These papers contain correspondence files and subject files. The correspondence, with Stanford officials, alumni, and colleagues at other colleges, pertains to alumni relations, donor relations, campus events making national news, and other aspects of his public relations work; correspondents include Stanford president J. E. Wallace Sterling, Fred Glover, Lyle Nelson, Elinor V. Cogswell, Stanford trustee Richard E. Guggenhime, and Robert E. Kennedy of Cal-Poly. There is also some correspondence with friends and family. The subject files contain correspondence, clippings, reports, memoranda, text for talks, articles, photographs, and other items pertaining to campus events, student publications, the history of university relations at Stanford, and fellow administrative staff, especially their retirement parties for which Carlson often composed song parodies. Of note are files on the guest professorship for Angela Davis in 1976, sponsored by the Associated Students of Stanford University; the 1962 Stanford Summer Institute in Germany; the career of J. E. Wallace Sterling; a report on the University of Sonora (Mexico) by Santiago Cota de la Torre, 1971; and THE ORAL HISTORY OF DAVID S. JACOBSON, which includes the 1978 SOHP transcript, a supplement by Jacobson done in 1985, and additional materials prepared by his family.

Carlson earned his A.B. in journalism and social sciences at Stanford in 1947. He was executive secretary of college relations at Oregon State College, as well as instructor in journalism, before returning to Stanford in 1951 as assistant director of information. In 1954 he was appointed assistant to the president in charge of the University's Southern California office. After 5 years in Southern California he returned to the main campus, where he continued as assistant to the president. In 1962 he was appointed Associate Director of University Relations, and Director in 1978. He retired in 1986.

2.75 Linear feet

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