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Gunderson (Norman) Cybernetic Systems Program Collection
MSS.2012.06.12  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
This collection is comprised of professional materials, periodicals, ephemera, correspondence and photographs documenting Norman O. Gunderson's significant career as dean of School of Engineering at San Jose State University (1955-1970), as director of Masters Degree Program in Cybernetic Systems (1970), and as a legislative and educational consultant to Santa Clara County Director of Transportation after his retirement from academia (1975-1991). The bulk of this collection (1967-1984) contains primary and secondary sources that delineate Norman O. Gunderson's role in the conception, establishment and expansion of SJSU's Masters Degree Program in Cybernetic Systems. In 1970, Gunderson resigned as dean to direct the establishment and development of SJSU's Masters Program in Cybernetic Systems, an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on technology-oriented problem solving methodologies within political, economic, social, and moral systems. Included in these files are curriculum proposals, course description, lecture notes, correspondences, event brochures, newspaper clippings, and compiled course and research readings. Other significant parts of the collection include documents related to Gunderson's effort to help SJSU School of Engineering obtain its state accreditation to offer graduate degree engineering programs and to provide research opportunities for faculty. The collection also contains personal effects and memorabilia, e.g., awards, honorable mentions, and miscellaneous biographical materials.
Background
This collection focuses primarily on Norman O. Gunderson's (1918-1996) academic career at San Jose State College. Born in Laramie, Wyoming in 1918, Gunderson obtained a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from University of Wyoming in 1939. After graduation, he worked for U.S. Soil Conservation Service Bureau of Reclamation (1939-1941), then he entered U.S. Army and retired as Lieutenant Colonel (1941-1946). In 1942, Gunderson married Bonne Jeane Davis. In 1947, Gunderson received a M.A. in Civil Engineering from University of Wyoming. Immediately afterwards, Gunderson was offered the position as assistant professor of Engineering at San Jose State College. In 1955, Gunderson was promoted to Dean of San Jose State College's Department of Engineering. During his tenure, he directed an effort to challenge the state-imposed restrictions on engineering education at the state college level, and successfully helped San Jose State College's Department of Engineering obtain its accreditation to offer graduate degree engineering programs and to provide research opportunities for faculty. Notably in the 1966-1967 academic year, Gunderson had the honor of inviting and accommodating the incessant futurist and architect Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) as San Jose State College's first "Distinguished Scholar in Residence." In 1970, Gunderson resigned to direct the establishment and development of San Jose State College's Masters Program in Cybernetic Systems, an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on technology-oriented problem solving methodologies within political, economic, social, and moral systems, which he had previously conceived during his deanship. After his retirement in 1983, Gunderson served as a legislative and educational consultant for Santa Clara County Transportation and supervised University Fellowship Program.
Extent
1 boxes (1.25 linear feet)
Restrictions
Copyright has been assigned to San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from materials must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections & Archives 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 by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Availability
The collection is open for research.