Homer B. Williams papers

Collection – Box: 1

Identifier: MS-0099

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The Homer B. Williams papers largely consists of speeches and addresses given by Williams while he served as the first president of Bowling Green State University from 1912 to 1937. Also included in the collection are notes taken for his speeches, papers prepared for meetings of the Town and Gown Club, and news clippings on the growth and development of Bowling Green State University.

Dates

Creation: 1920, 1922, 1928-1943
Creation: Majority of material found within 1928-1943

Extent

0.46 Cubic Feet (1 legal size archive box)

Creator

Williams, Homer B., 1865-1943 (Person)

Scope and Contents

The papers of Homer B. Williams largely consist of speeches and addresses given at various functions while he was president of Bowling Green State University. He was asked to speak often, including assemblies, chapel, faculty meetings and commencements held at the University, as well as at various functions within the Bowling Green community, and throughout Ohio. Many of these speeches and addresses are typewritten, but also included are his handwritten speeches and notes. Of interest are his talks given at Town and Gown Club meetings. This Bowling Green organization was comprised of university and community men who joined together to study various topics, each with responsibility to research and present papers on assigned topics.

Also included in this collection is biographical information on Williams and news clippings about Bowling Green State University, especially its buildings and people who were of importance to Williams as well as the university.

The bulk of the papers date from 1928 to 1943.

Biographical / Historical

Homer B. Williams was born to John and Mary (Secrest) Williams on October 16, 1865, in Mt. Ephraim, Ohio. After graduating from high school, he entered Ohio Northern and received a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his education at Baldwin-Wallace and completed graduate degrees there and at Columbia University in New York City.

His career as a teacher started in the rural and village schools in 1885 and he quickly moved from teaching to more administrative positions. He was superintendent of schools at Dunkirk, Ohio from 1887 to 1889. He served successively in similar capacities at various Ohio school districts: Caldwell (1889-1892), Kenton (1892-1894) and Cambridge (1894-1898), before being appointed as superintendent at Sandusky, a position he held until 1912. In May 1912, Williams accepted the position of president of the newly organized normal college in Bowling Green, Ohio. He remained president until his retirement in 1937. He was named as head of the Bureau of Alumni Relations and then returned as interim president in 1938 when the current president, Dr. Offenhauer, was killed in an automobile accident. Williams stepped down when the next president, Frank Prout, was hired in 1939.

While a student at Ohio Northern, Williams met another student, Cora Brewer, and the two were married in 1890. Their children were Lloyd, John, Elbert and Mary Elizabeth. Both were actively involved in the Bowling Green community. Williams took a leadership role within the community, specifically with the Methodist Church, Kiwanis, the Town and Gown Club, and the Chamber of Commerce. Williams died on September 22, 1943 and his wife died September 5, 1954.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.