Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Suggested Note:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction .

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication .

Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], [collection title, collection dates, Ms####-### or RG#/#], Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 2025.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Letter to George Sullivan from Nikki Giovanni was completed in June 2025.

Biographical / Historical

Nikki Giovanni (1943-2024) was an internationally renowned poet, scholar, professor and social justice activist. She served as a professor of English and poetry at Virginia Tech from 1987-2022, and was awarded the title of University Distinguished Professor in 1999. George Sullivan (1927-) is an award-winning nonfiction author with a specialty in photography and photography history.

Scope and Content

This collection contains a two-page letter that was sent to George Sullivan (1927-) by Nikki Giovanni (1943-2024). In the letter, Giovanni identifies problems in American society and ultimately identifies education as the key to an "englightened populace."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Faculty and staff
• University Archives
• University History

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the [collection name] by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).