Leon Edgar Smith Collection

Collection

Identifier: EUA021

Staff Only

Abstract

This collection includes materials relating to Leon Edgar Smith, President of Elon College from 1931 to 1957. Some of the materials relate directly to his time as President, while other documents have been collected over the years to form the collection. Smith's official Presidential files are housed in Belk Library's satellite facility and are currently being processed. For more information about what is included in this collection, please see the section below titled "Detailed Description of the Collection."

Dates

1930 - 2006

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Archives and Special Collections of Belk Library means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Archives and Special Collections of Belk Library claims only physical ownership of most materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research of otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical / Historical

The 2012 website for the Elon University Office of the President states this about former President Leon Edgar Smith, "A 1910 Elon College graduate, Dr. Leon E. Smith was the longest-serving and one of the most influential presidents in the college’s history. His dedication to Elon and his business-minded leadership saved the institution from financial collapse. Smith carried Elon College through the Depression, three campus fires, World War II and the Korean War. Smith was the 1950 recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award and oversaw the construction of a new campus gymnasium that same year. Throughout the 1950s, he continued to improve Elon’s programs, opening a night school, building new residence halls and growing enrollment. Before his retirement in 1957, Smith became the first president in Elon history to be honored with the title of president emeritus."

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 archival box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by type of material.

Physical Location

The collection is located in the Carol Grotnes Belk Library Archives and Special Collections at Elon University. Please contact the Archivist and Special Collections Librarian for further details about the location.