Commencement Scripts, 1981, 1983-1987

This collection includes elements from each stage of progression of the School of Professional Psychology. From 1966-2013, this collection contains materials ranging from early correspondence concerning the development of a Psychology program to graduation brochures from many years after the school’s establishment. The collection is topically arranged. This collection is divided into two series and six subseries.

Series I, Development of the Program, covers topics ranging from the inception of the School of Professional Psychology to the accreditation reports needed to get the project underway. Subseries IA, SOPP History and Proposals, contains correspondence between Wright State University faculty and other schools of psychology or organizations of Ohio; proposals written to consider the consequences of a school of professional psychology and to inspire its creation; the background files and audio-visual recordings of the SOPP history project, an oral history project done on behalf of the founding dean, Ronald Fox, upon his retirement, to document the origins and development of SOPP through interviews with its founding faculty, administrators, and primary supporters. Subseries IB, Accreditation and Internships, is comprised of reports concerning the accreditation of the program and its internships in the early years of SOPP. Subseries IC, Duke E. Ellis Human Development Institute, concerns the naming of Duke E. Ellis Human Development Institute. It contains various materials on this topic, such as photographs and correspondence.

Series II, Institutional Organization, contains institutional procedures and publications. It concerns the SOPP after its establishment. Subseries IIA, Events, Programs, and Admissions, contains newsletters and newspaper printouts concerning SOPP. It also includes information on financial opportunities of its students. Subseries IIB, Administrative Staff, Functions, and Reports, consists of financial reports and meeting minutes of SOPP. This section also includes a large number of reports of re-accreditation for the school. Subseries IIC, Graduation, generally consists of commencement and convocation scripts and brochures.

Series III, Artifacts/Objects, contains ceremonial and commemorative 3-dimensional objects from SOPP’s history, such as commemorative bricks from the foundation of the Ellis Institute, the silver shovel used at the groundbreaking ceremony, and a commemorative medallion from the dedication ceremony for the Ellis Institute.