Arrangement
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Preferred Citation
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Biographical note
Scope and Content
Related Archival Materials
Processing Information note
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: Michael F. Adams Papers
Identifier/Call Number: 0135
Physical Description:
8.34 Linear Feet
(7 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1965-1989
Abstract: The Michael F. Adams Papers contain materials relating to his time as vice president of university affairs at Pepperdine University.
The collection is primarily composed of materials relating to the Board of Regents, development and giving campaigns, and
scheduling. Materials date from 1965-1989.
Language of Material:
English
.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into the following series: 1. Schedules; 2. Subject Files; 3. Board of Regents; and 4. Correspondence.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access. The Board of Regents series is restricted for 50 years from date of creation.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Michael F. Adams Papers, Collection no. 0135, Special Collections and University Archives, University
Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to Pepperdine University by Michael F. Adams on July 22, 2014.
Biographical note
Michael F. Adams was born on March 25, 1948, in Montgomery, Alabama. He received a B.A. in speech from David Lipscomb College
in 1970, before completing a PhD in political communication at Ohio State University in 1973. While at Ohio State University,
Adams taught several courses relating to politics and public speaking. After leaving Ohio State University in 1975, he held
a number of political positions, including the roles of administrator for Senator Howard Baker's staff and as the Republican
nominee for the House of Representatives for a district in Tennessee in 1980.
In 1982, Adams came to Pepperdine University as vice president of university affairs. During his tenure at Pepperdine, he
implemented the Wave of Excellence giving campaign, which sought to raise $100 million for the university. He oversaw the
campaign until its completion in 1989, and went on to serve as the president of Centre College in Kentucky. During his time
at Centre College, the university's endowment tripled. He stepped down from this position in 1997, when he accepted the role
of president at the University of Georgia. He held this position for 16 years, retiring in June 2013.
Scope and Content
This collection contains materials relating to Michael F. Adams' time as vice president of university affairs at Pepperdine
University. The collection includes materials relating to the Board of Regents, development and giving campaigns, schedules,
and correspondence. The collection also contains some materials from Michael F. Adams' professional experiences prior to
arriving at Pepperdine, as well as some earlier Pepperdine materials relating to his position. Materials in the collection
date from 1965-1989, with the bulk of the collection content representing his time with Pepperdine from 1982-1989.
Related Archival Materials
David Davenport Papers, Collection no. 0020, Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine
University.
Pepperdine University Board of Regents Records, Collection no. 0069, Special Collections and University Archives, University
Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Pepperdine University Campaigns and Fundraising Collection, Collection no. 0090, Special Collections and University Archives,
University Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Processing Information note
The collection was arranged and described by Annalisa Silberkleit in May 2015 under the supervision of Katie Richardson. Rachel
White added additional correspondence and subject files to the collection in July 2015.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Christian universities and colleges -- United States -- History
Universities and colleges -- California -- History
Fund raising
Campaigns
Malibu (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century
Appointment books
Speeches, addresses, etc., American -- 20th century
Correspondence