Charles G. Mayo Collection

Collection

Identifier: 026

Staff Only

This collection contains administrative correspondence and files and newspaper clippings that cover, among other topics: budgetary constraints and the possibility of retrenchment; celebrations of the national bicentennial; various policies; the reorganization of the college; and the firing of Mayo.

Dates

Majority of material found in 1974-1982

Conditions Governing Access

Open for Research

Extent

2 Boxes (1 medium clam shell box, one small clam shell box)

Additional Description

Overview

Charles G. Mayo (1931-1985) served as President of West Chester State College from 1974-1982. Prior to leading WCSC, Mayo was the Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Southern California. WCSC had just been censured by the AAUP when Mayo assumed his presidency of the institution; the circumstances of his firing eight years later led to another AAUP investigation and censure.

This collection contains administrative correspondence and paperwork from Mayo’s tenure. These documents primarily deal with Mayo’s plan to reorganize the college and the proceedings leading to his firing by Governor Thornburg. The collection also includes many press clippings related to these events. Obituaries, memorial notices, and items on the controversy surrounding his memorial service on campus are also included.

Historical Note

Charles G. Mayo served for eight years (1974-1982) as President of West Chester State College. Mayo earned a bachelor’s degree from Reed University in Portland, Oregon and then a master’s degree and doctorate in political science at the University of Southern California. His academic career included teaching stints at San Francisco State University and USC. Mayo was named associate dean of USC’s graduate school in 1966 and became dean in 1968. He held this position until he accepted the presidency at West Chester. He published two books and many articles on political science.

Mayo’s time at West Chester began with the college under censure by the AAUP for a previous president’s firing of a professor. As president, Mayo led a major college reorganization. Mayo’s tenure was also controversial. He fired Elinor Z. Taylor as dean of students. When Taylor was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1976, however, she was vocal in calling for his ouster. He was officially fired by Pennsylvania Governor Richard Thornburgh on August 20, 1982. As a result of his dismissal, the college was once more censored by the AAUP.