Collection inventory

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Lawrence Myers Jr. Papers

An inventory of his papers at the Syracuse University Archives

Summary

Creator: Myers, Lawrence, Jr., 1921-
Title: Lawrence Myers Jr. Papers
Dates: 1937-2009
Size: 6 linear feet
Abstract: Materials created and compiled by Lawrence Myers Jr. during his time as a professor at Syracuse University
Language: English
Repository: University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives

Biography

Lawrence Myers Jr. (1921-) was a professor of broadcasting at Syracuse University from 1946 to 1991 and from 1993 to 2000. Born in Hartford, Indiana, Myers attended Purdue University and received his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1942. He received his master's degree in speech and his PhD in applied statistics from Syracuse University in 1949 and 1956, respectively. Myers was hired as a graduate assistant in the Television-Radio Department at Syracuse University in 1946. He stayed on as an instructor in that department and eventually became a full professor of broadcasting in 1965. Myers taught courses in television research methodology, research in broadcasting, public broadcasting, radio production, instructional television, and other areas. He was appointed as chair of the Television-Radio Department in 1963 and stayed in that position until 1991. Myers also served as the interim dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications from 1989 to 1990. He retired from Syracuse University in 1991 and was granted the title professor emeritus. In 1993, Myers returned as an adjunct professor for the Division of International Programs Abroad (DIPA). He retired again in 2000.

During his time at Syracuse University, Myers was a member of the Broadcast Education Association, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, American Film Institute, and other honorary societies. He was also the manager of WAER, the Syracuse University FM radio station, from 1948 to 1951 and 1954-1957.

Myers was also active in the United States Army. He joined the Army in 1943 and served as a field artillery officer for the duration of World War II. Myers returned to military service in 1950, when he joined the 403rd Civil Affairs Company as a member of the reserves corps. He was promoted in 1957 and became a major in that division. From 1968 to 1975, Myers was commanding officer with the 425th Military Intelligence Detachment. At the time of his retirement from the Army in 1975, Myers was a colonel and was awarded the Legion of Merit medal.

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Scope and Content Note

The Lawrence Myers Jr. Papers consists of materials produced or collected by Lawrence Myers Jr. mostly during his time as a professor at Syracuse University. Types of materials include notes, correspondence, photographs, audio/visual materials, reports, pamphlets, articles, research studies, and memorabilia. The collection is divided into the following series:

Audiovisual materials consists of materials dated from 1941 to 2005. These materials are film reels, CDs, VHS tapes, and cassette tapes. Content of these materials include old commercial reels, and radio programs that may have been used as teaching materials.

Correspondence contains letters, telegrams, and email printouts either sent or received by Myers. The bulk of the letters are related to his work as a professor and chair of the Television-Radio-Film Department.

Educational television programming materials consists of reports and research materials about educational television and its value for children. For example, this series includes reports on the educational value of Sesame Street and other programs produced by the Children’s Television Workshop.

Military service contains clippings, a photograph, and copies of official orders from Myers’ time in the United States Army.

Newhouse School of Public Communications materials consists of directories, newspapers, and other papers centered around Newhouse collected by Myers. The bulk of this series is student and alumni directories for the Television-Radio-Film Department. There are also planning documents for the 20th Anniversary of Newhouse and 50 Years of Public Communications at Syracuse University Convocation.

Photographic materials contains contact sheets, negatives, photographs, and slides collected by Myers. There are portraits of Myers, candid pictures of him and others, and photographs from events and conferences he attended.

Printed materials and writings consists of clippings, reports, articles, and other papers written or collected by Myers. Most of the materials are related to television and radio programming or public broadcasting.

Subject files contains research materials, memorabilia, and other papers. Some of the topics discussed in these files are the Alpha Epsilon Rho broadcasting honor society, Myers’ experience as a lecturer at a communications center in Ecuador, and research done on radio programming and Norman Corwin.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Access to audiovisual material requires advance notice to produce a use copy

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Related Material

Some materials relating to WAER were removed at placed into the WAER Collection. Some materials relating to the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications were removed and placed into the Newhouse School Radio and Television Center Records.

The Syracuse University Archives holds a collection about WAER, the WAER Collection. Special Collections Research Center of Syracuse University also holds a WAER Collection.

