" Appointment Book, 1956
Folder 22: "Social Capers" Appointment Book, 1957
Folder 23: "Social Capers" Appointment Book, 1958
Folder 24: "Vietnam" Appointment Book, 1959: Published by the American Women's Association of Saigon
Folder 25: Jack Stewart Scholarship Controversy, 1967-1968: UND Alum Jack Stewart sponsored a scholarship essay contest entitled "Our American Heritage-How Can It Be Eternally Yours?" The Dakota Student criticized the contest in a 15 September 1967 editorial entitled "The Prostitution of Patriotism." The editorial was written by Mike Jacobs (future editor of the Grand Forks Herald) and garnered large amounts of publicity.
Folder 26: Jack Stewart Scholarship Controversy, undated
Folder 27: Report of "Rap-In" at the UND Student Union, 20 January 1969: An UND student group, the Friends Organization, sponsored the "Rap-In," which discussed racism, student power, and women's rights. The folder includes a Dakota Student article regarding the event, as well as a report of the event by unnamed individual.
Folder 28: "KKK" undated publication: This undated, five page publication outlines the history and development of the Ku Klux Klan. The final four paragraphs of the last page discuss planned future developments in Grand Forks and specifically mention the Dakota Student.

Box 8

Folder 40: Inauguration Materials

Item 1: Recital, April 19, 1954
Item 2: Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce Welcome Dinner, November 11, 1954

Series 6: National Education Organizations

President Starcher was involved with several national educational organizations and this is the subject of the sixth series.

Sub-Series 1: North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (NCACSC)

Box 7

Folder 29: Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 1961-1968
Folder 30: Concord College, Athens, West Virginia, 1967
Folder 31: Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, 1969
Folder 32: Lea College, Albert Lea, Minnesota, 1967-1969
Folder 33: Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, 1968-1970
Folder 34: Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 1970
Folder 35: Parsons College, Fairfield, Iowa, 1967-1968
Folder 36: Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, 1970
Folder 37: St. Cloud State College, St. Cloud, Minnesota, 1967-1971
Folder 38: University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1971
Folder 39: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1970-1971
Folder 40: West Liberty State College, West Liberty, West Virginia, 1967
Folder 41: West Virginia Institute of Technology, Montgomery, West Virginia, 1967
Folder 42: West Virginia State College, Institute, West Virginia, 1967-1971
Folder 43: Winona State College, Department of Nursing, 1969

Sub-Series 2: Other Organizations

Box 7

Folder 44: American Council on Education, Commission on Academic Affairs, 1969-1970
Folder 45: National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, 1969-1970

Box 8

Folder 1: United States Army Command and General Staff College, 1968-1970

Series 7: Human Relations Class - Ohio University

Dr. Starcher, by training a mathematician, taught courses in "Human Relations" at Ohio University, in the late 1940s and early 1950s. "Human Relations" was a broadly defined term encompassing everything from the study of employer-employee contract negotiations to counseling distraught junior high school students. Dr. Starcher taught his Human Relations Courses with a "Case Study" method, where students evaluated common hypothetical situations where conflict could take place.

Box 8

Folder 2: Background Material
Folder 3: Syllabi, 1946-1951
Folder 4: Correspondence, 1946-1952
Folder 5: Examinations Given
Folder 6: Assignments
Folder 7: Evaluations
Folder 8: Reading Lists
Folder 9: Ohio University Annual Conference on Human Relations, 1950-1954
Folder 10: Speech - "Effective Human Relations", Spring 1954
Folder 11: Speech - "Human Relations and Science"
Folder 12: Speech - "To W.S. Gamertsfelder" by Dr. Starcher

Series 8: Photographs

Box 8

Folder 29: Photographs:

