Guide to President's Office (Eldon Schafer) Records, 1964-1985
Title: President's Office (Eldon Schafer) Records
Dates: 1964-1985
Collection number: A-036
Size: 82 document boxes (32.8 cubic feet)
Description: Correspondence and other administrative records from the administration of Eldon G. Schafer, president of Lane Community College, 1970-1985.
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Provenance: Administrative transfer
Processed by: Elizabeth Uhlig, 2002
Citation: President's Office (Eldon Schafer) Records, 1964-1985 (A-036), Lane Community College Archives, Eugene, Oregon
Repository:
Lane Community College
Archives and Records Management
Elizabeth M. Uhlig, Archivist
4000 East 30th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97405 USA
Telephone: (541) 463-5466
Fax: (541) 463-3996
Email: archives@lanecc.edu
Biography: Eldon Schafer
Eldon Guy Schafer (1922-1985) was president of Lane Community College for fifteen years, 1970-1985.
Schafer was born in Molalla, Oregon, to Lillian M. and Guy F. Schafer on February 27, 1922. He attended rural elementary and secondary schools in the Canby and Molalla area, and after high school graduation in 1939, he attended Oregon State University in 1941. In 1942 he joined the U.S. Army and entered an engineering program at Pomona College in California. He was sent to Europe in 1943 and served with the 124th Armored Engineers and 13th Armored Division in France, Germany, and Austria.
After the war he returned to Pomona College, where he was active in sports, and graduated with a B.A. in 1948. He continued his education in California, receiving an M.A. (1960) and a Ph.D. (1965) in Education Administration from Claremont Graduate School.
He married Lucy Jane Brokaw in Los Angeles in 1947; their son, Kenneth, joined the family in 1961.
He began his teaching career at Capistrano High School in California where he taught and coached sports between 1950-1952 and served as dean of students, principal, and district superintendent, 1957-1966. He was associate dean of instruction at Riverside City College, 1966-1967.
Schafer moved to Oregon in 1967 to become the founding president of Linn-Benton Community College, 1967-1970. From there he moved to the presidency of Lane Community College, 1970-1985.
Schafer was active in many regional and national educational organizations and served as officers for the Oregon Community College Association, the Northwest Association of Community and Junior Colleges, the League for Innovation in the Community College, the Commission on Colleges of Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Oregon Community College Presidents' Council.
He traveled to China twice, in 1982 and 1984, as a member of the International Visiting Team of the World Bank Educational Advisory Group. The group assisted China in restructuring its vocational education.
Dr. Schafer resigned as president of the college on April 30, 1985. He died on August 6, 1985 following a long battle with leukemia and multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow).
Scope & Content Note
The records document the tenure of Eldon G. Schafer, president of Lane Community College, 1970-1985. The collection is divided into six series.
- Series A: Correspondence, 1970-1982
- Chronological correspondence, correspondence with individuals and departments, and drafts of correspondence.
- Series B: Internal Organizations Records , 1967-1985
- Reports, correspondence, and other administrative records of college departments and committees.
- Series C: Speeches and Writings, 1964-1985
- Drafts and transcripts of speeches and articles written by Schafer.
- Series D: External Organizations Records , 1968-1985
- Reports and correspondence with organizations outside of the college.
- Series E: Subject Files, 1964-1985
- Administrative records arranged alphabetically according to topic.
- Series F: Personal Records, 1970-1985
- Curriculum vitae, oral history, newsclippings, and awards and plaques.
Finding Aid
For a detailed finding aid which includes a complete list of the contents of this collection, refer to:
- Guide to President's Office (Eldon Schafer) Records (NWDA Web site)
- Guide to President's Office (Eldon Schafer) Records
- Guide to President's Office (Eldon Schafer) Records
Related Resources
The Eldon G. Schafer Papers, 1916-1990 (M-001). This collection contains personal and professional papers from Eldon Schafer's career as president of Lane Community College, 1970-1985. The collection documents Schafer's personal and family history, his military service, and his death.