Adeline Hirschfeld-Medalia collection
Scope and Contents note
The Adeline Hirschfeld-Medalia collection contains professional and personal materials in varying formats, which document the various academic, artistic, and administrative pursuits of Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia throughout the most active periods of her career. Items within the collection are arranged according to function and have been arranged in ten series: Papers - Presentations; Oakland University; Music, Theatre, and Dance, Department; Theatre Projects; Television Projects; Miscellaneous Projects; Photographs; Personal - Family, Career, Travel; Oversize and Audio-Visual.
The Papers - Presentations series contains materials related to Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia's academic career and includes lectures, scholarship, and other professional writings.
The Oakland University series contains materials related to Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia's academic career during her time at Oakland University, and includes documentation of her administrative and instructional roles on campus.
The Music Theatre and Dance Department Oakland University series contains materials related to Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia's involvement specifically with the Music, Theatre, and Dance department; and includes operational documents, content related to plays performed and produced at OU, and other related media.
The Theatre Projects series contains materials related to Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia's extracurricular involvement with theatre and performing arts (i.e., unrelated to OU), and includes content related to plays performed and produced, as well as other related media.
The Television Projects series contains materials related to Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia's extracurricular involvement with television productions, and includes related media.
The Miscellaneous Projects series contains various writings (e.g., essays, poetry, journals) created by Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia.
The Photographs series contains print photographs, either taken by or maintained by Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia. Many of these items relate specifically to performing arts or her works in theatre, but not exclusively.
The Personal - Family, Career, Travel series contains materials and mementos related to Dr.Hirschfeld-Medalia's academic and creative pursuits prior to her active career at OU, as well as items of personal / familial value.
The Oversize series includes a handwritten posterboard card.
The Audio-Visual series includes an assortment of audio visual formats with content related to plays performed at OU, teaching aids created by Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia and personal events both recorded and filmed.
Dates
- 1957 - 2015
Condition and Use note
The Adeline Hirschfeld-Medalia collection is open for research.
Copyright
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Biographical note
Adeline G. Hirschfeld-Medalia was a foundational faculty member of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance (originally the Department of Theatre and Dance). Having received her Ph.D. in Mass Communication and Education Leadership from Wayne State University, her tenure at Oakland University began in 1966, where she served in various capacities until her retirement in 1986.
Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia came to the university to develop the Communication Arts Department, which led to the future development of a strong Theatre Arts program on campus as well. These accomplishments were considerable early on, as the Communication and Theatre program was officially founded in 1972. That same year, Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia earned the status of first female department chair, when she took the supervisory role over the Department of Speech and Communication.
Prior to, during, and after her time at OU, Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia was an avid performer, director, and writer for the theatre. Her career onstage spanned multiple decades and included writing and performances for television. This engagement with performance and expression guided much of her teaching, scholarship, and personal life, and Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia traveled extensively in exploration of performing arts culture and technique across the globe. This devotion to the field of performing arts led to the establishment of the Ruth and Alex Gittlen Endowment, which was designed to support OU students pursuing theatre in academic settings.
Extent
3.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Working professional and personal documents and writings from Dr. Adeline Hirschfeld-Medalia, founder of Oakland University's Communication Arts Department and Theatre Arts Program (beginning in 1966). Documents included represent Dr. Hirschfeld-Medalia's university projects, teaching, and scholarship; as well as personal projects, such as poetry, other writings, and theatre performances outside of OU.
Processing
Processed by Shirley Paquette, June - July 2026.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Oakland University Archives and Special Collections Repository
Kresge Library
100 Library Drive
Rochester MI 48309 USA