Certificates and Diplomas, 1871-1935
Scope and Contents
This collection of material consists primarily of certificates and diplomas used by the University of Northern Iowa to signify the completion of courses of study. There are also a few diplomas and certificates from other institutions and government agencies. First, there are diplomas and certificates that were actually issued to particular students. Most of these documents drifted into the University Archives one-by-one, or as parts of small alumni collections, over the years. These documents are in Boxes 1 and 5. The collection also includes diplomas and certificates that were never issued. Many of these documents are blank, some are spoiled or defective, and some are signed completely or in part by school authorities. A few have names of particular students entered on them. Perhaps these documents were defective in some way or perhaps these students did not finish their courses of study. There are multiple copies of many of these documents. Some of these documents, especially the early ones, are large and handsome, with calligraphic embellishment. The early documents are also interesting in that they include the signatures of the entire faculty and the governing board of the institution. There is a small collection of diploma cases in Box 4.
Dates
- 1871-1935
Creator
- University of Northern Iowa (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions. Materials are open for research.
General Use, Reproduction, and Copyright Policies
Many items housed in the Rod Library Special Collections & University Archives, including unpublished images and manuscripts, may be protected by copyright, publication rights, trademarks, or model release rights which the library does not own and for which the library cannot grant permission or licensing. Materials currently under copyright are usually still available for research and limited reproduction under Fair Use laws. However, it is the sole responsibility of the patron to determine whether or not their use of a given material falls within Fair Use guidelines and to obtain permission for said use from the rightful copyright owner.
Sensitive Materials Statement
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy or similar laws, and the Iowa Open Records Law (see Iowa Code § 22.7). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of Northern Iowa assumes no responsibility.
Extent
9.33 Linear Feet (5 boxes)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The diplomas and certificates issued to students were acquired one-by-one or as parts of small alumni collections. The diplomas and certificates that were never issues were largely donated by the Office of the Registrar in March 2006.
Processing Information
Material processed and finding aid prepared by University Archivist Gerald L. Peterson, June 2006; modified: March 29, 2016 (GP). Updated by Library Associate Dave Hoing, November 2017 and March 2018. Linear Feet updated August 17, 2017.