Thursday March 29th, 2018

 Blue Mountain College.  (2018).  http://www.bmc.edu/bmc_history.asp  Retrieved March 30th, 2018.

University of Southern Mississippi.  (1995-2017).  Historical Timeline: University milestone and campus development by decade. https://www.usm.edu/about/historical-timeline  Retrieved March 30th, 2018.

(USM Founder's Day 1962)

 (Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/usm1910/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/287104544968595464/
March 27th, 2018

Photo from the University of Southern Mississippi Website.https://www.usm.edu/about/founders-day Retrieved March 30th, 2018 by William Barber.

                                             
I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m. for the final day of my Archival Practicum. I resumed checking the Metadata of all of the Oral Histories I had digitized to make sure it was both accurate and consistent.  I chose the artist name as the person being interviewed in an oral history or giving a presentation.  For the Track Title, I provided the name given on the side of the tape and I did the same thing for the Track Number.  For Additional Comments, I treated it as a Description element and put in any information that was written onto the physical tape.   As far a years, I obtained that information from the tape.  Some did not have them written down anywhere while I was doing the process so I checked the beginning of the interview to see if the interviewer gave a date.  I finished checking the Metadata sooner than expected.  I took a late break for lunch at 1:58 p.m. and returned at 2:28 p.m.

I decided to digitize a couple of more oral histories.  The remaining ones pertained to individuals whom had been involved with Blue Mountain College.  This was originally an Independently owned All Female College which became Co-Educational and under the ownership of the Mississippi Baptist Convention (Blue Mountain College, 2018).  I finished the digitization of two more Oral Histories and then had my Timeline signed by Mrs. Heather Moore and gave her my Thanks for Giving me Such a Great Opportunity!! I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

I can say my Archival Practicum at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at Leland Speed Library at Mississippi College was an experience like no other.  Not only did I build upon my archival skills, I learned much about the Baptist Christian denomination that I was previously unaware of.  It was amazing learning of the various divisions of the Baptist Faith during the Revolutionary period and even on into the 20th Century.  It seems they still exist today as do divisions within all Christian denominations and Religions for that matter.

I also find the very timing of the conclusion of my Archival Practicum to be very ironic.  First and Foremost, it is the Easter weekend as well as the beginning of Passover.  These are two religious celebrations that are occurring right after I learned much of an element of religion.  In addition, today is the Founding Date for the University of Southern Mississippi.  The University of Southern Mississippi was founded on March 30th, 1910 (University of Southern Mississippi, 2018).  Not only am I working on my Graduate Certificate in Archives and Special Collections (I also obtained my Bachelors and Masters of Library and Information Science there as well) at USM, I also just completed the oral history of Dr. R.A, McLemore whom had much to say about the institution in addition to Mississippi College and others.  The Celebration of USM takes place this year on April 2nd which coincidentally was my late Father's Birthday (University of Southern Mississippi, 2018).  That's even more coincidental in that as I mentioned in previous blog post, as MS State Senator for Forrest County, my Father helped get the legislation passed that changed the name of the institution from Mississippi Southern College to the University of Southern Mississippi.  If that's not enough coincidence, it's also the day before my own birthday.  Yep, it was a coincidence that my Birthday is the day after my Father's.

I will cherish my experience at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission forever.  I shall apply the skills I learned during my Archival Practicum to the remainder of my coursework of the Graduate Certificate in Archives and Special Collections program in the University of Southern Mississippi School of Library and Information Science.

Tuesday March 27th, 2018

 Mississippi Baptist Historical Commision.  (1972).  Dr. R.A. McLemore.  Retrieved March 27th, 2018.

University of Southern Mississippi.  (1995-2017).  Historical Timelines.  Retrieved from https://www.usm.edu/about/historical-timeline March 27th, 2018.



I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  Since Thursday will be my last day, Mrs. Moore will take a look at the directions I made for digitizing oral histories and let me know if something is not clear or needs revision.  On Thursday, I will have reached 150 hours of practicum work. 

