Collections

The collections Political Circus and Political Sideshow focuses on the Presidential Campaigns of 2008 and 2016 where identity has played a part in the rhetoric of some candidates, but more so in some of the general public's response to various candidates. Through the acquisition of popular consumer items produced for the Presidential campaigns, Caputi organized two exhibitions teasing out issues to do with gender, racism, identity, class, sexuality.

The Political Circus, Political Sideshow, and Political Pandemonium collections focus on the Presidential Campaigns of 2008, 2016, and 2020, where identity has played a part in the rhetoric of some candidates but more so in some of the general public's responses to various candidates. Through the acquisition of popular consumer items and material culture produced for the Presidential campaigns, Dr. Caputi organized three exhibitions teasing out issues concentrated on gender, racism, identity, class, and sexuality. The Political Pandemonium Collection highlights the 2020 presidential election cycle. The items include traditional campaign memorabilia such as buttons and posters, to more contemporary objects (realia). These pieces were central components of the exhibition, POLITICAL PANDEMONIUM Presidential Pop Culture From 2008 Through 2020 that ran from October 1, 2020 - January 15, 2021 at Florida Atlantic University's Ritter Gallery. The exhibition examined stereotypes and prejudices in politics through a collection of everyday consumer objects that became propaganda items to compliment or critique candidates. The collection's items interrogate issues like misogyny, feminism, gender, patriotism, sexism, class, violence, and ageism.

The collections Political Circus and Political Sideshow focuses on the Presidential Campaigns of 2008 and 2016 where identity has played a part in the rhetoric of some candidates, but more so in some of the general public's response to various candidates. Through the acquisition of popular consumer items produced for the Presidential campaigns, Caputi organized two exhibitions teasing out issues to do with gender, racism, identity, class, sexuality.

John D. Early is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Early joined the faculty of the Anthropology Department in 1969. He was chair of the department for several years and retired in 1993. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Master of Arts in Social Philosophy from St. Louis University, a Master of Arts in Theology from Woodstock College (a Jesuit Seminary), a Master of Arts in Sociology from Fordham University, and a PhD in Anthropology-Sociology from Harvard University (1965). Dr. Early began his career as a Jesuit priest, although he resigned from the priesthood in 1969. As a member of the Harvard-Chiapas Research Project, he went to Zinacantán to study Maya worldview and its Catholic elements. Later, his interest turned to demographic research as a planning basis for the literacy, cooperative and health programs in which he was involved among the Maya in Guatemala. It was also intended to bring to national and international attention to the severe malnutrition and high mortality among the Maya primarily as a result of social injustice. This interest then turned into fulltime research on the evolution of human population dynamics: for hunter-gathering groups as exemplified by the Agta in the Philippines, for tribal groups as exemplified by the Yanomami in Brazil, for peasants by the Maya in Mexico and Guatemala.

John O'Sullivan (1939-2000) was a professor of history at Florida Atlantic University. Dr. O'Sullivan attended Fordham University for his undergraduate studies and then Columbia University where he attained a M.A. and Ph.D. After graduating in 1971, he came to Florida Atlantic University where he served as chair of the History Department (1975-1978) and devoted his entire academic career. Dr. O'Sullivan received numerous research fellowships including the American Philosophical Society, the American Historical Association, and the Sloan Foundation.

Norman Nathan is Professor Emeritus of English at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, and a Ph.D. in English all from New York University. In 1968, Dr. Nathan began his career at Florida Atlantic University. In his early career, Dr. Nathan wrote several textbooks dealing with English grammar and style, and literary interpretation of the short story and poetry while continuing to write poetry and short stories.

Samuel A. Portnoy (1920 - 2004) was a professor of History at Florida Atlantic University (1963-1991) in Boca Raton, Florida.  Dr. Portnoy was a native New Yorker and received his bachelor's degree and Ph.D.  from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and his master's from the University of Chicago. In 1963, he began teaching history at Florida Atlantic University where he was actively involved in the planning of the University's academic program.  He was also first chairman of the Department of History at FAU.  His areas of specialization include Russian and Soviet history, 19th and 20th century European history, and Modern Jewish history. Dr. Portnoy was also a prominent lecturer, speaking on subjects of current and historic importance.  These subjects included the Middle East, the Gorbachev revolution, German unification, and select topics in modern Jewish history (Hasidism, Zionism, Jewish labor and social movements in Europe and the United States), and various aspects of Yiddish culture.  Much of his research was focused on the Jewish Labor Bund and the life of Vladimir Medem, a Russian Jewish political leader.  Portnoy's publications include articles in both Yiddish and English for the journals Labor History, Dissent, and Yiddish. He is also the editor-translator of Vladimir Medem's memoirs entitled: The Life and Soul of a Legendary Jewish Socialist and Henryk Erlich and Victor Alter – Two Heroes and Martyrs for Jewish Socialism.

Dr. Walter Wadepuhl (1895-1989) is well-known for his scholarship on German poets Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Heinrich Heine. Born in Germany in 1895, he immigrated to the United States at the age of twelve. He held a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Wadepuhl was head of the Department of Languages and Comparative Literature at Elmhurst College where he also taught German for nineteen years. In 1964, he was appointed Distinguished Visiting Professor of German at Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Wadepuhl authored many articles and several books on Goethe and Heine, including Goethe's Interest in the New World (1934) and Heine: Sein Leben und seine Werke (1974). The collection also includes correspondence, research notes, manuscripts, publications, photographs and letters with other German scholars.

Facilities Management supports FAU by managing various physical assets on all campuses. This includes building maintenance, landscape and grounds maintenance, safety and security measures, space optimization, general building maintenance and repairs, utilities and energy management, environmental sustainability efforts, and compliance with federal and state regulations. Their work is crucial for creating a conducive learning and working environment supporting students, faculty, staff, visitors, and the local community.

This collection contains photographs of the FAU Administration Building and early Administration staff. Photographs include staff talking with one another, interior and exterior building photographs, staff portraits, and other miscellaneous photographs. To provide a sample of the collection, a selection of photographs from each box were described. For more information, please contact lysca@fau.edu