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Manuel Pierson papers

 Collection
Identifier: OU-ADM-PIERSON

Scope and Contents note

The Manuel Pierson papers cover the full scope of his career at Oakland University and the departments and programs he was involved in or led. It includes records from special projects like Upward Bound, from the Office of Student Services, from Student Affairs, and from the Urban Affairs Center. Personal papers are also present. The collection is a rich source to understand the history of diversity, equity and inclusion at Oakland University, especially in the key period of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Dates

  • 1960 - 1992

Access and Use note

The Manuel Pierson papers are open for research except for certain records restricted by statute or university policy.

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

Manuel Pierson came to Oakland University in 1965 as chief counselor for Upward Bound. He had previously been a high school teacher and counselor in Covert, Michigan.

Two years later he became Associate Director of Upward Bound and in 1971 he was appointed Dean of Student Services. This appointment corresponded to the university’s re-organization of services in support of academically unprepared students. Upward Bound had started in 1966 at Oakland, followed by Project 20 in 1967. Originally, support for such students was placed in the Division of Student Affairs. In 1970, however, Oakland took advantage of newly created federal grants, securing the largest grant in Michigan. The Department of Special Programs was then set up in the Office of Student Services.

Dr. Manuel Pierson led the efforts to promote campus equality and diversity until his retirement in 1993.

Extent

16 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Papers of long time OU employee Manuel Pierson, who was first in charge of the Upward Bound program from 1965 to 1971 then served as Dean of Student Services until 1993. The collection documents all aspects of his career at Oakland University, including records from special projects like Upward Bound, from the Office of Student Services and from Student Affairs, and are a rich source to understand the history of diversity, equity and inclusion at Oakland University.

Processing

Processed by Linda Hildebrand and Dominique Daniel.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Oakland University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Kresge Library
100 Library Drive
Rochester MI 48309 USA