Oakland University Continuing Education Division records
Scope and Contents note
The Oakland University Continuing Education Center records document the activities of the center from its founding. The Lowell Eklund Files contain memos, correspondence, and notes about the early mission and programs of the center, as well as about its evolution in the 1960s and early 1970s. The Elizabeth Gossett Files also document early activities of the center, especially its symposium series, women's conferences, and projects for alumni continuing education. The other Administrative Files include miscellaneous memos and correspondence about continuing education programs in the 1980s. The Classes and Programs Files contain documentation about the late 1970s evening program for General Motors employees as well as other programs of the 1980s. Finally, the Publications Files hold schedules of classes and brochures produced by the center over the years.
Dates
- 1958 - 1997
Access and Use note
The Oakland University Continuing Education Center records are 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.
History
Continuing Education was started at the young Michigan State University-Oakland (the future Oakland University) in 1958 under the direction of Lowell Eklund. In 1963, alumni relations were added to his portfolio. Thanks to Eklund’s leadership, the Division of Continuing Education was very active in community engagement in the 1960s and 1970s. It organized numerous conferences, forums, and other events in professional and cultural subjects for the community. Particularly successful was the Continuum Center which offered programming to adult women. The Continuing University Symposium series, funded by the Kellog Foundation in 1965, was a pilot program in alumni education. Peter Drucker, Margaret Mead, and Max Learner were the first speakers. Elizabeth Gossett, member of the Oakland University Foundation, chaired the Meadow Brook Seminars for continuing education in 1959 and remained a strong supporter of the program. The Division also developed diploma programs and courses.
The Division of Continuing Education ceased operations in 1996, when continuing education programs were included in other academic units.
Extent
3 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Records of Oakland University's Continuing Education Division from 1958 to 1996, especially its successful symposium series, women's conferences, and projects for alumni continuing education. Includes: Director Lowell Eklund's Files; Elizabeth Gossett's Files; Administrative Files; Classes and Programs Files; Publications Files.
Processing
Processed by Dominique Daniel and Shirley Paquette, August 2017
- 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