I resumed digitizing oral histories and worked on the oral history of Dr. R.A. McLemore whose recordings you may recall me mentioning at the beginning of my Practicum. In addition to being one of the many distinguished Presidents of Mississippi College, Dr. McLemore was once the Acting President of the University of Southern Mississippi as well as the Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.  His entire oral history encompassed three cassettes.  It was interesting learning about his early life.  Evidently, Forrest County was in its infancy as a municipality at the time.  Therefore, McLemore and his family were one of the first citizens of the county when they moved there in 1908 (MBHC, 1972).  After college, McLemore found his true passion teaching and even became a Superintendent of a local high school before moving his work to Jones County Agricultural High School.  According to McLemore, "Community Colleges were just  being built in the State of Mississippi"(MBHC, 1972).  McLemore would become the head of Jones County Junior College but resigned in 1933 to obtain a Doctorate in History from Vanderbilt (MBHC, 1972).  After receiving his Doctorate, McLemore returned to Jones County Community College as a Professor of History.  Dr. McLemore interviewed with Dr. Walker at Mississippi Southern College, now known as the University of Southern Mississippi (MBHC, 1972). 
 
Although my Practicum work is through Mississippi College, I both learned new things and reinforced my previous knowledge about the Academic Institution in which I am currently enrolled for a Graduate Certificate in Archives and Special Collections.
Before completing Masters Online through the University of Southern Mississippi, I physically attended the institution for my Undergraduate Degree.  Therefore, it was interesting hearing the names of prior College Presidents whom buildings have been named after on campus.  The Walker Science Building is obviously named after the aforementioned Dr. Walker.  Of course, McLemore Hall is named after Dr. McLemore himself (USM, 1995-2017).  At Mississippi Southern College, McLemore became Dean of Students .  The majority of his time spent in this position was under the tenure of President Joseph Cook, whom the Cook Library is named after (USM, 1995-2017).  After Cook resigned, McLemore briefly served as Acting President before Dr. William David McCain took over the reigns of the institution.  The McCain Library and Archives is named after Dr. William McCain (USM, 1995-2017). 

I took a break for lunch a little later in the day today at 2:15 p.m. and returned at 2:30 p.m.

It is worth noting that Dr. McLemore had much praise for Dr. Joseph Cook. Cook became President of the college when it was known as Mississippi Normal College before being changed to State Teacher's College in 1924 (USM, 1995-2017).

                                                           (Dr. Joseph Anderson "Joe" Cook)

                                                        Retrieved from https://www.usm.edu/president/joseph-anderson-joe-cook-1911-1928 March 27th, 2018)

Within his oral history, Dr. McLemore states that by the time of Dr. Cook's departure, "Mississippi Southern had been organized to the point where it was inevitable that it would become a University" (MBHC, 1972).

In addition to college professors, it was interesting hearing the names of past Mississippi Governors whom played a role in the evolution of the University of Southern Mississippi.  Governor Paul B. Johnson was mentioned a lot.  Under Governor Johnson's administration, the name of the institution was changed from State Teacher's College to Mississippi Southern College (USM, 1995-2017). (On a side note, the Paul B. Johnson State Park in Hattiesburg was named after the Governor). Under Governor Ross Barnett's administration, the name of the institution was changed from Mississippi Southern College to the current name, the University of Southern Mississippi (USM, 1995-2017).

                                          (Dr. Richard Aubrey McLemore) (Retrieved from https://www.mc.edu/about/history/presidents on February 27th, 2018)

My father, the late Frank Barber, was an alumnus of Mississippi Southern College, and became a Mississippi State Senator representing Forrest County, the county of Hattiesburg which is the home of the University of Southern Mississippi and where my father was from.  I had a 'much older'
 father as I was the last of his children.  It is worth noting that he was instrumental in helping pass the legislation that changed the name of the institution from Mississippi Southern College to the University of Southern Mississippi.  Here is Founder's Day with Governor Ross Barnett.  My father is located in the back, Second to Far Right, with the Dark Black Hair. 

 (USM Founder's Day 1962)

 (Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/usm1910/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/287104544968595464/
March 27th, 2018

I finished the McLemore tapes and decided to begin checking the metadata of all my digitized items since Thursday is my last day.  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 22nd, 2018

 Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.  Dr. John Barnes.  Retrieved March 22nd, 2018.

Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.  Paul Nash Nunner.  Retrieved March 22nd, 2018.

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 am.  I resumed digitizing oral histories.  Dr. John Barnes was at one time chairman of the Mississippi Baptist Convention.  Within his recording, Dr. Barnes discussed the role that the Mississippi Baptist Historical Convention played in the development of Mississippi Woman's College (Not Mississippi University for Women) which eventually became William Carey College, located in Hattiesburg.  There came the argument for Mississippi Woman's College to be reorganized as either a Junior Co-Educational College or Senior Co-Educational College (MBHC).  The Convention voted for it to become a Senior Co-Educational College.  I took a break for lunch at 1:30 p.m. and returned at 2:00 p.m. 

I digitized the oral history of Paul Nash Nanner, whom was at one time the Executive Director of the Baptist Children's Village.  It was interesting learning about the ways in which Mr. Nunnery became involved in the Children's Village.  Evidently, he had been an adoptive father four times over and he and his wife had been foster parents which is why he chose to leave his law practice to be an attorney for the organization and work his way up (MBHC).  Originally, the name was Mississippi Children's Village (the term 'orphanage' was considered misleading and 'derogatory'). 

I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday March 20th, 2018

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I resumed digitizing oral histories.  In addition, since my Archival Practicum is coming to a close, I put together an instruction manual for whomever comes in next to volunteer to know how to digitize cassettes.  I made sure it was very detailed and in layman's terms.  I digitized the oral histories of Dr. Zach Hederman whom served on the Board of Trustees at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.  I took a break for lunch at 1:15 p.m. and then returned at 1:45 pm.The other oral history I digitized was of Dr. David Ruff Grant whom served as Chairman of the Gulfshore Baptist Assembly.  Dr. Grant discussed what the assembly did after Hurricane Camille.  This was very interesting to me as I survived Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when I was living in Hattiesburg, Mississippi while I was working on my undergraduate degree at the University of Southern Mississippi.  According to most people I've spoken with, Hurricane Camille was the most talked about hurricane in Mississippi before Katrina happened.  With Hurricane Katrina so ingrained within the psyches of so many Mississippians, it was interesting to revisit commentary on a storm that had a similar effect among prior generations.  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 pm.

Thursday March 8th, 2018

 Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.  (1976)  "Dr. Clarence Cranford" Baptists and the American Experience Retrieved March 8th, 2018

Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.  (1976).  "Dr. Donald Anderson"  Baptists and the American Experience Retrieved March 8th, 2018.

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I resumed digitizing the oral history collection and completed the final two cassettes of the "Baptists and the American Experience Series."  An address from the first cassette I digitized that struck my attention was from Dr. Clarence Cranford, an academic whom had also been a pastor.  Dr. Cranford talked about the importance of religious liberty and the idea of respecting other Christian denominations and religions for that matter.  Dr. Cranford presents a quote from U.S. President Thomas Jefferson.  According to Dr. Cranford, Thomas Jefferson said to a group of Baptists in 1808, "Freedom of Religion is Compatible with order in the government and obedience to the laws" (MBHC, 1976).  Again, the idea of the separation of church and state is stressed.  I took a break for lunch at 12:40 p.m. and returned at 1:10 p.m. 

An address from the second cassette, which was the last cassette in the "Baptists and the American Experience Series", that caught my eyes was from a gentleman named Dr. Donald Anderson.  In his address, Dr. Anderson quoted from an academic paper of a gentleman named Dr. Gaddy.  The year of the bicentennial was 1976.  During this time, Gerald Ford was the President of the United States.  In quoting the paper of Dr. Gaddy, Anderson states "President Ford performed two actions that seemingly expressed American Civil Religion: the pardoning of former President Richard Nixon and the granting of amnesty" (MBHC, 1976).  In addition, Anderson states "There was a comment from the floor that President Ford's calling on a higher consciousness in pardoning President Nixon is evidence of National Civil Religion" (MBHC, 1976).  However, Dr. Gaddy didn't totally agree with this assessment.  According to Dr. Anderson, Gaddy said "Presidents in National Crisis have always called on God but no president has ever called on the God of the Bible, the Father our Savior, Jesus Christ." (MBHC, 1976).  I completed the digitization of the cassette and spent the last hour editing metadata tags for previous files.  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

