The Finding Aid of the Donald V. Miller Papers 0046
Jamie Henricks and Katie Richardson
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
April 2012
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu 90263-4786
kelsey.knox@pepperdine.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: Donald V. Miller Papers
Identifier/Call Number: 0046
Physical Description:
0.21 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1937-1998
Date (bulk): 1955-1958
Abstract: The materials in this collection are photocopies of original correspondence, reports, and other items collected by Donald
V. Miller, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Pepperdine College, related to administrative changes at Pepperdine in
1957 and 1958.
Physical Location: Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
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], Donald V. Miller papers, Collection no. 0046, Special Collections and University Archives, University
Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials were collected by Donald V. Miller, and photocopies were given to Howard A. White in 1988. A note describing
the context of the records was prepared by Howard White, and he turned the collection over to Harold Holland on August 16,
1988. Dr. David Baird later acquired the papers, with the addition of a 1998 explanation of events, and gave the materials
to the University Archives.
Biographical note
Donald V. Miller was born on August 20, 1906, in Los Angeles. His parents were William Edgar and Emma Miller, and Donald
was the third of four children (his siblings were Ada, Everett, and Haven). He received a business degree from the University
of Washington and eventually was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Pepperdine University. He lived in and around
Pasadena during the 1930s and held various bank jobs including being a teller and eventually the Vice President of United
California Bank/First Interstate Bank until his retirement in 1971. He was an original member of the Board of Trustees at
Pepperdine College, beginning in 1937. Donald was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Pepperdine College from 1956 to 1976.
He continued serving as a member of the Board of Trustees until his death, and was also made a Life Regent of Pepperdine.
Donald was involved in other organizations including being the past president of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and a member
and once-director of the Tournament of Roses Association.
Donald married Louise Arnett (July 30, 1908-August 20, 1991), and they had two children, Marilyn Joyce (born on March 13,
1928) and Donna Louise (born on July 11, 1941). He died in Exeter, California, on February 23, 2004.
Scope and Content
The materials in this collection are photocopies of original correspondence, reports, and other items collected by Donald
V. Miller, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Pepperdine College. The items are related to the change in administration
in 1957 and 1958 at Pepperdine with the resignation of President Hugh M. Tiner, Dean of Students Earl V. Pullias, and other
professors, and the hiring of new President M. Norvel Young.
The documents include letters of resignation; correspondence about the changes in campus administration and Pepperdine's relationship
to the Churches of Christ; recommendations, memos, and reports from the Board of Trustees about the situation; newspaper clippings;
and other items. The materials range from 1955 to 1998, but the bulk of the items date from 1957 and 1958.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged by topic, and all correspondence is arranged chronologically within each folder.
Related Archival Materials
Materials related to the change of administration in the 1957 and 1958 and the influence of the Churches of Christ on Pepperdine
can be found in the M. Norvel and Helen Young papers, Earl Vivon Pullias papers, and the Howard A. White papers.
Processing Information note
The collection was arranged and described by Jamie Henricks in April 2012. Some collection information was taken from Howard
A. White's 1988 description of the collection. The finding aid was updated by Katie Richardson in July, 2013.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History
Reports
College presidents -- California -- Malibu
Correspondence
Universities and colleges -- Faculty
College administrators -- United States -- History
Pepperdine University. Office of the President
Pepperdine University. Board of Trustees
Tiner, Hugh M. (Hugh Marvin)
Miller, Donald V.
Pullias, Earl Vivon
Young, M. Norvel (Matt Norvel)
Pepperdine College
box 1, folder 1
Collection Introductory Material
1988-1998
box 1, folder 2
Letter to Hugh Tiner from George Pepperdine (about how a potential college should be operated)
1937 March
box 1, folder 3
Student paper with administrator commentary (about student government and Religious Life Committee)
1957 April
box 1, folder 4
Board of Trustees
Statement Regarding Change in Administration at Pepperdine College (regarding for Pullias's resignation)
[circa 1957]
box 1, folder 5
Report to Board of Trustees from President's Committee
1957 June
box 1, folder 6
Memo to Board of Trustees from M. Norvel Young (regarding progress for the school year)
1957 August 29
box 1, folder 7
Draft of By-Law Amendments by the Board of Trustees
undated
box 1, folder 8
Review by the Board of Trustees of Pepperdine College of the AAUP Pepperdine Chapter Report on the 1957/1958 Situation at
Pepperdine College
undated
box 1, folder 9
Making and Administering Institutional Policy excerpt and letter from Jimmy Lovell
undated
box 1, folder 10-11
Correspondence
1955-1964
Scope and Content
The folder contains correspondence primarily to and from Donald V. Miller regarding the issues surrounding the resignation
of Hugh M. Tiner and Earl V. Pullias; Pepperdine's role as a Christian college; and individuals' comments, critiques, and
suggestions for improvement for Pepperdine.
Correspondents include Hugh M. Tiner, Donald V. Miller, Russel N. Squire, E.W. McMillan, George S. Benson, Logan J. Fox,
Harry Robert Fox, Earl V. Pullias, Fred L. Stetson, Mitchell P. Briggs, A.A. Lemieux, Harry R. Leathers, Athens Clay Pullias,
Willard Collins, J.P. Sanders, George J. Neidermann, Mrs. Louie H. Moore (Jean McKenzie Moore), E.C. McKenzie, Sydney Carlyle
Dunlap, R.C. Cannon, James D. Young, Lonnie T. Vanderveer, J.C. Rigney, and various Pepperdine alumni.
box 1, folder 12
Resignation Letters
1957-1958
Scope and Content
Included are letters of resignation from Hugh M. Tiner, Earl V. Pullias, Lonnie T. Vanderveer, Eiji C. Amemiya, W.B. West,
Jr., and L.C. Houser. Also included is a letter from M. Norvel Young to Earl V. Pullias accepting his resignation.
box 1, folder 13
Copies of Newspaper Clippings
1957
box 1, folder 14
Letters to the Pepperdine Community (about Tiner & Pullias's resignations and hiring M. Norvel Young)
1957
box 1, folder 15
M. Norvel Young employment contracts and inauguration
1958-1962
box 1, folder 16
M. Norvel Young's 1975 Accident by Donald V. Miller
1977 March
Physical Description: (1 audiocassette)