Photograph 1: Starcher with Harold Shaft: June 1971
Photograph 2: Margaret Starcher with Jim Martin and Lydia Maas at their Wedding: 1964
Photograph 3: Starcher with unidentified woman, Recognition Dinner: May 1971
Photograph 4: Lou Selky, Louie Ugland, Miriam Ugland and unidentified woman, Recognition Dinner: May 1971
Photograph 5: Starcher: May 1979
Photograph 6: Starcher and Council of Deans: December 1969
Photograph 7: George and Margaret Starcher, AFIT Citation: June 1971
Photograph 8: George and Margaret Starcher, AFIT Citation: June 1971
Photograph 9: Starcher, AFIT Citation: June 1971
Photograph 10: Starcher, AFIT Citation: June 1971

Folder 30: Photographs:

Photograph 11: Margaret Starcher Receiving Portrait, AFIT Citation: June 1971
Photograph 12: Margaret Starcher Receiving Portrait, AFIT Citation: June 1971
Photograph 13: Starcher with Christopher Hamre, AFIT Citation: June 1971
Photograph 14: Starcher with Christopher Hamre, AFIT Citation: June 1971
Photograph 15: Starcher Wearing Indian Headdress, Recognition Dinner: May 1971
Photograph 16: Starcher Receiving Indian Headdress, Recognition Dinner: May 1971
Photograph 17: Singers at Recognition Dinner: May 1971
Photograph 18: Guests at Recognition Dinner: May 1971
Photograph 19: Starcher at Podium, Recognition Dinner: May 1971
Photograph 20: George and Margaret Starcher, Founders Day: 1971

Folder 31: Photographs:

Photograph 21: Starcher at Podium, Recognition Dinner: May 1971
Photograph 22: Head Table, Recognition Dinner: May 1971
Photograph 23: Guests, Recognition Dinner: May 1971
Photograph 24: Starcher and North Dakota Governor William Guy, Recognition Dinner: May 1971
Photograph 25: Thomas Clifford, Starcher, and Bill Koenker at May 1975 Commencement, when Starcher Received an Honorary Degree
Photograph 26: Starcher Receiving Honorary Degree at May 1975 Commencement
Photograph 27: Thomas Clifford, Starcher, and Bill Koenker at May 1975 Commencement
Photograph 28: Portrait of Starcher: May 1971
Photograph 29: Portrait of Starcher: May 1971
Photograph 30: Portrait of Starcher: March 1971

Folder 32: Photographs:

Photograph 31: Portrait of Starcher: March 1971
Photograph 32: Portrait of Starcher: undated
Photograph 33: Starcher and Thomas Clifford: June 1970
Photograph 34: George and Margaret Starcher: March 1971
Photograph 35: Margaret Starcher with unidentified group: April 1971
Photograph 36: Margaret Starcher with Mrs. Edmond Hughes: July 1971
Photograph 37: Margaret Starcher with Mrs. Edmond Hughes: July 1971
Photograph 38: Margaret Starcher with Mabel Currie: May 1971
Photograph 39: George and Margaret Starcher with George Longmire: June 1971
Photograph 40: Margaret Starcher
Photograph 41: Margaret Starcher
Photograph 42: Margaret Starcher
Photograph 43: Margaret Starcher
Photograph 44: Margaret Starcher

Folder 33: Photographs of Starcher, Undated

Folder 34: Photograph Album, circa 1909-1926

Folder 35: Photograph Album: "My Memory Book", 1922

Folder 36: Photograph Album: "Snap Shots", circa 1923

Folder 37: Photograph Album: High School and College, circa 1927

Folder 38: Photograph Album: "University of North Dakota Buildings, 1954-1970"

Folder 39: Photograph Album: "Mostly UND Scenes Etc.", circa 1971

Box 9

Item 1: Photograph Album: Alexander Meiklejohn Award from the American Association of University Professors, May 1969
Item 2: Photograph Album: Miscellaneous UND and Starcher Photographs
Item 3: Photograph Album: "Mrs. George Starcher": Personal family photographs

Series 9: Miscellaneous

Box 8

Folder 13: "Higher Education in Alaska: A Study with Recommendations", January 30, 1972: Dr. Starcher directed this study, which was submitted to the Subcommittee on Higher Education of the Alaska Legislature

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