Guide to the H. Brett Melendy Oral History Collection MSS-2010-10-06

SJSU Special Collections & Archives
© 2010
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: H. Brett Melendy Oral History Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2010-10-06
Physical Description: 10 boxes (12.5 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1952-1991
Abstract: The H. Brett Melendy Oral History Collection documents the experiences of various university administrators and faculty through oral history interviews. The collection consists of audio tapes and transcriptions, correspondence, typed and handwritten notes, and related files on specific departments and programs.

Access

Transcripts and recollections are available for research use. Due to their fragile nature access to the audio and video tapes is restricted.

Publication Rights

Copyright is assigned to the San José State University Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives. Copyright restrictions may apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Preferred Citation

H. Brett Melendy Oral History Collection, MSS-2010-10-06, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Robert Donahue. Finding aid EAD encoded by Robert Donahue. Reviewed by Danelle Moon. Accruals added, and collection reorganized and rehoused, by Alexandra Lynch in 2017.

Biographical History

Born in Eureka, California, H. Brett Melendy (1924-2008) spent most of his life in California and Hawaii. He received his Master of Arts in Education in 1948 and his Doctorate in History in 1952 from Stanford University. During this time, he also taught high school in Fresno, California. Melendy began his academic career as a history professor at San José State College in 1955. He served in several positions including: Academic Council Faculty Chair; Associate Academic Vice President; Dean of Undergraduate Studies; History Department Chair; History Professor; Interim Academic Vice President; and University Archivist. Melendy also spent some of his academic career as an administrator and history professor in the University of Hawaii system in the 1970s. Melendy's published works include Chinese and Japanese Americans (1984); Asians in America: Filipinos, Koreans, and East Indians (1977); and The Governors of California: Peter H. Burnett to Edmund G. Brown (1965), as well as numerous scholarly articles.
In 1983 Melendy was appointed as the University Archivist from 1983-1987 on a half-time basis, while also maintaining half-time responsibilities as the Director of the Engineering Institute in the Engineering Department. In this role, Melendy organized and conducted oral history interviews of select San José State University administrators and faculty. In 1987 the University Archivist position was eliminated. From 1987 to 1994, Melendy continued to work in the History and Engineering Departments, and in 1993 he was awarded Professor Emeritus status.

Related Material

San José State College Presidential Office Administrative Records 1899-1970 (bulk 1950-1970), Collection No. MSS-2009-04-01.
San José State University Academic Senate Records 1952-2002 (bulk 1970-1999), Collection No. MSS-2009-03-07.
San José State University President's Office, Gail Fullerton Records 1950-1994 (bulk 1978-1991), Collection No. MSS-2009-04-03.
San José State University President's Office, John Bunzel Records 1963-1984 (bulk 1970-1978), Collection No. MSS-2009-06-01.
San José State University Faculty Papers of H. Brett Melendy, MSS-2009-05-01.
San José State University President's Office, Robert D. Clark Records 1953-1969, Collection No. MSS-2009-08-03.
Dwight Bentel Papers, 1905-2006, Collection No. MSS-2004-04-02.

Scope and Content of Collection

The H. Brett Melendy Oral History Collection documents the experiences of various university administrators and faculty through oral history interviews. The interviewees include SJSU Presidents Jack Bunzel, Robert D. Clark, Gail Fullerton, and John T. Wahlquist, as well other university administrators and faculty members such as Dwight Bentel, Hobart Burns, William G. Sweeny, O.C. Williams, Mildred Winters, and others. The collection consists of audio tapes and transcriptions, correspondence, typed and handwritten notes, and related files on specific departments and programs.

