Leonard Delayo Collection (unprocessed)
Collection
Identifier: MSS-2023-12-13
Scope and Contents
Boxes contain material related to Leonard Delayo's life and career. Includes:
--Speeches: Organized by subject into folders. Most have Delayo's handwritten notes, speech draft and final printed speech. The folders include information on when the speech was given and where. They reflect on a lot of the topics that were facing his administration during his 20-year tenure. They include, among other things, a reflection of some time spent in the Soviet Union during the 1970s on an educational exchange program; reflections on the function of private schools; faith in schools; leadership; education in New Mexico.
--Newspaper clippings of superintendent job: Much of Len's work was frequently publicized, particularly a prolonged budget battle with former Gov. Toney Anaya. I have several copies of the Albuquerque Tribune and Journal that span decades and include articles about his initial hire, his administration, budget battles etc. Len was also frequently profiled in local media and I have several copies of those profiles.
--Memos: Some relate to his struggles over education funding in the 1980s with Anaya. Others are personal notes to friends, colleagues.
--Presidential Photos/Correspondence: Len met five sitting presidents during his tenure and his collection includes signed photos of him with all but one. He met Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Carter and Clinton (after he retired). There are also signed photos of him with Pat Nixon and Ladybird Johnson; and a personal typed and signed note from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, thanking him for his efforts to secure education funding. Also a telegram he received from President Johnson summoning him to a meeting at the White House. Included in these are a personal note (likely a copy) from President Bill Clinton thanking my grandfather for sending him a bottle of volcanic sand taken from Iwo Jima, the island where Delayo saw combat during WWII.
--WWII paraphernalia: Part of Len's allure for the press was that he served in the Marines during World War II and was part of the invasion of Iwo Jima, a volcanic island in the South Pacific that saw some of the bloodiest battles of the war. His history as a Marine was covered a lot while he served as superintendent. I have a collection of articles, interviews etc. addressing his time in battle. The papers include typed and handwritten memos to Maurie Trimmer, former press secretary of (New Mexico) Gov. Jack Campbell, who also served on Iwo Jima. In these memos, Delayo reflected on what he saw on Iwo Jima and in Japan, where he was stationed, after atomic bombs were dropped. Len was part of the communications team that accompanied Brigadier General Leo Hermle, the first American general to reach the island when the Marines invaded in February of 1945. In that capacity, Len served with many members of the Navajo Nation who served as "code talkers" during the war.
--UNM clippings: After the war, Len returned to UNM and the football team, which had recruited him in 1941. His position was as a tackle, and I have many newspaper clippings/cartoons detailing his time on the team. He also was a lifetime subscriber to the student newspaper and got into several squabbles with student journalists over their content.
--Photos: Numerous photos of Delayo throughout his career as a football star, teacher and superintendent.
--Recordings: Recorded interviews with Delayo while he served as superintendent. One is on a cassette tape and a second is a television interview recorded on VHS.
Dates
- Majority of material found in 1941-1985
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research. Collection is unprocessed. Researcher must sign unprocessed collection use form. Ask reference staff for additional information.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.
Biographical / Historical
Delayo served as the state superintendent of schools for New Mexico from 1963 until 1987. He was recruited to play for UNM's football team in 1941. He later enlisted in the US Marines Corps during WWII. After being discharged in 1946, he returned to UNM and became a football star and graduated in 1948.
Extent
2 boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Placeholder
Physical Location
B3-3B
Separated Materials
Placeholder
- Title
- Finding Aid of the
- Status
- In Progress
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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