Walter S. Newman Collection, 1930-1968, n.d., Ms.2015.006

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from Walter S. Newman Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Walter S. Newman Collection, Ms2015-006, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Walter S. Newman Collection was purchased by Special Collections in May 2014.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Walter S. Newman Collection was completed in February, 2015.

Biographical/Historical note

Walter Stephenson Newman was the 10th President of Virginia Tech from 1947-1962. He was the first vice-president of Virginia Tech. His presidency is often called the "era of good feeling." He is credited for developing Virginia Tech into a major university. Under his term, the university experienced growth in almost all areas. He worked to strengthen the humanities, social sciences and added graduate degrees.

Newman was born in 1895 in Woodstock, Virginia to Walter and Sallie Newman. He got his Bachelor's degree from Hampton-Sydney, his master's from VPI and his Ph.D. from Penn State. He taught Vocational Agriculture in Windsor, Va., and later became an associate professor in vocational education at VPI. He served as state superintendent of vocational education and was the assistant superintendent of public instruction. He was a highly respected educator and was one of the founders of the Future Farmers of Virginia. He married Liz Otey Hoge in 1923 and had one son.

More information on his life may be found at the following links: Presidents of Virginia Tech: Walter Stephenson Newman

The life and times of Virginia Tech Presidents: Walter Stephenson Newman

The Newman Years

Scope and Content

This collection consists of an undated photograph album, program from his Inauguration as President of Virginia Tech, The Techgram, May 1, 1949 and an official photogram taken by The Foster Studio in Richmond, Virginia. There are several postcards and letters sent to Ella Boyer, possibly a housekeeper in the Newman family. Most materials are not dated, but at least some images are from the 1940s.

The photograph album includes photos of the Newman family, including one of the "Three Walters", Newman's father, himself and his son. There are photos of his parents as young adults and many depicting visits to a family farm.

Several postcards and a letter addressed to Ella Boyer were found in the photograph album. There are two early postcards dated 1937 from Oregon, Illinois. The letter dated 1968 mentions a Civil Rights event and also the Vietnam War. Several newspaper clippings are also included.

Newman, Walter S. (Walter Stephenson), 1895-1978
University History
Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (1896-1944)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)