Arrangement

The H. Brett Melendy Oral History Collection (1952-1991) is arranged into two series: Series I. Oral Histories, 1979-1991; Series II. Research Materials, 1952-1988.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Education, Higher -- California -- San Jose
San José State University -- History
California State University, San José -- History
San José State Teachers College -- History
San José State University -- University Archivist -- History
Oral histories
San Jose State College -- History
Bentel, Dwight
Wahlquist, John T., 1899
Bowman, Mary O.
Ashe, Mary Rutledge
Baird, Forrest J.
Brazil, Burton R.
Brown, James W. (James Wilson), 1913 September 18-1987
Bunzel, John H., 1924
Burns, Hobert W., 1925-2008
Cakebread, Aarian
Carr, Marie
Clark, Robert D. (Robert Donald), 1910-2005.
Cockrell, Loren
Cumry, Alice A.
Dumke, Glenn S.
Dusel, William J.
Fullerton, Gail Putney
Gunderson, Norman O.
Guttormsen, Glen
Harcleroad, Fred F.
Hubbard, Wilbur
Hyde, Barney
Jacobsen, Albert
Jenkins, Robert
Leonard, Thomas E., 1922-
Lopez, Daniel C.
Maruyama, Rose
McCreath, Harrison
McCallum, Alexander
McPherson, Walter
Palmer, Irene
Pitman, Paul
Rendahl, Milton
Sicular, George M.
Sweeney, William G.
Thomas, Violet
Titchenal, Robert
Vandergron, Lucy
Vessel, Matthew F.
Wahlquist, Grace Dorius
Walker, Charles L.
Wheeler, Gerald E.
Williams, Clinton
Winters, Mildred Gentry
Wright, Milburn D.
Vasconcellos, Hank
Wool, Jack
Whitaker, Jerry C.
Dieu, Joe
Carmick, Edward Seabury
Thornton, James W.

 

Series I. Oral Histories

Series Scope and Content Summary

The material in this series documents the history of San José State University through oral history interviews conducted by the University Archivist, H. Brett Melendy, History Professor Charles Burdick, and others. The interviews document thirty-five years of university governance, which reflect many of the controversies between the university administration, faculty, students, and staff. For example, the interview with Burton Brazil describes the conflicts between the Economic Department faculty, President John Bunzel, and the Academic Senate. Other interviews include several personal accounts concerning the faculty strike and student protests in the 1960's, including the Dow Chemical protest at SJSU that resulted in police firing tear gas at rioting students.

Arrangement

This series is organized alphabetically by surname.

Conditions Governing Access

Due to their fragile nature, access to audio and video cassettes is restricted.
 

