Brief Description: This collection contains materials related to Luther College English professor Dennis M. Jones who was instrumental in developing the Black Studies program and supported the Black Studies Department (now Africana Studies Department).  Included are records related to the Black Studies department, the Black Student Union, correspondence with fellow professor Joseph Langland, and a eulogy given by President E. D. Farwell.

Record Series Number: LCA/RG15/Jones, D

Created by: Jones, Dennis (1932-1990)

Volume: 0.4 Linear Feet

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into four series:

1.  Biographical Files (1990)

2.  Correspondence Files (1969-1975)

3.  Minority Student Task Force Records (1986-1987)

4.  Subject Files (1968-1974)

Biographical Note for Jones, Dennis (1932-1990) : A native Texan, Dennis M. Jones came to Luther in 1965 after earning his B.A. from Baylor University and his M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Iowa. Early in his distinguished career at Luther College, Dennis Jones was awarded a postdoctoral Danforth Fellowship in Afro-American Studies at Yale University for 1969-70. He was instrumental in developing the Black Studies Program and was a strong supporter of the Black Studies Department, now called the Africana Studies Department. He taught a variety of courses in American, African, African-American, and British literature. As an exchange professor in 1984-85, Professor Jones taught the English course at the District Hogskole (liberal arts college) and the Laerarhogskole (teachers' college) in Stavanger, Norway. In the summer of 1989, just two months after being honored at Luther for completing twenty-five years of teaching, he died very suddenly of a heart attack while leading a walking tour of Norway with his wife Beth and some friends. A thoughtful person, dedicated teacher, helpful colleague, and jovial friend, Dennis is still missed at the College. In the early 1990s, the NEH gave Luther College a $150,000 challenge grant for a distinguished teaching professorship in the humanities. Since Dennis Jones had written or supported several NEH grants for humanities education, the endowed professorship was named in his honor.

Rights/Use Restrictions: Though we may hold the property rights, Luther College Archives does not hold the copyrights for all materials. Individuals may use materials for non-commercial, private use, but commercial users must secure permissions from the copyright holders and/or Luther College Archives to reproduce, publish, or quote protected materials and photographs. For more information about the Luther College copyright and fair use policy, please visit https://www.luther.edu/copyright/

PreferredCitation: Cite unpublished materials: Dennis Jones Papers, RG15 Manuscripts, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Finding Aid Revisions:

Original finding aid written during the 1990s. Formatted for Archon July 2012.

11/19/19: EC updated the preferred citation.