Gene Roddenberry signature!

-


Yesterday  donor and alum Mike Van Houten (CMU class of 1975) donated papers and CMU clothing from his time at CMU, 1972-1975. The paper documents sports, athletics, theatre, and social events at and affecting CMU during those years. On November 4, 1975 Gene Roddenberry spoke at CMU as part of the Program Board Presentations. Mike stood in line and got Roddenberry's signature! He was able to get the poster later. At that time it was common practice to slit the posters to try to prevent people from collecting them. You can see the slit from the center to the bottom right corner of the poster. We have other posters in the Clarke that are similarly slit. At least this was sharp knife so the poster doesn't have holes gouged into it. This is so cool! This is the closest I've ever been to real Star Trek history! And I get to touch it and house it and catalog it! I'm so geeked out! I don't go on about it, but I am a Trekkie, I love Spock, and always hoped and still do that our future will become a more egalitarian like the one Star Trek envisioned and brought into our homes and cultural ideals. The only time I ever wrote to anyone in entertainment was to Gene Roddenberry when they were going to make the first Star Trek movie and they were considering not including Spock. Like the rest of fandom, I was very unhappy about that. Thanks Gene and Mike!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

25th work anniversary

-
Image
Today is my 25th work year anniversary. I don't think anyone knows it but me. On July 5, 1996 I parked in the small lot west of Park Library and took the elevator to 4th floor. I had just cracked my windshield and was so embarrassed about it. My desk was in a work room with a kitchen where everyone ate, no privacy at all. My first job with a few students was processing Senator Griffin's 400 cubic foot collection. I had a brand new, huge computer that wasn't plugged in yet. It took up most of my desk space. When I taught Lib 197 we did so in a room where only I had a computer. My job has morphed so much since then. I am grateful for all the positives over the years and through my various jobs. Mostly it's been good. I try to learn from the good and the bad. I thank God for  this job and the interesting work I've done, and mostly for my amazing students throughout the years, and all the wonderful people on and off campus I've met and collaborated with and been pri...
Read more

Clarke Historical Library job announcement

-
 We have a new staff technical position in the Clarke Historical Library, the Archives & Reference Specialist. The person will work approximately 1/3 of their time with me processing and approximately 2/3 of their time with Bryan assisting with reference and outreach services. Applicants must apply on the CMU Jobs page by August 19, 2024. See https://www.jobs.cmich.edu/postings/41105. 
Read more

Meet my summer archives processing student Brandon Horn

-
Image
  Hello! I'm Brandon Horn, a senior at  Central Michigan University (CMU) studying Social Science with one more semester to go in my undergrad. During my two-month tenure over the summer, I processed CMU Athletics files, meticulously cataloging and preserving important historical documents and records. This involved examining a variety of materials, from game statistics, photographs, and event programs to media questionnaires, assisting Marian Matyn in ensuring they were accurately documented and stored from where they were previously in the Athletics Department's basement. Additionally, I played a crucial role in organizing and creating digital finding aids for these collections to help future researchers easily locate each item.   I was drawn to archival work because it allows me to connect with the past in a tangible way that tells an important part of CMU's storied past. Each document, photograph, and artifact captures a moment frozen in time, reflecting the experienc...
Read more