Dr. Walter Ridley papers

Collection

Identifier: 085

Staff Only

This collection is arranged into five series: I. Professional papers; II. Associations and societies; III. Student papers; IV. Writings of others; and V. Personal papers. Series I contains reports, course outlines/curricula, course evaluations, and other files pertaining to planning and strategy; Walter Ridley's correspondence while working at different academic institutions; and invitations, university events printed matter, and meeting minutes. Series II includes the correspondence, financial statements, strategic planning files, and any other materials directly having to do with the associations and societies in which Walter Ridley participated. Most of the committees have to do with education in Pennsylvania. Series III contains the few papers from Ridley’s years as a university student. Series IV contains publications from the different schools where Walter Ridley worked, local newspapers, magazines, as well as articles printed out and saved, presumably for Ridley's personal study. Series V includes the papers in this collection having to do with Ridley’s family and personal, biographical information. This series houses copies of Walter Ridley’s obituaries, as well as one for his brother, LeRoy.

Dates

1938-2023
Majority of material found in 1940s-1980s

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (5 document boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

Dr. Walter N. Ridley (1910-1996) was an accomplished professional in the world of higher education. In 1953, Dr. Ridley became the first black person to receive a doctorate from a Southern public university, after the State of Virginia integrated its all-white university system in 1950. Dr. Ridley ended his professional career as the Chair of the Department of Secondary Education and Professional Studies at West Chester University (then West Chester State College). Throughout his professional years, Dr. Ridley held various positions on committees and organizations, with the majority having to do with bettering the educational systems. He contributed to and supported efforts to enrich the experiences of Black students and amplify their voices and stories in curriculum. This collection is arranged into three series: I. Collegiate and career files; II. Committees; and III. Publications. The materials include correspondence, meeting minutes, planning and strategy files, and various printed publications.

Biographical Note

Dr. Walter N. Ridley (1910-1996) was an accomplished professional in the world of higher education. He married Henrietta Bonaparte (1910-2008) and they had two children, Yolanda Scheunemann and Don LeRoy. In 1953, Dr. Ridley became the first black person to receive a doctorate from a Southern public university, after the State of Virginia integrated its all-white university system in 1950. Dr. Ridley served as the head of the Department of Psychology at Virginia State College; trustee, treasurer, and president of the American Teachers Association from 1941 to 1966. He then became the academic dean at St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, and then served as the president of Elizabeth City State University (formerly Elizabeth City State College) from 1958 to 1968. Dr. Ridley ended his professional career as the Chair of the Department of Secondary Education and Professional Studies at West Chester University (then West Chester State College). Throughout his professional years, Dr. Ridley participated and held positions in various associations and societies, with the majority having to do with bettering the educational systems. He contributed to and supported efforts to enrich the experiences of Black students and to amplify their voices and stories in curriculum.