This collection contains the papers of Dr. John T. Lewis, Vice President and Dean of Faculties for West Georgia College from 1977 until 1993. The collection primarily consists of departmental and organizational files maintained by Frances Miller, who served as Dr. Lewis’ secretary from 1977-1993. The collection includes news clippings, newsletters, memorandum, correspondence, meeting minutes, proposals, annual budgets, reports, curriculum notes, event programs, pamphlets, policies and procedures, and more.

The collection contains information about the history of West Georgia College and details many significant events, including the hiring of first African-American administrator and the transfer of the Psychical Research Foundation from North Carolina to West Georgia College, and more.

Charles E. Wilson was appointed Director of Developmental Education Programs on July 1, 1970. He was the first African American administrator at West Georgia College. In 1973, he was given the rank of Assistant Professor of Education and his title became Assistant Director of Special Academic Programs. By 1976, Wilson was identified as Chairman for the Department of Special Studies and Affirmative Action Officer.

On January 27, 1976, a proposed amendment was recommended to establish a Department of Special Studies to be supervised by a chairman reporting to the Vice President and Dean of Faculties. This position was responsible for the coordination for the special studies program in cooperation with the appropriate academic and administrative agencies of the College and in accordance with the policies of the Board of Regents and the University System of Georgia. Faculty senate minutes from Feb 6, 1976 record a successful motion to establish a Department of Special Studies. In August 1981, the Special Studies Program was re-designated and renamed to Development Studies.

The folders on Row Hall Dormitory include letters, memorandum, contractual agreements, budgets, building time lines, building policies and more. The documents collected begin in 1960, when funds were earmarked by the College to begin the planning and bidding process. The dormitory was completed on August 7, 1963. Today, Row Hall houses administrative offices.

The Psychical Research Foundation folder details the agreement between the West Georgia College Foundation, Inc., and the Psychical Research Foundation, Inc., of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which was established on June 30, 1986. The agreement proposed several aims. First, to establish a Chair of Psychical Research in the Department of Psychology. Second, the David Wayne Hooks Library to be transferred as a gift to the College. Third, the Department of Psychology would provide the continuation of the professional journal “Theta.” Fourth, the West Georgia College Foundation would be the designated agency for financial contributions.

The Psychical Research Foundation was organized for the purpose of engaging in and promoting scientific and educational activities in the field of parapsychology. The agreement between West Georgia College and the Psychical Research Foundation resulted in the employment of Mr. William George Roll, Jr., a prominent figure in the field of parapsychology, who helped to establish a nationally recognized psychology program at West Georgia College in the 1980s.

On April 14, 1965, departments were created within the Division of Social Science and the Division of Humanities. In the Division of Social Science, the following departments were created: Department of Business Administration, Department of Economics, and Department of Political Science. In the Division of Humanities, the Department of Languages was established.

On September 1, 1973 the following departments were established at West Georgia College: Department of Accounting and Finance, Department of Management and Marketing, Department of Early Childhood Education, Department of Elementary Education, Department of Secondary Education, Department of Administration and Supervision, and the Department of Guidance and Counseling. The following departments were eliminated: Department of Business Administration, Department of Teacher Education, and Department of Specialized School Personnel. The Department of Physical Education was renamed as the Department of Physical Education and Recreation.

The Department of Art was established on July 1, 1974. The Department of Fine Arts originally included music, speech and theater. On, July 1, 1986, the Department of Fine Arts split into two new departments: the Department of Music and Department of Mass Communication and Theater Arts.

The debate team folders include news clippings, letters of invitations, congratulatory letters, and news releases. It was in 1973, under the coaching of Chester Gibson, that the debate team qualified for the National Debate Tournament. The West Georgia College debate team was a semi-finalist in the National Debate Tournament in 1979.