This collection contains the papers of West Georgia College's third president, James Emory Boyd. The collection is divided into three series: papers, artifacts, and books. The first series, comprising thirty-four boxes, largely contains materials from Boyd's term as president from 1961 to 1971. Correspondence, statistical information, and publications from various campus organizations and departments, as well as from the University System of Georgia's Board of Regents, are included. Boyd remained active in his scientific research and maintained contacts at the Engineering Experiment Station at Georgia Tech, so corresponding materials have also been included in this collection. Schools and organizations frequently asked Boyd to give speeches at functions and graduations, so two boxes contain his speech notes written on index cards.

The second series contains a variety of artifacts from Boyd's life. Several are related to Robert F. Kennedy's celebrated visit in 1964 to West Georgia College for the dedication of Kennedy Chapel: a print of a drawing of Kennedy Chapel, a photo album from a dinner given in honor of Kennedy and his wife, Ethel, and a framed photo from the dedication ceremony. The remaining artifacts in the collection are nine plaques from local organizations honoring Boyd, two date books, a statue of a Boy Scout, and the flag from Boyd's funeral ceremony. A portion of Boyd's personal book collection was donated to Special Collections, and these twenty-six books comprise the third series. Their topics range from scientific research to Georgia history, and most are inscribed with Boyd's name.