Bucknell University Junior College collection, 1933-2010
Collection
Identifier: 49-01-001
Scope and Content Note:
This collection contains materials related to Bucknell University Junior College (BUJC), its academic and administrative operations, and its aviation training programs during and after World War II. The materials were created by BUJC faculty, staff, administrators, students, and later contributors, and relate to the institution as well as participants in the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) and the 6th College Training Detachment (CTD) of the U.S. Army Air Corps. The collection spans from 1933 to 2010 and is arranged into two series: Bucknell University Junior College materials and Bucknell University Junior College Flyboys materials, each further divided into subseries organized chronologically by date.
Series I consists of materials documenting the early development and operations of BUJC, including administrative records, publications, archival research materials, academic records such as class schedules and student manuals, alumni records, event programs, creative works, correspondence, and recruitment and fundraising materials.
Series II contains materials related to the BUJC Flyboys and associated aviation training programs, including the 6th College Training Detachment (CTD) and the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP). These materials include administrative and financial records, payroll documents, student applications and training records, correspondence, historical summaries, research files, and evaluation materials. The series also includes later materials documenting Flyboys reunions and commemorative activities, such as photographs, newspaper articles, personal recollections, recorded media, and materials related to Wilkes University’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program.
Together, the collection provides an overview of BUJC’s institutional development, its role in wartime aviation training, and the continued documentation of the Flyboys through reunion and commemorative activities.
Dates
- 1933-2010
Historical Sketch of Bucknell University Junior College, 1933-1947:
Before Wilkes College, now Wilkes University, in Wilkes-Barre, PA had become the Colonels, they were the Bucknell Bison. In early March of 1930, Bucknell was approached by school principals and community leaders in the Wyoming Valley area to establish a junior college in Wilkes-Barre. The Wyoming Valley was the only area of its size in Pennsylvania without a local college. During the Great Depression, many students yearned for an education beyond high school, but were unable to attend college locally. Bucknell agreed with the proposal and provided the charter, endowment, equipment, faculty, and administration staff to create the Bucknell University Junior College. In September of 1933, Bucknell University Junior College opened its doors with a class of 193 students and the mission, “to give students within commuting distance an opportunity to complete the first two years of a college course while living at home.”
In its first four years, 140 students from Bucknell University Junior College entered over 35 different four year colleges after graduation. The lower cost of completing their first two years of a college education allowed the students to find adequate financial support to complete a four-year undergraduate’s degree. Bucknell Junior College offered the same educational opportunities that Bucknell University offered its students in Lewisburg. Initially, there was no cost to the citizens of the Wyoming Valley region to support Bucknell Junior College, but as the program extended its programs and enrollment, the college began fundraising efforts to sustain its future, hoping to raise $25-30,000 locally. Substantial local donations were offered by three community members: Admiral and Mrs. Harold R. Stark and Mrs. John N. Conyngham, who gifted their two beautiful homes on South River Street in response to the need for more student housing.
Once the proper funds and resources were obtained, Bucknell hoped that local citizens of Wilkes-Barre would assume full responsibility for further development of the Junior College. To establish Bucknell University Junior College as a college independent from Bucknell, the Pennsylvania State Government required $500,000 to charter it as an institution. The Wyoming Valley community began fundraising in the early 1940’s, knowing that after the end of World War II, a four year college in their community would be necessary as veterans sought education under the G.I. Bill. On June 4th, 1947, a charter establishing Wilkes College, now Wilkes University, was officially granted by the Pennsylvania State Government making it an independent, four-year college.
On June 26th, 1947 (Wilkes College Charter Day), the President of Bucknell University, Herbert L.
Spencer, transferred to the Wilkes College Board of Trustees nearly 1 million dollars in assets to assist the college’s establishment as an independent institution. Arnaud C. Marts, who served as Bucknell’s president prior to President Spencer, spoke with these words at the event, “May Wilkes College ever inspire and teach its sons and daughters to live like the children of God, in a brotherhood of intelligent, unselfish men and women of all lands. Farewell to Bucknell Junior College of yesterday! Hail to Wilkes College of today and tomorrow!”
Historical Sketch of the BUJC Flyboys:
The BUJC Flyboys collection documents the experiences of United States Army Air Corps trainees and the aviation training programs associated with Bucknell University Junior College (BUJC), now Wilkes University, during and after the Second World War. The collection focuses on individuals connected to BUJC through programs such as the 6th College Training Detachment (CTD) and the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP), and reflects the role of junior colleges in preparing students for aviation-related service. The term “Flyboys” was a common colloquial reference to military aviators and captures the cultural identity and camaraderie of aircrew members during this time period.
During World War II (1939–1945), military aviation became essential to reconnaissance, transport, and combat operations. In the years immediately preceding the United States’ entry into the war, the federal government established the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) in partnership with colleges and universities to expand aviation instruction. At BUJC, the program was promoted as a civilian, non-combat training initiative, emphasizing flight instruction while contributing to national preparedness. As the war progressed, BUJC also hosted the 6th College Training Detachment (CTD), which provided military-based training for Army Air Corps personnel.
Like many small junior colleges during this period, BUJC faced challenges related to declining enrollment as students left to serve in the armed forces. Under the leadership of Director E. S. Farley, the institution sought out participation in federally supported training programs such as the CPTP and CTD, which provided both educational opportunities and institutional stability during the war years. These programs contributed to sustaining the college’s operations while aligning it with national defense efforts.
Materials in this collection include administrative records, training and evaluation materials, correspondence, photographs, and historical documentation related to both civilian and military aviation training programs. The collection also contains later materials, such as reunion documentation, personal recollections, and commemorative records, which reflect ongoing efforts to preserve the history of the BUJC Flyboys and maintain connections among participants following the war.
Together, these materials provide context for the role of BUJC in wartime aviation training, the institutional challenges faced during this period, and the continued documentation and commemoration of its participants through reunion and memorial activities.
Extent
5 boxes
Language of Materials
English
Provenance:
It is unclear what office transferred these materials over but it was most likely added to the archives by University historian and archivist Harold Cox. Part of the material (approximately one document box worth) was created into a collection by Elizabeth Sullivan, while additional materials were added to the collection by Suzanna Calev in Fall 2025 through Spring 2026 and processed by archives work-study student, Stephanie Smith. These materials were most likely donated and transferred by former Wilkes College faculty, administrators, and alumni at some point prior to 2012.
Acquisition:
Approximately one box was initially processed by former librarian Elizabeth Sullivan (prior to her leaving in 2017), while many of the materials were added to the collection based on relevance and context from archivist Suzanna Calev in Fall 2025 through Spring 2026. It is unclear what office transferred these materials over but it was most likely added to the archives by University historian and archivist Harold Cox.
Copyright Status:
All materials created under Bucknell University Junior College are under Bucknell University’s copyright as they are the parent organization at the time the materials were created. All materials that are created after 1947 as Wilkes College are under Wilkes University’s copyright.
Processed By:
Stephanie Smith, Archives Work-Study, Spring 2025, edited and supervised by Suzanna Calev, Archivist, Spring 2025.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu