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H. Trevor Colbourn Oral History collection, 1987-2006, bulk 1991-2002

 

Summary

Creator:
Colbourn, H. Trevor (1927)
Abstract:
The Colbourn Oral History collection contains interviews conducted between Dr. Colbourn and people who were vital to the foundation of the University such as founders, previous presidents, donators, faculty/staff, and other contributors. This collection offers insight into the founding of Florida Technological University (now, the University of Central Florida) Series I: Final Transcripts, 1987-2006 contains the final released transcripts of the interviews along with duplicates of those transcripts. Series II: Edited Transcripts, 1993-2006 contains the edited transcripts of the final transcripts that have not been released to the public by the interviewee. Series III: Audio Tapes, 1995-2006 contains the audio tapes of the original interviews. These audio tapes have also not been released to the public by the interviewee. H. Trevor Colbourn was born in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia on 24 February 1927. Known by his second name, Trevor Colbourn became President of Florida Technological University, now UCF, in 1978. After retiring as president, Dr. Colbourn returned to teaching history full-time at the University. In 1990, he earned the title President Emeritus and assumed the role of University Historian in 1991. As part of the latter appointment, he compiled an oral history of the University. Dr. Colbourn interviewed many people that were vital to the foundation of the University, such as founders, other presidents, donors, faculty, and staff.
Extent:
8 Linear Feet 11 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

H. Trevor Colbourn Oral History collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

The Colbourn Oral History collection contains interviews conducted between Dr. Colbourn and people who were vital to the foundation of the University such as founders, previous presidents, donators, faculty/staff, and other contributors. This collection offers insight into the founding of Florida Technological University (now, the University of Central Florida)

Series I: Final Transcripts, 1987-2006 contains the final released transcripts of the interviews along with duplicates of those transcripts.

Series II: Edited Transcripts, 1993-2006 contains the edited transcripts of the final transcripts that have not been released to the public by the interviewee.

Series III: Audio Tapes, 1995-2006 contains the audio tapes of the original interviews. These audio tapes have also not been released to the public by the interviewee.

Biographical / historical:

H. Trevor Colbourn was born in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia on 24 February 1927. Known by his second name, Trevor Colbourn earned his BA at the University of London then moved to the United States of America in 1948 to further his education at the College of William and Mary; finally earning his Ph.D. in American History at Johns Hopkins in 1953.

Dr. Colbourn taught at Penn State and Indiana University in Bloomington before moving into administration. In 1967, he became Graduate Dean at the University of New Hampshire. In 1973 he was appointed Academic Vice President of San Diego State University and eventually served as Acting President from 1977-1978 before becoming President of Florida Technological University, now UCF, in 1978.

After retiring as president, Dr. Colbourn returned to teaching history full-time at the University. In 1990, he earned the title President Emeritus and assumed the role of University Historian in 1991. As part of the latter appointment, he compiled an oral history of the University. Dr. Colbourn interviewed many people that were vital to the foundation of the University, such as founders, other presidents, donors, faculty, and staff.

Acquisition information:
H. Trevor Colbourn transferred these materials to the University of Central Florida Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives in 2006
Processing information:

Processed by Lindsay Mazziotto in 2007. Revised for consistency by Chloe Lanham in 2025.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in three series, final transcripts, edited transcripts, and audio tapes. Each series is arranged in alphabetical order by interviewee's last name.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The final transcripts are open for research. The audio tapes and the edited transcripts are not.

Terms of access:

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

H. Trevor Colbourn Oral History collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Location of this collection:
John C. Hitt Library
12701 Pegasus Drive, Building 2
Orlando
FL
32816-8030
USA