John Philip Wernette Presidential Papers
Collection
Identifier: UNMA-018
Scope and Content Note
The Wernette Collection is mainly comprised of correspondence regarding various UNM departments. The collection also contains correspondence from other New Mexico University presidents, reports, miscellaneous University publications such as UNM Corral, book lists of books recently acquired at the Library, and programs from the University concert series. Included in the collection are the Board of Dean papers, October 1944-July 1945, containing correspondence and minutes.
The collection also contains some photocopies of materials that were received from the collection of John Wernette papers at the University of Michigan's Bentley Historical Library. These photocopies include information on the faculty members Wernette was investigating when the Board of Regents terminated his contract. There is also a copy of a sample case study that is based on Wernette's time at UNM. A complete finding aid of the material at the University of Michigan is also included.
The collection also contains some photocopies of materials that were received from the collection of John Wernette papers at the University of Michigan's Bentley Historical Library. These photocopies include information on the faculty members Wernette was investigating when the Board of Regents terminated his contract. There is also a copy of a sample case study that is based on Wernette's time at UNM. A complete finding aid of the material at the University of Michigan is also included.
Dates
- 1938-1990
- Majority of material found within 1944-1948
Creator
- Wernette, John Philip, 1900- (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of print and photographic materials is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biographical Note
When President James F. Zimmerman died of a heart attack in October 1944, the University was left without a president. A Board made up of the University Deans was then appointed to run the University until a new president was hired in 1946.
John Philip Wernette was hired as the University of New Mexico's 8th president and began work in August 1946.
Wernette was born in Imlay City, Michigan, on October 29, 1903. He received his A.B. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1924 and a master's degree from the University of Southern California in 1926. He completed a masters degree at Harvard in 1929 and also earned a Ph.D. from Harvard's Department of Economics in 1932. He married Eleanor DeCourcy in 1940 and had two children, John and Elizabeth.
Wernette served on the Harvard School of Business faculty from 1927-1945. Wernette's presidency coincided with the end of World War II and the influx of students nationwide into universities and colleges on the G.I. Bill. Like most universities in the country, UNM was not prepared for the surge in student enrollment. There was a lack of professors, classrooms, and housing after the war.
Despite the shortages, UNM managed to create several professional programs during this time. The College of Pharmacy opened in 1945 and the Colleges of Business Administration and Law were created in 1947. The Department of Journalism was also created in 1947.
Although the University was succeeding after the war, trouble was brewing for Wernette and in 1948 the Board of Regents decided not to renew his contract, which ended in June of that year. Wernette and the Board of Regents disagreed over the appointments of two faculty members who Wernette felt were unqualified for their positions. Wernette left UNM and went to the University of Michigan in 1948 where he was a professor at the Graduate School of Business Administration for 26 years. Wernette died on August 12, 1988.
John Philip Wernette was hired as the University of New Mexico's 8th president and began work in August 1946.
Wernette was born in Imlay City, Michigan, on October 29, 1903. He received his A.B. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1924 and a master's degree from the University of Southern California in 1926. He completed a masters degree at Harvard in 1929 and also earned a Ph.D. from Harvard's Department of Economics in 1932. He married Eleanor DeCourcy in 1940 and had two children, John and Elizabeth.
Wernette served on the Harvard School of Business faculty from 1927-1945. Wernette's presidency coincided with the end of World War II and the influx of students nationwide into universities and colleges on the G.I. Bill. Like most universities in the country, UNM was not prepared for the surge in student enrollment. There was a lack of professors, classrooms, and housing after the war.
Despite the shortages, UNM managed to create several professional programs during this time. The College of Pharmacy opened in 1945 and the Colleges of Business Administration and Law were created in 1947. The Department of Journalism was also created in 1947.
Although the University was succeeding after the war, trouble was brewing for Wernette and in 1948 the Board of Regents decided not to renew his contract, which ended in June of that year. Wernette and the Board of Regents disagreed over the appointments of two faculty members who Wernette felt were unqualified for their positions. Wernette left UNM and went to the University of Michigan in 1948 where he was a professor at the Graduate School of Business Administration for 26 years. Wernette died on August 12, 1988.
Extent
1.5 Cubic Feet (2 Boxes)
Abstract
John Philip Wernette was hired as the University of New Mexico's 8th president and began work in August 1946. The collection is mainly comprised of correspondence regarding various UNM departments.
Creator
- Wernette, John Philip, 1900- (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the John Philip Wernette Presidential Papers, 1938-1990
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Portia Vescio
- Date
- ©2004, 2017
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451