William W. Thomas Collection, 1971-2008
Compiled by: Chelsea Tholen, May 2013; Tiffany Cole, November 2016 (update)
Descriptive Summary
Repository: Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University
Title: William W. Thomas Collection, 1971-2008
Collection No.: SC 5058
Creator: Thomas Estate
Extent: 13 Boxes, 241 Folders, 7 Books
Language: English
Abstract: The materials presented in this collection are Dr. Thomas’ personal papers extracted from his estate after his death in 2008. These files contain notes from classes, recommendation letters for students, class materials from classes he taught, his personal research and his involvement at James Madison University.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions: Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 protecting the academic records of students, access to Series 2 is not available to researchers.
Use Restrictions: The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk. (library-special@jmu.edu).
Preferred Citation: [identification of item], [box #, folder #], William W. Thomas Collection, 1971-2008, SC 5058, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
Acquisition Information: Donated by Bridgewater College in 2010.
Other Formats Available: None.
Provenance: Direct transfer of ownership from Bridgewater College after they acquired the collection from the Thomas Estate. JMU staff retrieved the boxes from the Thomas house.
Processing Information: A letter from former student, John Spencer Thomas Daniel IV to Dr. Thomas was deframed and placed in Series 2: Student Relations (RESTRICTED) in box 4, folder 15 along with other documents related to that same student. A transcript of the letter and a draft of Dr. Thomas' response are included.
Bio/Historical Note: Dr. William W. Thomas was a professor of Religion and Philosophy at James Madison University from 1971 to 2003 when he officially retired. He was a certified reverend and served as an advisor to Theta Alpha Kappa, Honors Religious Studies Fraternity, and Intervarsity, as well as Phi Sigma Kappa, Philosophy Honors Fraternity. Dr. Thomas received his Bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University, where he reached Cum Laude in 1954. He then received his Master’s degree from Yale University in 1957, and his Doctorate from Duke University in 1964. He first began his career teaching at The Linwood Colleges and later taught summer sessions at Bridgewater College. He came to work at Madison College in 1971.
Separated Items:
Adventures of Famous Travellers in many lands: With descriptions of manners customs, and places. New York: WM L Allison Company (1890) . G525 .A25 1890
Carlyle, Thomas, Life of Friedrich Schiller 1845. PT2482 .C3 1845
Duntzer, Henrich. The Life of Schiller (London: MacMillan & Co.) 1883. PT2482 .D8 1883
Japp, Alexander Hay, LL. D, German Life and Literature: in a Series of Biographical Studies. (London: Marshall Japp & Company) [1880]. PT67 .A2 J3 1880
Morley, Christopher, Don’t Open Until Christmas 1931 January 1. PS3525 .O71 1931
Richter, Jean Paul Friederich, The Campaner Thal and Other Writings. (Boston: Ticknor and Fields) 1864. PT2455 .A13 1864
Smith, Roswell C. English Grammar on the Productive System: A Method of Instruction Recently Adopted... (1867) . PE1111 .S65 1867
Scope and Content: The materials presented in this collection are Dr. Thomas’ personal papers extracted from his estate after his death in 2008. These files contain letters for students, class materials, personal research and administrative records from James Madison University.
Arrangement: This collection remains in the same order as it was extracted from Dr. Thomas’ estate in order to maintain significance.
