Fisk University

Fisk University is a historically Black university in Nashville, Tennessee. It was founded in 1866, and is a private institution affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Wood joined the Board of Trustees of Fisk University in 1917.

Contents include letters, minutes, pamphlets (Wilberforce U.), notes, clippings, "The Economic Value of Negro Education" March 25, 1918 Special Bulletin of Chamber of Commerce of the U.S.A., map. [these folders from Wood's accordion folder labeled "Fisk University ­ Miscellaneous correspondence (prior to 1922)" ]

The folders of miscellaneous correspondence include many letters from the President of Fisk, Dr. Fayette A. McKenzie. McKenzie's letters are full of day­-to-­day concerns of Fisk (such as replacing boilers) with emphasis on the constant financial problems of the school and the never ending search for funding. He alludes to the stress he is under.

Topics include board meetings, names of potential trustees (Dr. Robert R. Moton of Tuskegee Institute), military stationed at Fisk (1918), Jubilee Singers, arrangements for joint meeting of Fisk and Armstrong Association at Phila. Academy of Music on March 28, 1919, plans to launch Fisk fund­raising campaign (1919), gift of $500,000 from John D. Rockefeller's General Education Board (for teacher's salaries), McKenzie's removal of the Dean of the University and the Dean of Women (1920), rumors of a secret fraternity at Fisk (1921), hiring a professional fund­raiser, plans for "Jubilee of Jubilees" (50th anniversary of Jubilee Singers), letters from various architects. Other notable correspondents are Paul D. Cravath, Thomas Jesse Jones, and Margaret Washington.

On June 2, 1924 W. E. B. DuBois gave an address before the alumni, students, faculty, and administration of Fisk at the Alumni Association meeting. In his speech, DuBois was highly critical of Fisk under President McKenzie. This speech, which received national attention, contributed to a student protest, McKenzie's resignation (1925) and a general crisis at Fisk. Correspondence about this event and its aftermath includes letters between Wood and DuBois in an attempt to solve the problems at Fisk as well as materials representing student and faculty viewpoints and materials from business manager H.C. Sherer documenting Sherer's problems and experiences with President McKenzie.

At the November 16­17, 1924 meeting of the Board of Trustees, the trustees appointed six alumni to serve on the Greater Fisk Committee as members of a committee of alumni, the development of Fisk requiring a close and more constructive use of advice and counsel of the alumni at this stage of its growth. The initial six included: Rev. H. H. Proctor, Miss Sophie Boaz, Dr. F. A. Stewart, Mrs. Margaret Washington, John M. Gandy and Dr. Thomas S. Inborden. The Greater Fisk Committee was discharged of its duties on December 6, 1926 with the inauguration of Thomas Elsa Jones as President of Fisk on Dec. 7th.

There are also materials resulting from the search for a replacement for President Fayette A. McKenzie. Two "General correspondence" folders include letters of Wood to various heads of colleges, etc. asking for suggestions as to possible candidates for Fisk President and Dean of Women. These folders are followed by folders of correspondence with and about the candidates for the two positions. The last folder "Personnel" includes letters from persons seeking employment at Fisk, letters of recommendation and letters of new employees.