Just some information that I want to add to this discussion from Dr. Anderson.  1976 was also an election year in which the aforementioned Gerald Ford faced Jimmy Carter.  Ford was defeated by Carter.  As stated, President Ford was seen by some as performing actions that expressed 'civil religion.' Jimmy Carter was a born-again evangelical Christian whom fellow evangelicals rallied behind in  the election.  However, that changed when Ronald Reagan became President.  Some of the evangelicals did stay with Carter when he was defeated by Reagan in 1980.  However, after Ronald Reagan officially became President of the United States, the evangelicals rallied behind him in full force.  I just thought those were some interesting facts, that I already knew, to add to the relation of the America's bicentennial and religion.

In relevance to the discussions in these recordings, attached is a picture of Thomas Jefferson, the Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter 1976 Presidential Debate, and a friendly picture years later with Presidents Ford and Carter.  It should be worth noting that after the two left office, the two former Presidents and their wives became close friends.

Tuesday, March 6th, 2018

Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.  (1976).  Baptists and the American Experience.  Retrieved March 6th, 2018.

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I resumed digitizing the Baptists and the American Experience series.  The next address was from Dr. W Morgan Patterson whom discussed a paper primarily concerning the Americanization of citizens throughout American History and the relation of Baptists to the national experience.  I found this particular address very informing.  Dr. Patterson discusses the huge period of immigration that occurred at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century and the concerns that American inhabitants had about so many new people coming into the country.  The National Americanization Day Committee made July 4th, 1915 'Americanization Day' where the issues concerning immigrants were addressed.  Dr. Patterson discusses the ethnic groups of Baptist bodies that came into fruition during the period of mass immigration to the United States.  These included bodies of Swedish, German, Hungarian, and Russian origin.  I took a break for lunch at 12:45 p.m. and returned at 1:15 p.m. 

The next address, form Dr. Glenn T. Miller, is another discussion concerning the support of the separation of separation of church and state among early Baptists and where the divisions concerning the matter began.  Prior to the Civil War, there was a split among Baptists on the issue of slavery.  Certain Baptists began preaching eulogies attempting to justify slavery.  Outside of the obvious divisions between north and south, these religious divisions brought about different organizations.  The First National Organization for Baptists in the United States was the Triennial Convention.  The American Baptist Home Mission Society was formed in 1832.  The South would form its own in the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845 in Augusta, Georgia.  This still exists today.  In addition, there were also other ideological changes that would happen to Baptists as a whole.  For instance, prior to WWII, the majority of Baptists were opposed to War.  However, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, that mindset began to change.

The final address (oral history) I digitized was that of Dr. Richard G. Torbet.  In it, he discusses the different ideological divisions among Baptists such as liberal, conservative, and moderate.  In addition, he places a lot of emphasis on the practices of the Baptists in the north as opposed to the south. 

