William D. Bostrom Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS-21

Scope and Content Note

The William D. Bostrom Collection is comprised of a scrapbook that contains a variety of documents, a certificate, a plaque and a newsletter and newsclipping ranging from 1962-1978. The bulk of the collection concerns Bostrom's work on academic freedom issues in 1962.

The Academic Freedom Scrapbook includes correspondence, memoranda, press releases, sermons and newsclippings relating to a symposium on academic freedom sponsored by the Arizona Civil Liberties Union. The material documents media coverage and commentary upon Bostrom's statement in support of academic freedom and includes correspondence from religious and community leaders and private citizens in support of his work. The texts of Bostrom's statement and subsequent media appearances are also included.

The Bostrom Papers include some memorabilia and an obituary and newsletter article written at the time of his death.

Dates

Creation: 1962-1978

Creator

Bostrom, William D., 1902-1978 (Person)

Language of Materials

Material in English

Access Restrictions

To view this collection, make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or calling (480) 965-4932. Appointments in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138) on the Tempe campus are available Monday through Friday. Check the ASU Library Hours page for current availability.

Copyright

Arizona State University does not own copyright to this collection. Distinctive Collections recognizes that it is incumbent upon the researcher to procure permission to publish information from this collection from the owner of the copyright.

Biographical Note

Rev. William D. Bostrom was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1902. Bostrom graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and received his religious training at the Chicago Theological Seminary.

It is not known when Bostrom arrived in Phoenix, but he was elected Phoenix Father of the Year in 1957. He served on the Phoenix Union High School District Board of Trustees from 1960-1978 and was minister of the Creighton and Brooks Memorial United Methodist churches in Phoenix. He was an important community leader and was said to be a champion of equal educational opportunities for students of all races and creeds.