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Finding Aid

Donald S. Parks Papers, 1922 to ca. 1971

UM-16

Size: .5 linear feet

Provenance: Lori Zientara Edgeworth, Student Affairs, 10/27/1989

Access: Open

Related Collections:  

Processing Note:

Condition: Good

Copyright: The literary rights to this collection are assumed to rest with the person(s) responsible for the production of the particular items within the collection, or with their heirs or assigns.  Researchers bear full legal responsibility for the acquisition to publish from any part of said collection per Title 17, United States Code.  The Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections may reserve the right to intervene as intermediary at its own discretion.

Completed by: Savannah Xaver, February 25, 2016

Historical/Biographical Sketch

Donald S. Parks, a native of Battle Creek, Michigan, held numerous positions at the University of Toledo. He earned his bachelor of the arts degree from Albion College and his Master’s of Business Administration at Northwestern University not long after. Parks completed some graduate work at New York University, Columbia University, and Harvard.

Before coming to the University of Toledo, he was an instructor at both Albion College and Northwestern University. When he came to UT in 1931, he was both an associate professor of business and the head of the department of management in the College of Business. The following year, 1934, Parks received the additional duty of Personnel Director of the University and held that position until 1953.

During the war years, Parks worked as the Director of Labor and Leadership. In 1944, he earned his full professorship, teaching business courses. Finally, in 1950, he became the Dean of Students. He continued to teach his business courses until 1950 because the pressure of his duties as dean interfered with his involvement in the classroom. Parks embraced his title and helped thousands of students, even taking some under his wing and personally ensuring their success. Parks was described as always positive and always helpful when it came to anything involving the University.

Parks was honored in many societies. The Blue Key awarded him the Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award in the 1969-1970 academic year. In addition, Parks was a member of Delta Sigma Phi, American College Personnel Association, National Vocational Guidance Association, Masonic Orders, Pi Gamma Mu, Sigma Iota Epsilon, Alpha Kappa Psi, Alpha Phi Omega, and Beta Gamma Sigma. Parks was also involved in numerous community associations and was chairman of his church.

Parks’ retirement in 1971 came with the University of Toledo naming Parks’ Tower, the 16 story dormitory near the Glass Bowl, in his honor. In order to do justice to Parks’ outstanding service to the University for 40 years, UT thought it would be fitting to name the beautiful new addition to campus after him. To this day, Park’s Tower is a lively place for students to live. Parks died on October 14, 1981; but his memory goes on at the University of Toledo.

Scope and Content Note

Collection consists of a scrapbook assembled by Donald S. Parks, photographs, certificates, and the guest registry from the dedication of Donald S. Parks Tower in 1971. The scrapbook dates from 1934-1945. It was the possession of Parks who was a professor of Business Administration, the Director of Personnel, and the Dean of Men at the University during the years 1933 to 1971. The scrapbook is made up of newspaper clippings that deal mainly with parks as Director of Personnel. Other clippings hold information on government legislation and various seminars around the country relating to employment searching and job retention.
  

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