University Archives
What is the University Archives?
The University Archives, as the source of institutional memory, is the official repository for all permanent records of Western University of Health Sciences. Our primary purpose is to document the history and development of the university, including its social, cultural, and intellectual activities of its faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Our goal is to ensure the survival of reliable and relevant information about the university and to ensure that the contents of our collections are accessible and sustainable.
The permanent records in the custody of the Archives include records created by university departments, organizations, and individuals, such as:
- Institutional Records (administrative and operational records)
- Photographic Collections
- Video Collections
- Publications
- Year Books
- Theses and dissertations
- Newspaper clippings
- Oral histories
- Memorabilia
The Archives also houses the personal papers of the Founding Board of Directors and other individuals who are part of the WesternU history.
University Archives Services
- Institutional records
- Historical photographs
- Early campus videos
- Rare books
To ensure the preservation of our rare book collection, books do not circulate but are available for library use only. Please contact us in advance to make an appointment.
Consulting Services
- Data Management
- Planning and Prioritizing Collections (Assessment)
- Care of Photographs, Home Movies, Paper Documents, Rare Books
- Digitizing and Reformatting
- Recovery of water-damaged materials
- Records Management
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- Unpublished writings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
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, contact us at uarchives@westernu.edu.
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.
AudioVisual Archiving Spring 2026
WesternU in the Media (Video with sound)
Fall 2025
In conjunction with American Archives Month 2025 the University Archives celebrates WesternU’s appearances in the media spotlight featuring COMP’s 1989 television show “To Your Health” as well as features on networks such as ABC, NBC & CBS.
Book Preservation Tips (Interactive Slideshow)
Spring 2025
In celebration of Preservation Week 2025 the University Archives provides tips to extend the lives of your books through proper care & reparation.
Learn how to fix torn or detached pages, as well as the best way to contend with water damage.
Preserving WesternU (video)
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 (PDF)
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. Borrow the books:
- Autobiographies of a Black Couple of the Greatest Generation by Norma L. & William G. Anderson, D.O.
- String of Perils: From Hobo to D.O. by Herman Bell, D.O. ‘83.
How Long Will Digital Media Last? (PDF)
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 (PDF)
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 (PDF)
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.
Connect with Archives (PDF)
Spring 2022, National Library Week
Learn about the services the Archives departments offers and how we can work together to preserve WesternU history.
Relax with Old Books Activity (PDF)
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 (slideshow)
Spring 2021
Are you missing your favorite family meals? Learn how you can collect and share your favorite recipes.
Contact Us
University Archives services are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Staff
Olivia Solis, MA, MLIS
Jon Ganahl
Digital Preservation Specialist
Jennifer Nguyen Bernal, MLIS, BA
Digital Archivist