Collection Title: J. Albert Tracy Papers
Series Number: RG002-13-01
Department: Department of Journalism and Communications
Processed and Cataloged by: Processed by Dieter C. Ullrich in January 2013
Date Listed: January 22, 2013
Date Span: 1926-1985
Size of Collection: 0.25 linear feet
Number of Boxes: 1 letter half size document case
Type of Material: Correspondence, photographs, certificates, awards, ephemera, etc.
Condition of Material: Good
Arrangement: Organized alphabetically by type of material; Chronological arrangement.
Historical Information: James Albert Tracy was born at Sioux Rapids, Iowa on March 2, 1901. The Tracy family relocated to Fort Morgan, Colorado prior to his attending high school. He graduated Fort Morgan High School in 1922 and attended the University of Denver from 1923 to 1925. He transferred to Iowa State University in the fall of 1925 and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Speech in 1929. He taught at public high schools in Iowa and Colorado until 1932 when he attended graduate school at the University of Colorado. Tracy received his Master's degree from the University of Colorado in 1933 and returned to teaching. He also served in the Colorado National Guard from 1921 to 1924 and United States Marine Corps Reserves from 1928 to 1932. He taught speech and debate at several institutions including Southern Idaho College of Education, Stetson University, Bowling Green State University, Cumberland University and Murray State University. In June of 1971, Tracy retired from Murray State University after teaching for twenty-four years. He died on December 29, 1985 in Murray.
Scope and Content: Collection consists of materials documenting the life and professional career of J. Albert Tracy. His papers contain biographical information, correspondence (1926-1971), military records (1924-1932), degrees, diplomas, certificates, awards and employment contracts (1930-1970). Included with the papers are photographs and ephemera related to the Murray State College varsity debate teams of the 1950s. The bulk of the correspondence focuses upon his career in higher education, a debate team reunion dinner held in 1970 and his retirement from Murray State University in 1971.
Subject Headings / Descriptors:
Tracy, James Albert, 1901-1985.
Murray State University – History.
Murray State University. Journalism and Mass Communication Department.
Murray State University. Debate Team.