Materials relating to the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications can be found in the Newhouse School of Public Communications Records and the Newhouse School Radio and Television Center Records.

Additionally, the Archives holds both a clipping file and portrait file on Lawrence Myers Jr.

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Selected Search Terms

Names

Corwin, Norman, 1910-2011.
Myers, Lawrence, Jr., 1921-
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

Educational television programs.
Public broadcasting.
Radio.
Teaching.
College teachers.
Higher education.

Types of material

Audiocassettes.
Clippings (information artifacts)
Negatives (photographs)
Photographs.
Reports.
Slides (photographs)
Sound recordings.
Tape reels.
Telegrams.
VHS.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Lawrence Myers Jr. Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of Claire Myers in 2018 and 2021.

Processing Information

Materials were rehoused into archival folders. Photographic materials were placed into Mylar sleeves. Materials were then placed in archival boxes.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: Natalie Pace
Date: 2019
Revision history: June 2021 - Collection rearranged, Boxes 7-9 added (EMB)

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Arrangement

The collection is arranged in alphabetical order within series.

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Inventory

Audiovisual materials
Box 4 7 Excerpts from various people 4 August 1994 - Video cassette to accompany a lecture on instructional television for School of Education students. (VHS; running time 120:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_007)
Reel Animal behavior - Behavior learning film reel (Film: 16mm) (ID#: sua_myers_l_079)
Box 4 Animation on commercials (3/4 inch videotape: U-matic; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_002)
Box 4 Bill Moyers conversation with Hoy Wheldon [?]; Larry Myers (VHS; running time 120:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_014)
Box 4 Can you believe TV ratings? 1992 (VHS; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_011)
Box 5 Casey Jones; Andrew Carnegie; it really happened (1/4 inch audio tape; running time 10:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_049)
Box 4 Casting design (volume one and two) (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_031)
Box 4 A child again 1967 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_032)
Box 4 Christmas comes in black 22 December 1961-26 February 1963 (1/4 inch audio tape; running time 14:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_023)
Reel Classic commercials (Film: 16mm) (ID#: sua_myers_l_078)
Box 4 College bowl 12 April 1959 - Larry Myers (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_022)
Reel Colombia (Bogota, Santa Marta, Cartegena [sic]) March 1976 (Film: Super 8mm) (ID#: sua_myers_l_086)
Reel Commercial reel (Film: 16mm) (ID#: sua_myers_l_076)
Box 6 The cubs of the golden lions (1 of 2) 1944-1990 (CD) (ID#: sua_myers_l_074)
Box 6 The cubs of the golden lions (2 of 2) January 1991-March 2005 (CD) (ID#: sua_myers_l_075)
Box 6 The dresser - Radio drama, starring Freddie Jones and Michael Palin (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_073)
Box 4 Feinstein and .... Dimitri Tiomkin 1967 (1/4 inch audio tape; running time 45:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_025)
Reel [Florida and Bermuda trips] January 1972-January 1973 (Film: Super 8mm) (ID#: sua_myers_l_083)
Box 4 Frank McGee: "why bad news predominates" 18 March 1964 (1/4 inch audio tape; running time 3:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_024)
Reel Glacier Park 1974 (Film: Super 8mm) (ID#: sua_myers_l_084)
Box 4 Graduation and mother's day 10 May 1992 (VHS; running time 120:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_005)
Box 5 Guy Mainella sports comments; Tom Phillips competition 1973 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_048)
Box 4 Honey bees (excerpts) (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_029)
Box 4 In school (1/4 inch audio tape; running time 19:41) (ID#: sua_myers_l_033)
Box 4 Interview Larry Myers and Gordon Alderman 10 April 1957 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_017)
Box 4 Interviews with Mel Blanc 28 October 1953 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_016)
Box 4 Introduction to TVR-245 (1) August 1976 (3/4 inch videotape: U-matic; running time 20:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_003)
Box 4 The investigator, part 1 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_018)
Box 4 The investigator, part 2 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_019)
Reel ITV examples: Ben Burtt and Charles Siepmann (Film: 16mm) (ID#: sua_myers_l_077)
Box 4 Jeffersonian heritage, number one (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_027)
