Overview
Southern Methodist University Archives, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University
Finnin, William M., 1946-
William M. Finnin papers
1958-2009
1980-1998
8 boxes (4.5 linear feet)
William M. Finnin served as chaplain at Southern Methodist University from 1980 until 2008. These administrative records include meeting minutes, yearly reports, bound Sunday service worship bulletins, and a few photographs.
SMU 2009.0416
Material is in English
Biographical Note
Having served as campus minister at Louisiana State University for over eight years, Dr. William M. Finnin, Jr. began his tenure as chaplain at Southern Methodist University in 1980. He served until his retirement in December of 2008. During his time at the Chaplain’s office, Finnin established the SMU Wesley Foundation and helped develop the University’s Civil Rights Pilgrimage and the Journey of Remembrance, a human rights seminar on the Nazi death camps of Poland.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
This collection reflects the work Chaplain Will Finnin did at a large multicultural university. Approximately half of the collection contains meeting minutes of different organizations: Covenant, Campus Ministry Council, Uncommittee, UCA-United Campus to Prevent Nuclear War, University Chapel Campus Ministries.
Of particular interest are the eleven bound volumes of Sunday service worship bulletins held at Perkins Chapel reflecting and documenting the Methodist background of Southern Methodist University. The Chaplain’s office did not limit itself to Methodist forms of spiritual enrichment; it also included Jewish, Buddhist, Latter-day Saint, Christian Legal Society, and Catholic works within its scope. The office also reached out to the community through the ICE (Inter-Community Experience) Service House, aided the environment with the Wildlife Committee, and worked with Nuclear Free issues in the 1980s. A few reports summarizing the Chaplain’s office are included (1980-1998), but the majority of the records within this collection reflect the Chaplain’s interaction with SMU campus life during the 1980s and 1990s.
This collection does not include any sermons or notes for sermons Dr. Finnin delivered during his tenure as chaplain.
Arrangement of the Collection
The collection is organized into 3 series:
- Series 1: Chaplain’s Office
- Series 2: Campus Organizations
- Series 3: Worship
Related Materials
Southern Methodist University chaplain records. (SMU 1992.0132)
Access to Collection:
Collection is open for research use.
Publication Rights:
Permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Director of the DeGolyer Library.
Copyright Statement:
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain copyright authorization.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following terms in the Southern Methodist University Libraries' online catalog. Researchers desiring related materials may search the catalog using these terms.
Southern Methodist University -- Religion.
Southern Methodist University -- Chaplains.
College chaplains -- Texas -- Dallas.
Church work with students -- Texas -- Dallas.
Preferred Citation
William M. Finnin papers, Southern Methodist University Archives, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University.
Acquisition Information
Transfer from the Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life, 2009.
Processing Information
The William Finnin papers consisted of hanging file folders, collection plates, bound journals, bound worship bulletins, and a couple of notebooks. The original files were in very good order but the hanging folders have been replaced with acid-free folders. There were three series created for the papers with all materials being kept together.
Processed by Marla D. Young, Spring 2009.
Encoded by
Lara Corazalla, 2010.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1:
Chaplain’s Office
2 boxes (31 folders and 2 books)
The Chaplain’s Office contains records directly related to the administrative duties of the Chaplain’s office.
11University Church Historical and Theological Info
12Office of the Chaplain/Campus Ministries Staff Retreat, June 23, 1992
13Annual Reports 1958-1979
14Annual Reports 1980
15Annual Reports 1981-82
16Annual Reports 1982-83, 83-84, 84-85, 85-86
17Annual Reports 1986-87
18Annual Reports 1987-88
19Annual Reports 1988-89
110Annual Reports 1989-90
111Annual Reports 1990-91, 91-92, 92-93
112Annual Report and Goals 93-94
113Annual Report and Goals 94-95
114Financial Operations Staff Meetings (SAFO)
115Progress Report for the Centennial Strategic Plan: 2006-2015
116University Chapel/Church
117United Methodist Scholar
118Zumberge, James H.