I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday March 1st, 2018

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I resumed digitizing oral histories and began with part 2 of the Baptists and the American Experience recordings pertaining to the bicentennial.  The second part of the Baptists and the American Experience sereis contained discussion from James B. Colgate whom was the Professor of the History of Christianity of the Colgate Rcohester Bexley Hall Trosier Divinity School.  He discussed how Baptists from from obscurity during the American Revolution.  The third part of the Baptists and the American Experience series contains the discussions of three professors.  The first professor, Dr. C.C. Gowen, was a Professor of Church History at Wesley Theological Seminary.  Like others, Dr. Gowen touches upon the role of Baptists during the American Revolution.  The next discussion was very informative for me.  It was from Dr. Denton Lotts whom whom was a Baptist Missionary and Fraternal Representative to Eastern Europe.  In his discussion, Dr. Lotts moves past the Revolutionary era of American History and towards both the 19th and 20th Century.  Dr. Lotts mentions Christian missionary William Carey and his relevance to bringing people to not just the Baptist Christian denomination but Christianity as a whole.  William Carey College, which is in the same town as the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg), is named after this man.  I took a break for lunch at 12:33 p.m. and returned at 1:03 p.m. Dr. Lotts mentions that "there is a tension seen in Baptist missions and this tension can be seen from two Baptist men since World War II, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Reverend Billy Graham" (MBHC, 1976).  I found this coincidental since they were mentioned in the previous audio cassette and because both Black History Month just ended and the Reverend Billy Graham is being buried tomorrow.  In describing Billy Graham, Dr. Lotts said that Billy Graham represented 'world evangelization' and helped people of the world better understand churches and Christianity as a whole (MBHC, 1976).  Martin Luther King Jr., on the other hand, "reminded Americans, Black and White, that just to fight for equality at home means nothing if we live in a world of squalor and indignity where people's rights are being denied throughout the whole world" (MBHC, 1976).  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday February 27th, 2018

 Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.  (1976).  Baptists and the American Experience.  Retrieved 2/27/18

Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.  Dr. Ruth Retrieved 2/27/18

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I resumed digitizing oral histories.  The first cassette I digitized was, once again, another tape with two parts.  The first side of the tape was of an interview with Dr. Ruth (no first name was given) whom served as Executive Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention for 25 years.  During the interview, Dr. Ruth discusses the role the Executive Committee played in Southern Baptist Life.  Interestingly, Dr. Ruth discussed the role of the Southern Baptist Convention in relation to racial equality and civil rights.  Although a date is note given for the interview, it is assumed that this interview took place not too long after the very year that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, 1968.  Dr. Ruth reveals that after Dr. King's Assassination, "Many felt that the Southern Baptist Convention had an opportunity and demand to make a positive Christian contribution to the matter of racial justice" (MBHC).  Indeed, a 'Crisis' Statement was submitted by the Executive Committee to attempt to approach this issue in a reasonable way.  I found it interesting since the month of 'Black History Month' is coming to an end. The other side of the tape was of a panel about the beginnings of the Historical Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. 

I took a break for lunch at 12:23 p.m. and returned at 12:53 p.m. 

I resumed digitizing oral histories.  The next cassette was of a performance of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra in 1975 which was a Bicentennial Production.  Notice that it is a Bicentennial Production yet it wasn't 1976 yet.  That's why, even if the cassette is listed as a bicentennial, I don't list the date unless it is spoken on the recording or written on the cassette.  The next tape was another Bicentennial related event.  This time it was a presentation in Washington D.C. pertaining to Baptists and the American Experience.  Although I completed the digitization, I was not able to replay it to get important details.  However, while digitizing the recording, I noticed many interesting points that were made.  For instance, it has evidently been said that early Baptists in the American Colonies believed in the 'Separation of Church and State' (MBHC, 1976).  In addition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was mentioned again and the Reverend Billy Graham was mentioned whom is being buried Friday.

(In honor of the mentioning of the two men, Here are Pictures of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Reverend Billy Graham)

Thursday February 22nd, 2018

Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.  (1976).  Dr. Harrison Daniel Retrieved February 22nd, 2018

Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.  (1976).  Dr. William J. Reynolds Retrieved February 22nd, 2018



I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I resumed digitizing oral histories.  The next cassette was also related to America's Bicentennial and Baptists.  It was of Dr. William J. Reynolds whom was Secretary of the Church Music Department of the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville.  Dr. Reynolds discusses the aspects of Baptists singing during the colonial times.  Reynolds even says, "Singing in the Baptist Churches during the 17th Century may have existed in the American colonies more so than those of England" (MBHC, 1976).  I took a break for lunch at 12:40 p.m. and returned at 1:10 p.m.  The next cassette was of University of Richmond Professor of History, Dr. Harrison Daniel, concerning his paper "The Significance of the American Revolution in American History."  This is obviously less of a religious view of the American Revolution.  During the recording, Dr. Daniel points out the different interpretations of The American Revolution by historians.  For instance, he points out the differences between what he refers to as imperialist and progressive historians.  According to Reynolds, the imperialist historians felt that the "American Revolution could not strictly be viewed from an American perspective but must seen as an integral pat of the history of the British empire" (MBHC, 1976).  The Progressive historians, on the other hand, saw the American Revolution as a result of economic interests between the Colonies and England as well as an internal revolution happening within the colonies themselves (MBHC, 1976        ).  After digitizing these two oral histories, I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

(Since the subject matter has pertained to the American Revolution and today is George Washington's Birthday, Here is a Picture of the First President of the United States!!)

