Therese Whitcomb papers, 1971-1995

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Summary

Creators:
Whitcomb, Therese Truitt
Abstract:
Therese Truitt Whitcomb was the first graduate of the University of San Diego College for Women and taught at the University of San Diego for 35 years. These papers document her work at the University and in the San Diego community between 1971 and 1995.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Therese Whitcomb papers, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.

Background

Scope and content:

The Therese Whitcomb papers document Therese Whitcomb's involvement as an instructor and administrator at the University of San Diego as well as her involvement in the San Diego community. University and community related correspondence make up the majority of these records. University correspondence documents the variety of roles Whitcomb held at USD including as the founder and curator of the Founders Gallery, the Chair of the Department of Art, an art professor, and the Director of Institutional Design. Whitcomb's correspondence in each of these roles reveals University processes in the 1970s through the 1990s.

Records documenting her community involvement include correspondence, research notes, brochures, plans, and proposals that Whitcomb put together to advance art education and community beautification. Also reflected in these materials are Whitcomb's close relationships with University staff and faculty, community members, and her students.

Biographical / historical:

Therese Whitcomb was the first and only graduate of the San Diego College for Women in 1953 when she received her Bachelor of Arts. She then attended the Art Students League in New York City, and received a Master of Arts from San Diego State University. Upon completion of her MA, Whitcomb became a full-time faculty member at the University of San Diego in 1969 where she taught for 35 years. Whitcomb chaired the Department of Art, established the Founders Gallery, and was the first Director of Institutional Design. In that role, Whitcomb was tasked with preserving the consistency of Spanish Renaissance architecture on campus and ensuring the beautification of building interiors. Whitcomb received the Davies Award for Faculty Achievement in 1985, and was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters in 2015. As of 2017, she was a Professor Emerita of Art.

In addition to her involvement at the University of San Diego, Whitcomb served on the board of many art history and community organizations. She guided the restoration of the San Luis Rey Mission, Irving Gill's Sacred Heart Church in Coronado, the San Diego Mission Basilica, and other historic buildings. She served as a trustee of the San Diego Museum of Art and the Timken Museum, and as a chair for the San Diego County Committee of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in California.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Therese Whitcomb.
Processing information:

This collection was initially processed by Tessie Camina in 2009. Further processing was conducted by Ashley Toutain in 2017.

Arrangement:

This collection is organized into four series:

Series I. General Correspondence

Series II: Faculty Correspondence

Series III. University Records

Series IV: Community Involvement

Each series is organized in chronological order.

Physical description:
2 boxes, (1.5 linear feet)
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The majority of this collection is open for research. Some materials in the Faculty Correspondence series have been restricted for 50 years from creation date.

Preferred citation:

[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Therese Whitcomb papers, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.

Location of this collection:
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110 2492, US
Contact:
(619) 260-2730
spcoll@sandiego.edu
Website