Content Description

The Michael Louis Altstetter Records consist of what are presumed to be his office files, due to the time frame and nature of information. The collection spans the years 1929-1934, when Dr. Altstetter served in an administrative capacity at Fredericksburg State Teachers College, and contains correspondence related to his duties as Dean and Registrar. The correspondence in Series 1 pertains specifically to students' academic deficiencies and discipline and features exchanges between Dean Altstetter and the parents of struggling students, occasionally including exchanges with the students themselves. Series 2 is entirely exchanges with Thomas Eason of the Virginia State Board of Education and largely concerns student records and queries regarding State Board requirements and teaching certifications. Altstetter's assistant registrars, Muriel Jenner in the earlier years or Wesa Dale later, are also included as occasional correspondents in this series. Series 3 contains correspondence relating to Altstetter's general professional duties. Letters regard various topics such as publications, donations, travel plans, and dealings with professional organizations. Altstetter served as the president of the Virginia chapter of the Peabody Alumni Association, and correspondence related to those duties is included in this series. Some exchanges with the office of Mrs. Alfred I. DuPont (also known as Jessie Ball DuPont) are also included in this series. Altstetter also appears to have filed a few letters to or from President Combs throughout the records where relevant to a particular topic.