Guide to the Westminster College catalogs

The Salt Lake Collegiate Institute was founded in 1875 by the First Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City, opening it the church's basement on April 12, 1875 as a Presbyterian Preparatory school. In 1896 the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions assumed ownership and administrative control of the institute, and maintained operations until 1910, when it transferred the property to Westminster College, where the institute became the "Preparatory Department" of Westminster College.

In November 1895, a Presbyterian college was incorporated in Salt Lake City. In 1897 college courses were taught within the Sheldon Jackson College, named after well-known Presbyterian minister, missionary, and primary benefactor. Jackson had pledged $50,000 to the College, but when he was unable to fulfill his commitment the college obtained funds from William and Jeannette Ferry and changed its name to Westminster College in 1902. In 1945 high school courses were discontinued and in 1974 the school unaffiliated itself with the Presbyterian Church.

This collection contains college catalogs beginning with the year 1898 and onward from Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah, including 2 catalogs under its earlier name, Sheldon Jackson College. The main purpose of the college catalog is to list the classes that are available for students to take in a given academic year.

Each college catalog contains an introduction which gives a general and concise history of the college, faculty, and students. The catalog then addresses issues of general concern. These issues depend on what features (i.e. housing, scholarships, etc.) were available at the college at the time, but topics concerning admission are always addressed.

The catalogs typically span the academic year, the fall of one year and the spring of the next. The exceptions to this are the two interim catalogs, the catalogs that cover two two-year listings, and catalogs that cover two academic years in one volume. The interim catalogs cover the period of time after the first semester ended and the second semester began.

Of special importance is the 1898–1899 catalog. This catalog is the first catalog published that contains information pertaining to Westminster College (then called the "Sheldon Jackson College"). This volume contains important information regarding the founding, construction, and the beginnings of what would become Westminster College. The catalog offers information in a variety of sections: Origin of the College, Its Object, Its Prospects, Support of the College, Location and Climate, Morals and Discipline, Boarding and Expenses, Course of Instruction, Building and Rooms, and Next College Year. Information includes a biographical sketch of the college's first president, General John Eaton.

After 1960 most catalogs list a brief summary of enrollment information about the students attending Westminster. This information can include the numbers of students per year, how many students total are in attendance and where the students are from (listing their state or country of origin). Almost all of the catalogs contain pictures (photographs and/or drawings) and/or maps of the campus

The classes are organized according to their subject matter—they are given a department title (like BIOL for Biology). Catalogs before the 1978-1979 academic year do not have this type of designation, but the classes are still be organized according to their respective department. These department titles are then listed alphabetically in the catalog. Classes are organized (within their subject) by class number in ascending order (for example, the class PHIL 206 will be listed after PHIL 300).

Additional information provided that varies by date includes course, degree, and major requirements, admission requirements, concurrent enrollment, transfer of credits, financial aid availability, etc. For example, the 1997–1998 catalog includes a list of Student Life Services highlighting student resources like the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program and the Campus Ministry. Most catalog information (aside from class schedules) is repeated unchanged and is only updated when necessary.

Between 1975–1976, Westminster celebrated its centennial. This catalog includes a brief section about this event, and features President Manford A. Shaw's Centennial Message. It isn't unusual for a catalog to have information pertaining to an important event in Westminster's history reflecting current events. For instance, a memorial to Robert G. McNiece is found in the 1914–1915 catalog. All such articles are brief.

Though the institution did not change, the catalog's organizational title varied with time. For instance, the first two volumes are given the "Sheldon Jackson College" title (1898 – 1901). After 1901, the college's name was changed to Westminster College (1902–1903). The title page for this year, and the next year (1904–1905) reflect the change of names. After a four-year gap, a "Westminster College – Founded by Sheldon Jackson, D.D." title is used.

The 1912–1913 catalog was titled "Westminster College and Salt Lake Collegiate Institute." Similarly, the 1914–1915 catalog was titled "Westminster College and The Salt Lake Collegiate Institute – Preparatory Department." In the years between 1915 and 1923, the catalogs were titled "Westminster College Bulletin." In the years between 1924 and 1936, the catalogs were the catalog issue of "The Utah Westminster". Between 1936 and 1942, they were titled "Westminster College." In the years between 1943 and 1945, the "Westminster" title was lengthened to "Westminster College – Salt Lake City, Utah." However, the "Westminster College" title was used again on the catalogs between 1946 and 1952. The title changed to "Westminster College – Salt Lake City, Utah" for the 1953 year. Between 1954 and 1958, the catalogs were again titled as "Westminster College." Between 1957 and 1958, the catalogs were titled "Westminster College – Salt Lake City." Between 1958 and 1967, the catalogs were again given the title of "The Utah Westminster." Between 1967–1968, the catalogs were titled "Westminster College." Between 1968–1969, they were titled "The Utah Westminster." Finally, between 1969 and 1983, the catalogs were titled "Westminster College." Starting in the fall of 1983 and covering the years up to 1996, the titles were expanded to "Westminster College of Salt Lake City." In the fall of 1996, the catalogs were given the simpler "Westminster College" title. It should be noted that the catalog issues between the years of 1936 (fall) and 1969 (spring) were "catalog issues" of the Utah Westminster publication.

On the title page of the catalogs between 1936 and 1952, one year is listed. However, the catalogs span the entire academic year.

The Westminster College website has online versions of current and recent academic college catalogs.

Gaps in the collection: Catalogs for the academic years 1901–1902, 1903–1904, 1905–1906, 1906–1907, 1907–1908, 1908–1909, 1910–1911, 1911–1912, and 1913–1914 are wanting.

Restrictions on Access:

Open to public research.

Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Twenty-four hours advance notice is encouraged.

Restrictions on Use:

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material must be obtained from the director of the Giovale Library.

Preferred Citation:

Westminster College catalogs, 1898-2013, ACC-072, Giovale Library Archives, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologially.

Processing Note:

Processed October 2003 by Josh Ivie.

Creator:

Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983

Westminster College of Salt Lake City

Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1998-

Language:

Collection materials are in English.

Quantity:

3.6 linear feet

Language of the Finding Aid:

English.

Author of the Finding Aid:

Finding aid written October 2003 by Josh Ivie.

EAD Creation Date:

2012 October 6 by Sarah Shaw

Standard:

Describing Archives : A Content Standard (DACS)

Subarea:

Related Material:

Related collections in Giovale Library Archives:

• Salt Lake Collegiate Institute catalogs, 1875-1914 (ACC-028)
• Westminster College class schedules, 1971-2004 (ACC-073)

Corporate Names:

Salt Lake Collegiate Institute--History--Sources
Sheldon Jackson College (Salt Lake City, Utah)--Curricula--Catalogs
Sheldon Jackson College (Salt Lake City, Utah)--History--Sources
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--Archives
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--Curricula--Catalogs
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--History--Sources
Westminster College of Salt Lake City--Archives
Westminster College of Salt Lake City--Curricula--Catalogs
Westminster College of Salt Lake City--History--Sources
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1998- )--Archives
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1998- )--Curricula--Catalogs
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1998- )--History--Sources

Subject Terms:

Universities and colleges--Utah--Salt Lake City--Curricula--Catalogs

Form or Genre Terms:

Catalogs (documents)
Curricula

Personal Names:

Eaton, John, 1829-1906

Geographical Names:

Salt Lake City (Utah)--History--Sources