University Archives

Donating Personal Papers to the Archives

To augment its repository of institutional records, the University Archives seeks materials from faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends. These records provide a window to the personal, social and cultural lives of the University community.

Students and Alumni

Student and alumni materials can richly enhance our collection of campus life. We seek to document a full-range of related student and alumni experiences. The following items can provide unique insights to campus traditions, academic achievement, personal growth, and career development:

• Correspondence
• Diaries
• Course work (papers, class notes)
• Photographs
• Unpublished writings
• Scrapbooks
• Residential life
• Memberships in organizations and student clubs

Faculty

The University Archives is also interested in documenting the intellectual life on our campus.  Faculty are encouraged to donate:

• Recorded interviews, photographs, CVs, and other biographical materials
• Professional correspondence
• Lecture notes, syllabi, reading lists, classroom materials
• Conference papers and other documents from involvement in professional organizations
• Addresses and speeches
• Research journals and notes
• Awards and certificates
• Books and other published works
• Memorabilia to the archives

University Archives holds materials that chronicle the history of Western University of Health Sciences and osteopathic medicine in California.  We make some of these materials available online through our digital collection management system CONTENTdm in order to provide wider access to the materials and to assist researchers.

In each collection, we have included standardized “rights statements” that are used by many archival repositories to provide guidance on the current copyright status of the materials. University Archives has made an effort to choose the appropriate statement for each collection. However, it is still up to the researcher to determine the proper status of the items.

If you believe we have incorrectly identified the copyright status of any materials, please contact University Archives at uarchives@westernu.edu. Any other questions about our collections should also be directed to University Archives.  In certain cases, we have limited access to digital materials for on-campus viewing only.

If you use any items from our collections, please cite Western University of Health Sciences University Archives as the source of the material.

Special Collections is the repository for the display of older, rare, and important medical books, journals, and medical and scientific artifacts. Special Collections also collects works authored by WesternU faculty and alumni.

Older medical writings help us to understand the paths followed in the quest for better medical understanding. Studying the directions that medical research has taken in the struggle for discovery of the causes and treatments of diseases and physical difficulties in humans and animals can contribute to our wisdom and understanding and shape the future of medicine.

Special Collections is sustained by donations from local practitioners and alumni.
Materials do not circulate but are available for study in the Pumerantz Library.

Make an Appointment

To better serve your needs, please call in advance:

Mary Helen Ellis, Special Collections and Events Specialist
Call: (909) 469-5321 or
Email: uarchives@westernu.edu

Preserving WesternU (Spring 2024)

In celebration of Preservation Week 2024 take a look at the process taken to digitize the analog video collection housed by the WesternU Archives.

The Journey of African American Healing Hands in Medicine (Spring 2024)

In recognition of Black History Month, the Pumerantz Library presented a slide show “The Journey of African American Healing Hands in Medicine.” A few individuals from WesternU were recognized for their accomplishments, including Dr. William G. Anderson, a faculty member in the early years of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, and Dr. Herman B. Bell, an alumnus from our DO class of ’83. The library has copies of each of their books, Autobiographies of a Black Couple of the Greatest Generation by Norma L. & William G. Anderson, D.O. and String of Perils: From Hobo to D.O. by Herman Bell, D.O. ‘83.

How Long Will Digital Media Last? (Spring 2023)

In celebration of Preservation Week 2023 learn about the pros and cons about different forms of digital media as well as factors that can impact the lifespan of each type of media.

Your Library Through the Years Exhibit (Fall 2022)

In celebration of the 2022 remodeling of the Harriet K. and Philip Pumerantz Library and Learning Resource Center, scroll through a quick review of the locations of the library since the founding days of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP).

Recalling our Beginning Exhibit (Spring 2022)

Honoring the first graduating class of the College of Osteopathic Physicians and the path they paved for our latest graduates to continue their legacy and pave their own bold new paths.

Relax with Old Books Activity (Fall 2021)

Do you have old books that reached the end of their useful life? Consider a DIY craft! Repurpose outdated books into a hanging book mobile, a WesternU ornament, and paper roses.

Favorite Family Recipes Activity (Spring 2021)

Are you missing your favorite family meals? Learn how you can collect and share your favorite recipes.