Recordings 1983-1991

Box 1, Folder 1

Bentel, Dwight 1985

Box 1, Folder 2

Bentel, Dwight 1985

Box 1, Folder 3

Bowman, Mary O. 1986

Box 1, Folder 4

Brazil, Burton 1987

Box 1, Folder 5

Brazil, Burton 1987

Box 1, Folder 6

Bunzel, John 1987

Box 1, Folder 7

Burns, Hobert 1988

Box 1, Folder 8

Burns, Hobert 1988

Box 1, Folder 9

Carr, Marie 1988

Box 1, Folder 10

Clark, Robert 1983

Box 1, Folder 11

Clark, Robert 1983

Box 2, Folder 1

Dusel, William 1986

Box 2, Folder 2

Fullerton, Gail 1991

Box 2, Folder 3

Gunderson, Norman 1987

Box 2, Folder 4

Gunderson, Norman 1987

Box 2, Folder 5

Guttormsen, Glen 1984

Box 2, Folder 6

Guttormsen, Glen 1984

Box 2, Folder 7

Harcleroad, Fred 1984

Box 2, Folder 8

Jacobson, Albert H. 1988

Box 2, Folder 9

John T. Wahlquist Library Dedication 1985

Box 2, Folder 10

Leonard, Thomas E. 1988

Box 2, Folder 11

Leonard, Thomas E. 1988

Box 2, Folder 12

Lopez, Daniel C. 1986

Box 3, Folder 1

McCallum, G. Aexander 1986

Box 3, Folder 2

Rendahl, Milton B. 1987

Box 3, Folder 3

Sicular, George M. 1988

Box 3, Folder 4

Sicular, George M. 1988

Box 3, Folder 5

Sweeney, William G. 1983

Box 3, Folder 6

Sweeney, William G. 1983

Box 3, Folder 7

Thomas, Violet E. 1988

Box 3, Folder 8

Thornton, James W. 1984

Box 3, Folder 9

Wahlquist, John Thomas 1983

Box 3, Folder 10

Wahlquist, John Thomas 1983

Box 4, Folder 1

Wheeler, Gerald E. 1987

Box 4, Folder 2

Wheeler, Gerald E. 1987

Box 4, Folder 3

Williams, Clinton 1985

Box 4, Folder 4

Winters, Mildred Gentry 1984

Box 4, Folder 5

Winters, Mildred Gentry 1984

Box 4, Folder 6

Wright, Milburn D. 1984

 

