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Vera Bollinger Papers, 1865-1981
Collection Overview
Title: Vera Bollinger Papers, 1865-1981
ID: OGLMC654
Primary Creator: Bollinger, Vera (1894-1981)
Extent: 1.5 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 11/16/1981
Subjects: University of North Dakota - Alumni, Valley City State University, Women's History
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Vera Bollinger Papers have been divided into six series.
Series 1: Biographical Material
Series 2: Educational Career
Series 3: Memberships and Interests
Series 4: Correspondence
Series 5: Financial Records
Series 6: Miscellaneous
Collection Historical Note
Vera Ethel Bollinger was born October 15, 1894, in Island Lake, North Dakota, in rural Rolette County. She was the second child of Charles and Emma Bollinger. Charles August Bollinger was born in Monroe, Michigan, on April 13, 1865. Emma Jordan was born in Toledo, Ohio, on November 27, 1868. They were married on April 3, 1888 in Maybee, Michigan. Four days later they arrived in the Dakota Territory, where Charles operated a general store and blacksmith shop near York. Their first child, Lee Thurlow, was born April 22, 1893. The Bollinger family was active in civic, educational, social and religious activities. Charles Bollinger died September 25, 1947. Lee Bollinger died on April 29, 1951, followed by his mother, Emma Bollinger, on November 21, 1953.
Vera was educated in nearby Bisbee, and graduated from high school in 1912. She then went on to earn a teacher's certificate from the University of North Dakota in 1915; she followed this with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Speech in 1919 and a Master of Science in Education in 1930. Her thesis was entitled A Study of the Functioning of Deans of Girls in Secondary Schools.
Before returning to UND to complete her B.A., Vera taught grades five and six in Bathgate and Bisbee. After graduating, she became a high school principal and taught English in the Mayville school system. In 1921, she accepted a position as an English and speech teacher at Jamestown High School, where she also was involved with the debate and drama clubs, as well as the school newspaper. She also spent time as an assistant high school principal and Dean of Girls in the Fairbault, Minnesota, school system before returning to UND in 1929.
She stayed on at UND after completing her Master's degree in 1930. She served as speech instructor, matron of Davis Hall, assistant director of the Dakota Playmakers and pledge advisor for Kappa Alpha Theta. In 1936, Vera Bollinger moved to Valley City to work for Valley City State Teacher's College. She served there in various capacities until 1963. She was an English and speech instructor, Dean of Women and advisor of Women Students during this time. She retired in 1963 and was conferred Emeritus status by the college in May 1974. In May 1980, she received the prestigious Sioux Award from the University of North Dakota Alumni Association.
Besides a long life interest in education, Vera Bollinger was also an active member of the American Association of University Women, carrying her membership for over fifty years. She was also a member of P.E.O. Sisterhood, and helped to found Chapter T in Grand Forks. She was an honorary member of Zonta International, in addition to being a former president of the North Dakota Educational Association.
Vera Bollinger died on December 17, 1981, in Valley City.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source: UND Alumni Association
Acquisition Method: Donation; November 16, 1981 (Acc.81-806) and March 27, 1984 (Acc.84-1286). Some of the material was originally part of the UND Biographical File.
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Vera Bollinger Papers. OGLMC 654, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Processing Information: Finding aid migrated to Archon in April 2014.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Biographical Material],
[Series 2: Educational Career],
[Series 3: Memberships and Interests],
[Series 4: Correspondence],
[Series 5: Financial Records],
[Series 6: Miscellaneous],
[Oversize Folder :],
[Photographs :],
[All]
- Series 3: Memberships and Interests
- Material included in Series Three relates to her civic commitments and personal interests, including P.E.O. Sisterhood and the American Association of University Women.
- Box 1
- Folder 16: American Association of University Women, 1981, undated
- Folder 17: P.E.O. Sisterhood, 1936-1981
- Folder 18: Zonta Club, 1953-1957
- Folder 19: North Dakota Mother of the Year Committee, 1953-1956
- Folder 20: Travel to South America and Ireland, 1958, 1977
- Folder 21: Travel to the Orient, 1964
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Biographical Material],
[Series 2: Educational Career],
[Series 3: Memberships and Interests],
[Series 4: Correspondence],
[Series 5: Financial Records],
[Series 6: Miscellaneous],
[Oversize Folder :],
[Photographs :],
[All]