Distinctive Collections

Special Collections document the lives, work and passions of alumni and community members and capture details and artifacts from various events. These collections highlight athletics, the arts, politics and other pursuits through papers, rare prints, drawings, photographs, maps, art objects and audiovisual recordings, among other things.


Unique-to-UD Collections
Poster of Willis Bing Davis event

The Papers of Willis “Bing” Davis link-arrow link-arrow

Willis “Bing” Davis is an internationally known artist, educator and community organizer from Dayton.

Photo of Whalen, top row, amongst staffers in front of the Capital

Congressional Papers of Charles W. Whalen Jr. ’42, link-arrow link-arrow

Charles W. Whalen Jr. was a six-term U.S. representative and a four-year University of Dayton faculty member in business organization and economics.

Bombeck on her telephone and sitting at her desk.

The Papers of Erma Bombeck ’49 link-arrow link-arrow

Erma Bombeck was an internationally known syndicated American humorist. Learn about the Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop held annually at UD through the College of Arts and Sciences.
Rogge-Morse behind desk with microphone interviewing guests

The Bette Rogge Morse ’44 Collection link-arrow link-arrow

This collection of audiovisual recordings, documents, photographs and other materials follow the career of Bette Rogge Morse in radio and television.

Flood waters rising up on homes and buildings

1913 Dayton Flood Collection link-arrow link-arrow

This collection contains audio recordings, photographs and film footage from the catastrophic 1913 Dayton flood, including UD’s response to it.

A page of vintage baseball cards of the Philadelphia Athletics

Si Burick and Miriam Jacobs Baseball Collections

This collection includes baseball cards, signed baseballs, autographs and other baseball memorabilia from the collections of National Baseball Hall of Fame sportswriter Si Burick and local collector and philanthropist Miriam Jacobs.



Contact University Archives
Albert Emanuel Hall, Room 212
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 1360
937-229-4256 email