Transcripts and Recollections 1979-1991

Box 5, Folder 1

Ashe, Mary Rutledge 1984

Box 5, Folder 2

Baird, Forest J. 1988

Box 5, Folder 3

Baird, Forest J. 1988

Box 5, Folder 4

Bentel, Dwight 1985

Box 5, Folder 5

Bentel, Dwight 1985

Box 5, Folder 6

Bowman, Mary O. (Vol. 1) 1986

Box 5, Folder 7

Bowman, Mary O. (Vol. 2) 1986

Box 5, Folder 8

Bowman, Mary O. 1986

Box 5, Folder 9

Brazil, Burton 1987

Box 5, Folder 10

Brazil, Burton (Vol. 1) 1987

Box 5, Folder 11

Brazil, Burton (Vol. 2) 1987

Box 5, Folder 12

Brazil, Burton 1987

Box 5, Folder 13

Brown, James W. 1985

Box 5, Folder 14

Brown, James W. 1985

Box 5, Folder 15

Bunzel, John 1987

Box 5, Folder 16

Bunzel, John 1987

Box 5, Folder 17

Burns, Hobert 1988

Box 5, Folder 18

Burns, Hobert 1988

Box 6, Folder 1

Cakebread, Aarian 1983

Box 6, Folder 2

Carmick, Edward S., "Recollections" 1979

Box 6, Folder 3

Carmick, Edward S., "Recollections" (Vol. 1) 1979

Box 6, Folder 4

Carmick, Edward S., "Recollections" (Vol. 1) 1979

Box 6, Folder 5

Carmick, Edward S., "Recollections" (Vol. 2) 1979

Box 6, Folder 6

Carmick, Edward S., "Recollections" (Vol. 2) 1979

Box 6, Folder 7

Carmick, Edward S., "Recollections" (Vol. 3) 1979

Box 6, Folder 8

Carmick, Edward S., "Recollections" (Vol. 3) 1979

Box 6, Folder 9

Carmick, Edward S., "Recollections" (Vol. 4) 1979

Box 6, Folder 10

Carmick, Edward S., "Recollections" (Vol. 4) 1979

Box 6, Folder 11

Carr, Marie 1988

Box 6, Folder 12

Clark, Robert (Copy 1) 1983

Box 6, Folder 13

Clark, Robert (Copy 2) 1983

Box 6, Folder 14

Clark, Robert 1983

Box 6, Folder 15

Clark Final Copy 1983

Box 6, Folder 16

Cockrell, Loren T. 1987

Box 6, Folder 17

Cumry, Alice 1984

Box 6, Folder 18

Dumke, Glenn S. 1983

Box 6, Folder 19

Dusel, William 1986

Box 6, Folder 20

Dusel, William 1986

Box 6, Folder 21

Fullerton, Gail (Vol. 1, Copy 1) 1991

Box 6, Folder 22

Fullerton, Gail (Vol. 1) 1991

Box 6, Folder 23

Fullerton, Gail (Vol. 2) 1991

Box 7, Folder 1

Fullerton, Gail (Vol. 1, Copy 2) 1991

Box 7, Folder 2

Fullerton, Gail (Vol. 2, Copy 1) 1991

Box 7, Folder 3

Fullerton, Gail (Vol. 2, Copy 2) 1991

Box 7, Folder 4

Gunderson, Norman O. 1987

Box 7, Folder 5

Gunderson, Norman O. 1987

Box 7, Folder 6

Guttormsen, Glen 1984

Box 7, Folder 7

Guttormsen, Glen 1984

Box 7, Folder 8

Harcleroad, Fred 1984

Box 7, Folder 9

Harcleroad, Fred 1984

Box 7, Folder 10

Hubbard, Bill 1983

Box 7, Folder 11

Hyde, Barney 1987

Box 7, Folder 12

Jacobson, Albert H. 1988

Box 7, Folder 13

Jacobson, Albert H. 1988

Box 7, Folder 14

Jenkins, Margaret 1984

Box 7, Folder 15

John T. Wahlquist Library Dedication (Copy 1) 1985

Box 7, Folder 16

John T. Wahlquist Library Dedication (Copy 2) 1985

Box 7, Folder 17

Leonard, Thomas 1988

Box 7, Folder 18

Lopez, Daniel C. 1986

Box 7, Folder 19

Lopez, Daniel C. 1986

Box 7, Folder 20

Maruyama, Rose K. 1984

Box 7, Folder 21

McCallum, G. Alexander 1986

Box 7, Folder 22

McCallum, G. Alexander 1986

Box 7, Folder 23

McCreath, Harrison 1987

Box 8, Folder 1

McPherson, Walter 1983

Box 8, Folder 2

Melendy, H. Brett 1988

Box 8, Folder 3

Palmer, Irene 1983

Box 8, Folder 4

Pitman, Paul 1982

Box 8, Folder 5

Rendahl, Milton B. 1987

Box 8, Folder 6

Rendahl, Milton B. 1987

Box 8, Folder 7

Sicular, George M. 1988

Box 8, Folder 8

Sicular, George M. 1988

Box 8, Folder 9

Sweeney, William G. (Copy 1) 1983

Box 8, Folder 10

Sweeney, William G. (Copy 2) 1983

Box 8, Folder 11

Sweeney, William G. 1983

Box 8, Folder 12

Sweeney, William G. 1983

Box 8, Folder 13

Thomas, Violet E. 1988

Box 8, Folder 14

Thornton, James W. 1984

Box 8, Folder 15

Vandergron, Lucia 1983

Box 8, Folder 16

Vasconcellos and Titchenal 1983

Box 8, Folder 17

Vessel, Matthew 1983

Box 8, Folder 18

Wahlquist, John T. (Vol.1, Copy 1) 1983

Box 8, Folder 19

Wahlquist, John T. (Vol. 1, Copy 2) 1983

Box 8, Folder 20

Wahlquist, John T. (Vol. 2, Copy 1) 1983

Box 8, Folder 21

Wahlquist, John T. (Vol. 2, Copy 2) 1983

Box 9, Folder 1

Wahlquist, John T. (Vol. 1) 1983

Box 9, Folder 2

Wahlquist, John T. (Vol. 2) 1983

Box 9, Folder 3

Walker, Charles L 1983

Box 9, Folder 4

Wheeler, Gerald E. 1987

Box 9, Folder 5

Wheeler, Gerald E. 1987

Box 9, Folder 6

Williams, O. Clinton 1985

Box 9, Folder 7

Winters, Mildred Gentry (Copy 1) 1984

Box 9, Folder 8

Winters, Mildred Gentry (Copy 2) 1984

Box 9, Folder 9

Winters, Mildred Gentry 1984

Box 9, Folder 10

Wool, Dieu, and Whitaker 1983

Box 9, Folder 11

Wright, Milburn 1984

Box 9, Folder 12

Wright, Milburn 1984

 

Series II. Research Materials

Scope and Contents

This series contains the oral history and research files collected by H. Brett Melendy during the course of his tenure as University Archivist. Several different SJSU departments or events are documented including the San José State College Centennial, the history of the Home Economics Department, SJSU Athletics, the Philosophy Department, and the Tutorials Program (1965-1968), an experimental Humanities Department program directed at freshman students.
Box 10, Folder 1

