George Karas collection

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: OU-HISTORY-KARAS

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The George Karas collection consists of various materials preserved by Karas during his career or given to him by colleagues. These materials correspond to stories of interest to Karas but do not offer comprehensive documentation of his career or of the history of the campus. It is organized in four series: Newspaper clippings; Oakland University Construction Contracts; Correspondence and Documents; and Photographs.

The Newspaper Clippings series contains articles from local newspapers that dealt with the birth of the new university in Rochester, Michigan, from the Wilsons' donation in 1957 to the opening of classes in Fall 1959. While the University Archives has a clipping collection that contains the same articles, these foundational articles and newspaper issues were preserved as originals. Of particular note is a Pontiac Press issue of September 1959 entirely devoted to the opening of what was then called "Michigan State University - Oakland".

The Construction Contracts series contains a binder that was the main reference for buildings on campus until the early 1980s. It has information about al the buildings on campus to that date, including dates and costs of original construction and subsequent renovations.

The Correspondence and Documents series contains a few letters and brochures kept by Karas. The Photographs series includes copies of Charter Class commencement photos as well as original photos of various events, such as the original groundbreaking.

Dates

1958 - 1987

Access and Use note

The George Karas collection is open for research.

Copyright

Copyright held by Oakland University. The collection includes occasional materials produced by outside parties. Copyright to these items may be held by the original creators.

Biographical note

George Karas was Oakland University's first employee. He was hired by Mrs. Matilda Wilson in 1957 to oversee the development of the university campus she and her husband had just donated to Michigan State University. In 1961, Karas was named Oakland University's Director of the Physical Plant, a position he occupied (under different titles) until his retirement in 1987. As such he oversaw the construction of all the buildings on the young and rapidly growing campus, from North and South Foundation Hall to O'Dowd Hall, as well as the campus utilities, infrastructure, and landscape, among others.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Selected materials of George Karas, Oakland University's first employee. He was hired by Matilda Wilson in 1957 to oversee the development of the university campus she and her husband had just donated to Michigan State University. From 1961 to his retirement in 1987, Karas was in charge of the university's physical plant. Materials include newspaper clippings; Oakland University construction contracts; correspondence; and some photographs.