Table of ContentsCollection OverviewCollection Inventory+/-
Biographical Note/Historical NoteContent DescriptionCollection UseAdministrative InformationSubjects |
Collection Overview +/-
Collection Inventory +/-
box 1, folder 1: 1940 -- Treasurer's report
box 1, folder 2: 1945-1950 -- Five-year plan
box 1, folder 3: 1975 -- Developmental funds
box 1, folder 4: 1980-1981 -- Annual report
box 1, folder 5: 1983 -- Financial update and outlook
box 1, folder 6: 1983-1984 -- Annual report
box 1, folder 7: 1983-1987 -- Operation ratios comparisons
box 1, folder 8: 1984 -- Financial statement
box 1, folder 9: 1986-1987 -- Financial condition
box 1, folder 10: 1987 -- Endowment fund
box 1, folder 11: 1987 -- Treasurer's report
box 1, folder 12: 1988 -- Financial statement
box 1, folder 13: 1988-1990 -- Financial information
box 1, folder 14: 1992 -- Endowment fund
box 1, folder 15: 1994 -- Financial information
box 1, folder 16: 1994 -- Tuition and fees
box 1, folder 17: 1995 -- Finanacial statement
box 1, folder 18: 1997 -- Annual report honor roll
box 1, folder 19: 1997-2001 -- Annual report
box 1, folder 20: 2001 -- Financial statement
Biographical Note/Historical Note +/-The Treasurer of Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah) was originally an officer of the Board of Trustees. In later years the position is listed as a college administrator. The office of Treasurer has been held by:
Parke M. Pontz (1886-1961) served as Treasurer of Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah) from 1921-1954. Pontz had an accounting background in the Salt Lake area. He served first as bursar, becoming business manager and treasurer, and member of the Board of Trustees. His life was devoted to the prosperity of the college which he served both inside and outside of his job for almost 40 years. Pontz was December 4, born in 1887 near Strasburg in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the 4th of 5 children (including brothers W.R. Pontz and Elvin G. Pontz). As a youth he had a bakery route, then worked briefly in the steel mills of Pennsylvania. Moving to Omaha, Nebraska he became worked at the Omaha Heavy Hardware Co. for 10 years. In 1916 he moved to Boise, Idaho, where he worked in hardware and automobile businesses. He came to Salt Lake City in 1918 as a sales and advertising manager for Utah Implement and Vehicle Company. Pontz married Jeanette Gosselink on September 1, 1910 in Pella, Iowa; their fiftieth anniversary was observed in the October 1960 edition of the Utah Westminster. She attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, and worked in Iowa as a secretary. Pontz and his wife would raise two sons, Donald and Walter. Donald would attend Westminster College (dates unknown) and graduate with a degree in chemistry. He would later move to the east and become an accomplished chemist for Dow Chemical. Walter would join the armed forces and give his life in defense of his country, fatally wounded in Tunisia in 1943. Pontz's devotion to Westminster College and the war effort can be seen in his "victory garden." A local newspaper article (source unknown) dated August 10, 1942 details Pontz's success at gardening in a two acre "victory garden." He planted corn, tomatoes, beans, peas, cucumbers, squash, and potatoes for the purpose of feeding the college's dormitory residents (during the farm labor shortage of the time). Pontz's garden would be enlarged the following year (1943), but would fall into disrepair when it became too difficult to maintain. As Treasurer from 1921-1954, Pontz served under Presidents Herbert W. Reherd, Robert D. Steele, and Interim President Burton C.J. Wheatlake. During his time serving under President Robert D. Steele, Pontz would propose the construction of a residence on college property, later to be deeded to Westminster. Pontz's proposal was accepted, and the Pontz Memorial Home was constructed on the southeast corner of campus, facing 1300 East. Evidence of Pontz's personality can be found in the nickname given to him by the students—"Pay Me." Pontz seemed to be unashamed by this, and even embraced it. Pontz and his wife were dealt a powerful blow when their son Walter died in active duty in Africa. The Pontz Memorial Staircase at the college was named in his honor, and commemorates the lives of those who have died in war. The staircase is present today, on the west side of Converse Hall (between Converse Hall and the Tanner Plaza). Pontz resigned from his position as Treasurer in 1954 to become Assistant to the President, leaving his former job in the hands of Ralph S. Gunn. This honorary title was granted to him along with an honorary LDH degree. As Assistant to the President (1954-1961) Pontz served under Presidents J. Richard Palmer and Frank E. Duddy. Parke M. Pontz died May 23, 1961 at age 74, having devoted the majority of his life to Westminster College. He never retired from the college. Pontz experienced a heart attack in his college office, was taken to a Salt Lake hospital, and died shortly after nine in the morning (Salt Lake Tribune, "Death"). In the words of Dr. Frank E. Duddy, Jr., "He has joined the other founders—in love, in selfless dedication, in tradition, in history. No institution was ever served more faithfully! In sadness which he would not approve, we honor his memory but inadequately. But we are proud and grateful that he lived and worked among us, and we benefit by his shining example." Following her husband's death, Mrs. Pontz moved east to live with son Donald. The Pontz Memorial Home was left vacant after this time, and served to facilitate the needs of the college. The Memorial Home would later be demolished and replaced by the Dolores Dore Eccles Ceramic Center in the late 1990's. Sources of Pontz biographical note:
Content Description +/-This collection consists of financial reports created by the Treasurer of Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah between 1940-2001. The materials include annual reports, development and endowment fund records, financial statements, a five-year plan (dated 1945-1950), and a file on tuitions and fees (dated 1994). Gaps in the collection: There are no records for the years 1951-1974. Collection Use +/-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 Treasurer's financial reports, 1940-1950, 1975-2001, ACC-175, Giovale Library Archives, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah. Administrative Information +/-Arrangement: Arranged chronologically and thereunder alphabetically by category. Processing Note: Processed by category at an unrecorded earlier date; rearranged into chronological order June 2014 by Nicole La Count. Creator: Westminister College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983). Treasurer's Office Westminster College of Salt Lake City. Treasurer's Office Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1998- ) Pontz, Parke M., 1886-1961 Language: Collection materials are in English. Quantity: 0.5 linear foot Language of the Finding Aid: English. Author of the Finding Aid: Finding aid written by Nicole La Count and expanded by Sarah Shaw in June 2014. EAD Creation Date: 2014 June 24 by Sarah Shaw Standard: Describing Archives : A Content Standard (DACS) Subarea: ArchivesRelated Material: Related collections in Giovale Library Archives:
Subjects +/-Corporate Names: Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--Finance Subject Terms: Corporation reports--Utah--Salt Lake City Form or Genre Terms: Annual reports Personal Names: Pontz, Parke M., 1886-1961 Geographical Names: Salt Lake City (Utah)--History--Sources |
