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Melendy (H. Brett) Oral History Collection
MSS-2010-10-06
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: H. Brett Melendy Oral History Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2010-10-06
Physical Description:
10 boxes
(12.5 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1952-1991
Abstract: The H. Brett Melendy Oral History Collection documents the experiences of various university administrators and faculty through
oral history interviews. The collection consists of audio tapes and transcriptions, correspondence, typed and handwritten
notes, and related files on specific departments and programs.
Transcripts and recollections are available for research use. Due to their fragile nature access to the audio and video tapes
is restricted.
Copyright is assigned to the San José State University Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives. Copyright restrictions may apply to digital reproductions of the
original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
H. Brett Melendy Oral History Collection, MSS-2010-10-06, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Collection processed by Robert Donahue. Finding aid EAD encoded by Robert Donahue. Reviewed by Danelle Moon. Accruals added,
and collection reorganized and rehoused, by Alexandra Lynch in 2017.
Born in Eureka, California, H. Brett Melendy (1924-2008) spent most of his life in California and Hawaii. He received his
Master of Arts in Education in 1948 and his Doctorate in History in 1952 from Stanford University. During this time, he also
taught high school in Fresno, California. Melendy began his academic career as a history professor at San José State College
in 1955. He served in several positions including: Academic Council Faculty Chair; Associate Academic Vice President; Dean
of Undergraduate Studies; History Department Chair; History Professor; Interim Academic Vice President; and University Archivist.
Melendy also spent some of his academic career as an administrator and history professor in the University of Hawaii system
in the 1970s. Melendy's published works include
Chinese and Japanese Americans (1984);
Asians in America: Filipinos, Koreans, and East Indians (1977); and
The Governors of California: Peter H. Burnett to Edmund G. Brown (1965), as well as numerous scholarly articles.
In 1983 Melendy was appointed as the University Archivist from 1983-1987 on a half-time basis, while also maintaining half-time
responsibilities as the Director of the Engineering Institute in the Engineering Department. In this role, Melendy organized
and conducted oral history interviews of select San José State University administrators and faculty. In 1987 the University
Archivist position was eliminated. From 1987 to 1994, Melendy continued to work in the History and Engineering Departments,
and in 1993 he was awarded Professor Emeritus status.
San José State College Presidential Office Administrative Records 1899-1970 (bulk 1950-1970), Collection No. MSS-2009-04-01.
San José State University Academic Senate Records 1952-2002 (bulk 1970-1999), Collection No. MSS-2009-03-07.
San José State University President's Office, Gail Fullerton Records 1950-1994 (bulk 1978-1991), Collection No. MSS-2009-04-03.
San José State University President's Office, John Bunzel Records 1963-1984 (bulk 1970-1978), Collection No. MSS-2009-06-01.
San José State University Faculty Papers of H. Brett Melendy, MSS-2009-05-01.
San José State University President's Office, Robert D. Clark Records 1953-1969, Collection No. MSS-2009-08-03.
Dwight Bentel Papers, 1905-2006, Collection No. MSS-2004-04-02.
Scope and Content of Collection
The H. Brett Melendy Oral History Collection documents the experiences of various university administrators and faculty through
oral history interviews. The interviewees include SJSU Presidents Jack Bunzel, Robert D. Clark, Gail Fullerton, and John T.
Wahlquist, as well other university administrators and faculty members such as Dwight Bentel, Hobart Burns, William G. Sweeny,
O.C. Williams, Mildred Winters, and others. The collection consists of audio tapes and transcriptions, correspondence, typed
and handwritten notes, and related files on specific departments and programs.
The H. Brett Melendy Oral History Collection (1952-1991) is arranged into two series: Series I. Oral Histories, 1979-1991;
Series II. Research Materials, 1952-1988.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Education, Higher -- California -- San Jose
San José State University -- History
California State University, San José -- History
San José State Teachers College -- History
San José State University -- University Archivist -- History
Oral histories
San Jose State College -- History
Bentel, Dwight
Wahlquist, John T., 1899
Bowman, Mary O.
Ashe, Mary Rutledge
Baird, Forrest J.
Brazil, Burton R.
Brown, James W. (James Wilson), 1913 September 18-1987
Bunzel, John H., 1924
Burns, Hobert W., 1925-2008
Cakebread, Aarian
Carr, Marie
Clark, Robert D. (Robert Donald), 1910-2005.
Cockrell, Loren
Cumry, Alice A.
Dumke, Glenn S.
Dusel, William J.
Fullerton, Gail Putney
Gunderson, Norman O.
Guttormsen, Glen
Harcleroad, Fred F.
Hubbard, Wilbur
Hyde, Barney
Jacobsen, Albert
Jenkins, Robert
Leonard, Thomas E., 1922-
Lopez, Daniel C.
Maruyama, Rose
McCreath, Harrison
McCallum, Alexander
McPherson, Walter
Palmer, Irene
Pitman, Paul
Rendahl, Milton
Sicular, George M.
Sweeney, William G.
Thomas, Violet
Titchenal, Robert
Vandergron, Lucy
Vessel, Matthew F.
Wahlquist, Grace Dorius
Walker, Charles L.
Wheeler, Gerald E.
Williams, Clinton
Winters, Mildred Gentry
Wright, Milburn D.
Vasconcellos, Hank
Wool, Jack
Whitaker, Jerry C.
Dieu, Joe
Carmick, Edward Seabury
Thornton, James W.