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Tue, October 29 — As part of Ohio Archives Month, the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Libraries hosted a remarkable presentation on the creation of the Howe Center for Writing Excellence (HCWE) Archival and Digital Collection. The event showcased the collaborative efforts of ºÚÁÏÉçÇø curator Connor McClelland and graduate assistant director Rena Perez, who have worked diligently to make the HCWE's textual archival collection accessible to users, including the digitization of selected items that tell the story of this endowed center for writing excellence. The digital archive will be available to the public later this year.

Mission of the HCWE

The HCWE's mission is to ensure that ºÚÁÏÉçÇø supports its ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs in developing as effective writers in college and fully prepares all of its graduates to excel as clear, concise, and persuasive writers in their careers, communities, and personal lives.

Archival Journey by Rena Perez

Rena Perez, a fourth-year PhD candidate in the English Composition and Rhetoric doctoral program, has been working with the HCWE since January 2022 as a Graduate Assistant Director of the Howe Writing Across the Curriculum program. Organizing the HCWE textual archives was one of the first projects she undertook at the center. She helps facilitate faculty development and support for teaching writing across disciplines at Miami.

During the presentation, Rena delved into the meticulous archival process that began with ten boxes of materials. She outlined the stages of collecting, familiarizing, and the challenging task of selecting, organizing, and categorizing the vast array of documents. Decisions on chronological organization were pivotal in making the archive accessible and meaningful.

What's Inside the Archive?

The archive is a treasure trove of foundational documents, newsletters, newspaper clippings, and 20 years' worth of staff meeting agendas. It also includes faculty development workshop materials, research on writing, and invaluable email correspondence from the late Kate Ronald. Notably, the archive houses records of course consultations and showcases Ronald's mentorship and lasting impact on the writing community.

As the new director of the Howe Writing Initiative in what was then the Richard T. Farmer School of Business Administration, Kate said of her appointment:

Over the next 20 years, Kate did just that as an English professor and director of the HWI, then as the second director of the university-wide Howe Center for Writing Excellence in 2012.

Reflecting on the rhetorical work of archiving, Rena noted the emotional resonance of working on the project, especially coinciding with the anniversary of Dr. Ronald's passing. "It was amazing to see her impact through the archival process," she remarked. The experience allowed her to "learn about research from the other side" and understand how Ronald's strategies and styles could influence her own future work and career.

Connor's Digitization Process

Connor McClelland, a senior from Cincinnati, Ohio, studying History and Art History, has been working since October 2023 as a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø curator for the HCWE textual and digital collections at the Walter Havighurst Special Collections and University Archives. Under the guidance of William Modrow, Jacqueline Johnson, and Alia Levar Wegner, he has played a pivotal role in bringing the archive to life.

Connor's presentation highlighted the significant strides made in improving writing outcomes through the archive. He discussed the processing of 2,500 items into ArchiveSpace, encompassing textual documents, photographs, posters, CDs, cassette tapes, and even t-shirts.

The digitization process was selective, focusing on themes that best tell the Howe Center's story. Approximately 200 items were chosen, including a 1992 copy of the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Report, the Memo of Understanding for the new Howe Center—which he described as a "kind of constitution"—and images from the formal announcement of the center's establishment.

"Every document was a primary source," Connor emphasized. Handling each item enhanced his ability to decipher underlying messages, making him a better archivist. "Understanding the narrative each document holds was a transformative experience," he said.

A Lasting Legacy

The presentation underscored the Howe Archive's role in preserving the rich history of the Howe Center for Writing Excellence. The archive not only serves as a resource for understanding the evolution of writing education at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø but also as an inspiration for future educators and researchers.

The textual archive is currently available to the public, and the digital archive will be available later this year, providing ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs, educators, and the wider community with invaluable access to the center's history and resources.