Box 5 Keepsake audition commercials 25 November 1955 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_046)
Box 5 L M [Lawrence Myers] - intro to disc of CBS 11 April 1963 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_047)
Box 4 Lawrence Myers speaks on communication process and levels of response in an audience 11 January 1993 (VHS; running time 30:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_006)
Box 6 The living declaration 1951 - Audio recording of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters series Jeffersonian heritage. (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_069)
Box 4 Mel Blanc interview 28 October 1953 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_015)
Box 4 The movie makers; echoes in the darkness (VHS; running time 120:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_013)
Box 5 Myers 403 MG 30 July 1955 (1/4 inch audio tape; running time 9:48) (ID#: sua_myers_l_045)
Box 4 Newhouse 2 - Larry: slide/tape presentation. (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_035)
Box 5 No. 9 (1 of 2) (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_042)
Box 5 No. 9 (2 of 2) (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_043)
Box 5 Norman Corwin 18 February 1946-25 March 1974 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_041)
Box 5 On a note of triumph, part 1 8 May 1945-12 February 1974 (1/4 inch audio tape; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_039)
Box 5 On a note of triumph, part 2 8 May 1945-12 February 1974 (1/4 inch audio tape; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_040)
Box 6 P-3-C (1) (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_051)
Box 6 P-3-F 18 June 1981 (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_056)
Box 6 P-3-M 16 June 1981 (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_062)
Box 6 P-4-M RIF [missing] () (ID#: sua_myers_l_063)
Box 6 P-5-C (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_052)
Box 6 P-5-F (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_057)
Box 6 P-6-C-C (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_053)
Box 6 P-6-F (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_058)
Box 6 P-6-M (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_064)
Box 6 P-7-F (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_059)
Box 6 P-7-M; P-7-F - P-7-M - Side 2; P-7-F - end of side 2 and side 1 (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_065)
Box 6 P-8-C (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_054)
Box 6 P-8-F (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_060)
Box 6 P-8-M (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_066)
Box 6 P-9-C (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_055)
Box 6 P-9-F (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_061)
Box 6 P-9-M (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_067)
Box 6 The player king: Oliver with Christopher Cook 17 May 1987 (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_070)
Box 4 Program number 273: television, education and public interest 13 March 1970 - New dimensions of education program. (1/4 inch audio tape; running time 28:30) (ID#: sua_myers_l_026)
Box 4 Quiet revolution (final) September 1957 (1/4 inch audio tape; running time 27:25) (ID#: sua_myers_l_021)
Box 5 Radio announcers - TUR68, lecture No. 3 1931-1955 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_036)
Box 5 Radio primer 4 May 1941-12 February 1974 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_038)
Reel Sarasota and Lake Alfred 1969 (Film: Super 8mm) (ID#: sua_myers_l_082)
Reel Soup commercials (Film: 16mm) (ID#: sua_myers_l_080)
Reel St. (Thomas) St. Johns January 1976 (Film: Super 8mm) (ID#: sua_myers_l_085)
Box 6 Sue Lawley talks to Norman Schwarzkopf (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_072)
Box 6 Sue MacGregor interviews writer Alan Plater 1 November 1993 (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_071)
Reel [Summer trips around Lake Champlain, Vermont] 1968 (Film: Super 8mm) (ID#: sua_myers_l_081)
Box 6 Tone (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_050)
Box 4 Trial and error (Tchr's show) September 1957 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_020)
Box 4 TV commercials circa 1967-1968 - Used for "characteristics of TV" lecture, part 5 (3/4 inch videotape: U-matic; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_001)
Box 5 TV transitions (7) (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_044)
Box 4 TVR-245: "who's watching" 2 July 1976 (3/4 inch videotape: U-matic; running time 26:20) (ID#: sua_myers_l_004)
Box 4 [Untitled] - For home equ. (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_028)
Box 4 [Untitled] 8 July 1974 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_034)
Box 5 [Untitled] (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_037)
