Biographical note
Scope and Contents
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Preferred Citation
Related Materials
Other Finding Aids
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Fred D. Fagg Inauguration ephemera
creator:
Fagg, Fred D. (Fred Dow), 1896-1981
Identifier/Call Number: 5006
Identifier/Call Number: 1192
Physical Description:
0.42 Linear Feet
1 box
Date: 1948
Abstract: Fred D. Fagg served as the sixth president of the University of Southern California (1947-1957). During his tenure, the University
underwent a great deal of post-war growth; in April 1948, USC dedicated some 29 buildings-- most of them former U.S. Army
barracks. Fagg also initiated the construction of much-needed new buildings, including a cafeteria and residence halls as
well as classroom and research facilities. As the University grew in significance nationally and internationally, Fagg instituted
modern cost-accounting practices, establishing a development office and increasing library holdings by two-thirds. He also
began a program of land acquisition, expanding the boundaries of the University Park campus, and then purchasing land near
the county hospital to create the Health Sciences campus. (The Health Sciences campus opened in 1952, the same year in which
the Norris Dental Science Center opened on the University Park campus.) Fagg resigned as President of USC in 1957 due to
poor health. This small collection consists of printed ephemera pertaining to the Inauguration of Fred Fagg as the sixth President
of the University of Southern California. Included in the mementos are congratulatory certificates and letters from Indiana
University, the University of Illinois, Yale University, the University of British Columbia, Syracuse University, etc. There
are also several folders of letters of "regret" from guests and delegates as well as letters of "accept" regarding attendance
at the inauguration. Three bundles of registration cards for delegates and guests are included in the collection as well
as several copies of the inaugural program and the invitation itself.
Container: 1
Biographical note
Fred D. Fagg, Jr. (1896-1981) was born in Brooklyn, New York, but moved to California to attend the San Diego Army and Navy
Academy in Pacific Beach, California. He then entered the University of Redlands but left during his sophomore year to enlist
in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He completed flight training and was soon assigned to the 92nd Aero Squadron, U.S.A.E.F, and
in 1918 was flying night patrols across the English Channel.
When the war was over, Fagg returned to the United States and re-entered the University of Redlands where he received his
B.A. in 1920; he earned his M.A. the following year at Harvard where he then taught economics. Two years later, Fagg was
teaching economics at Northwestern University while also studying law. In 1927 he received his J.D. degree and returned to
California where he taught economics at the University of Southern California and lectured in the School of Law. Fagg returned
to Northwestern in 1929 where he served in many capacities including Vice President and Dean of Faculties where he remained
until 1947.
From 1947 to 1957, Fagg served as the sixth president of the University of Southern California . During his tenure, the University
underwent a great deal of post-war growth, especially when the GI Bill afforded recent veterans numerous educational opportunities
and the University needed to expand its facilities. In April 1948, USC dedicated some 29 buildings-- most of them former
U.S. Army barracks-- that were donated by the Federal Works Agency and relocated from Santa Ana Air Base. Fagg also initiated
the construction of much-needed new buildings, including a cafeteria and residence halls as well as classroom and research
facilities. As the University grew in significance nationally and internationally, Fagg instituted modern cost-accounting
practices, establishing a development office and increasing library holdings by two-thirds. He also began a program of land
acquisition, expanding the boundaries of the University Park campus, and then purchasing land near the county hospital to
create the Health Sciences campus. (The Health Sciences campus opened in 1952, the same year in which the Norris Dental Science
Center opened on the University Park campus.) Fagg resigned as President of USC in 1957 due to poor health.
Scope and Contents
This small collection consists of printed ephemera pertaining to the Inauguration of Fred Fagg as the sixth President of the
University of Southern California. Included in the mementos are congratulatory certificates and letters from Indiana University,
the University of Illinois, Yale University, the University of British Columbia, Syracuse University, etc. There are also
several folders of letters of "regret" from guests and delegates as well as letters of "accept" regarding attendance at the
inauguration. Three bundles of registration cards for delegates and guests are included in the collection as well as several
copies of the inaugural program and the invitation itself.
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Fred D. Fagg Inauguration ephemera, Collection no. 5006, University Archives, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California
Related Materials
USC Presidential Inauguration ephemera, Collection no. 5008, University Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Other Finding Aids
Fred Dow Fagg, Jr. Papers, Northwestern University Archives, Evanston, Illinois.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
College presidents -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archival resources
Printed ephemera
Fagg, Fred D. (Fred Dow), 1896-1981 -- Archives
University of Southern California -- Archives
University of Southern California -- Presidents