Tuesday February 20th, 2018

Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission (1975). Dr. Baker "Baptists and the Bicentennial"

Mississippi Baptist Historical Commision (1976).  John Moore "Struggle for Religious Freedom in Virginia"

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I resumed digitizing oral histories.  This time, I digitized the oral history of Mr. George Thornton in 1975.  Thornton was an alumnus of Mississippi College whom became a member of the Board of Trustees and also played a part in helping Mississippi College obtain a Law School.  I learned from this interview that a resolution was passed to buy what was then called the Jackson Law School into the Mississippi College School of Law which started in 1975, the very year of this interview.   I took a break for lunch at 12:45 p.m. and returned at 1:15 p.m. The next recording was another of Dr. R.A. McLemore.  This time, Dr. McLemore was giving a speech concerning the Bicentennial of the American Revolution which took place in 1976.  The next cassette contained two interviews which also took place during the Bicentennial.  The first is supposed to be with Dr. Baker (no first name was given) but was orchestrated on his behalf with Dr. McBeth instead.  Following provenance, I indicated it to be Dr. Baker in the metadata.  This recording was about a paper by Dr. Baker titled "Baptists and the Bicentennial".  It's an interesting account of the evolution of Baptists during the American Revolution.  Dr. Baker even "suggests that an impartial rereading of the crucial events of the 18th Century reveals that God used the Baptists as signal instruments in working out what may have been man's greatest step forward in all his political history."  The next recording was with a gentleman named John Moore pertaining to a paper of his known as "Struggle for Religious Freedom in Virginia".  The idea of 'Freedom of Religion' that this country was founded on obviously entailed great changes and difficulties met by the various Christian denominations and the Baptists were no exception.  John Moore notes an account of an English Quaker at a meeting in York County, Viriginia.  The man states, 'The first Baptists organized in Virginia were accorded a measure of tolerance in Prince George County in 1715 but enjoyed no religious freedom" (MBHC 1976).  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m. 

(In light of the subject matter of today's oral history, here's a re posting of Freedom of Religion)

Thursday February 15th, 2018

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I resumed digitizing audio cassettes.  This time, I digitized oral histories conducted by former Mississippi College President Dr. Aubrey McLemore in 1974 and 1975 with former Professors of the early years of Mississippi College.  The first professor was very outspoken and discussed a lot of the ethical issues that surrounded the formation and early years of Mississippi College.  He even gives a reference to Richard Nixon which I liked because it reminded me of what point in American History that the interviews took place.  I took a break for lunch at 12:25 p.m. and returned at 12:55 p.m.  The next cassette would not work.  It was discouraging but it can be expected  with audio cassettes that are so old.  The next interview was with a Professor whom was involved in the English Department in the early days of Mississippi College.  I completed the digitization of half of his oral history.  In the interview, the Professor discussed many of the religious related issues that surrounded the origins of the school's academic curriculum.  It was interesting hearing him talk about the moral standards that a Christian institution felt they had to abide by back then.  I have now completed two whole boxes of audio cassettes and two audio cassettes in a third box.  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 pm.

Tuesday February 13th, 2018

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I completed the digitization of another interview before I decided to go back to all of the oral histories and interviews I had digitized and make sure that the metadata I had given them was sufficient.  I found out that I did need to rearrange the title, record name, and tag numbers of a few.  It is important to differentiate between the contents of the different elements.  Some features will appear in both but that doesn't mean that they are exactly the same. I took a break for lunch at 12:25 p.m. and returned at 12:55 p.m.  I completed editing the metadata of all the previous recordings I had digitized.  I have now reached a point in the collection where more of the religious related figures are profiled.  I resumed the recordings and began digitizing a recording of a head reverend stepping down from his position in 1973.  It was complete with a service in front of a congregation and recordings of phenomenal singing.  I made sure to adjust both my recording and playback levels when the audio would switch from the singing to the reverend speaking.  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday February 8th, 2018

MBHC (1976).  R.A. McLemore Memorial Service 1st Baptist Church Clinton, MS.

