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Guide to the Therese Whitcomb papers
USDA_2009_023
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Title:
Therese Whitcomb papers
Date (inclusive): 1971-1995
Collection number: USDA_2009_023
Creator: Whitcomb, Therese Truitt
Extent:
2 boxes, (1.5 linear feet)
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.
Languages:
English
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.
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.
This collection is organized into four series:
Each series is organized in chronological order.
Access Information
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.
[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Therese Whitcomb papers, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.
Gift of Therese Whitcomb.
This collection was initially processed by Tessie Camina in 2009. Further processing was conducted by Ashley Toutain in 2017.
More information on Whitcomb's involvement with the Founders Gallery can be found in The Founders Gallery records.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Whitcomb, Therese Truitt
Hughes, Author E.
Cosgrove, Thomas
Subjects and Indexing Terms
University of San Diego
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Diego (Calif.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
fine arts
galleries (display spaces)
art collections
art exhibitions
Subjects and Indexing Terms
curators
professors