Collections

The collection contains photographs, one contact sheet, and one slide.  On October 25, 1964, U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson dedicated Florida Atlantic University. The photos record the activities of the dedication: finding seats, being an attendee, President Johnson's arrival, President Johnson's receiving an honorary doctorate, and President Johnson's speech. On the platform with the President Johnson were the following people: FAU President Kenneth Williams, Florida Governor Farris Bryant, Florida Congressmen Claude Pepper, Dante Fascell, and Paul Rogers, and Florida Senators George Smathers and Spessard Holland.

The Founding Documents collection span the years 1959-1965, with the bulk of the material dating from 1960 to 1964.  The collection highlights the planning and development of Florida Atlantic University and it is organized in six series: Early Planning, Planning, Groundbreaking, Media Relations, Dedication, and Inauguration. 

The photographs in this collection document the planning of Florida Atlantic University. The collection includes photographs of the ground breaking by state and local dignitaries, architectural drawings depicting the early concept of campus buildings, and group portraits of the early administrators in planning meetings. The university opened in August 1964.

The student newspapers at Florida Atlantic University document various events, politics, and opinions at FAU.  Overall there are seven different publishing histories: The Atlantic Sun (1964 - 1989),  Student Newspapers - Self Published (1969 - 1973), The Independent Atlantic Sun (1989 - 1991), "All New" Atlantic Sun (1991 - 1992), Free Press at Florida Atlantic University (1994 - 1995), The University Press at Florida Atlantic University (1996 - 1999), and The University Press (1999 - Active).

Jack Guistwhite founding member of Florida Atlantic University, started in June of 1963 with twenty years of service retired in 1982. While at FAU, Dr. Guistwhite completed 3 degrees, including his doctorate. He established a national scholarship to help students with two-year community college degrees pursue their education. Shortly before his passing in 1989, he drafted a 42-page history called "FAU: Where Tomorrow Begins."

The Media Relations collection covers ephemera created by the Department of Media Relations at Florida Atlantic University the dates of the papers range from 1962 to 1990. It covers topics such as the creation, opening, marketing and public relations of the University.

The Office of the President consists of official records that document the activities and operations of the chief administrative officer of the University from the opening of FAU to the present. The records include memoranda, reports, publications, and other materials created and compiled by the office of the President.  The records of individual FAU presidents are listed separately.