119Westerhoff Seminar October 1982
120Loretta O’Reilly Hawkins Endowed Fund
121University Chaplaincy Program Survey
21Report of The Campus Study Committee
22Chaplains’ Advisory Committee
23Correspondence-Outgoing (Will) July 1981-Dec 1983
24Correspondence-Outgoing (Will) 1987-88
25Correspondence-Outgoing (Will) 1989-90
26Correspondence-Outgoing (Will) 1999
27Correspondence-Incoming (Will)
28Correspondence-Tris
29Personnel
2102004 Internal Revenue taxes for Southern Methodist University
2"The English Bible Before The King James." Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, SMU. Dated October 14th, 1964.
2Bound Leather Journal titled "The Church Register"
Series 2:
Campus Organizations
3 boxes and 1 book (50 folders and 1 book)
This series contains campus organizations that the Chaplain’s Office was involved with.
31Campus Ministry Council Constitution
32University Chapel Campus Ministries
33Campus Ministry Council 1976-1982
34United Methodist Campus Ministries Financial, 1981-May 1983
35United Methodist Campus Ministry Financial Information 83-86
36Campus Ministry Council 1982-83
37Campus Ministry Council 1983-84
38Campus Ministry Council 1984-85
39Campus Ministry Council 1985-86
310Campus Ministry Council 1986-87
311Campus Ministry Council 1987-1988
312Campus Ministry Council 1988-1989
313Campus Ministry Council 1989-90
314Campus Ministry Council 90-91
315Campus Ministry Council 1991-92
41Campus Ministry Council 1992-93
42Campus Ministry Council 93-94
43Campus Ministry Council 94-95
44Campus Ministry Council 95-96
45Campus Ministry Council 96-97
46Campus Ministry Council 97-98
47United Methodist Campus Ministry Steering Committee
48United Methodist Campus Ministries
49National Institute for Campus Ministries (NICM)
410NICM Conference for Jews and Christians in Higher Education 2/82
411National Association of College and University Chaplains (NACUC)
412ICE Photos
413Covenant Community Budget 1964-1990
414Covenant Community Minutes 1979-80
51Covenant Community Minutes 1983-84
52Covenant Community Budget 90-91
53Covenant Community Minutes 91-92
54Minutes 1994 Covenant Community University Chapel
55Chapel Calendar 1995 Covenant Community University Chapel
56University Chapel Money Market 1994 Covenant Community (University Chapel)
57Budget (92) Covenant Community University Chapel
58Covenant Community By-laws, etc. University Chapel
59Covenant Community 1991-92
510UCAM
511Uncommittee
512TUMCA Intercultural Conference March 4-5, 1993
513Student Ministry Groups 2008-09
514Closet Clean Up 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
515Bishop Dale White Conference on Nuclearism Nov 1987
516Perspective
517Wildfire
518Wild Life Committee
519Tri-Racial Committee
520Council on University Ceremonies
521Netscape-Home Page
6Red Leather Bound Journal of Presbyterian Pastor’s Association for SMU dating from April 27, 1955 to May 29, 1969.
Series 3:
Worship
2.75 boxes
Contains material related to the worship services the Chaplain’s Office officiated.
61University Bulletins (Children)
62Advent Lessons and Carols from King’s College Chapel, Cambridge
63University Worship pamphlets, Aug 27, 1995 to March 10, 1996
6Blue binder with news clippings, liturgy, and worship services at Perkins Chapel
6Bright blue binder with Southern Methodist University Dallas-Texas embossed in gold on the front. Worship services liturgy for Perkins dated Sept 23, 1984, preaching schedules for Perkins January 1982-December 1985
74 metal rimmed, red leather collection plates/bags.
8Perkins Chapel Worship bulletins bound in blue books dating from September 1964-July 1985, March 1987 to May 1993. 11 books total