The collection is arranged in six series:
1. Administration
2. Student Relations
3. Miscellaneous I
4. Advisory
5. Classwork
6. Miscellaneous II
Contents:
Series 1: Administration Box: Folder
| Correspondence | 1:1 |
| Athletics Academic Banquet 1998 | 1:2 |
| Retirement Information | 1:3 |
| UTS Luncheon 1997 | 1:4 |
| Eastern Orthodox Patriarch Oct. 19- Nov. 17, 1997 | 1:5 |
| Sacré Coeur | 1:6 |
| Christian Psychology | 1:7 |
| Phil 101 Blank Test | 1:8 |
| PAC - Nominations for Distinguished Teaching, 1996 | 1:9 |
| Irony vs. Satire | 1:10 |
| Gospels | 1:11 |
| N.T. Papers- 1998 | 1:12 |
| Test Answer Sheets (Blank) | 1:13 |
| Kingdom of God - Bright | 1:14 |
| Sample Pieces and Model Papers | 1:15 |
| Places for Film Study | 1:16 |
| Folder – APA - 1998-1999 | 1:17 |
| Special Studies | 1:18 |
| Dr. Kipple | 1:19 |
| Humanities Seminar- Workshop 1975 | 1:20 |
| Evaluation—MR. MILLER | 1:21 |
| Union Seminary 1984-1985 | 1:22 |
| Promotion of Tenure (Psychology etc.) 1973 | 1:23 |
| Former Student Correspondence, 1977- 1991 | 1:24 |
| Library Subcommittees Charge, 1986 | 1:25 |
| Theology for Everyday Living | 1:26 |
| Teaching | 2:1 |
| Library Reserve Lists, 1986 | 2:2 |
| Women’s Dancers- Bibliography | 2:3 |
| Isabel Rogers, 1994 | 2:4 |
| Proposal, 1982 | 2:5 |
| Bibles | 2:6 |
| Reading Liked Best—Best Books, 1999 | 2:7 |
| Thank You Letter to Students | 2:8 |
| Teaching | 2:9 |
| Dr. Stassen, 1988 | 2:10 |
| Dr. Forstman | 2:11 |
| Capstone Class, 1994 | 2:12 |
| Speakers- Introductions, 1994 | 2:13 |
| Special Studies, 1972 | 2:14 |
| Careers for Philosophers | 2:15 |
| Honor Pledge, 1991 | 2:16 |
| Department Head Activities Survey | 2:17 |
| Promotion & Tenure Reports | 2:18 |
| Landing a department- Department Head | 2:19 |
| “Religion is an Illusion” | 2:20 |
| Dr. Lippke, Promotion & Tenure Report | 2:21 |
| Review Religion 101 | 2:22 |
| Bultman: Letter to Sheffield Missien | 2:23 |
Series 2: Student Relations RESTRICTED
| Shenandoah Phi Beta Kappa | 2:24 |
| Spring 1999 Grades and Evaluations | 2:25 |
| Phil 200 Syllabus 1995 | 2:26 |
| What it was like Last Semester of Teaching | 2:27 |
| Class rolls 1999 | 2:28 |
| OT Test #1 | 2:29a |
| OT Test #2 | 2:29b |
| OT Test #3 | 2:29c |
| OT Test #4 | 2:29d |
| OT Test #5 | 2:29e |
| OT Final Test | 2:29f |
| Student Evaluations | 2:29g |
| Miscellaneous | 3:1 |
| Textbook Orders | 3:2 |
| GPhil 101 Spring 1999 | 3:3 |
| Thanks for Dr. Thomas | 3:4 |
| Miscellaneous | 4:1 |
| Thomas Estate: JMU Related | 4:2 |
| Recommendation for Stockton L. Wright | 4:3 |
| Drew Thistlethwaite, 2003 | 4:4 |
| Neil W. Moubroy 2004 November 0511/05/04 | 4:5 |
| Mrs. Ann Payne, 2006 | 4:6 |
| Dustin Kidd’s Thesis, 1999 | 4:7 |
| Kansas Gooden- Law School Recommendation | 4:8 |
| Sarah Davelaar Recommendation 2004 | 4:9 |
| Joshua R. Hayden Recommendation | 4:10 |
| Seth Horrell, 2001 | 4:11 |
| Ms. Heather Lodovico | 4:12 |
| David Bryan, 2002 | 4:13 |
| David R. Fly, 2003 | 4:14 |
| Spencer Daniel, 2003-2004 | 4:15 |
| Tonya Rowe, 2003 | 4:16 |
| Kristi James 2003 | 4:17 |
| Kevin A. Knight, 2001 | 4:18 |
| Nathan Z. Henkel, 2001 | 4:19 |
| Richard John Gilmartin Jr., 2001 | 4:20 |
| Todd Witherell, 1997 | 4:21 |
| Jeff Vogel, 1999 | 4:22 |
| Anthony Thomas, 2001 | 4:23 |
| Michael Abalow, 2000 | 4:24 |
| Mike Ball, 2000 | 4:25 |
| Lauren Stanley, 2001 | 4:26 |
| Whitney Mitchell Recommendation, 2001 | 4:27 |
| Rachel Montgomery, 2000 | 4:28 |
| John Call | 4:29 |
| Tom Mirabella, 1999 | 4:30 |
| Ms. Jodi E. Jacoby, 1999 | 4:31 |
| Colin Pine, 2001 | 4:32 |
| Baxley Micelli | 4:33 |
| Scott Wells, 1997 | 4:34 |
| Randy See, 1997 | 4:35 |
| Robert Flory, 1998 | 4:36 |
| Bobbi Jo Dean, 1998 | 4:37 |
| Jeremy Kent, 1998 | 4:38 |
| Jason Fountain, 1998 | 4:39 |
| Ken Christian, 1998 | 4:40 |
| David A. Beer, 1998 | 4:41 |
| Anne Schouw, 1997 | 4:42 |
| Kevin Kim, 1998 | 4:43 |
| Sam DelVecchio, 1997 | 4:44 |
| Kyle Kockler, 1998 | 4:45 |
| Jason Sitterson, 1998 | 4:46 |
| Chris Etheridge, 1998 | 4:47 |
| Stephen Jordan, 1998 | 4:48 |
| Jessie Suplizio, 1998 | 4:49 |
| John Nah, 2000 | 4:50 |
| Paul O. Kim, 1999 | 4:51 |
| Wendy Dyal, 1999 | 4:52 |
| Brian Bradford, 2000 | 4:53 |
| Derek Lam, 2000 | 4:54 |
| Judd Berube, 1999 | 4:55 |
| Anna Montgomery, 1999 | 4:56 |
| Brian Hamrick, 1999 | 4:57 |
| Dr. McFadden, 1980 | 4:58 |
| Tim Reynolds, 1996 | 4:59 |
| Recommendations (Student) Krisztian Horvath, 1995 | 4:60 |
| Recommendations to Write | 4:61 |
| Craig Bittenbender, 1996 | 5:1 |
| Jeremy Seuss, Mailed 1996 February 12 | 5:2 |
| Michael Abelow, 1996 | 5:3 |
| Tim Johnson, 1996 | 5:4 |
| Matt Beland, 1997 | 5:5 |
| Ivan Riley, 1997 | 5:6 |
| Megan Malarkey, 1997 | 5:7 |
| Angel Johnson, 1997 | 5:8 |
| David R. Lapp, 1997 | 5:9 |
| Blair Burns, 1997 | 5:10 |
| C.J. Goella, 1997 | 5:11 |
| Michelle Moyer, 1996 | 5:12 |
| Lisa Binhammer, 1996 | 5:13 |
| Miscellaneous Recommendations | 5:14 |
| Miscellaneous Recommendations | 5:15 |
| Recommendations 1976-1992 | 6:1 |
| Recommendations 1984-1992 | 6:2 |
Series 3: Miscellaneous I
| “Evil Genius, Demon, God of Disaster” | 7:1 |
| John Locke, Kant, Berkeley, Descartes | 7:2 |
| Pieces of Lecture | 7:3 |
| Jeremy Bentham and Mill | 7:4 |
| Syllabus 2001 | 7:5 |
| Notes for Lectures | 7:6 |
| Jean Paul Satre | 7:7 |
| Pascal, Rousseau, Social Contract, More Philosophers | 7:8 |
| Schopenhauer, The Apology, Euthyphro | 7:9 |
| Philosophy and Literature, Every authentic work of literature… | 7:10 |
| Dr Thomas’ writings from 1992 and notes | 7:11 |
| Introduction and Outline | 7:12 |
| Albrecht Ritschl: The Doctrine of Sin | 7:13 |
| Note from Steve, Schleiermacher Lecture, Phil-Religion 375, Spinoza, Introduction (An Meine Studenten) | 7:14 |
Notes for Lectures (Schleiermacher, Ach’s Speeches) Speech on October 16, 1991) |
7:15 |
| Dustin Kidd Correspondence | 7:16 |
Summary Listing of Topics Considered Important by some Harrisonburg and Valley Residents |
7:17 |
| Christian Ethics | 7:18 |
| Loose Correspondence | 7:19 |
| Addresses | 7:20 |
Series 4: Advisory
| Miscellaneous Documents | 8:1 |
| Retirement Miscellaneous Documents | 8:2 |
| Membership List: Theta Alpha Kappa | 8:3 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa 1978 | 8:4 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa | 8:5 |
| Charge, Theta Alpha Kappa 1985-1986 | 8:6 |
| Notice, Invitation to Faculty, students | 8:7 |
| Luncheon Seating | 8:8 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa, my replie | 8:9 |
| News- Record Article about Neil Mowbray | 8:10 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa | 8:11 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa- Qualifications to Membership | 8:12 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa- 1994-1995 (Correspondent) | 8:13 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa- 1995 Correspondence | 8:14 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa- 1995 | 8:15 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa Membership 1993-1994 | 8:16 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa- Chapter Dues | 8:17 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa 1993-1994 Requirements for Membership | 8:18 |
| Program 1994 | 8:19 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa- 1994 General Correspondence | 8:20 |
| Letter of Invitation to Students | 8:21 |
| Albert Clark Prize | 8:22 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa 1996 | 9:1 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa- 1996 Member | 9:2 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa Write Up in Religious Studies News | 9:3 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa- 1995 spring, Notes from Journa | 9:4 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa- 1995 Student Records | 9:5 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa Forms | 9:6 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa Information | 9:7 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa- Membership 1998 | 9:8 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa Initiation | 9:9 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa Membership | 9:10 |
| Majors and Minors List - GPA | 9:11 |
| Honor Societies Program and Final Letter and Dinner Invitation | 9:12 |
| Request for Certificates, Cor. with National Headquarters | 9:13 |
| Shirley | 9:14 |
| Local Ceremony- What Program Participants Need to Know | 9:15 |
| Membership List- Students | 9:16 |
| Biography of Speaker- Lorenzo Simpson | 9:17 |
| Dr. Schaulemann- Introduction and Correspondence | 9:18 |
| Afternoon Tea | 9:19 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa- Programs for local invitation | 9:20 |
| 1997 Initiation Theta Alpha Kappa | 9:21 |
| Instructions for Faculty Advisors Theta Alpha Kappa | 9:22 |
| Need for National VP, 1997 Correspondence | 9:23 |
| Theta Alpha Kappa Pins and Letters | 9:24 |
| Amanda Bigelow | 9:25 |
| Initiation Ceremony | 9:26 |
| Forms for New Members | 9:27 |
| 1997 Initiates- Signed Cards | 9:28 |
| 1997 Program- Joint Init.Theta Alpha Kappa and Phi Sigma Tau | 9:29 |
| Honor Societies Dinner- Phi Sigma Tau and Theta Alpha Kappa | 9:30 |
Series 5: Classwork
| Leave Proposal to study “Theology of Karl Barth” | 10:1 |
| Syllabus (Sp. 1990) and Description of Course | 10:2 |
| Class Assignments and Syllabus | 10:3 |
| REL450 Course Work, REL/PHIL375 Syllabus, Barth Final Paper | 10:4 |
| Notes on Readings, Syllabus 375 | 10:5 |
| Courses Taught and Descriptions | 11:1 |
| Freshman Seminar in Humanities Proposal Papers | 11:2 |
| Syllabus 302, Yale Male Course Syllabus | 11:3 |
| Syllabi | 11:4 |
| Readings and Notes | 11:5 |
| What was Taught Each Day | 11:6 |
| Class Lectures | 11:7 |
| Readings and Notes | 11:8 |
| Lectures and Notes for RELG203 | 11:9 |
| Lecture Notes and Readings | 12:1 |
| PHIL 240 Notes/Papers | 12:2 |
| REL 330 Notes/Papers | 12:3 |
| REL 320 Notes/Papers | 12:4 |
| REL 260 Notes/Papers | 12:5 |
| Readings for Classes/Lectures | 12:6a |
| Readings for Classes/Lectures | 12:6b |
| Memorial Service- Dr. Miller, President Emeritus of JMU | 12:7 |
| My Curriculum Vitae | 12:8 |
Series 6: Miscellaneous II
| Faculty Activities Report | 13:1 |
| NEH Seminars | 13:2 |
| Original Faculty Leave Proposal | 13:3 |
| 1984 Resume | 13:4 |
| Personnel Record and Course Outlines | 13:5 |
| Faculty Activities Report | 13:6 |
| Faculty Activities Report | 13:7 |
| Department Tea | 13:8 |
Department Tea- 4-4:45 February 24th Presidents Conference Room- Gibbons, confirmed 1994 February 4 |
13:9 |
| Special Events- Thank You | 13:10 |