Faust, Claire E., 1920-2010. Collection, 1963-2006.

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SMHC Collection 0222

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of items pertaining to Claire E. Faust. Included in this collection are a variety of papers written by Dr. Faust such as his dissertation as well as a variety of other documents created during his long career in education. Also included are records of his involvement with a number of community organizations such as Kiwanis, Circle K, Builder’s Club, Key Club, and the Boy Scouts. Dr. Faust also became involved in many local events and community causes. Several of these include the Twedt campaign for Mankato mayor, the Minnesota River Festival as well as the reorganization of the Minnesota Valley Regional Library System.

This collection is divided up into four series.

Mankato State University Button Collection: This series contains memorabilia relating to Mankato State University. It includes 42 buttons, a band uniform patch of the former Mankato State College Indian mascot, a ‘Booster Award’ plaque and three wooden nickels for MSU intercollegiate athletics. The buttons relate to MSU Homecoming, Alumni, and assorted university topics.

Mankato State University Education Documents and Organizations: This material includes meeting minutes for Phi Delta Kappa, administrative records for Mankato State University as well as a number of publications dealing with education in Minnesota.

Kiwanis: This is a large series that represents Claire E. Faust’s long participation in the many different Kiwanis groups. He was involved in Kiwanis International, the Minnesota-Dakota District of Kiwanis, the Mankato Downtown Kiwanis, Mankato State University Circle K, Builders Club and Key Club. These various branches of Kiwanis are separated based on region as well as age group.

Minnesota Valley Regional Library: This material includes documents relating to the restructuring of the Minnesota Valley Regional Library System that occurred during the 1990’s. As a member of the MVRL Board of Regents, Dr. Faust maintained records of meeting minutes, agreements and proposals involving the library system. The series also contains numerous newspaper clippings that record the public’s opinion on the restructuring of the MVRL.

Miscellaneous: This material includes a variety of documents related to Claire E. Faust’s involvement in the greater Mankato community. The documents include: Mankato City Council meeting minutes, Twedt for mayor campaign materials, and records on Mankato’s Bend of the River Festival. There are also a many keepsakes and thank you cards that were given to Dr. Faust over the years for his contributions to the community.

This series includes two sub-series. Photographs: This subseries contains dozens of pictures collect by Dr. Faust of the many community and educational events he had attended. Many of the photographs relate to his work with the MSU Circle K.

Memorabilia: There is also a small subseries that contains an assortment of ribbons, name tags, as well as a scrapbook created by Dr. Faust.

Dates

1963-2006

Biographical / Historical

Claire E. Faust was born in 1920 in Iowa. He held a bachelor’s degree from Central College, a master’s degree from the University of South Dakota, and a doctorate from the University of Iowa. Dr. Faust was married to Hazel Faust and had three sons, Randall, John, and Doug.

Dr. Faust’s affiliation with then Mankato State College began in September of 1962.  He was hired as an associate professor in the Professional Education Division and part of his assignment included serving as principal of the Wilson Campus School.  He was promoted to Professor in 1965 and taught in the Educational Administration Department until July 1976 when he was named Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs.  He became Acting Director of Administrative Services in 1980, was named Vice President for Administrative Services in 1982 and served in that capacity until his retirement in December 1985.   

Dr. Faust remained actively involved with Minnesota State Mankato throughout his retirement and was often on campus working in the Emeriti Faculty Office.  His interpretive essay, “Mankato State University:  The Second Century - The First Twenty-Five Years 1968-1992,” remains an authoritative account of our history.  He and his wife, Hazel, were valued members of the University community and made it a priority to attend various campus events—theatre and music events, social gatherings, lectures, emeriti functions and donor events.   A special seat was reserved for him each year at the President’s Convocation where he carefully noted the President’s priorities for the coming year and vision for our University. 

Beyond the University, Dr. Faust was active in the community. He was elected to the City Council in 1987 and served until 1990.  He was a longtime member of the Mankato Kiwanis Club and was instrumental in the beginnings of the campus Circle K in 1979.  Dr. Faust served as the Kiwanis (and often faculty advisor) to the MSU Circle K for 31 years. He was involved with his church, the arts, and Boy Scouts, to name just a few.  His life was about serving and he did so with enthusiasm and hard work.

Dr. Faust passed away on February 8, 2010

Information taken from the collection and news articles and tributes published following his death.

Extent

7.75 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Claire E. Faust Collection contains documents and memorabilia relating to his long standing involvement with education and the Mankato community. This is a large, diverse collection that contains a variety of newspaper clippings, documents written or used by Dr. Faust, a Mankato State University button collection, as well as several video tapes and compact disks. Most of this collection is directly related to Dr. Faust’s memberships in a variety of organizations that involve education and community development. These organizations include Kiwanis, Mankato State University, Boy Scouts, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Mankato City Council.