Finding Aid for the Fred D. Fagg Inauguration ephemera 5006

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: USC Libraries Special Collections

Title: Fred D. Fagg Inauguration ephemera

creator: Fagg, Fred D. (Fred Dow), 1896-1981

Identifier/Call Number: 5006

Identifier/Call Number: 1192

Physical Description: 0.42 Linear Feet 1 box

Date: 1948

Abstract: Fred D. Fagg served as the sixth president of the University of Southern California (1947-1957). During his tenure, the University underwent a great deal of post-war growth; in April 1948, USC dedicated some 29 buildings-- most of them former U.S. Army barracks. Fagg also initiated the construction of much-needed new buildings, including a cafeteria and residence halls as well as classroom and research facilities. As the University grew in significance nationally and internationally, Fagg instituted modern cost-accounting practices, establishing a development office and increasing library holdings by two-thirds. He also began a program of land acquisition, expanding the boundaries of the University Park campus, and then purchasing land near the county hospital to create the Health Sciences campus. (The Health Sciences campus opened in 1952, the same year in which the Norris Dental Science Center opened on the University Park campus.) Fagg resigned as President of USC in 1957 due to poor health. This small collection consists of printed ephemera pertaining to the Inauguration of Fred Fagg as the sixth President of the University of Southern California. Included in the mementos are congratulatory certificates and letters from Indiana University, the University of Illinois, Yale University, the University of British Columbia, Syracuse University, etc. There are also several folders of letters of "regret" from guests and delegates as well as letters of "accept" regarding attendance at the inauguration. Three bundles of registration cards for delegates and guests are included in the collection as well as several copies of the inaugural program and the invitation itself.

Container: 1

Fred D. Fagg, Jr. (1896-1981) was born in Brooklyn, New York, but moved to California to attend the San Diego Army and Navy Academy in Pacific Beach, California. He then entered the University of Redlands but left during his sophomore year to enlist in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He completed flight training and was soon assigned to the 92nd Aero Squadron, U.S.A.E.F, and in 1918 was flying night patrols across the English Channel.

When the war was over, Fagg returned to the United States and re-entered the University of Redlands where he received his B.A. in 1920; he earned his M.A. the following year at Harvard where he then taught economics. Two years later, Fagg was teaching economics at Northwestern University while also studying law. In 1927 he received his J.D. degree and returned to California where he taught economics at the University of Southern California and lectured in the School of Law. Fagg returned to Northwestern in 1929 where he served in many capacities including Vice President and Dean of Faculties where he remained until 1947.

From 1947 to 1957, Fagg served as the sixth president of the University of Southern California . During his tenure, the University underwent a great deal of post-war growth, especially when the GI Bill afforded recent veterans numerous educational opportunities and the University needed to expand its facilities. In April 1948, USC dedicated some 29 buildings-- most of them former U.S. Army barracks-- that were donated by the Federal Works Agency and relocated from Santa Ana Air Base. Fagg also initiated the construction of much-needed new buildings, including a cafeteria and residence halls as well as classroom and research facilities. As the University grew in significance nationally and internationally, Fagg instituted modern cost-accounting practices, establishing a development office and increasing library holdings by two-thirds. He also began a program of land acquisition, expanding the boundaries of the University Park campus, and then purchasing land near the county hospital to create the Health Sciences campus. (The Health Sciences campus opened in 1952, the same year in which the Norris Dental Science Center opened on the University Park campus.) Fagg resigned as President of USC in 1957 due to poor health.

This small collection consists of printed ephemera pertaining to the Inauguration of Fred Fagg as the sixth President of the University of Southern California. Included in the mementos are congratulatory certificates and letters from Indiana University, the University of Illinois, Yale University, the University of British Columbia, Syracuse University, etc. There are also several folders of letters of "regret" from guests and delegates as well as letters of "accept" regarding attendance at the inauguration. Three bundles of registration cards for delegates and guests are included in the collection as well as several copies of the inaugural program and the invitation itself.

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[Box/folder# or item name], Fred D. Fagg Inauguration ephemera, Collection no. 5006, University Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

USC Presidential Inauguration ephemera, Collection no. 5008, University Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Fred Dow Fagg, Jr. Papers, Northwestern University Archives, Evanston, Illinois.