MBHC (1975).  Dr. Charles Martin

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I resumed digitizing audio cassettes.  As previously stated, I had moved from digitizing oral histories to even speeches.  On Tuesday, I retrieved the next batch of audio cassettes from the vault.  Dr. R.A. McLemore's Memorial Service was available on two audio cassettes which I digitized.  In addition to being the Director of Mississippi College, Dr. McLemore also served as the Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MBHC, 1976).  The memorial service took place on September 2nd 1976.  Dr. McLemore passed away on August 31st, 1976.  I took a break for lunch at 12:43 p.m. and returned at 1:13 p.m.The next audio cassette was of an oral history by a Mississippi College alumnus which took place on January 27th, 1975.  Another oral history taken with Dr. Charles Martin gave much insight into the early mission and goals of Mississippi College.  Evidently, the college was originally founded for the purpose of preparing people for the ministry (MBHC, 1975).  However, that would evolve into a more academic role.  The final oral history I digitized was conducted by the aforementioned Dr. R.A. McLemore in 1972 with Mrs. Lulie Baley concerning the very history of the First Baptist Church of Jackson.  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday February 6th, 2018

Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.  (1975).  Dr. McLemore Speech to D.A.R. on Mississippi during the American Revolution.

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I once again assumed digitizing the box of oral histories.  I came across some very interesting oral histories.  Many of them were of some of the early heads of departments of Mississippi College.  Dr. Phillips Meaty was the original director of Religious Education at Mississippi College.  Dr. Francess McGuffie had an inspiring oral history as well.  Both of these oral histories took place in 1975.  I am still adhering to the standards of the software whereby I make sure both my recording and playback levels are adequate.  After the recording of the oral history has been recorded, I save as MP3 file and as work project.  Of course, before saving I edit out the spaces between the sound bytes that are caused by the sides of the tape stopping and dead air.  I took a break for lunch at 12:25 p.m. and returned at 12:55 p.m.  Perhaps the most insightful of the recordings I digitized were those of former Mississippi College President Dr. Richard McLemore. The first tape involving Dr. McLemore is of a  speech given to the Daughters of the American Revolution concerning Mississippi during the American Revolution.  This reinforced some of my previous knowledge concerning Mississippi during this period in history.  Evidently, Founding Father and President George Washington "was well aware of the riches of the lands of the lower Mississippi Valley" (MBHC).  The next recording from Dr. McLemore is of a speech concerning the history of the Mississippi Baptist Commission.  Dr. McLemore touches a lot on the issues of segregation and Baptist Churches in Mississippi.  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday Feburary 1st, 2018

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I resumed digitizing oral histories from the cassette tapes.  I feel like I have found a balance in getting the best recording and playback levels.  I completed the digitization of two oral histories before I took a break for lunch at 12:45 p.m.  I returned from lunch at 1:15 p.m. and resumed digitizing the oral histories.  I was able to complete the digitization of two more oral histories before the day was over.  I am continuing the process of recording metadata after each digitization is completed.  Usually, this includes the title and track number. However, sometimes dates are listed on the cassette or mentioned by the interviewer at the beginning of the oral history.  The majority of the oral histories that I have digitized took place in the 1970s.  It's amazing learning hearing how far back the lives of the interviewees go.  One man stated in the interview that he was born in 1805.  The oral histories that I have digitized have consisted of professionals associated with Mississippi Baptist history and Mississippi College.   In saving the digitized files, I export it to an MP3 file and save it under a folder for MP3s.  I also save it into a separate folder for projects which instead of saving it as an MP3 file keeps all data records of the recording.  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday January 30th, 2018

