Herbert M. Silvey Papers

Archives Record Series: 05/03/09

Herbert M. Silvey (1905-1996). Papers, (1950-1992). 2.75 linear feet.

Biography

Herbert M. Silvey was born in Morgan County, Missouri, on November 12, 1905. He was superintendent of schools in Gravois Mills, Missouri, from 1935 through 1941, and from 1942 through 1945 he served in the Army Air Corps. In 1947, he joined the staff at UNI as Assistant Director of Research. Then in 1954 he became the Director of Research, a position he held until his retirement in 1974. After his retirement he kept an office on campus and continued his research and publication. On May 23, 1996, Silvey died in Mesa, Arizona, and was buried in Springfield, Missouri.

Silvey is noted for his work with thesis directories in education. From 1952 until his death, he was the editor and publisher of Master's Thesis Directories. He also helped to found Central State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), a college research group, and was its Director of Programs until he retired.

Papers

The Herbert M. Silvey Papers contain documents relating to Silvey's position at UNI, his work with thesis directories, Phi Delta Kappa, and CSCU. In the CSCU area there are two folders containing testimonials to Silvey, noting his contributions to the organization. These were collected and given to Silvey when he retired in 1974. The folders dealing with thesis directories contain correspondence between Silvey and those who purchased or submitted data to the directory. One folder of correspondence does contain a few letters which do not discuss the directories. Three and one-half boxes contain materials and reports which Silvey created or helped create for the Bureau of Research.

These papers were donated to Rod Library Special Collections after Silvey's death in 1996 by Silvey's sons, Marvin and Merrill.

Container Inventory

Box 1

Bureau

• 21 Year Report, 1950
• Analysis of General Education Test in Physical Science, 1954
• Annual Reports, 1972-73; 1968-69; 1954-55
• Budget, 1965-71
• Budget, Estimated, 1967-73
• Bulletin on Computer Programs, 1967
• College Achievement with Several Factors, 1961-63
• College Performance Record of 1949 Class-Graphical Picture
• Committee of 9
• Conference on Institutional Research in Higher
• Education, Bulletin, 1962
• Coordinator of Federal Programs, 1966
• Core Curriculum, January, 1959
• The Cost of Higher Education, 1971-73
• Cost Study at ISTC, 1955-56
• CUES-College and University Environment Scales-Survey
• Dual-Purpose Program in College, 1954
• Educational Testing Program-Graduate Record
• Examinations, 1961
• Evaluation, 1966
• Evaluation of Bureau of Research and Examination Services, 1969-70
• Faculty Travel and Clerical Salaries Studies, 1960
• Geographical Distribution Study of ISTC Students, 1956

Box 2

Bureau

• Geographical Distribution of Students
• Grade Point Study; Report 100: Sum. 1962
• Graduates Evaluate SCI, 1964
• Information Blanks-Questionnaires
• Instructional Programs Survey, 1968
• Popular Opinion of Teacher Education Programs, 1952, 1955
• Purdue Instructor Performance Indicator-The Teaching Evaluation Record, 1966
• Purpose and Structure of Bureau, 1960-1962
• Reading Scores from Nelson-Denny Test, 1929-56
• Reports, 1936-59

Box 3

Bureau

• Reports, 1971-74
• Research Bulletin, Vol. 29-35, 1950s
• Research in State Teachers Colleges, 1953
• Research on Class Size Since 1940, 1955
• Salaries Study in Selected Colleges, 1955-56
• Scholastic Progress of SCI Students, 1950-53
• School of Air Survey, 1957
• Sophomore-Senior Testing Program, Spring, 1960-63

Box 4

Bureau

• Sophomore Testing Program, 1967
• Springfield State College Report, 1966-67
• Standing of ISTC-Among other Colleges, 1960
• State Eighth Grade Examination Reports, 1948-52
• State Safety Commission, Drivers License Test, 1957-58
• Statement of the Aim and Function of the Bureau of Research and Examination Services, 1956
• Student Opinion on Testing, 1950-51
• Student Scholarships for Pendergraft, Jan. 9, 1958
• Study Habits Survey, 1958
• Study of Dropouts, 1956
• Teacher Education Survey, 1963
• University Examinations Service, 1949
• What Teachers Like and Dislike about Teaching, February, 1954

CSCU

• Correspondence

Box 5

CSCU

• Memorial Book on Silvey's Contributions to CSCU
• Reports
• Salary Study, 1957
• Student Services Study Committee, 1975
• Testimonials to Herb Silvey for Contributions to CSCU

General

• "The 101 Graduates Who Earned Specialist's Degrees at UNI, 1960-78"
• Bulletin of the ISTC, July 1950
• California State University-Newspaper Clippings, 1992
• Compendium of Graduate College Activities
• Correspondence, 1960-65
• "The Courage to Look in the Mirror" 1970 (NCA Evaluation)
• Cunningham, M.C.-Letter of Appreciation, 1969
• Dean, 1962-63
• "Evaluating the Administrative Process," 1964
• Graduate Advisees, 1953-61

Box 6

General - continued

• Graduate Program-Doctor of Industrial Technology, 1977- 78
• Iowa Educational Media Directory, 1974-75
• Miscellaneous
• Newspaper Articles on Higher Education
• Remedial Reading for College Students

Masters Theses in Education

• Correspondence-Original Letters
• Correspondence-Notable Individuals
• General

Phi Delta Kappa

• Campus Chapter, 1948-60
• Constitution, 1956-57

Material arranged and finding aid created by Susan Witthoft, Library Assistant, October 1996; Web version of finding aid by Gerald L. Peterson, Special Collections Librarian and University Archivist, October 1996.  Additional material added by Gail Briddle, Library Assistant, June, 2002.