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James L. Wattenbarger Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS Coll 161

Scope and Content

Collection contains scrapbooks presented to James L. Wattenbarger on the history of Florida's Community Colleges, on his receipt of the 1987 Leadership award from the Association of American Community and Junior Colleges, and in tribute of his career. Also includes publications by Wattenbarger that demonstrate his outline for creating the modern community college system in Florida. Also includes information from and about community colleges in Florida, especially Palm Beach Community College, and various diplomas and certificates.

Dates

  • 1936 - 2008

Creator

Access

University Archives collections are available for research. Portions of the collections may be restricted due to the requirements of applicable state and federal laws, including but not limited to FERPA and HIPAA, and in accordance with best practices as defined by the Society of American Archivists.

Biographical/Historical Note

James Lorenzo Wattenbarger was born in Cleveland, Tennessee on May 2, 1922. He graduated with an associates degree from Palm Beach Junior College in 1941, and with his Bachelors (1943), Masters (1947), and Ph.D. (1950), all from the University of Florida.

His dissertation, The Organization, Administration, and Financing of Public Junior Colleges in the State of Florida, became the basis on which the state of Florida created the modern community college system in 1955. As a result, Wattenbarger is referred to as the Father of the Community College System of Florida.

In 1968, Wattenbarger returned to UF and became a professor in the College of Education. He founded and headed the Institute of Higher Education at the College of Education in 1968. He retired from UF in 1992. Wattenbarger passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 14, 2006.

Extent

4 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection contains scrapbooks presented to James L. Wattenbarger on the history of Florida's Community Colleges, on his receipt of the 1987 Leadership award from the Association of American Community and Junior Colleges, and in tribute of his career. Also includes publications by Wattenbarger that demonstrate his outline for creating the modern community college system in Florida.

Arrangement

Arranged into two series. Series 1: Publications, 1936-2008. Series 2: Memorabilia, 1943-1990.

Location

Please note that a portion of this collection is housed in the Auxiliary Library Facility off campus and will require advance notice for timely retrieval. Please contact the Special and Area Studies Collections department prior to your visit.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Carl Wattenbarger, 2022.

Title
A Guide to the James L. Wattenbarger Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Sarah Coates
Date
June 2022
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755