Guide to the Sister Agnes Schmit collection
Finding aid prepared by Ashley Toutain
University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections
Copley Library
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 619-260-2730
Email: spcoll@sandiego.edu
© 2019
Overview of the Collection
Title:
Sister Agnes Schmit collection
Date:
1960-1995
Collection number: USDSC_2019_003
Creator: Schmit, Agnes
Extent: 1 oversize box, (1 linear foot)
Repository:
University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections
Copley Library
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Abstract: This collection contains a photograph album and scrapbook that belonged to San Diego College for Women and University of San
Diego Professor of Chemistry Sister Agnes Schmit, RSCJ.
Languages:
English
Biographical Note
Sister Agnes Schmit, RSCJ was born in South Dakota in 1912. She attended the University of South Dakota for her BA, St. Louis
University for her MS, and completed her Ph.D. at Stanford University in 1947. She became a professor in the San Diego College
for Women Department of Chemistry in 1956, and later became the Chairman of the department. In 1968, Schmit was named a Fellow
of the Chemist's Institute and in 1970 she was awarded a Clarence L. Steber Foundation grant. She continued as Professor of
Chemistry until her retirement in 1978. At that time, she was conferred as Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus.
Sister Schmit retired to the RSCJ retirement community in Atherton, California and passed away on October 3, 1997.
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of a scrapbook and photograph album compiled for Sister Agnes Schmit upon her retirement from the
University of San Diego. The album consists of photographs of Sister Schmit's retirement party held on May 7, 1978. These
photographs include what appears to be Sister Schmit receiving the scrapbook as a gift. The scrapbook contains photographs
of Sister Schmit's former students and their families, and of Sister Schmit with the students. Photographs also include members
of the Schmit family and Sister Schmit's farewell from Johns Hopkins University. Most of the photographs are identified with
typed or handwritten notes. Postcards and photographs of various locations are also included. Included at the end of the scrapbook
is a letter written by Sister Schmit documenting the events of her retirement party.
Arrangement
All contents remain in original order.
Alternative Form of Materials Available
.TIFF and .PDF copies of these scrapbooks have been made.
Access Information
This collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Sister Agnes Schmit collection, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special
Collections.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Sister Patricia Shaffer, College for Women alumnus and Chemistry Professor Emeritus.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Ashley Toutain in October 2019.
Index Terms
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Schmit, Agnes, 1912-1997
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Diego College for Women
University of San Diego
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Diego (Calif.)
Box/Folder: 1 / 1
Photograph Album
1978
Scope and Content Note
Album containing photographs of Sister Schmit's May 7, 1978 retirement party.
Box/Folder: 1 / 2
Scrapbook
1960-1995
Scope and Content Note
Photographs suggest that this scrapbook was given to Sister Schmit during her retirement party. Additional photographs and
notes were then added through the years.
