Overview of the Collection
Repository:
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
P.O. Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
(715)-836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/
Reference Code: USGZE AS551
Accession Number: 80-164, 97-091, 08-008
Collection Number: Archives Series 551
Creators: Walsh, Grace
Title: Grace Walsh Papers
Dates: 1931–1994
Quantity: 10.5 linear feet (7 record cartons, 2 flat boxes, 8 reel-to-reel audio tapes)
Location of Collection: A4/1g (Box 6-7), D3/1e (Box 1-2), D3/1f (Box 3-5), D3/1g (Box 8-9)
Languages: Collection materials are in English.
Summary: The collection contains financial records, programs, reel-to-reel audio, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, awards, some correspondence, and other general files related to the forensics and debate programs at the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire.
Biographical / Historical Note
Grace Walsh, originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, came to Eau Claire State Teachers College in 1944, to teach speech and coach forensics/debate team. Walsh received a bachelor's degree in education from UW-Superior in 1932 and a master's degree in philosophy from UW-Madison in 1939. As a professor and director of forensics for 36 years, she coached 25 state oratory champions and six national champions before retiring in 1980. She also coached 11 Wisconsin forensics champions, and no other state team beat UW-Eau Claire while the team was under her supervision. She was also the co-founder of the speech department and served as its chair for some time. Walsh and her forensics students would organize annual summer institutes for high school students. On April 24, 2000, Grace Walsh passed away at the age of 89.
As of 2022, a number of scholarships up to $5,000 are available in Grace Walsh’s name through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. The scholarships are open to outstanding student competitors of the nationally-ranked forensics team. Sixty percent of funds go to incoming members and forty percent go to returning members. The scholarships are supported by alumni who worked with Walsh, alumni who support the forensics program, and the directors who came after Walsh. There is also a Grace Walsh Tournament held the second full weekend of February at UW-Eau Claire that honors her.
Content Description
The collection is divided into three series: Grace Walsh Personal Files (1933–1994, bulk 1950–1980); Scrapbooks (1940s–1980s); and University of Wisconsin–Eau Clare Debate and Forensics Program Materials (1931–1980, bulk 1950–1980), including the 8 reel-to-reel audio tapes.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information: Donated to the University Archives and Special Collections, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire prior to March 2006.
Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public.
Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Processing Note: Processed by Gregory J. Kocken in June 2007.
Arrangement: By series.
OCLC #: 37026745
Subjects
Personal Names: Walsh, Grace — Archives.
Corporate Names:
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Dept. of Speech. Forensics Program.
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Dept. of Speech. Debate Team.
Subject Terms:
Forensics (Public speaking) — Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Debates and Debating — Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Series 1: Grace Walsh Personal Files
Detailed List of Contents
Series 1: Grace Walsh Personal Files
Included in this series are files created by and pertaining personally to Grace Walsh.
Dates: 1933–1994, bulk 1950–1980
Extent: 1 linear foot (Contained within 3 records cartons)
Container | Contents | Dates |
Box/Folder 1/1 | Grace Walsh Awards | 1950–1990 |
Box/Folder 1/2 | Grace Walsh Awards | 1950–1994 |
Box/Folder 1/6 | Misc. Correspondence | Undated |
Box/Folder 1/12 | Thanksgiving Address | 1954 |
Box/Folder 1/13 | Common Speech Problems | Undated |
Box/Folder 1/14 | Miscellaneous Files | ca. 1963–1977 |
Box/Folder 1/18 | Grace Walsh Publications | 1930s–1970s |
Box/Folder 2/5 | Vitae | Undated |
Box/Folder 2/16 | Class Records | 1977–1980 |
Box/Folder 2/18 | Misc. Correspondence | Undated |
Box/Folder 2/20 | Correspondence-Permanent | Undated |
Box/Folder 2/21 | Speech-Elementary School | Undated |
Box/Folder 2/22 | Commencement programs and materials | ca. 1937–1970s |
Box/Folder 3/12 | Speech 110 Argumentation and Debate | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/13 | Speech 111 Course Material | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/36 | Commencement-Old-II | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/37 | Catholic Women’s Club Program | 1980s |
Box/Folder 3/54 | Correspondence-Permanent | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/55 | Speech 189 | 1951 |
Series 2: Scrapbooks
Included in this series are scrapbooks created by the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire forensics and debate programs and Pi Kappa Delta, the forensics honorary society.
Dates: 1940s–1980s
Extent: 7.5 linear feet (4 record cartons, 2 flat boxes)
Container | Contents | Dates |
Box 4 | Scrapbooks | 1940s–1960s |
Box 5 | Scrapbooks | 1940s–1960s |
Box 6 (Oversize) | Scrapbooks | 1940s–1950s |
Box 7 (Oversize) | Scrapbooks | 1950s |
Box 8 | Scrapbooks | 1950s–1980s |
Box 9 | Scrapbooks | 1940s–1960s |
Series 3: UWEC Debate and Forensics Program Materials
Included in this series are financial records, programs, newspaper clipping, some correspondence, and other general files pertaining to the UWEC Debate and Forensics Program.
