Loy H. Witherspoon papers

Collection

Identifier: MS0212

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection was received in two accessions. The first accession consists of single folder titles listed alphabetically at the bottom of the finding aid and the second accession was processed into series listed at the top of the finding aid.

This collection consists largely of material generated in his capacity as a minister and his work at weddings and funerals. Additionally, there is a significant amount of material related to his work as a Professor at UNC Charlotte in the form of lecture notes for the classes he taught. Finally, there are items related to UNC Charlotte Chancellor Installations and the original University Convocation in 1965, as well as items related to Witherspoon's research.

The first accession for this collection represents files maintained by Witherspoon in his office at UNC Charlotte and was transferred to the Special Collections after his retirement. The files are comprised primarily of correspondence and reflect both UNCC and non-UNCC related material. [NOTE: files generated in his capacity as department chair, faculty president, and director of Religious Affairs will be found in the University Archives.]

Dates

Creation: 1983-1994

Creator

Witherspoon, Loy H., 1930-2017 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Biographical / Historical

Loy H. Witherspoon (1930-2017) was the founding chair of the Department of Religious Studies (1964), served as president of the UNC Charlotte faculty, as founder and director of the campus Office of Religious Affairs, and as faculty advisor to the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. The Loy H. Witherspoon Lectures in Religious Studies were established at UNC Charlotte in 1984 to honor him for his tenure of distinguished service. He retired in 1994 after 30 years of service to UNC Charlotte and its predecessor, Charlotte College. He was granted status of professor emeritus of Philosophy and Religious Studies at UNC Charlotte. Witherspoon was also an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. He earned his bachelor and divinity degrees from Duke University and his doctorate from Boston University. Witherspoon grew up in Winston-Salem, N.C., in the Methodist Children's Home after both his parents died when he was a small child. He continued to reside in Charlotte after his retirement.

Extent

3.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers documenting Witherspoon's work as a Methodist Minister and a Professor at UNC Charlotte. Includes wedding and funeral programs, lecture notes, memorabilia, photographs, publications and audiovisual material. The first accession consists primarily of non-university related correspondence files (1983-94) of Loy H. Witherspoon, former professor of Religious Studies at UNC Charlotte.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into the following seven series: Wedding and Memorial Services, Lecture Notes, Memorabilia, Photographs, Publications, Audiovisual Material and Assorted. The first accession that was received in 1994 is arranged in a single, alphabetical folder title series. NOTE: folders have been marked as either personal or UNCC-related.