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m.  I resumed the work I was doing this past Thursday digitizing Oral Histories from cassettes.  I had had trouble with two of the oral histories I digitized this past Thursday.  Mrs. Moore had reviewed what I had completed and told me the first oral history I digitized went through great but the other two could not be heard.  Therefore, I did them over again. I noticed I still could not hear the interviews clearly.  Mrs. Moore and I saw what the problem had been. I simply had to turn down the volume on the tape recorder that was hooked up to the computer.  I completed the digitization of two more oral histories before breaking for lunch at 12:47 p.m.  The second oral history that I digitized had very bad audio quality on both sides of the cassette so I notified Mrs. Moore.  I returned from lunch at 1:17 p.m.  I completed the digitization of one more oral history.  Since the Mississippi College Archives at the Leland Speed Library is, more appropriately, called the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission, these interviews are from people associated with the history of both Mississippi Baptist History and Mississippi College itself.  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday January 25th, 2018

I arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission s at 8:05 a.m. as I was 5 minutes late because of a train.  I resumed my duties of digitizing the oral history collection that was on cassette.  The correct device had been connected to the computer so that I could record and fast forward the cassettes.  I was able to complete four of the oral history cassettes. I worked with recording and playback levels to make sure that they were suitable for storage.  These oral histories belong to the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission. I took a break for lunch at 12:45 and returned at 1:15.  Once the oral history was recorded and saved as a file via the software, I then learned how to export it to an MP3 file.  This also required me putting in metadata that applied to the oral history cassette.  The ones I have completed so far have either the title or date or both.  The fourth oral history completed its recording to the system.  However, I still need to delete some dead air that it contains before the interview and the cuts between the two sides of the cassette. I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:35 p.m.

Tuesday January 23rd, 2018

I reported to the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 8:00 a.m. I started back on my digitization of the records of Good Hope Baptist Church in Newton, Mississippi.  I was following the idea of 'original order' in my mind so I accidentally digitized items from the first volume that I had already digitized.  I realized it and was able to continue at the exact spot I had left off in volume 2 on page 79.   I took a break for lunch at 12:30 p.m. and returned at 1:00 p.m. I got to page 135 in volume 2.  The software that shall be used to digitize an oral history collection on cassette tapes was installed on the computer I am using.  I was instructed on how to properly use the software on the computer in conjunction with the audio-cassettes.  I practiced with the software.  I found it to be very compliant with my needs.  One must play the audio-cassette of the oral history and record it to the software.  The trick is keeping a proper recording playback volume.  An individual can edit extra empty sound that is not needed.  However, I ran into a problem in that the first cassette tape was not rewound and the device used to play the cassettes did not have the capabilities or rewinding and fast forwarding.  It was decided that someone would bring a device for me to use that had these capabilities on Thursday.  I left the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission at 4:00 p.m.

Thursday January 18, 2018

Today was my first day of my archival practicum at the Mississippi College Archives.  Since the staff at Mississippi College had been backtracked by the weather, it was agreed upon that I would come in at 9:00 instead of 8:00. Due to still slick streets after the bad weather, I kept my time driving to the college in order to avoid injury and arrived at 9:0 5a.m. My onsite supervisor, Ms. Heather Moore, is the Special Collections Librarian of the Leland Speed Library Mississippi College. She gave me a full tour of the Mississippi College Archives as well as the library as a whole.  It was very insightful and reinforced what I learned on my initial visit three month ago.  My first assignment of my practicum is digitizing the microfilm records of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Newton, MS.  Even though I have much experience handling microfilm readers, Ms. Moore instructed me on how to handle the device as well as the given software.  I took a break for lunch in the breakroom at 1:10p.m. and returned at 1:40p.m. The microfilm records of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church are comprised of church meeting minutes and notes.  They are all organized according to volumes.  I did have a few technical difficulties but was able to scan all of the first volume and half of the second volume.  I left the Mississippi College Archives at 4:35 p.m.

January 16, 2018

Due to inclement weather, my first day of my Archival Practicum at the Mississippi College Archives was cancelled.  Now, my first day is scheduled to be Thursday January 18, 2018.