Dates: 1931–1980, bulk 1950–1980
Extent: 2 linear feet (Contained within 3 record cartons, and 1 flat box, including 8 reel-to-reel audio tapes)
Container | Contents | Dates |
Box/Folder 1/3 | Newspaper Clippings | 1970s |
Box/Folder 1/4 | Newspaper Clippings | ca. 1950s–1970s |
Box/Folder 1/5 | Photographs | Undated |
Box/Folder 1/7 | Speech Institute Programs | 1970s |
Box/Folder 1/8 | Debate Tournament Programs | 1971–1976 |
Box/Folder 1/9 | Winning Orations: Special Edition | ca. 1980 |
Box/Folder 1/10 | Tournament/Forensics Institute Brochures | 1970s and 1980s |
Box/Folder 1/11 | Speech Institute Programs | 1970s and 1980s |
Box/Folder 1/15 | Public Programs | 1976 |
Box/Folder 1/16 | Press Releases | 1980 |
Box/Folder 1/17 | Newspaper Clippings | 1950s–1980s |
Box/Folder 1/19 | Reel-to-reel audio: 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th International Debates | 1950s–1970s |
Box/Folder 1/20 | Reel-to-reel audio: Misc. Grace Walsh Speech, Walsh’s Thanksgiving Address, Walsh’s Whitehouse Conference Speech, Walsh’s Retirement Dinner | 1950s–1970s |
Box/Folder 1/21 | Debate Tournament Programs | 1960s–1970s |
Box/Folder 2/1 | Tournament Programs | 1950s–1970s |
Box/Folder 2/2 | Tournament Programs | 1950s–1970s |
Box/Folder 2/3 | Tournament Programs | 1950s–1970s |
Box/Folder 2/4 | Tournament Programs | 1950s–1970s |
Box/Folder 2/6 | Forensics Reports | 1960s–1970s |
Box/Folder 2/7 | Ralph Zimmerman “Mingled Blood” Speech | 1955 |
Box/Folder 2/8 | Tournament Programs | 1970s |
Box/Folder 2/9 | Convention Programs | 1940s–1950s |
Box/Folder 2/10 | UW Madison Files | 1987–1988 |
Box/Folder 2/11 | Debate Record | 1979–80 |
Box/Folder 2/12 | Pi Kappa Delta | Undated |
Box/Folder 2/13 | Forensics Board Report | 1979 |
Box/Folder 2/14 | Pi Kappa Delta Passbook-First Wisconsin | Undated |
Box/Folder 2/15 | Discussion | 1974 |
Box/Folder 2/17 | Interstate Oratory | Undated |
Box/Folder 2/19 | Misc. Tournament Programs | 1970s |
Box/Folder 2/23 | Newspaper Clippings | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/1 | Budget | 1960–1961 |
Box/Folder 3/2 | Budget | 1961–1962 |
Box/Folder 3/3 | Budget | 1962–1963 |
Box/Folder 3/4 | Budget | 1963–1964 |
Box/Folder 3/5 | Budget | 1966–1967 |
Box/Folder 3/6 | Budget | 1967–1968 |
Box/Folder 3/7 | Budget | 1969–1970 |
Box/Folder 3/8 | Budget | 1970–1971 |
Box/Folder 3/9 | Budget | 1971–1972 |
Box/Folder 3/10 | Budget | 1972–1973 |
Box/Folder 3/11 | Budget | 1973–1974 |
Box/Folder 3/14 | Interstate Oratory | 1980 |
Box/Folder 3/15 | Interstate Oratory | 1978 |
Box/Folder 3/16 | Interstate Oratory | 1979 |
Box/Folder 3/17 | Oratory Duesterbeck | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/18 | Interstate Oratory | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/19 | Interstate Oratory | 1977 |
Box/Folder 3/20 | Interstate Oratory | 1977 |
Box/Folder 3/21 | Interstate Oratory — Sandy Siebert | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/22 | Discussion Speech | Undated |
Box/Folders 3/23-26, 28 | 20th Summer Speech Institute | 1980 |
Box/Folder 3/27 | Forensics Board | 1979–1980 |
Box/Folder 3/29 | Bookkeeper — Latest Printout | 1979 |
Box/Folder 3/30 | Budget Request | 1980–81 |
Box/Folder 3/31 | Misc. Files | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/32 | Tournaments | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/33 | Interstate Oratory | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/34 | Fourth and Fifth International Debates | 1954–1955 |
Box/Folder 3/35 | Forensics-Old | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/38 | Coaches Report | 1984 |
Box/Folder 3/39 | West Point | 1950s |
Box/Folder 3/40 | 13th National Public Discussion | 1963–64 |
Box/Folder 3/41 | National Content Public Discussion | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/42 | Forensic-Souvenir Programs | Undated |
Box/Folder 3/44 | 1st International Debate | 1952 |
Box/Folder 3/45 | 2nd International Debate | 1952 |
Box/Folder 3/46 | 3rd International Debate | 1953 |
Box/Folder 3/51 | 6th International Debate | 1956 |
Box/Folder 3/52 | 7th International Debate | 1957 |
Box/Folder 3/47 | 8th International Debate | 1958 |
Box/Folder 3/48 | 9th International Debate | 1959 |
Box/Folder 3/49 | 10th International Debate | 1961 |
Box/Folder 3/50 | 11th International Debate | 1966 |
Box/Folder 3/43 | 12th International Debate | 1963 |
Box/Folder 3/53 | Forensic Tournament Final Report | 1964 |
Box/Folder 3/56 | Photographs | Undated |
Box/Folder 6/1 | Photographs | Undated |
Box/Folder 6/2 | Photographs | Undated |
Box/Folder 6/3 | Photographs | Undated |
Box/Folder 6/4 | Photographs | Undated |
Box/Folder 6/5 | Photographs | 1940s–1960s |
Box/Folder 6/6 | Photographs | 1930s–1950s |