I started this blog just over a year ago – the first post went up on December 11 – and all told, there have been 70 entries in the past year. It seems like this is a good time, as we move from one year to the next, to take stock of the blog's first year and to seek input, advice, and suggestions, and also to thank several people for their help this year.
This year has been something of an experiment in web 2.0 for archives, with this blog and a flickr account for hosting archival photo and document collections. (See the Wofford Archives photostream on flickr for examples of what I've posted thus far. I'll try to post notes on the blog in the future as we add more collections and items to flickr.) This blog has allowed me to post individual items that are worth sharing with the Wofford community and beyond the campus, such as the George Washington Carver letter that I found in the Snyder Papers last December. That was really the "find" that inspired me to ask for the blog in the first place. I've also used the blog to share Wofford stories about important events – desegregation and coeducation in February and March come to mind. I've tried to focus on other events – Commencement and the rituals surrounding the beginning of classes each fall.
In addition to sharing documents, we've experimented with sound files – excerpts from speeches by President Snyder, Professor David Duncan Wallace, President Pendleton Gaines, and Dean C. C. Norton, for example. I hope to continue to share sound files, photographs, and other documents in the new year. I also hope to post more "did you know?" types of facts and figures. We'll try to look at other distinguished faculty members and alumni who have contributed to the college's history.
This is where I want your help. If there's a question you have about Wofford history – or South Carolina history, or Methodist history – let me know. If you've got a story to share, share it. If there's a subject you want me to write about in the blog, tell me about it and I'll see what I can do.
One thing about working in the archives, there are more stories than I can ever possibly share in a one or two times a week blog. Some days I just stand in the stacks, trying to come up with an idea for that week's story. Some weeks are easier than others. I want to write about things you want to read about, so let me know what you want to read about.
I also want to thank several folks for their help and encouragement this year. Kyle James, our webmaster, got this blog set up last December. The design is his, so he should get all the credit for the look and feel of the site. Kyle left us this month to take a new job in Boston – so good luck and best wishes, Kyle – we'll miss you! Kyle also helped get me set up so that I can add sound files to the blog in April. Doyle Boggs has always been supportive as Director of Communications on campus. My colleague in the history department and fellow blogger, Dr. Tracy Revels, has also offered ideas and critiques. My colleagues in the library have also had good ideas, and I've enjoyed the support of my supervisor, Dean of the Library Oakley Coburn, in this enterprise this year as well.
So, thanks for reading this year, and let me know what you want to read about next year.