Box 4 [Various TV excerpts] (VHS; running time 120:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_012)
Box 4 [Various TV shows excerpts] (VHS; running time 120:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_008)
Box 4 [Various TV shows excerpts] (VHS; running time 120:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_009)
Box 4 [Various TV shows excerpts] (VHS; running time 120:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_010)
Box 4 Ways of mankind (old) (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_myers_l_030)
Box 6 A word in your ear 1951 - Larry Myers' audio recording of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters series ways of mankind. (1/8 inch audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: sua_myers_l_068)
Correspondence
Box 1 Correspondence - general 1948-1991
Box 1 Correspondence - WAER fundraising and support 1993-1995
Box 1 Email 2008 printouts
Box 1 Telegrams 5 June 1946-19 December 1946
Educational television programming materials
Box 1 3-2-1 contact materials 1979-1984
Box 1 American children’s television festival materials 1985
Box 1 “Books and ideas:” the impact of an educational television program on its audience February 1959
Box 1 Conference materials 1961
Box 1 Continuing public education broadcasting February 1973
Box 1 ETV newsletter 1972
Box 1 Evaluation and utilization of media, with special emphasis on educational television 1968
Box 1 Evaluation of television as a teaching tool by experienced teachers 1961
Box 1 Facts and figures: the story of educational television in central New York November 1966
Box 1 Guidelines for the design of children’s tv programming 1979
Box 2 Improving the quality of education by identifying effective television teachers June 1968
Box 1 ITV utilization survey August 1986
Box 2 Progress report: USOE 850: identifying effective tv teachers 1962
Box 7 Reading rainbow materials 1983-1993
Box 7 Television library club materials 1981
Box 7 What research indicated about the educational effects of sesame street February 1991
Military service
Box 7 Clippings 1957-1960, undated
Oversize 1 Order appointing Myers to Captain, Field Artillery in the United States Army 20 November 1946
Oversize 1 Order appointing Myers to Reserve Commissioned Officer (Captain) in the Officers Reserve Corps of the United States Army 22 November 1952
Box 7 Photograph 1966
Newhouse School of Public Communications materials
Box 7 20th anniversary/50 years of public communications education convocation materials 1984
Box 7 General 1964-1989
Box 7 Newhouse network 1990, 2005
Box 7 Television-radio department alumni directories and reunion materials 1959-2009
Box 7 Television-radio department student directories 1954-1978
Photographic materials
Box 7 Contact sheets undated
Box 7 Negatives circa 1968
Box 7 Photographs 1951-2002, undated (2 folders)
Oversize 1 Photographs circa 1972-1976
Box 7 Slides 1982
Printed materials and writings
Box 7 Clippings 1963-1991, undated
Box 7 Five year plan for public telecommunications 1981
Box 7 Introduction to handbook on producing media for and about older persons by Lawrence Myers Jr. manuscript undated
Box 8 Jeffersonian heritage 1952
Box 8 Methodology in television research by Lawrence Myers Jr. 1954
Box 8 A plan for the evaluation of audience measurement methods by the Special Test Survey Committee March 1951
Box 8 ‘Private lives:’ the philosophy and anatomy of television wildlife film series by Jeffery Boswall 1974
Box 8 Program decisions in public television by Natan Katzman August 1976
Box 8 Program problems and policies of the university FM radio station by Lawrence Myers Jr. 1952
Box 8 Radio production directing by Albert R. Crews 1944
Box 8 Radio station WBAA by John R. DeCamp 1960-1961
Box 8 Status report on public broadcasting 1973, 1980
Box 8 A study of neutral statements by Lawrence Myers Jr. June 1950
Box 8 Summary statistics of CPB-qualified public radio stations 1971-1972
Box 8 The Syracuse FM study by Lawrence Myers Jr. September 1965
Box 9 Telephone survey on radio advertising by Kenneth G. Bartlett 1937
Box 9 The television code 1952
Box 9 Television programme guidelines April 1985
Box 9 Television quarterly vol 1, no 1 February 1961
Box 9 The theory, construction, and use of attitude scales by Lawrence Myers Jr. June 1950
Box 9 Ways of mankind (a word in your ear) by Walter Goldschmidt 1952-1978
Box 9 What is the effect of repetition? -- “snowball” or “wearout?” by Harold M. Spielman 1978
Subject files
Box 9 Alpha Epsilon Rho materials 1960-1986
Box 9 Belfer labs and Corwin research 1991
Oversize 1 Certificate of participation in the International Radio and Television Foundation scholarship award program 18 April 1968
Box 9 Fulbright lecturer, CIESPAL, Quito, Ecuador 1968-1970
Box 3 NBC bookend undated
Box 9 Notes 1991
Box 9 Radio pulse materials 1963-1986
Box 9 Syracuse University commencement and convocation materials 1962-1984

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