"A Tale of Two Bagels..." Smithsonian Article 1983

Box 10, Folder 2

Emeritus Faculty Association 1985-1988

Box 10, Folder 3

Emeritus Faculty Information 1963-1983

Box 10, Folder 4

Faculty Retirements Mailing 1983

Box 10, Folder 5

Faculty Retirements Mailing 1984

Box 10, Folder 6

Faculty Wives Club 1986-1987

Box 10, Folder 7

Genealogy Inquiries 1983

Box 10, Folder 8

Gustafson, William 1983

Box 10, Folder 9

"Highlights of Spartan History" Centennial Delegates Luncheon Address 1957

Box 10, Folder 10

Home Economics Department (Laah Whiting) 1983

Box 10, Folder 11

John T. Wahlquist Library Dedication 1982

Box 10, Folder 12

Journalism Department: Celebration of 50 Years 1986

Box 10, Folder 13

List of California State College Presidents 1961-1970

Box 10, Folder 14

List of San Jose State Teachers College Graduates 1921-1934 1984

Box 10, Folder 15

Miscellaneous Publications on SJSU

Box 10, Folder 16

Occupational Therapy Department History 1985-1986

Box 10, Folder 17

Ombudsman Position 1967-1968

Box 10, Folder 18

Oral History Project Candidates 1983

Box 10, Folder 19

Phi Delta Kappan Journal and Copies 1966

Box 10, Folder 20

Philosophy Department: Dr. Dommeyer 1967

Box 10, Folder 21

President Wahlquist's Statement Regarding Athletics 1957

Box 10, Folder 22

Santa Clara County Archive Project 1983

Box 10, Folder 23

SJSC Centennial History 1957

Box 10, Folder 24

SJSU Annual Reports 1952-1964

Box 10, Folder 25

SJSU - College Union History 1970

Box 10, Folder 26

SJSU: Greenwood Encyclopedia Project 1984

Box 10, Folder 27

SJSU: School of Education 1981-1983

Box 10, Folder 28

SJSU: School of Engineering 1983

Box 10, Folder 29

SJSU: School of Humanities and Arts 1983-1984

Box 10, Folder 30

SJSU: School of Social Sciences 1982-1983

Box 10, Folder 31

Spartan Daily Microfilming Project 1984

Box 10, Folder 32

Survey on the Status of Women at SJSU 1973-1974

Box 10, Folder 33

"The International Center - In Pace with Time" 1983

Box 10, Folder 34

The Life and Reminiscences of John T. Wahlquist

Box 10, Folder 35

The Papers of George Dollinger Pyper 1970

Box 10, Folder 36

Tutorials Program - 1966 Incident 1966

Box 10, Folder 37

University of Utah Centennial Commemoration - Wahlquist 1950

Box 10, Folder 38

Wahlquist: "A President and the University" 1983

Box 10, Folder 39

Wahlquist: Awards and Achievements 1964-1974

Box 10, Folder 40

Wahlquist: Biographical Information

Box 10, Folder 41

Wahlquist: Conference and Council of State College Presidents 1982-1983

Box 10, Folder 42

Wahlquist's Dictation on Burdick

Box 10, Folder 43

Wahlquist: Goals to Live By

Box 10, Folder 44

Wahlquist, Grace

Box 10, Folder 45

Wahlquist, Kieth 1987

Box 10, Folder 46

Wahlquist Mercury News Clipping 1964

Box 10, Folder 47

Wahlquist Oral History Correspondence 1982-1988

Box 10, Folder 48

Wahlquist: Publications

Box 10, Folder 49

Wahlquist: "The Meaning of Courage"

Box 10, Folder 50

Wahlquist: "The Sons of Brigham"

Box 10, Folder 51

Wahlquist: "Who's Who in America"

Box 10, Folder 52

Willow Glen Community History 1986