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Ronald W. Collins papers

 Collection
Identifier: 02.RWC

Scope and Contents

Ronald W. Collins was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Eastern Michigan University, as well as a professor of chemistry with a specialty in inorganic chemistry. Dr. Collins served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs for eighteen years until his death in February 2001.

The Ronald W. Collins papers are organized as they were given to University Archives. Series include ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, ADMINISTRATIVE, AUDIO VISUAL, ATHLETICS, and STUDENT AFFAIRS.

The ACADEMIC AFFAIRS series contains materials related to curriculum, academic programming, EMU's many colleges, faculty and staff affairs, research, conferences and events, institutional collabrations, enrollment, and advising.

The ADMINISTRATIVE series contains information related to Dr. Collins' tenure as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, including but not limited to: higher education organizations, annual reports, Board of Regents files, financial documents, campus facilities, conferences and events, correspondence, EMU Foundation, meeting minutes, office files, information related to multiple offices on campus, instructional computing, and labor partnerships.

The AUDIO VISUAL series contains speeches given by and in honor of Dr. COllins in both CDR and VHS formats.

The ATHLETICS series holds information relating to athletics and academics including departmental information and individual EMU sports teams.

The STUDENT AFFAIRS series contains materials focusing on housing, dining, residency, student government, awards, orientation, campus life, and assorted student task forces.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1957 - 2007

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

Biographical / Historical

Ronald W. Collins was born on February 5, 1936 in Dayton, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Dayton and a Doctorate in Inorganic Chemistry from Indiana University. Prior to joining EMU, he was employed for four years as an inorganic research chemist at Wyandotte Chemicals Corporation in Wyandotte, MI. Dr. Collins joined the EMU faculty as an Assistant Professor of chemistry in 1965. He was promoted to acting Head of the Chemistry Department from 1977 to 1978, and was named Head of the Department in 1979. A year later, he was promoted to Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and he served as acting Vice President from 1982 to 1983. He was named Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs in August 1983.

During his tenure as provost, the University's first doctoral program was approved, the honors program was initiated, the World College was created, and the Department of African American Studies was established. In addition, the basic studies (general education) requirements were revised; a Faculty Center for Instructional Excellence, and a Center for Instructional Computing were established; a comprehensive review process was implemented; and the formation of the extended programs area was achieved.

Dr. Collins was a nationally recognized scholar and expert in the field of instructional computer usage. In 1977, he received Eastern Michigan University's first Distinguished Faculty Award. He also received the University of Dayton Alumni Association's Special Achievement Award in 1979. In 1980, he was awarded the Chemical Manufacturers Association's Catalyst Award, a national honor presented to only four faculty members each year.

Dr. Collins passed away in 2001, two years after his wife of 39 years, Gerrie Collins. They had two daughters, Debbie and Sharon.

Extent

224 Linear Feet (197 record center cartons, 66 archive boxes, 1 halfsize archive box, 1 print box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Dr. Ronald W. Collins was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Eastern Michigan University, as well as a professor of chemistry with a specialty in inorganic chemistry. In 1967 Dr. Collins became a professor at EMU, was appointed head of the Chemistry Department in 1977, and was promoted to Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1980. In 1983 he was named Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Collins planned to retire in May of 2001, but passed away on February 1, 2001.

Arrangement

The Ronald W. Collins papers include such records as program creation and administration, clipppings, administrative records, individual college records, awards and honors, correspondence, faculty evaluations and promotions, professional/faculty paperwork, student affairs administration, and academic affairs records.

Processing Information

Described by Brooke Boyst on 14 March 2022.

Title
Ronald W. Collins papers
Status
Completed
Author
Brooke Boyst
Date
2023 April 27
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Eastern Michigan University Archives Repository

Contact:
Bruce T. Halle Library, Room 310
955 West Circle Drive
Ypsilanti Michigan 48197
734-487-2673