Scope and Contents

John Hannah's papers are comprised of 13 series: Administrative files, General subject files, Committee files, Association files, Miscellaneous correspondence, Speeches, Civil Rights Commission, Publications, Ephemera, Audio-visual, Restricted, Photographs and Display images. Items related to the Vietnam project are taken from the administrative and general subject files. These folders contain correspondence, reports, notes, and newspaper clippings relating to the operation of the overseas program.

Biographical / Historical

As twelfth president of Michigan State University, John Alfred Hannah served from July 1, 1941 to April 1, 1969. His tenure was characterized by extensive growth of the University, in both size and enrollments. President Hannah's activities were not limited to the University, however, as he filled a variety of positions in both the federal government and private industry.

During President Hannah's tenure the University grew from an enrollment of just over 6,000 to just under 40,000. This dramatic increase necessitated an extensive building program. Likewise the curriculum was upgraded and modified. In 1944 the Basic College, a prototype in the nation, was established to provide instruction to incoming students. Other improvements included Adult Education (1951), International Program (1950s), MSU-Oakland (1959), and the creation of a medical program (1960s).
Hannah was very concerned with both the faculty and the students at the University. In the late 1940s he began the S