Division of Finance and Administration
The Division of Finance and Administraion - Week of September 14, 2006
Author, Micheal Black |
Valdosta State University’s Division of Finance and Administration has undergone a tremendous change since the university’s inception 100 years ago. In honor of VSU’s Centennial Celebration, Michael M. Black has published a book titled, “A Mosaic of People and Events in the History of Valdosta State University’s Business Operations, 1906 to 2006.”
“I wanted to write a book on the history of VSU’s business aspect because of an appreciation of Valdosta State University,” Black said. “I have grown up there and wanted to make a contribution for VSU for its Centennial.
Implementing a focus honoring the individual and community, the book contains detailed and documented research tracking the changes in the Finance and Administration Division.
The first half of the book explores the history of the business side of VSU by way of the numerous departments that work under the Finance and Administration Office such as Financial Services, Auxiliary Services, Physical Plant Operations, University Police, Human Resources and Employee Development and Environmental and Occupational Safety.
The second half adds more personal identity to the book. Black conducted 42 first-person interviews of staff members who have worked in the Division of Finance and Administration. Former VSU President and Mrs. Hugh Bailey, current VicePresident for Finance and Administration Jim Black, Director of Financial Services Traycee Martin, Director of Auxiliary Services Rob Kellner and former VSU bookstore manager Tommye Miller are among those interviewed.
“They provided a unique first-hand experience on what it was like to work at the college,” Black stated.
After Black’s research was complete, one of the things that stood out in his mind was the evident growth and organization of the Finance and Administration Division. In the early part of VSU’s history, lots of offices were family-oriented, meaning that the employees worked and knew each other very well. Now, with numerous departments under one large collective office and the drastic change of technology, it is hard to develop that “family-oriented” work atmosphere.
Another part of the Division of Finance and Administration that has changed is the department’s leadership. In the 1930s through the 1950s, the leadership was consolidated, with the university president and business office comptroller making all the financial decisions. In the 1960s, there was little improvement as the president hired all faculty members and the comptroller hired all staff personnel. Obviously, leadership and office responsibilities are no longer in one person’s hand.
“Divisions’ responsibilities have become more spread out throughout the departments,” Black said. “This helps the business and finance office to be one supportive unit which makes the university run and academics successful.”
“A Mosaic of People and Events in the History of Valdosta State University’s Business Operations, 1906 to 2006” is a one-of-a-kind literary work. It is just one of three books written on VSU’s history and the first documented reference book to be completed. It took Black almost two years, from Sept. of 2004 to July of 2006, to finish the book. Along the way, he received assistance from Deborah Davis, VSU Archives Librarian, who provided him with research material and from Dr. Catherine Price, Professor Emeritus of Secondary Education, Curriculum and Instructional Technology, who edited the book.
When asked if he wanted to make another book similar in topic to this one, Black said he would like to explore various building and construction projects around the university.
Black’s book is available at Odum Library or you may access it directly at this website: http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~mmb05s/mosaic.pdf.
Feature article and photographs provide by Neal Folger, Fall 2006 student intern