Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
The Augustus M. Witherspoon Papers consists of a scrapbook compiled after his death of Dr. Witherspoon's personal and professional papers, photographs, newspaper articles, and a handwritten sermon.
Dr. Augustus M. Witherspoon (1930-1994) was a professor of botany at North Carolina State University and a leader in African American organizations at NCSU and the wider community.
Dr. Augustus M. Witherspoon (1930-1994) was raised in Maryland before attending Claflin University (then Claflin College) for his undergraduate degree. He then earned his master's degree from Southern Illinois University and North Carolina State University before completing his PhD at NCSU in 1970, the second Black man to do so. From 1968-1994 he taught botany and phycology at NCSU, where he became the first Black faculty member to become full professor in 1982. During his time at NC State, Dr. Witherspoon served as Assistant Dean, Associate Dean, and Acting Dean of the Graduate School. He also became an Assistant Provost and Coordinator of African American affairs at the university, led several study abroad trips to West Africa, and helped found the Eta Omicron Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and African American Cultural Center.
Dr. Witherspoon was married to Ruth "Cookie" Scipio, a native of Darlington, South Carolina, and the first Black registered nurse at Rex Hospital in Raleigh. He was also a deacon and pastor at Saint Luke African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church from 1981 until his death in 1994, and a life-long member and office holder in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Dr. Witherspoon passed away in 1994.
The Augustus Witherspoon Papers consist of a scrapbook containing Dr. Witherspoon's personal and professional papers such as his resume, travel documents, passport, photographs, newspaper clippings, and a handwritten sermon.
This collection consists of a scrapbook compiled after Dr. Witherspoon's death and is primarily arranged in that thematic order. Some materials have been rearranged for ease of access.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Augustus M. Witherspoon Papers, MC 00785, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Wynter Douglas, 2025 July (Accession 2025.0085)
Processed by: Rebecca Speas, July 2025; Collection guide written by: Hailey Mandel and Rebecca Speas.
Contains professional and personal materials, including a curriculum vitae, passport and vaccination records, and travel materials from a North Carolina State University summer study abroad trip to Ghana, Benin, and Togo.
Contains images of Witherspoon Student Center and branches of Dr. Witherspoon's extended family. Named families include: Witherspoon, C. Dixon, Roberson, Smith, Mincey, Young, Walden, Scipio, Williams, Faulk, Heysward, L. Johnson, Bess, J. Hutcherson, Nicholson, Mewborn, and Purefoy.
Contains one sheet of images on Kodak inkjet photo paper, one contact sheet print, one 8 x 10 photographic print, and photocopied photo collages of family members.
Includes newspaper clippings and newsletters from the News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), the Claflin College National Alumni Post Panther Newsletter, and the NC State Black Alumni Society newsletter.
Includes awards and recognition from North Carolina State University, the NCSU Black Alumni Society, the NCSU African American Cultural Center, the Raleigh-Wake Pan-Hellenic Council, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Hand-written sermon and poem written by Augustus Witherspoon, correspondence, and writings enjoyed by Dr. Witherspoon.
Includes one 3.5 x 7 inch photographic print.
Photocopy of the Afrocentric Self Inventory and Discovery Workbook for African American Youth as well as communication to Victor Coffie regarding Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Materials from the Witherspoon collection when it was held in the NCSU African American Cultural Center, including a table of contents, inventories, and portfolio dividers.
Circular woven felt varsity letter.
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], Augustus M. Witherspoon Papers, MC 00785, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.